Botox en Espanol -- Spanish Translation of Key Botox(r) Studies

Newswise — In just a few years, Botox® injection has become the most frequently performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedure in the United States. Yet the initial research demonstrating its effectiveness, as well as more recent studies expanding and refining its use in facial rejuvenation, have nearly all appeared in English only. This research "language barrier" may ultimately limit access to an enormously popular procedure by surgeons and for patients whose primary language is not English.

To address this problem, the editors of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), have commissioned a Spanish-language translation of its recent compendium of studies on the cosmetic uses of Botox®.

"Hispanic Americans are an important growth market for cosmetic surgery services, but one that has traditionally been underserved," said Dr. Robert M. Goldwyn, outgoing editor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. "We believe that making these high-quality translations available will provide an important service to Spanish-speaking plastic surgeons, ultimately helping to make the full capabilities of cosmetic Botox® injection available to a wider population."

The Spanish-language supplement will be available to all interested parties as a free download on the journal website, http://www.plasreconsurg.com. It will also be available to view at the international Plastic Surgery 2004 meeting, to be held October 9 through 13 in Philadelphia.

The supplement is a complete translation of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery's recent Botox® supplement. The research compendium assembles the already-classic papers that led to FDA approval of Botox® for facial rejuvenation, along with more recent papers describing and illustrating the expanding indications for this minimally invasive cosmetic procedure. One highlight is an update by Dr. Stephen Fagien on the evolution of Botox® from a technical procedure performed to eliminate lines and wrinkles to an aesthetic procedure to improve the facial form and shape.

According to ASPS statistics, Hispanic Americans made up six percent (517,324 patients) of all cosmetic plastic surgery patients in 2003, down from seven percent in 2002. Botox® injection was the overall top cosmetic plastic surgery procedure with more than 2.8 million procedures performed in 2003, up 157 percent from 2002 and up 267 percent from 2000.

The new translation complements other recent ASPS efforts to promote plastic surgery in the Hispanic market, such as producing Spanish-language patient education materials on common procedures. Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, incoming editor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, commented, "Rapid develop in techniques of cosmetic Botox® injection have provided millions of Americans with a safe and effective option for facial rejuvenation. We believe that making these pivotal studies available in Spanish will extend the accessibility and appropriate use of this procedure within the Hispanic community in the United States and throughout the Spanish-speaking world. We look forward to feedback on the supplement, as we anticipate publishing more Spanish-language supplements in the future."

ASPS, founded in 1931, is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world and the foremost authority on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. For referrals to ABPS-certified plastic surgeons in your area and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, call the ASPS at (888) 4-PLASTIC (1-888-475-2784) or visit www.plasticsurgery.org.