Grants We Funded
Grant applicants for the 2023 cycle requested a total of nearly $4 million dollars. The PSF Study Section Subcommittees of Basic & Translational Research and Clinical Research evaluated nearly 140 grant applications on the following topics:
The PSF awarded research grants totaling over $1 million dollars to support nearly 30 plastic surgery research proposals.
ASPS/PSF leadership is committed to continuing to provide high levels of investigator-initiated research support to ensure that plastic surgeons have the needed research resources to be pioneers and innovators in advancing the practice of medicine.
Research Abstracts
Search The PSF database to have easy access to full-text grant abstracts from past PSF-funded research projects 2003 to present. All abstracts are the work of the Principal Investigators and were retrieved from their PSF grant applications. Several different filters may be applied to locate abstracts specific to a particular focus area or PSF funding mechanism.
The effect of breast reduction mammaplasty on spinal function and physical health
Principal Investigator
Lucie Lessard MD, FRCSC
Lucie Lessard MD, FRCSC
Year
2016
2016
Institution
The Research Institute of the McGill
The Research Institute of the McGill
Funding Mechanism
Pilot Research Grant
Pilot Research Grant
Focus Area
Breast (Cosmetic / Reconstructive)
Breast (Cosmetic / Reconstructive)
Abstract
The most common physical complaints associated with breast hypertrophy include neck and upper back pain, headache, aching shoulders, painful shoulder grooves, low back pain, intertrigo and poor posture. Although several studies have demonstrated that breast reduction mammaplasty effectively relieve these symptoms, there is a lack of objective studies regarding the possible permanents effects on the vertebral column, as well as the quantitative documentation of the benefits on posture and overall physical function/general health after surgery. Recent radiological studies have shown significant improvement in spinal alignment following breast reduction surgery, but are still no comprehensive study analysing the back pain issue thoroughly even though good previous outcome studies have shown important improvement on many aspects after breast reduction. Our multidisciplinary team, which includes plastic surgeons, orthopaedic spine surgeons, and physiotherapists plan to evaluate objectively the impact of breast reduction surgery on the vertebral column, paraspinal musculature, physical activity and function. A group of 30 patients undergoing breast reduction surgery will be recruited from the Montreal General Hospital plastic surgery clinic. Participants will be asked to complete health outcome questionnaires pre and post-surgery. X-rays of the spine will also be obtained at baseline and 6-week post-surgery to assess any anatomical changes of the vertebral column. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will also be obtained at baseline and 6-month following surgery to assess any changes in neck and back muscles size and function. Finally, physiotherapy clinical assessments will be performed at baseline and 6-week post-surgery to evaluate changes in spine mobility, overall posture and physical performance. This study can be expected to enhance knowledge on the effects of breast reduction surgery on posture, anatomical changes of the vertebral column, musculoskeletal system and overall physical performance. Insurers are already covering breast reduction (350g min US) and are conscious since many years of the clinical benefits for the patients afflicted by this condition. We are interested to contribute scientifically, document and understand better the functional effects on the spine in a systematic approach of breast hypertrophy/macromastia, which is an important health burden for many women and even younger women more recently with the increase of obesity worlwide.
The most common physical complaints associated with breast hypertrophy include neck and upper back pain, headache, aching shoulders, painful shoulder grooves, low back pain, intertrigo and poor posture. Although several studies have demonstrated that breast reduction mammaplasty effectively relieve these symptoms, there is a lack of objective studies regarding the possible permanents effects on the vertebral column, as well as the quantitative documentation of the benefits on posture and overall physical function/general health after surgery. Recent radiological studies have shown significant improvement in spinal alignment following breast reduction surgery, but are still no comprehensive study analysing the back pain issue thoroughly even though good previous outcome studies have shown important improvement on many aspects after breast reduction. Our multidisciplinary team, which includes plastic surgeons, orthopaedic spine surgeons, and physiotherapists plan to evaluate objectively the impact of breast reduction surgery on the vertebral column, paraspinal musculature, physical activity and function. A group of 30 patients undergoing breast reduction surgery will be recruited from the Montreal General Hospital plastic surgery clinic. Participants will be asked to complete health outcome questionnaires pre and post-surgery. X-rays of the spine will also be obtained at baseline and 6-week post-surgery to assess any anatomical changes of the vertebral column. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will also be obtained at baseline and 6-month following surgery to assess any changes in neck and back muscles size and function. Finally, physiotherapy clinical assessments will be performed at baseline and 6-week post-surgery to evaluate changes in spine mobility, overall posture and physical performance. This study can be expected to enhance knowledge on the effects of breast reduction surgery on posture, anatomical changes of the vertebral column, musculoskeletal system and overall physical performance. Insurers are already covering breast reduction (350g min US) and are conscious since many years of the clinical benefits for the patients afflicted by this condition. We are interested to contribute scientifically, document and understand better the functional effects on the spine in a systematic approach of breast hypertrophy/macromastia, which is an important health burden for many women and even younger women more recently with the increase of obesity worlwide.
Biography
As a Plastic Surgeon trained in the US in a large University center, I have been exposed to a large clinical practice with the newest techniques in every surgery. I am double board in 2 surgical specialties including Plastic Surgery. I also have had the opportunities to be involved in clinical research during my residency and won the first Prize at the American Senior residents meeting - Pediatric section with one of my project on radiotherapy/cancer/facial growth deformity (rhabdomyosarcoma/retinoblastoma) this had an impact on the delivery of radiotherapy in children at the Dana Farber. After my training, I joined a University Practice and 8 years ago became the Chairperson of the Division of Plastic Surgery organizing 10 Plastic Surgeons, 18 residents and fellow spread in 7 Hospital/ centers of surgical/teaching activities where we share OR time. I have always dedicated time to research in basic sciences and clinical research in different fields of Plastic Surgery research on wound healing. Through the years, I have supervised and coached more than 25 medical students, 20-30 residents and 7 Master Degrees surgical residents (Masters in Experimental Surgery special program) with different projects of mine which have been scientifically presented at provincial, national and international meeting.
As a Plastic Surgeon trained in the US in a large University center, I have been exposed to a large clinical practice with the newest techniques in every surgery. I am double board in 2 surgical specialties including Plastic Surgery. I also have had the opportunities to be involved in clinical research during my residency and won the first Prize at the American Senior residents meeting - Pediatric section with one of my project on radiotherapy/cancer/facial growth deformity (rhabdomyosarcoma/retinoblastoma) this had an impact on the delivery of radiotherapy in children at the Dana Farber. After my training, I joined a University Practice and 8 years ago became the Chairperson of the Division of Plastic Surgery organizing 10 Plastic Surgeons, 18 residents and fellow spread in 7 Hospital/ centers of surgical/teaching activities where we share OR time. I have always dedicated time to research in basic sciences and clinical research in different fields of Plastic Surgery research on wound healing. Through the years, I have supervised and coached more than 25 medical students, 20-30 residents and 7 Master Degrees surgical residents (Masters in Experimental Surgery special program) with different projects of mine which have been scientifically presented at provincial, national and international meeting.