Plastic surgical nursing : official journal of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Nurses
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BOTOX cosmetic is proving to be an affordable alternative for thousands of people looking to enhance their appearance without the cost, risks and downtime associated with surgical procedures. Botulinum toxin is a neuromuscular blocking agent produced by Clostridium Botulinum, an anaerobic bacterium. When first discovered BOTOX was pinpointed as the cause of severe paralysis acquired through the ingestion of contaminated food. ⋯ The corrugator (medial eyebrows), crow's feet, forehead, platysmal neckbands, and the jowl are frequently targeted areas for BOTOX injections. There are no current guidelines for physical limitations following the administration of BOTOX. Side effects associated with BOTOX infections appear to be either local, due to the paralysis of adjacent muscles, or mild flu-like symptoms lasting a few days in a small number of patients.
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The use of ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) to assist in the removal of subcutaneous fat has been practiced in Europe for nearly 15 years and over the last 7 years has gained popularity in the United States. Liposuction is now one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures by board-certified plastic surgeons. This article will review the UAL procedure, its history, regulatory issues, instrumentation and equipment needed. It will also review changes and recent updates, clinical protocol, complications, and future considerations.
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As time goes on, more professional societies and individual states are mandating stricter standards for office surgical facilities to ensure quality of care. As the nurse is often the person who coordinates accreditation efforts within the facility, he or she needs to be "savvy" regarding the implementation and maintenance of these standards. The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) criteria are discussed with strategies and rationale for implementation.