HCM CITY — The latest advances in the field of aesthetic surgery and medicine were discussed at the 14th annual international scientific congress of the HCM City Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, which closed on Friday.

Around 500 aesthetic and plastic surgeons, and other doctors, attended the three-day meeting, which features presentations on facial rejuvenation, aesthetic breast surgery, rhinoplasty and sex reassignment surgery.

Dr Marcos Harel, national secretary of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Israel, said the use of diced cartilage wrapped in fascia grafts had gained widespread popularity in the last decade and showed good and long-lasting results

Harel gave technical tips that will aid the new rhinoplasty surgeon to achieve good aesthetics and functional outcomes.

Along with live demonstrations of surgery techniques by guest speakers, an exhibition displays new medical technical products that upgrade aesthetic therapeutic quality.

Prof Susumu Takayanagi, director of the Mega Clinic in Japan and global chairman of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, said that more advanced technologies in plastic and aesthetic surgery were under development.

“It is necessary that surgeons be well-trained and able to deal with potential complications,” he said, adding that many patients have complications after surgery, leading to higher costs for treatment.

A care plan after plastic and aesthetic surgery should be carried out for timely recovery, he added.

In Japan, many patients often travel to other countries for rhinoplasty and breast aesthetic surgery because of the cheaper costs.

But they often have complications after returning  home because of poorly qualified surgeons and no post-surgery care, Takayanagi said.

Professor Lê Hành, chairman of the HCM City Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, said that Việt Nam has 294 hospitals, departments and clinics operating in the sector.

Since 1997, 368 doctors have received training in a one-year programme, and 74 doctors have finished a three-year training programme since 2011. — VNS