Editorial

Dear readers,

Despite the recent hot summer days and uncertain pandemic situation in Europe and over the world, the publishing activity of Acta Chirurgiae Plasticae is continuing permanently.

The face, and especially the maxillofacial region, is considered to be the dominant mark of a person. This idea rules both genders – male and female. For a woman, however, the breast region reveals to be of the same value, if not much more. Excellent esthetic results, such as minimizing scars and symmetry of reconstruction etc., contribute to the increasing level of the quality of life of our patients. Improving satisfaction with facial or breast region appearance, enhancing self-esteem, or lowering fear of negative appearance evaluation may enhance long-term psychological functioning.

As Prof. Ehrenfeld said: “Good results originate from experience, experience originates from bad results.” Why to do it this way? Comparing own results with those from various other workplaces by PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar etc. may help us in practical application of the principles of evidence-based medicine. A vast majority of research literature has suggested remarkable improvement in surgical outcomes under the guidance of 3D planning and computer-assisted navigation by better accuracy of surgery and shorter duration of the operation resulting in faster tissue healing, especially in microvascular free flap reconstructions.

Progress in the medical sciences is unbelievable and creates an increasing number of special groups of patients which were not obvious before, e. g. patients after solid organ transplantation. What would be the correct and optimal management of them?

You can find all these topics and, for sure, even more in the current issue of Acta Chirurgiae Plasticae you have now in your hands.

Have a nice reading!

Prof. Peter Stanko, MD, PhD