ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Feb. 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A simple plastic surgery procedure can help some patients with migraine headaches. But so far, relatively few U.S. plastic surgeons are performing migraine surgery, reports a study in the March issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Plastic surgeons are aware of studies showing the effectiveness of migraine surgery, and at least some are interested in performing the procedure. However, they still perceive "significant barriers" to the increased use of surgical treatment for migraine, according to the study by Dr. Theodore A. Kung and colleagues of University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Few Plastic Surgeons Have Performed Migraine Surgery
The researchers surveyed nearly 3,500 ASPS members regarding their knowledge, attitudes and experience related to migraine surgery. Recent studies have shown good results with a simple surgical procedure for migraine patients who don't respond to initial treatments. The surgical techniques were developed by plastic surgeons who noticed that some migraine patients had fewer headaches after undergoing cosmetic forehead-lift procedures.
Questionnaire responses from nearly 200 plastic surgeons were analyzed. Of these, just 18 percent had performed surgery for the treatment of migraine. Of those who did, more than 80 percent said the surgery improved the patients' migraine symptoms.
Most plastic surgeons were at least "somewhat familiar" with studies reporting on the effectiveness of migraine surgery. Sixty percent said they would be interested in offering migraine surgery if an appropriate patient were referred to them by a board certified neurologist.
Many of the surgeons surveyed felt they weren't familiar enough with the technique of migraine surgery—or with migraine in general—to perform the procedure. Most were unaware that migraine surgery is covered by some major health insurers, including Medicare.
Barriers to Wider Acceptance of Surgical Treatment for Migraine
Migraine is a common problem that interferes with many aspects of daily life for millions of Americans. New surgical techniques have the potential to reduce or eliminate migraine attacks for many patients who do not respond to medications or other current treatments. Previous studies have reported good results one to five years following migraine surgery.
The study has some important limitations—especially the very low survey response rate (about five percent). However, the results suggest that at least some U.S. plastic surgeons are performing migraine surgery and achieving good results for their patients. Many others are aware of research showing the effectiveness of migraine surgery, and would be willing to perform it if perceived obstacles to the procedure could be overcome.
"Increased referral of suitable patients by neurologists and improved familiarity with the concept and techniques of migraine surgery may motivate more plastic surgeons to perform migraine surgery," Dr. Kung and coauthors write. They also call for "appropriately designed clinical trials" to confirm the benefits of migraine surgery.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
About Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
For more than 60 years, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® (http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/) has been the one consistently excellent reference for every specialist who uses plastic surgery techniques or works in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. The official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® brings subscribers up-to-the-minute reports on the latest techniques and follow-up for all areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction, experimental studies, maxillofacial reconstruction, hand and microsurgery, burn repair, and cosmetic surgery, as well as news on medico-legal issues.
About ASPS
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the world's largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Representing more than 7,000 Member Surgeons, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS advances quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. For more information, please visit www.plasticsurgery.org.
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