Dr. Babak Azizzadeh Featured Guest Speaker at JSEI Course

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, facelift and fat grafting expert, featured as a guest speaker at the JSEI Aesthetic Eyelid and Facial Rejuvenation Course.

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh was featured as a guest speaker at the Jules Stein Eye Institute’s (JSEI) Annual Aesthetic Eyelid & Facial Rejuvenation Course on June 16, 2012. Dr. Azizzadeh conducted a lecture entitled “Rhytidectomy: Modern Concepts,” which focused on state-of-the-art facelifts and fat grafting techniques. He was also a part of an expert panel and round table discussion on the topic of facelift options and complications, alongside other facelift experts.

The course took place June 15-16, and featured many world renowned surgeons. The second day of the course, in which Dr. Azizzadeh lectured, covered the nuances of technique that are critical for achieving the spectacular results demanded by today’s sophisticated patients. The course brought together innovative experts in aesthetic oculoplastic surgery who shared their experiences, techniques, and pearls. The talks covered aesthetic blepharoplasty, endoscopic forehead surgery, face lift surgery, and non-incisional plastic surgery techniques.

Established in 1966, the Jules Stein Eye Institute represents the culmination of a dream shared by ophthalmologist, businessman and philanthropist Dr. Jules Stein, and his wife Doris, of creating a world-renowned center dedicated to the preservation of vision and the prevention of blindness. The Institute’s comprehensive programs have brought national and international recognition to the Institute and UCLA.

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh is a facelift expert, recognized as a Top Doctor by the US News & World Report. He completed a fellowship in facial plastic & reconstructive surgery at the prestigious Harvard Medical School, and is the author of five bestselling books, including “Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation” and “Beverly Hills Beauty Secrets.”  Dr. Azizzadeh has been recognized for his work on several occasions, and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and countless other media outlets. Dr. Azizzadeh is also the director of the USC Facial Plastic Fellowship Program, as well as the Cedars-Sinai Multispecialty Plastic Surgery Symposium.

For more information visit his facial plastic surgeon website or call (855) 360-9119.

American Idol winner Phillip Phillips to undergo kidney surgery

Renowned and highly sought after urologist Kia Michel, M.D., talks risks and treatments

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) June 07, 2012

Phillip Phillips, the winner of this year’s American Idol contest, has been battling kidney problems for months and was scheduled to undergo surgery this week. However, sources are now telling E! News that Phillips is “doing well” and responding to alternative treatments. At this point in time he has no plans to follow through with surgery.

“Surgery is usually not necessary; most kidney stones can pass through the urinary system of a patient as long as the individual drinks plenty of fluids. But in this case, the kidney stones are so big they can’t pass through the system, which is why surgery is needed,” explains Dr. Kia Michel, a urologist in Beverly Hills at La Peer Health Systems.

Phillip Phillips has battled kidney problems throughout his life. The serious congenital kidney condition he is suffering from produces kidney stones so large they cannot pass. The condition has virtually debilitated his kidney. Doctors inserted a stent into Phillips’ kidney seven weeks ago as a temporary fix, but now that the competition is over Phillips will undergo one additional procedure to reconstruct his kidney.

“If the kidney stone cannot pass on its own, it blocks the flow of urine, causes ongoing urinary tract infection, damages kidney tissue, or causes constant bleeding you need surgery,” says Dr. Michel.

Until 20 years ago, open surgery was necessary to remove a stone. The surgery required a recovery time of 4 to 6 weeks. Today, treatment for these stones is greatly improved, and many options do not require major open surgery and can be performed in an outpatient setting.

“In the case with Phillips, his kidney is not entirely normal. The anatomy, shape, or structure might be abnormal. He may also have a metabolic disorder, affecting the way his body breaks down calcium or protein, which could cause kidney stones,” according to Dr. Michel.

Dr. Michel is one of the founding members of the Comprehensive Urology Medical Group, located in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers in Los Angeles, California. Comprehensive Urology Medical Group provides a personalized approach for helping patients with urologic conditions.

La Peer Health Systems focuses on excellence in patient care and offers the most advanced and contemporary treatments and equipment that the medical world has access to. With 42 doctors across 13 departments, from anesthesiology to urology, La Peer offers comprehensive and widespread medical treatments for all patients.

La Peer Health Systems Surgeon Is At Forefront of Breakthrough Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Procedure

Beverly Hills orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Steven Meier, is one of a few surgeons to offer Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for cartilage restoration.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 15, 2012

Steven Meier, MD, a board certified orthopedic surgeon at La Peer Health Systems in Beverly Hills, CA is one of a few surgeons in the nation to perform autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). This procedure is used for cartilage restoration and regrowth.

“This breakthrough treatment is a great solution for many patients, especially athletes and those who are very active, who experience early cartilage degeneration. ACI provides regenerative results that were previously unavailable,” said Dr. Meier.

Cartilage is found in joint surfaces where bones come in contact with each other. Cartilage damage can be caused by traumatic injury or overuse, and can be very common among athletes. Cartilage restoration procedures help the damaged cartilage regenerate to fill in significant defects, and as a result, patients no longer experience the pain of that missing or damaged tissue.

ACI is a significant procedure that includes two surgeries to complete. “ACI is a long process and requires a real commitment to rehabilitation from the patient,” explained Dr. Meier.

If the patient is not diligent with their rehabilitation, the best results cannot be achieved. If the strict rehabilitation schedule is followed, however, patients can experience dramatic results and induced healing of what were otherwise debilitating defects of cartilage.

ACI is a two-step surgical process. Dr. Meier will first take a biopsy of healthy cartilage cells and sends them to a lab where they are cultivated, and encouraged to grow in culture over the span of several weeks. By the end of this period, the cartilage cells have multiplied enough to then be transplanted back into the patient.

To implant the newly grown cells, Dr. Meier will perform an open surgical procedure. First, a layer of tissue matrix is seeded with the cultured cartilage cells, sewn over the defect (the area that needs new cartilage), and then sealed into place with fibrin glue. Then, Dr. Meier will inject the new cartilage cells into the defect under the cover, where the new cartilage will grow into the defined area and fill in the hole of the defect until it has become like the healthy cartilage surrounding it.

One of the greatest advantages of ACI is that it utilizes the patient’s own cartilage, so there is no risk of the body rejecting the new tissue.

To learn more about this cutting-edge procedure, contact La Peer Health Systems at 855.360.9119 and ask to speak with the Orthopedic Surgery Department.

La Peer Health Systems, located in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles county, focuses on excellence in patient care, offering the most advanced treatments and equipment that the medical world has access to. With 42 doctors across 13 departments, from anesthesiology to urology, La Peer offers comprehensive and widespread medical treatments for all patients.

Dr. Larian New Chief of Head & Neck Surgery at Cedars-Sinai

Babak Larian, MD, appointed new Chief of Head & Neck Surgery at Cedars-Sinai.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 21, 2012

Babak Larian, MD, who had been the director of the Head and Neck Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai, has been appointed the Chief of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery at the Medical Center. He began the position on January 1, 2012 and will hold the position until December 31, 2014.

Dr. Larian is a highly experienced and board certified Head & Neck Surgeon and an Ear, Nose, & Throat Specialist. He is also offers his expertise at the Cedars-Sinai Thyroid Cancer Center and the Cedars-Sinai Sinus Center.

“Being offered the position of Chief of Head & Neck Surgery is a great honor, and I was very excited when I accepted the proposal. Cedars-Sinai is a world-class hospital with an excellent staff, and I am honored to be a part of it,” said Dr. Larian.

Dr. Larian has extensive experience in treatment of all head and neck cancers, including complex advanced tumors, skull base tumors and recurrent cancers. He has expertise in minimally invasive thyroid, parathyroid, parotid gland, salivary gland surgery, endoscopic laser tumor resection and Zenker’s diverticulotomy. Dr. Larian puts a special emphasis on treatment options that take into account form and function, and he carefully plans reconstructive and facial reanimation procedures to optimize speech, swallowing, facial movement and appearance.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is a non-profit multi-specialty academic health science center, known for providing the highest quality patient care that modern medicine has to offer. The hospital employs a staff of over 2,000 physicians and 10,000 employees. A team of 2,000 volunteers and more than 40 community groups support a patient-base of over 16,000 people. Cedars-Sinai is dedicated to excellent, compassion, innovation, and the art & science of healing.

Dr. Babak Larian, the Chairman and the Director of the CENTER for Advanced Head & Neck Surgery in Los Angeles, is a highly experienced and reputable, board-certified ear, head and neck surgeon, specializing in ear, nose and throat surgery. Dr. Larian is nationally renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive surgery techniques in the treatment of sinus, thyroid, parathyroid, salivary glands and throat disorders.

For more information about the CENTER please visit http://www.LarianMD.com

New Study Reports Prednisolone Significantly Reduces Lasting Effects of Bell’s Palsy

Facial paralysis expert, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, discusses the importance of new Bell’s palsy treatment findings.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 23, 2012

According to a report in the May issue of Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, a recent Swedish and Finnish Scandinavian Bell’s palsy study revealed that treatment for Bell’s palsy with steroids within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms appeared to significantly reduce the number of patients with mild to moderate palsy severity at 12 months regardless of whether patients received antiviral treatment with Valtrex.

“This study provides very important insight into the treatment of Bell’s palsy. The study shows that it may not matter if antivirals are used or not as long as the individual is treated within 72 hours with steroids,” said Dr. Azizzadeh.

The randomized placebo-controlled trial, which focused on the effect of prednisolone in patients with Bell’s palsy, included 829 patients ages 18 to 75 years. Patients were divided into four treatment groups; placebo plus placebo, prednisolone plus placebo, the antiviral valacyclovir (Valtrex) plus placebo, and prednisolone plus valacyclovir.

The investigators evaluated facial function at 12 months using the Sunnybrook and House-Brackmann grading systems. Treatment with prednisolone significantly reduced mild and moderate sequelae in Bell’s palsy patients at 12 months. However, prednisolone did not reduce the number of patients with severe sequelae. Additionally, valacyclovir alone, as well as the combination of prednisolone plus valacyclovir did not reduce the number of patients with sequelae compared with prednisolone alone.

Dr. Azizzadeh also believes that, “while most patients recover from the effects of Bell’s palsy within six months, there are still a group of patients who experience severe degrees of synkinesis, or abnormal facial movements, that could benefit from additional treatments such as Botox, neuromuscular retraining, fillers and or surgery. The treatments must always be customized.”

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, the Director of The Facial Paralysis Institute, is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is deeply committed to the treatment of individuals with facial paralysis and Bell’s palsy. His expertise in facial plastic surgery has made him one of the most sought-after surgeons in the country.

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, the Facial Paralysis Institute provides their patients with the most comfortable and technologically advanced facilities in the field of medicine. For more information, please visit http://www.FacialParalysisInstitute.com.

Should Males Over 75 be Screened for Prostate Cancer?

La Peer Health Systems urologist, Dr. Premal J Desai, comments on the medical benefits and risks that may occur in PSA screening for men 75 years of age and older.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 31, 2012

Recently the United States Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) stated that the potential risks of PSA prostate cancer screenings for men over the age of 75 might out way the potential benefits.

Dr. Premal Desai, a well-respected urologist in Beverly Hills at La Peer Health Systems, feels that men over the age of 75 should not be deprived of the right to be screened.

“Unfortunately the debate about screening for prostate cancer has focused on over treatment and its potential consequences, rather than focusing on which cancers should be treated and which may be able to be safely monitored. The Preventative Task Force preliminary recommendation against PSA screening is based on avoiding potential side effects on treatment,” said Dr. Desai.

Physicians should use judgment with their elderly patients and have an informed discussion with them in order to decide whether or not they wish to be screened. After a meaningful discussion with the patient, Dr. Desai determines if a PSA blood test screening should be administered.

The goal of Dr. Desai’s assessment in screening elderly patients is to focus on detecting aggressive cancers that may affect the quality of life for elderly men before they become symptomatic.

“I do agree that most men age 75 or older will not die of newly diagnosed prostate cancer, but there are a significant number of men who are quite healthy with significant longevity in their family history who may be harboring potentially aggressive disease. These men should be able to make a choice of whether or not they wish to be screened,” explained Dr. Desai.

In treating his patients, Dr. Desai takes in to consideration all possible medical options and discuss thoroughly with this patients to create an individual evaluation.

In addition to Dr. Desai, all of the surgeons at La Peer Health Systems utilize techniques that are cutting edge. La Peer prides itself in providing patients with the most advanced surgical options available.

La Peer Health Systems, located in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles county, focuses on excellence in patient care, offering the most advanced treatments and equipment that the medical world has access to. With 42 doctors across 13 departments, from anesthesiology to urology, La Peer offers comprehensive and widespread medical treatments for all patients.