ASPS Cosmetic & Aesthetic Surgery 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the Fitzpatrick skin type scale used for in aesthetic medicine?
- Measuring skin elasticity and laxity
- Classifying skin phototype to predict response to laser and light treatments (Correct answer)
- Grading severity of acne scarring
- Assessing candidacy for chemical peels by skin thickness
Correct answer: Classifying skin phototype to predict response to laser and light treatments
The Fitzpatrick scale classifies skin phototype (I–VI) based on response to UV exposure, guiding safe selection of laser, light, and chemical peel treatments.
Question 2: Which rhinoplasty technique involves making all incisions inside the nostrils, leaving no external scars?
- Open rhinoplasty
- Closed rhinoplasty (Correct answer)
- Tip rhinoplasty
- Revision rhinoplasty
Correct answer: Closed rhinoplasty
Closed (endonasal) rhinoplasty places all incisions inside the nostrils, avoiding the transcolumellar scar characteristic of the open approach.
Question 3: Baker classification is used to grade complications following which aesthetic procedure?
- Breast augmentation capsular contracture (Correct answer)
- Facelift hematoma severity
- Abdominoplasty seroma formation
- Liposuction contour irregularity
Correct answer: Breast augmentation capsular contracture
The Baker Classification (grades I–IV) describes the severity of capsular contracture following breast augmentation, ranging from normal softness to severe distortion and pain.
Question 4: Which type of chemical peel penetrates to the papillary dermis and is appropriate for moderate photoaging and fine rhytids?
- Superficial peel (glycolic acid 20–30%)
- Medium-depth peel (TCA 35%) (Correct answer)
- Deep peel (phenol-croton oil)
- Jessner's solution alone
Correct answer: Medium-depth peel (TCA 35%)
Medium-depth peels using TCA at 35% penetrate to the papillary dermis, effectively treating moderate sun damage, fine lines, and superficial pigmentation.
Question 5: A patient wants to address dynamic forehead wrinkles. Which muscle is the primary target for neurotoxin injection?
- Procerus
- Frontalis (Correct answer)
- Corrugator supercilii
- Depressor supercilii
Correct answer: Frontalis
The frontalis muscle is responsible for horizontal forehead rhytids and is the primary target for neurotoxin injections to soften dynamic forehead lines.
Question 6: Which abdominal wall layer is tightened during a full abdominoplasty to correct diastasis recti?
- Scarpa's fascia
- Anterior rectus sheath (fascia) (Correct answer)
- Rectus abdominis muscle belly
- External oblique aponeurosis
Correct answer: Anterior rectus sheath (fascia)
Plication of the anterior rectus sheath tightens the midline diastasis recti, restoring core integrity and improving abdominal contour during abdominoplasty.
Question 7: What is the most common indication for revision rhinoplasty?
- Persistent nasal obstruction
- Residual or new cosmetic deformity (Correct answer)
- Septal perforation
- Skin necrosis
Correct answer: Residual or new cosmetic deformity
Residual or new cosmetic deformity is the most frequent reason patients seek revision rhinoplasty, including issues like dorsal irregularities, tip asymmetry, and over-resection.
ASPS Cosmetic & Aesthetic Surgery 3
What is the Fitzpatrick skin type scale used for in aesthetic medicine?