Although plastic surgery was not one of the earliest specialties to incorporate endoscopic surgical techniques, it is probably the specialty with the greatest demand on reducing the size of access incisions because of the emphasis on aesthetics. Initially, certain anatomic obstacles and technologic limitations prevented plastic surgeons from using minimal incision endoscopic surgical techniques.<sup>11 Vasconez L.O., Core G.B., Oslin B. Endoscopy in plastic surgery: An overview Clin Plast Surg 1995 ;  22 : 585-589

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références</sup> An optical cavity is essential for the use of endoscopes, and other specialties have benefited from the presence of natural potential cavities, such as joint spaces and the peritoneal cavity. In the most commonly performed endoscopically assisted plastic surgery procedures, spaces are created surgically between tissue planes because no natural cavities are present. The optical cavity then is maintained by retracting the soft tissues using balloons or umbrella-like retractors or externally with the use of sutures, adhesives, or skin hooks. Various instruments are needed to accomplish endoscopic plastic surgical procedures and many have been adapted from other specialties; however, as the demands of particular procedures are realized, instrument development has progressed, leading to highly specialized tools for the specialty.

In three procedures, endoscopes are more commonly used in plastic surgery: (1) forehead or brow lifts, (2) transaxillary breast augmentation, and (3) abdominoplasty. Each of these procedures is discussed with reference to surgical indications and desired results, traditional technique, endoscopic technique, and a comparison of the two techniques.