Characterizing the Industry Payments Received by Plastic Surgeons at the American Association of Plastic Surgeons 2022 Meeting.

Abstract

Background: This study investigates the financial relationships held by attendees of the American Association of Plastic Surgery (AAPS) conference in 2022 utilizing the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments database.

Methods: Plastic surgeons practicing in the United States who were listed in the AAPS 2022 program were included in the study. Internet searches were used to obtain demographic information for each participant, including sex, region, fellowship training, years of practice, and practice setting. Industry payments for the year 2022 were collected. Statistical analyses were completed in SPSS.

Results: A total of $11,107,403.13 was received in general payments by the 390 plastic surgeons included in this study, with the 10 highest paid physicians encompassing 84% of these total payments. A total of 120 companies provided payments to included physicians. Surgical Innovation Associates, Inc., was responsible for 71.6% of payments made. Over 50% of plastic surgeons included in the AAPS program received payments from the second highest paying company, Allergan Inc. Males with 16-20 years of practice received the greatest industry payments; practice setting, fellowship training, and R1 institution affiliation were not reliable predictors of industry payments.

Conclusions: The average plastic surgeon who contributed to the 2022 AAPS program earned significantly more in industry payments compared to the average plastic surgeon nationwide, warranting concerns that conference content may be influenced by the financial relationships held by these speakers.