Medical Science Liaisons in Clinical Trials for Plastic Surgery: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Clinical Trials
• Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs)

Background:

• MSLs play a key role in connecting research and clinical practice.
• Their involvement in plastic surgery clinical trials is not well understood.
• This study investigates MSL acknowledgment in U.S. plastic surgery trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent of MSL acknowledgment in U.S. plastic surgery clinical trials.
• To evaluate the potential impact of MSLs on trial quality and outcomes.
• To understand the strategic role of MSLs in plastic surgery research.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping review following PRISMA guidelines.
• Searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov.
• Included plastic and reconstructive surgery trials mentioning MSLs; data extracted and quality assessed.

Main Results:

• Only two of 3,766 studies met inclusion criteria, both acknowledging MSLs.
• MSLs contributed scientific insights, communication, and protocol adherence.
• Studies focused on breast implant safety and postoperative analgesia.

Conclusions:

• MSLs are strategically involved in plastic surgery trials, despite limited explicit acknowledgment.
• Their inclusion improves data quality, scientific communication, and regulatory alignment.
• Broader recognition of MSLs in plastic surgery trial infrastructure is supported.