GUIDELINES FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Abstract submission deadline: October 15th, 2025.

MAXIMUM CARE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO WRITING YOUR ABSTRACT. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES, DESIGNED TO STANDARDIZE THE ABSTRACT SUBMISSION PROCEDURE. ABSTRACTS THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE REJECTED.

ABSTRACT PREPARATION

Format:

Original studies and case reports covering all aspects of Plastic Surgery are eligible for presentation, including history, research, basic science, various reconstruction techniques, congenital malformations, aesthetic surgery, burns, trauma, flaps, microsurgery, and more.
To ensure a well-rounded final program, submissions are organized into specific categories, and abstracts must be prepared to align with the following categories:

  • Research

    The purpose of the investigation should be clearly stated and results must be supplied. Please note that only clinical research abstracts will be considered for EURAPS. Basic research abstracts must be submitted to the ERC – EURAPS Research Council.

  • Reconstructive (Pediatric) Craniofacial, Head and Neck

    Data of the prospective/retrospective study along with complications must be produced.

  • Reconstructive Breast (Implant or Autologous)

    Data of the prospective/retrospective study along with complications must be produced.

  • Aesthetic Face and Neck

    Emphasis should be given to the description of the procedure, evaluation of the results and complications.

  • Aesthetic Breast and Body

    Emphasis should be given to the description of the procedure, evaluation of the results and complications.

  • Pelvic, Perineal and Genital

    Data of the prospective/retrospective study along with complications must be produced.

  • Extremities: Upper Extremity

    Data of the prospective/retrospective study along with complications must be produced.

  • Extremities: Lower Extremity

    Data of the prospective/retrospective study along with complications must be produced.

  • General Microsurgery and Lymphatic Surgery

    Data of the prospective/retrospective study along with complications must be produced.

  • General Plastic Surgery

    Data of the prospective/retrospective study along with complications must be produced.

  • Burns

    Data of the prospective/retrospective study along with complications must be produced.

  • Facial nerve and plexus brachialis

    Data of the prospective/retrospective study along with complications must be produced.

Abstracts should be written uniformly, including a title and structured using the following headings for the main text:

  1. Introduction
  2. Materials (not for case reports) and Methods
  3. Results
  4. Conclusion

Names, addresses, institutions must not appear in the text, penalty the exclusion.

Important:

  • The inclusion of institution names, cities, or addresses in the title or body of the abstract is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.
  • Product names and country references are permitted within the abstract body; however, they may be removed at the discretion of the Scientific Program Committee if deemed not scientifically relevant.
  • Previous presentation or publication of the abstract is acceptable, as long as it includes original and impactful data that has been significantly updated with new findings to support its current submission.

Example

Title: Toll-like receptor 4 and estrogen receptors expression in human breast implant

Introduction: Capsular contracture often complicates breast augmentation and reconstruction. Fibroblasts are responsible for the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) and proinflammatory signals. They can differentiate into myofibroblasts, which are involved in the pathogenesis of capsular contracture. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been demonstrated to play a role as a biosensor of tissue damage and sterile inflammation; it is overexpressed in keloids and hypertrophic scars. TLR4 stimulation in fibroblasts induces transcription of genes involved in ECM remodeling and tissue repair; furthermore, it enhances sensitivity to TGF-?1 and promotes transition to myofibroblasts. In TLR4-/- mice implanted with silicone shells, the inflammatory infiltrate, capsular thickness, VEGF and TGF-?1 were reduced. Seventeen-?-estradiol promotes myofibroblasts contraction and differentiation by mean of TGF-?; moreover, it increases the expression of TLR4 and the production of pro- inflammatory mediators by macrophages. Estrogen receptor-? (ER-?) stimulation induces conversion of fibroblast into myofibroblast, while estrogen receptor-? (ER-?) activation promotes ECM production and increases wound tensile strength. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of TLR4 in breast implant capsules and its relationship with estrogen receptors, collagen types and angiogenesis.

Material and Methods: The study enrolled 30 women who underwent expander removal following breast reconstruction. Specimens were stained with Hematoxylin/Eosin, Masson trichrome, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence for TLR4, alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin (?-SMA), ER-? and ER-?, Collagen types I and III, CD31.

Results: TLR4 was expressed by fibroblasts and myofibroblasts of capsular tissue. Its expression positively correlated with ER-? expression (p=0.012). CD31 score and inflammatory infiltrate negatively correlated with the time from implantation (p=0.06 and p=0.022, respectively).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the expression of TLR4 in fibroblasts of capsular tissue and its correlation with ER-? positivity. TLR4 and ER-? activations, as well as their interplay, may be involved in myofibroblasts differentiation and in the pro-fibrotic pathogenic process underlying capsular contracture.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submitters
Abstract submission is open to:

  • Board Certified Plastic Surgeons (National or European Board)
  • Residents/fellow researchers in plastic surgery

In exceptional circumstances, individuals outside these categories may be considered, pending prior approval from the Secretary-General.
Non-members of EURAPS must be sponsored by a current member of the Association. The sponsoring member is required to review the abstract in advance and provide explicit consent for submission. Upon submission, the EURAPS Office will automatically contact the named sponsor to confirm their endorsement.

Language and Format

  • Abstracts must be written in English, using correct spelling and grammar.
  • The text must be single-spaced and not exceed 300 words.
  • No edits or corrections will be made to accepted abstracts; the originally submitted version will be published in the final abstract book.

Submission
Abstracts must be submitted online via the EURAPS website by October 15th, 2025.
Upon submission, authors must:

  • Select the relevant category (Research; Reconstructive (Pediatric) Craniofacial, Head and Neck; Reconstructive Breast (Implant or Autologous); Aesthetic Face and Neck; Aesthetic Breast and Body; Pelvic, Perineal and Genital; Extremities Upper Extremity; Extremities Lower Extremity; General Microsurgery and Lymphatic Surgery; General Plastic Surgery; Burns)
  • Specify whether it is a case report.
  • Indicate the preferred time for their presentation: 4 or 8 minutes.
  • Complete a mandatory checkbox indicating whether AI tools were used in the preparation of the abstract or research.

The Scientific Program Committee reserves the right to adjust presentation lengths if necessary. All case reports will automatically be assigned a 4-minute presentation slot.

ACCEPTANCE POLICY

Review
Submitted abstracts will undergo a blind review by the Scientific Program Committee. Only top-scoring abstracts in each category will be selected based on established scientific criteria. Final decisions regarding acceptance or rejection will be communicated by January 2026.

Accepted Abstracts
The individual listed as first author must present the accepted abstract. This presenter must be a board-certified plastic surgeon or a resident/fellow researcher in plastic surgery. Onsite substitutions by co-authors or other meeting participants are not permitted.

Important: Cancellations made without valid justification – especially after the scientific program is finalized – or “no-shows” will result in automatic exclusion from submitting abstracts to future EURAPS meetings. Justified cancellations must be communicated directly to the EURAPS Central Office, in due time.

Multiple Submissions
The EURAPS website allows each author to submit a maximum of two abstracts. If both abstracts successfully pass the review process and are selected for inclusion in the final program, the first author must decide which abstract they will personally present. The second abstract will then be automatically assigned to the next available co-author for presentation. Any attempts to submit more than two abstracts by the same first author will be rejected.

ETHICS

EURAPS maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism. To uphold the integrity of the scientific program, all submitted abstracts are screened using plagiarism-detection software to ensure their authenticity and originality.
The following practices are strictly prohibited:

  • Submitting the same abstract under different authors, titles, or categories
  • Submitting abstracts containing substantially similar content

Any such violations will be promptly identified and will result in the immediate disqualification of the abstract(s) from further consideration. Moreover, all involved authors will face complete exclusion from future EURAPS Meetings.
This policy reflects EURAPS’s commitment to the highest ethical standards in scientific research and publication. Additionally, in accordance with the EURAPS by-laws, all authors are expected to demonstrate sensitivity toward and full respect for ethnic, cultural, religious, and gender diversity in the content of their submissions and presentations. This commitment to inclusivity and respect reflects the core values of the Association and is essential to maintaining a professional and welcoming environment for all participants.