GLP-1 receptor agonists and plastic surgery: mapping the evidence on perioperative risks, anatomical changes, and surgical outcomes

Introduction: The use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has increased exponentially in recent years due to their efficacy in managing obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This expansion has generated a new profile of patients who are candidates for plastic and aesthetic surgery, in whom the metabolic and gastrointestinal effects, as well as the changes in body composition associated with these drugs, can have significant implications for surgical planning, postoperative outcomes, and perioperative safety. However, the available evidence is scattered and has not been comprehensively systematized. Objective: To map and synthesize the available evidence on the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonist use in plastic and aesthetic surgery, identifying its clinical implications for surgical planning, surgical outcomes, and patient safety. Methods: A scoping review will be conducted following the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Clinical studies, observational studies, case reports, narrative reviews, and clinical guidelines evaluating the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients undergoing reconstructive or aesthetic plastic surgery procedures will be included. Studies will be searched in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, without design restrictions, with systematic data extraction on type of intervention, perioperative effects, anatomical changes, surgical outcomes, and adverse events. Conclusions: This scoping review will provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists in plastic and aesthetic surgery and will serve as a basis for the development of clinical recommendations and future research. Keywords: GLP-1 receptor agonists; Plastic surgery; Aesthetic surgery; Perioperative safety; Surgical planning; Surgical outcomes; Scoping review