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

Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) serve a pivotal role in bridging scientific research with clinical practice. While their contributions to clinical trials in various medical fields are well documented, their involvement in plastic surgery clinical trials remains underexplored. This scoping review aimed to assess the extent to which MSLs are acknowledged in U.S.-based plastic surgery clinical trials and evaluate their potential impact on trial quality and outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov through June 2025. Clinical trials in plastic and reconstructive surgery were included if they mentioned MSLs in authorship or acknowledgments. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers using a predesigned tool and the NIH quality assessment tool, respectively. Of 3,766 identified studies, only two trials met the inclusion criteria. Both involved MSLs either as coauthors or acknowledged contributors. These studies evaluated breast implant safety and postoperative analgesia. MSLs contributed scientific insight, facilitated cross-stakeholder communication, and supported protocol adherence and data interpretation. Despite limited explicit acknowledgment, this review reveals MSLs' strategic involvement in plastic surgery trials. Their inclusion in the research process enhances data quality, scientific communication, and alignment with regulatory standards. These findings support the broader recognition of MSLs in clinical trial infrastructure within plastic surgery.