Radiographic Enhancement of Lymph Nodes 9 Months after Omental Lymph Node Transfer.

Lymphedema is a frequent complication of breast cancer treatment. As the survival rates of breast cancer continue to increase, the number of women with lymphedema will also increase. Surgical treatment of lymphedema has made significant advances during the past 20 years, and our understanding of these procedures continues to evolve.

Wound closure techniques for spinoplastic surgery: a review of the literature.

Purpose: The approach to skin closure in spinal surgery is dependent on surgeon preference and experience. Wound complications, including dehiscence and surgical site infection (SSI), are common following spine surgery. The authors reviewed various wound closure techniques employed in spinal surgery.

Volumetric Analysis of a Novel Chimeric Gracilis and Profunda Artery Perforator Flap.

Background:  The presence of a chimeric gracilis and profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap with a common arterial pedicle has been demonstrated on computed tomography angiography in up to 59% of patients and confirmed in a cadaveric model. Already utilized for head and neck reconstruction by Heredero et al, this novel flap could provide more volume than either flap alone which is advantageous, particularly in patients with sizable defects. The purpose of this study was to determine the average tissue volume that can be utilized from this chimeric flap.

The PUG Flap: Conjoined Profunda Artery Perforator and Upper Gracilis Flap for Breast Reconstruction.

Abdominal-based free flaps are the mainstay of autologous breast reconstruction; however, the region may not be ideal for patients with inadequate soft tissue or history of abdominal surgery. This case describes the use of a novel conjoined flap based on the profunda artery perforator and upper gracilis pedicles, named the perforator and upper gracilis (PUG) flap. This flap design aims to maximize medial thigh flap volume while ensuring robust tissue perforation.

Patient Perspectives and Quality of Life after Breast Reconstruction and the Impact of Subsequent Revisions.

Unlabelled: There is limited research on the impact of revisional surgery after breast reconstruction on patient experience and postoperative quality of life (QoL).

Methods: Patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate implant-based or autologous free-flap breast reconstruction from 2008 to 2020 were reviewed. These patients were categorized by revisions (0-1, 2-3, and 4+) and surveyed on QoL metrics using BREAST-Q and Was It Worth It? (WIWI) questionnaires.

A Scoping Review of Mobile Apps in Plastic Surgery: Patient Care, Trainee Education, and Professional Development.

Unlabelled: Over the past 10 years, smartphones have become ubiquitous, and mobile apps serve a seemingly endless number of functions in our everyday lives. These functions have entered the realm of plastic surgery, impacting patient care, education, and delivery of services. This article reviews the current uses of plastic surgery mobile apps, app awareness within the plastic surgery community, and the ethical issues surrounding their use in patient care.

Operating in an Opioid Crisis: A Temporal Analysis of Pain Medication Prescribing Practices in Plastic Surgery.

Background: In response to the opioid epidemic, the United States declared a public health emergency in 2017. We evaluated pain medication prescribing practices among plastic and reconstructive surgeons, assessing pain medication prescription rates and opioid-related mortality both nationally and regionally within the United States.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of Medicare Part D prescriber data among plastic surgeons from 2013 through 2017 was conducted.

A 20-Year Analysis of Medicare Reimbursement for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (2000 to 2020).

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate monetary trends in Medicare reimbursement rates for 30 abdominal wall reconstruction surgical procedures over a 20-year period (2000 to 2020).

Methods: The Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was used for each of the 30 included current CPT codes, and reimbursement data were extracted. Monetary data were adjusted for inflation to 2020 U.

Management of Free Fillet Flap Transfers in Large Oncologic Resections.

Unlabelled: The fillet flap is a reliable flap for reconstruction of large deformities following oncologic resection. It provides healthy, nonradiated tissue for coverage with the secondary benefit of preserving other potential donor sites for reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of eight patients who underwent fillet flap reconstruction from 2013 to 2021 at Mayo Clinic, Arizona, were analyzed.

Can Montgomery tubercles impact aesthetic 3D nipple-areolar complex tattooing? An anatomical, quantitative analysis of breast cancer patients.

Purpose: We aimed to establish a relationship between the amount of Montgomery tubercles (MTs) per nipple-areolar complex (NAC) given patient characteristics such as age, BMI, menopausal status, race/ethnicity, and NAC size to better inform current 3D NAC tattooing practices.

Methods: Preoperative photographs of patients pursuing breast reconstruction after mastectomy in 2010 through 2018 were reviewed. The number of MTs on each native NAC was quantified.

Outcomes of Lymphovenous Anastomosis for Lower Extremity Lymphedema: A Systematic Review.

Unlabelled: Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) is a microsurgical treatment for lymphedema of the lower extremity (LEL). This study systematically reviews the most recent data on outcomes of various LVA techniques for LEL in diverse patients.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and Scopus databases to extract articles published through June 2021.

Characterization of National Medical Societies' Accessible Resources to Support Underrepresented Minority and Female Trainees.

Importance: The lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in medicine has been recognized as problematic, but the question of what medical educators and societies are doing to rectify and promote representation of historically marginalized groups persists.

Objective: To examine what easily accessible resources are offered by medical and surgical societies to support women and individuals in minority groups that are underrepresented in medicine (URiM).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study evaluated transparent and accessible resources on the webpages of societies recognized by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies.

Long-term breast and nipple sensation after nipple-sparing mastectomy with implant reconstruction: Relevance to physical, psychosocial, and sexual well-being.

Background: The effect of postoperative sensation on quality-of-life (QoL) following nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with implant-based reconstruction is not well described. We evaluated the impact of breast and nipple sensation on patient QoL by using BREAST-Q.

Methods: Patients undergoing NSM with implant reconstruction from 2008 to 2020 were mailed a survey to characterize their postoperative breast and nipple sensation.

Seldom one and done: Characterizing rates of reoperation with direct-to-implant breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Background: Limited data exist outlining reoperations after direct-to-implant (DTI), tissue expander (TE) and autologous free-flap breast reconstruction.

Methods: Patients undergoing mastectomy with reconstruction from 2008 to 18 were reviewed. Patient factors, surgical techniques, planned, unplanned, and total reoperations were analyzed.

Diagnosis of Primary Scrotal Lymphedema Using 99mTc-Sulfur Colloid Lymphoscintigram: Correlation With MR Lymphangiogram.

We report a case of a 19-year-old man who presented with severe scrotal swelling. His medical history was notable for severe global edema at birth. Most areas of swelling had resolved by adolescence with exception of the scrotum and the left lower extremity.

Procedural Trends in Medicare Reimbursement and Utilization for Breast Reconstruction: 2000-2019.

Purpose: Development of appropriate reimbursement models for breast reconstruction in the United States requires an understanding of relevant economic trends. The purpose of this study is to evaluate longitudinal patterns in Medicare reimbursement for frequently performed breast reconstruction procedures between 2000 and 2019.

Methods: Reimbursement data for 15 commonly performed breast reconstruction procedures were analyzed using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool for each Current Procedural Terminology code.

Outcomes of Lymphovenous Anastomosis for Upper Extremity Lymphedema: A Systematic Review.

Background: Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) is an accepted microsurgical treatment for lymphedema of the upper extremity (UE). This study summarizes and analyzes recent data on the outcomes associated with LVA for UE lymphedema at varying degrees of severity.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed database to extract articles published through June 19, 2020.