Risk Factors for Developing Community-Acquired Hand Infections at a Large-Volume Urban Safety Net Hospital.

Background: Hand infections represent a significant burden for both health care systems and their patients. Epidemiological understanding of community-acquired hand infections is limited. This study examined a cohort of hand infection patients at a large urban safety net hospital for characteristics that were associated with protective and/or risk factors for hand infections.

Qualitative Assessment of the Experiences of Transgender Individuals Assigned Female at Birth Undergoing Gender-Affirming Mastectomy for the Treatment of Gender Dysphoria.

Purpose: Evaluation and comparison of outcomes following gender-affirming mastectomy have been hindered by the lack of a validated population- and surgery-specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of transgender individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) from before-to-after gender-affirming mastectomy to identify key qualitative themes that might inform the creation of a quantitative PROM in the future.

Methods: Identified candidates were transgender men AFAB, 18-65 years of age (mean±standard deviation: 30.

Free Functional Platysma Transfer for Restoration of Spontaneous Eye Closure in Facial Paralysis.

Background: Facial palsy patients experience an array of problems ranging from functional to psychological issues. With regard to the eye, lacrimation, lagophthalmos, and the inability to spontaneously blink are the main symptoms and, if left untreated, can compromise the cornea and vision. This article reports the outcomes of 23 free functional vascularized platysma transfers used for reanimation of the eye in unilateral facial paralysis.

Outcomes Following Orbital Floor Fractures in the Elderly.

Background: Orbital floor fractures in the elderly are controversial, with varying guidelines on indications for operative and nonoperative management. Morbidity includes changes to ocular position, inferior rectus muscle injury, and damage to the neurovascular bundle as it traverses the orbital floor. Across all facial fractures, the elderly are less frequently operated on, albeit longer hospital stays and more probably ICU admission.

Pretest and Posttest Evaluation of a Longitudinal, Residency-Integrated Microsurgery Course.

Introduction: Current microsurgical training courses average 5 consecutive 8-hour days and cost US $1500 to US $2500/individual, making training a challenge for residents who are unable to take leave from clinical duties. This residency-integrated microsurgery course was designed for integration with a residency program, averaging 3 hours/week over 7 weeks. This allows for one-on-one training, beginning with synthetic tissue and concluding with in vivo stimulation.

Functional return after implant-based breast reconstruction: A prospective study of objective and patient-reported outcomes.

Background: There is sparse literature studying the functional morbidity of subpectoral implant- based breast reconstruction. We aimed to prospectively investigate this technique's impact on objective upper extremity function and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods: Women undergoing mastectomy and immediate subpectoral tissue expander insertion with ADM sling were enrolled from November 2014 to August 2016.

Is Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio a Predictor of Coronary Artery Disease in Western Indians?

Introduction: The current study was designed to evaluate the association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with coronary artery disease (CAD) presence. We also aimed to propose a suitable cut-off of NLR for diagnosis of CAD in Western Indians.

Methods: Total 324 patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled and were subdivided into two groups: group 1 ( = 99; population without CAD) and group 2 ( = 225; population with CAD).

Do circulating blood cell types correlate with modifiable risk factors and outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?

Aims: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process with different cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) contributing to its pathogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the specific relationship between circulating blood leukocytes, troponin I and CVRFs.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 959 patients with evidence of acute coronary syndrome either in form of unstable angina or STEMI or NSTEMI.