Prospective, Double-Blind Evaluation of Umbilicoplasty Techniques Using Conventional and Crowdsourcing Methods.

Background: Umbilical reconstruction is an important component of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. This study evaluated the aesthetics of three different umbilical reconstruction techniques during DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

Methods: From January to April of 2013, a total of 29 consecutive patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction were randomized intraoperatively to receive one of three umbilicoplasty types: a diamond, an oval, or an inverted V incision.

Acellular Dermal Matrix in Reconstructive Breast Surgery: Survey of Current Practice among Plastic Surgeons.

Background: Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) in plastic surgery have become increasingly popular particularly for breast reconstruction. Despite their advantages, questions exist regarding their association with a possible increased incidence of complications. We describe a collective experience of plastic surgeons' use of ADMs in reconstructive breast surgery using an internet-based survey.

The use of a dermal substitute for simultaneous flap delay and donor site coverage in two cases.

Objective: Lower extremity traumatic wounds can be difficult to treat owing to limb ischaemia and large zones of injury. Often, muscle or fasciocutaneous flaps are used in the presence of severe open orthopaedic injuries with soft tissue defects. Sometimes local flaps may be the preferred or only option, but may not tolerate being rotated or advanced owing to resulting flap ischaemia.

Patient involvement in the decision-making process improves satisfaction and quality of life in postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

Background: The patient-physician relationship has evolved from the paternalistic, physician-dominant model to the shared-decision-making and informed-consumerist model. The level of patient involvement in this decision-making process can potentially influence patient satisfaction and quality of life. In this study, patient-physician decision models are evaluated in patients undergoing postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

Effect of sustained-release PDGF and TGF-beta on cyclophosphamide-induced impaired wound healing.

Background: Proper wound healing is pivotal to successful surgical outcomes. Previous studies have shown that growth factors can be used to enhance tissue repair under impaired healing conditions. However, because of limited delivery methods, the growth factors in these studies were delivered either topically or as a single local administration.