Posterior Interosseous Nerve Graft: Utilizing External Landmarks and Anthropometric Ratios to Predict Available Length for Digital Nerve Reconstruction in a Cadaveric Study.

Objective: In digital nerve defects that require grafting, autografts remain the efficacious option. The sensory posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) is an ideal choice as it is of similar caliber to digital nerves and leaves no donor morbidity upon resection. However, a finite length of harvestable PIN exists, and considerable variations of this length have been reported in the literature.

In Vitro Comparison between the Pulvertaft Weave and the Modified Core Suture Pulvertaft Weave.

The Pulvertaft weave was described more than 50 years ago and is still used in tendon transfers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the strength of a modified core suture Pulvertaft weave technique and compare it to the original Pulvertaft weave traditionally used in tendon transfer surgery. 12 extensor pollicis longus tendons and extensor indices proprius tendons were harvested from fresh frozen cadavers.

Effect of Oblique Tendon Laceration on Core Suture Strength: A Biomechanical Evaluation.

Background: The effect of obliquity of tendon laceration on repair strength is not well studied. The overwhelming majority of biomechanical studies assess repair strength following a laceration that is perpendicular to the long axis of the tendon. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the angle of tendon laceration affects the core suture strength.

Surface Landmarks to Provide a Safe Ulnar Nerve Block in the Wrist: Anatomical Study and Literature Review.

Use of local anesthesia in awake patients undergoing hand surgery has become increasingly popular. A thorough understanding of local anatomy, such as the distal wrist for ulnar nerve block, is required to provide safe blockade. We sought to conduct an anatomic study of the distal wrist and review cadaveric studies describing various techniques for ulnar nerve block.

Anatomic surface landmarks to guide injection for posterior interosseous nerve block.

Proper injection of the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) is important for both the therapeutic and diagnostic management of wrist pain. However, no anatomical study exists describing the site of injection based on individual wrist width. We sought to develop a reproducible anthropometric ratio utilizing external wrist surface anatomy to predict a safe and accurate injection site for the PIN.

The Safe Gluteoplasty: Anatomic Landmarks to Predict the Superior and Inferior Gluteal Veins.

The increase in demand for gluteal fat grafting seen in recent years in the United States has not been met with an equal gain in knowledge of the perils of this anatomic territory. The purpose of this study was to identify anatomic landmarks that can be readily used by surgeons to identify the takeoff of the superior and inferior gluteal veins. Six fresh cadaveric gluteal specimens were dissected at the University of Louisville anatomy laboratory.

Optimal Inframammary Fold Incision Length Based on Implant Volume for Breast Enlargement: A Cadaveric Study.

Breast augmentation is the most commonly performed aesthetic operation in the Unites States annually. With the increasing popularity of gel implants, optimal incisional length for specific implant volumes becomes a factor to consider. Our study is the first, to date, to measure optimal incisional length for increasing Mentor smooth, round, moderate plus silicone implant volumes.

Abdominoplasty-derived dermal-fat graft augmentation gluteoplasty.

Background: Plastic surgeons are exploring novel techniques for augmentation gluteoplasty as the demand for this procedure increases annually in the United States.

Objectives: The authors retrospectively reviewed a series of lower abdominal dermal-fat graft augmentation gluteoplasties to validate the procedure.

Methods: Nine consecutive patients underwent abdominoplasty or torsoplasty in which 2 oval dermal-fat grafts were excised, de-epithelialized, and then implanted into subfascial gluteal pockets for augmentation.

Forehead reconstruction with microvascular flaps: utility of aesthetic subunits.

Background: Current literature describes the forehead as one aesthetic subunit of the face. We argue for the usefulness of aesthetic forehead subunits when microvascular flap reconstruction is required. Key to utilization of microvascular flaps for restoration of forehead subunits is an understanding of the patient population and defect characteristics most amiable to treatment.

A reappraisal of the free groin flap in aesthetic craniofacial reconstruction.

Craniofacial defects are often associated with 3-dimensional volumetric contour deficiencies. The free groin flap was historically popular though technical limitations subsequently caused its use to fall from favor. We sought to determine if a role remained for the free groin flap in aesthetic craniofacial reconstruction.

Transfer of training in the development of intracorporeal suturing skill in medical student novices: a prospective randomized trial.

Background: To help optimize the use of limited resources in trainee education, we developed a prospective randomized trial to determine the most effective means of teaching laparoscopic suturing to novices.

Methods: Forty-one medical students received rudimentary instruction in intracorporeal suturing, then were pretested on a pig enterotomy model. They then were posttested after completion of 1 of 4 training arms: laparoscopic suturing, laparoscopic drills, open suturing, and virtual reality (VR) drills.