Excess Opioid Medication and Variation in Prescribing Patterns Following Common Breast Plastic Surgeries.

Excess opioid prescribing has societal impacts including addiction, dependence, and misuse. This study aims to investigate prescribing patterns and self-reported patient experiences with opioid use, pain control, and disposal of unused medication following common breast surgeries. A total of 46 patients undergoing 5 breast procedures were identified during a predefined 14-week period.

Larval T Cells Are Functionally Distinct from Adult T Cells in Xenopus laevis.

The amphibian Xenopus laevis tadpole provides a unique comparative experimental organism for investigating the roles of innate-like T (iT) cells in tolerogenic immunity during early development. Unlike mammals and adult frogs, where conventional T cells are dominant, tadpoles rely mostly on several prominent distinct subsets of iT cells interacting with cognate nonpolymorphic MHC class I-like molecules. In the present study, to investigate whole T cell responsiveness ontogenesis in X.

Methodological Quality of Open Access Compared to Traditional Journal Publications in the Plastic Surgery Literature.

Background: The methodological quality of open access studies has long been questioned due to increasing popularity and accessibility. The objective of this study is to compare the methodological quality of open access versus traditional journal publications in the plastic surgery literature.

Methods: Four traditional plastic surgery journals with their sister open access journals were chosen.

Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Initiatives in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: Cleft lip and/or palate repair techniques require continued reevaluation of best practice through high-quality evidence. The objective of this systematic review was to highlight the existing evidence for patient safety and quality improvement (QI) initiatives in cleft lip and palate surgery.

Methods: A systematic review of published literature evaluating patient safety and QI in patients with cleft lip and/or palate was conducted from database inception to June 9, 2022, using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines.

Outcomes of Free Muscle Flaps versus Free Fasciocutaneous Flaps for Lower Limb Reconstruction following Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background:  Free flap reconstruction of the lower limb following trauma often suffers higher complication rates than other areas of the body. The choice of muscle or fasciocutaneous free flap is an area of active debate.

Methods:  A systematic review of EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane Register from inception to April 1, 2022 was performed.

Environmental endocrine disruptors and amphibian immunity: A bridge between the thyroid hormone axis and T cell development.

Immunity is susceptible to reprogramming by environmental chemical and endocrine signals. Notably, numerous thyroid disrupting chemicals (TDCs) have the potential to perturb immune endpoints, but data are lacking on the mechanisms by which TDCs can influence the development of the immune system. T cell immunity is particularly vulnerable to modulation by TDCs during thymic education, differentiation, and selection.

Developmental exposure to thyroid disrupting chemical mixtures alters metamorphosis and post-metamorphic thymocyte differentiation.

While there is some evidence to suggest that disruption of the thyroid hormone (TH)-axis during perinatal development may weaken T cell immunity later in life, data are currently lacking on whether environmentally relevant thyroid disrupting chemicals (TDCs) can induce similar outcomes. To fill this gap in knowledge, tadpoles were exposed to an environmentally relevant mixture of TDCs, either during early tadpole development, or immediately before and during metamorphosis, to assess T cell differentiation and anti-viral immune response against FV3 infection after metamorphosis. Extending our previous study showing a delay in metamorphosis completion, here we report that TDC exposure prior to metamorphosis reduced the frequency of surface MHC-II + splenic lymphocytes and weakened some aspects of the anti-viral immune response.

Systematic Review of Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Initiatives in Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Improving patient care and safety requires high-quality evidence. The objective of this study was to systematically review the existing evidence for patient safety (PS) and quality improvement initiatives in breast reconstruction.

Methods: A systematic review of the published plastic surgery literature was undertaken using a computerized search and following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.

Piezosurgery versus Conventional Cutting Techniques in Craniofacial Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Despite its increasing use in craniofacial surgery, the evidence for piezosurgery over conventional bone-cutting techniques has not been critically appraised. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify and assess the evidence that exists for the use of piezosurgery in craniofacial surgery.

Methods: A systematic review was undertaken using a computerized search.

A Systematic Review of Feeding Interventions for Infants with Cleft Palate.

Objective: Various devices and techniques have been proposed to reduce feeding difficulties experienced by infants with cleft palate. The aim of this review is to identify and assess the scope and quality of evidence for these interventions.

Methods: A systematic review of published literature evaluating feeding interventions for infants with cleft palate (with or without cleft lip) from database inception to 2021 was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines.

The Role of Senior Resident Clinics in Plastic Surgery Education in Canada.

Background: Senior resident clinics are a means to encourage independent practice and problem solving and enhance surgical skills. The objective of this study is to investigate senior resident clinics across Canada and their utility in providing comprehensive plastic surgery training.

Methods: A web-based survey was sent to all plastic surgery program directors (PDs) and senior residents (SRs; postgraduate years 3, 4, and 5) across Canada.

Hand Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review of Techniques, Outcomes, and Complications.

Background: Hand rejuvenation is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure for hand atrophy and aging. The objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the techniques, outcomes, and complications of surgical hand rejuvenation.

Methods: A systematic review was undertaken using a computerized search.

Thyroid Disrupting Chemicals in Mixture Perturb Thymocyte Differentiation in Xenopus laevis Tadpoles.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can perturb the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis affecting human and wildlife health. Thyroid hormones (TH) are crucial regulators of metabolism, growth, and differentiation. The perinatal stage is most reliant on TH, thus vulnerable to TH disrupting chemicals.

Application rates to surgical residency programs in Canada.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify if the previously reported declining interest in surgery amongst medical students persists, and also to provide more descriptive analysis of trends by surgical specialty and medical school. Our hypothesis is that the previously reported decreasing interest in surgery remains constant for some surgical disciplines.

Methods: The Canadian Resident Matching Service and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada provided data for this study.

Cigarette smoke increases susceptibility to infection in lung epithelial cells by upregulating caveolin-dependent endocytosis.

Cigarette smoke exposure is a risk factor for many pulmonary diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Cigarette smokers are more prone to respiratory infections with more severe symptoms. In those with COPD, viral infections can lead to acute exacerbations resulting in lung function decline and death.

Prevention of Autologous Costal Cartilage Graft Warping in Secondary Rhinoplasty.

Background: Autogenous costal cartilage grafts (ACCG) are frequently used in secondary rhinoplasty; however, these grafts tend to warp. The objective of this study is to systematically evaluate current interventions to prevent warping of ACCGs and to assess long-term outcomes with their use.

Methods: A systematic review was undertaken using a computerized search.

Patient survival following renal transplantation in Indigenous populations: A systematic review.

Background: Inequities in health care predispose Indigenous populations to poor health outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine patient survival and other post-transplant outcomes of kidney transplantation among Indigenous patients compared with non-Indigenous populations.

Methods: A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar was undertaken from inception to September 30, 2019, using a computerized search.

The effect of talc particles on phagocytes in co-culture with ovarian cancer cells.

Talc and titanium dioxide are naturally occurring water-insoluble mined products usually available in the form of particulate matter. This study was prompted by epidemiological observations suggesting that perineal use of talc powder is associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer, particularly in a milieu with higher estrogen. We aimed to test the effects of talc vs.