Paper-and-Pencil vs. Electronic Patient Records: Analyzing Time Efficiency, Personnel Requirements, and Usability Impacts on Healthcare Administration.

This study investigates the impact of transitioning from paper and pencil (P&P) methods to electronic patient records (EPR) on workflow and usability in surgical ward rounds. Surgical ward rounds were audited by two independent observers to evaluate the effects of transitioning from P&P to EPR. Key observations included the number of medical personnel and five critical workflow aspects before and after EPR implementation.

A national evaluation analysis and expert interview study of real-world data sources for research and healthcare decision-making.

Real-world data (RWD) can provide intel (real-world evidence, RWE) for research and development, as well as policy and regulatory decision-making along the full spectrum of health care. Despite calls from global regulators for international collaborations to integrate RWE into regulatory decision-making and to bridge knowledge gaps, some challenges remain. In this work, we performed an evaluation of Austrian RWD sources using a multilateral query approach, crosschecked against previously published RWD criteria and conducted direct interviews with representative RWD source samples.

Regenerative Therapies for Basal Thumb Arthritis-A Systematic Review.

Basal thumb arthritis is a painful and debilitating pathology that can severely reduce a patients' quality of life. Common therapies include oral pain control, local steroid injections and/or surgery. Yet, therapeutic data on long-term improvement and even cartilage repair are scarce.

Persistent Pain as an Early Indicator for Operative Carpal Tunnel Revision after Primary Release: A Retrospective Analysis of Recurrent and Persistent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: Prolonged symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) after primary carpal tunnel release (CTR) can reduce the quality of life and lead to multiple referrals across specialties. The following study aimed to identify differences in symptoms, signs, and intraoperative findings between recurrent and persistent CTS cases to avoid undesired outcomes after primary CTR.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on revision CTRs performed between 2005 and 2015 using literature-based definitions for recurrent (a relapse of symptoms occurs following a symptom-free period of ≥3 months) and persistent (symptoms persisting longer than three months after surgical release) CTS.

Undergraduate Skills Training in Pandemic Times: Where Is the Future of Medical Education?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic forced medical programs to rapidly switch to remote teaching from scratch, impacting hands-on skills training. This study compared the efficacy of a hybrid online format to a regular in-person session for a mandatory surgical skills class.

Methods: Third-year undergraduate medical students attending the surgical skills class in the winter semester of 2020/21 at the Medical University of Graz were randomly assigned to either the hybrid or in-person class, depending on their course schedule and government regulations.

The Efficacy of Regeneration Oil and Almond Oil on Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background And Objectives: Essential oils are a complementary treatment and can play an important role in scar care. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of a new essential oil (regeneration oil) with a control group on scar quality in healed split-thickness skin graft donor sites.

Materials And Methods: A single-center blinded randomized controlled study was performed on 30 patients with healed split-thickness skin graft donor site.

Textured vs. Smooth Breast Implants Using the Jones Criteria-What Is the Currently Available Evidence for BIA-ALCL?: A Systematic Review.

Unlabelled: Breast-Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare low-incidence type of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, arising in the capsule around breast implants, and predominantly associated with the use of macro-textured breast implants. The purpose of this study was to use an evidence-based approach to systematically identify clinical studies comparing smooth and textured breast implants in women with regard to the risk of developing BIA-ALCL.

Methods: A literature search in PubMed in April 2023 and the article reference list of the French National Agency of Medicine and Health Products decision from 2019 were screened for applicable studies.

Radiological Influencing Factors in the Diagnosis of Painful Habitual Instability of the Thumb Basal Joint as a Precursor of Carpometacarpal Arthritis of the Thumb-A Retrospective Study.

Background: Painful habitual instability of the thumb basal joint (PHIT) is a rarely diagnosed condition that can severely impair hand function. Furthermore, it can increase the risk of developing carpometacarpal arthritis of the thumb (CMAOT). Clinical examination and radiographic imaging provide the foundation for a correct diagnosis, but early detection is still challenging.

Workflow assessment of an augmented reality application for planning of perforator flaps in plastic reconstructive surgery: Game or game changer?

Objective: In contrast to the rising amount of financial investments for research and development in medical technology worldwide is the lack of usability and clinical readiness of the produced systems. We evaluated an augmented reality (AR) setup under development for preoperative perforator vessel mapping for elective autologous breast reconstruction.

Methods: In this grant-supported research pilot, we used magnetic resonance angiography data (MR-A) of the trunk to superimpose the scans on the corresponding patients with hands-free AR goggles to identify regions-of-interest for surgical planning.

Minimally Invasive Treatment of Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis: Results of a Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Surgical therapy for widespread first carpometacarpal (CMC1) arthritis permanently alters the physiologic anatomy of the hand. The injection of autologous substances into the thumb saddle joint could achieve temporary pain relief and delay surgical indications. This trial aimed to compare the pain-reducing effects of autologous fat and/or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with saline 0.

Gram-Positive Bacteria Increase Breast Implant-Related Complications: Prospective Analysis of 100 Revised Implants.

Background: Breast implant-related complications can be reduced by strict antiseptic precautions during insertion, but bacteria can often be found on implant surfaces on the occasion of revision surgery. The authors prospectively analyzed the association of bacteria found on breast implant surfaces with implant-related complications in breast implant revision cases.

Methods: The authors analyzed a total of 100 breast implant revisions in 66 patients between August of 2018 and January of 2021.

Introducing the "SIMline"-A Simulation Course in the Management of Severe Burns as a Tool in Undergraduate Medical Education.

Management of burn injuries presents a complex and challenging situation for medical staff, especially for inexperienced young doctors. However, training on how to treat burn victims in the clinical setting is rarely taught in undergraduate medical classes. We have created the "SIMline", a simulation training program explicitly designed for coaching medical students in burn management.

Clinical Applications of Three-Dimensional Printing in Upper Extremity Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Unlabelled: Three-dimensional printing for medical applications in surgery of the upper extremity has gained in popularity as reflected by the increasing number of publications. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the clinical use of 3D printing in upper extremity surgery.

Methods: We searched the databases PubMed and Web of Science for clinical studies that described clinical application of 3D printing for upper extremity surgery including trauma and malformations.

BMI and Revision Surgery for Abdominoplasties: Complication Definitions Revisited Using the Clavien-Dindo Classification.

Unlabelled: After body contouring surgery of the lower trunk (CSLT), the definition, rate (4%-70%), and documentation of complications vary.

Objectives: We analyzed the effect of risk factors on the outcome based on the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) after CSLT surgery and polled postoperative satisfaction among patients.

Methods: All patients undergoing CSLT from 2001 to 2016 were included and were classified according to the CDC for postoperative events.

Characterization of biomaterials with reference to biocompatibility dedicated for patient-specific finger implants.

Purpose: The research was focused on determining basic mechanical properties, surface, and phase structure taking into consideration basic cytotoxicity analysis towards human cells.

Methods: Biological tests were performed on human C-12302 fibroblasts cells using 3D-printed Ti6Al4V alloy (Ti64), produced by laser-based powder bed fusion (LB-PBF) and Alumina Toughened Zirconia 20 (ATZ20), produced by lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM). Surface modifications included electropolishing and hydroxyapatite or hydroxyapatite/zinc coating.

Suction Drain Volume following Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for Melanoma-When to Remove Drains? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Postoperative complications such as seroma formation and wound-site infection occur following completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for melanoma. We analyzed the impact of time-to-drain removal and drainage volume on seroma formation after ALND. We retrospectively analyzed data from 118 patients after completion ALND for melanoma.

The Postsurgical Clavien-Dindo Classification in Minor Surgery Can Improve Perception and Communication (Investigation on Blepharoplasty).

Minor surgery lacks a standardized postoperative complication classification. This leads to the presentation of inaccurate postsurgical complication rates and makes comparisons challenging, especially for patients seeking information. This study aims to evaluate a standardized five-step complication grading system (Clavien-Dindo Classification, CDC) on the example of blepharoplasty, which is the most performed minor aesthetic surgery worldwide.

Autologous Fat and Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: For the treatment of carpometacarpal arthritis of the thumb, various therapies are used. Infiltration therapy with autologous substances such as platelet-rich plasma and autologous fat have recently gained increasing attention because of beneficial pain-reducing effects in arthritis and the associated regenerative potential. However, the extent of clinical evidence in this area and how well autologous substances work in terms of pain reduction and improvements in hand function remain unclear.

Platelet-Rich Plasma in Plastic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is gaining popularity and is applied in a variety of clinical settings. This review aims to present and evaluate available evidence regarding the use of PRP in various applications in plastic surgery.

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, and Embase were searched using predefined MeSH terms to identify studies concerning the application of PRP alone or in combination with fat grafting for plastic surgery.

Platelet-rich plasma for striae distensae: What do we know about processed autologous blood contents for treating skin stretchmarks?-A systematic review.

Striae distensae, also known as stretch marks, particularly associated with female sex, pregnancy, obesity, and/or hormonal change, are linear bands of benign dermal lesions. Although not posing any health risk, aesthetically unpleasing stretch marks can cause significant psychological distress among those affected. In abundance of therapeutic approaches, some literature sources proclaim platelet-rich plasma to be a promising treatment modality for striae distensae.

The initial validation of a novel outcome measure in severe burns- the Persistent Organ Dysfunction +Death: Results from a multicenter evaluation.

Introduction: A need exists to improve the efficiency of clinical trials in burn care. The objective of this study was to validate "Persistent Organ Dysfunction" plus death as endpoint in burn patients and to demonstrate its statistical efficiency.

Methods: This secondary outcome analysis of a dataset from a prospective international multicenter RCT (RE-ENERGIZE) included patients with burned total body surface area >20% and a 6-month follow-up.

[Implementation of treatment by enzymatic debridement in burns: results of an interprofessional German-speaking expert workshop].

Introduction:  Since its introduction in 2013 Bromelain-based Enzymatic Debridement (ED) is increasingly used in burn centers. Published evidence shows its efficiency in eschar removal as well as a superiority in blood loss and necessity of further surgical procedures compared to standard-of-care. While the procedure is safe and shows reliable results in experienced hands, some practical and logistical issues must be challenged that are not described sufficiently in available literature.