CXCL12-targeted immunomodulatory gene therapy reduces radiation-induced fibrosis in healthy tissues.

Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) is a progressive pathology deleteriously impacting cancer survivorship. CXCL12 is an immune-stromal signal implicated in fibrosis and innate response. We hypothesised that modulation of CXCL12 would phenotypically mitigate RIF.

Bedside 3D ultrasound fistula maturation assessment by non-expert sonographers provides equivalent accuracy to formal duplex sonography: A prospective clinical trial.

Background: EchoSure is an automated point-of-care 3D ultrasound (3DUS) designed to be used by dialysis technicians without advanced ultrasound training. The EchoMark/EchoSure System is a two-part system comprised of a bioresorbable implant, EchoMark, and a diagnostic ultrasound imaging platform, EchoSure. EchoSure was designed to enable any healthcare personnel in a dialysis clinic setting to obtain non-invasive, direct measurements of flow and vessel parameters that are critical quantifications used in the assessment of AVF maturation and readiness for hemodialysis cannulation.

Variability in Medicaid Coverage for Gender-affirming Surgeries Across U.S. States.

Objective: To describe the current Medicaid coverage landscape for gender-affirming surgery across the United States at the procedure level and identify factors associated with coverage.

Background: Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming surgery differs by state, despite a federal ban on gender identity-based discrimination in health insurance. States that cover gender-affirming surgery also differ in which procedures are included in Medicaid coverage, leading to confusion among patients and clinicians.

Reduction in Extraocular Muscle Cross-sectional Area and Correlation With Extraocular Motility and Diplopia Following Teprotumumab for Thyroid Eye Disease.

Purpose: To quantify changes in extraocular muscle (EOM) cross-sectional areas (CSA) on orbital imaging in patients with thyroid eye disease before and after teprotumumab treatment, and assess for correlation with clinical outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study included thyroid eye disease patients treated with teprotumumab who had pre- and post-treatment CT imaging. Reformatted oblique coronal images were created for each orbit in a plane perpendicular to the optic nerve.

A Novel Mouse Model for Investigating the Effects of Gender-affirming Hormone Therapy on Surgical Healing.

Wound healing problems are a major cause of morbidity for gender-affirming surgery (GAS) patients. Prior studies have shown sex differences in wound healing may exist. We hypothesized exogenous testosterone supplementation may impair post-GAS wound healing and developed a model to investigate this phenomenon.

Patient-reported satisfaction and quality of life after trans male gender affirming surgery.

Trans male gender affirming surgery is becoming more available resulting in an increase in patients undergoing these procedures. There are few reports evaluating the outcomes of these procedures in the transgender population. This study was performed to provide patient-centric insight on self-image and other concerns that arise during surgical transition.

The role of cinematic rendering in pre-operative planning of a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap (TDAP) phalloplasty: a case study.

The thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap is a muscle-sparing skin and fat flap that requires precise intramuscular dissection of the thoracodorsal artery perforators in the axillary region. Pre-operative image-based treatment planning is a crucial part of flap design. In this article, we discuss the first-ever reported use of the cinematic volume rendering technique (CVRT) to evaluate the thoracodorsal artery for a TDAP flap phalloplasty in a 49-year-old transgender patient.

Selective Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Denervation for Painful Arthritis: Clinical Outcomes and Cadaveric Study.

Purpose: To determine the innervation pattern to the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint and assess the safety and efficacy of selective joint denervation for the treatment of pain and impairment associated with thumb CMC arthritis.

Methods: Cadaveric dissections were performed in 10 fresh upper extremities to better define the innervation patterns to the CMC joint and guide the surgical approach for CMC joint denervation. Histologic confirmation of candidate nerves was performed with hematoxylin and eosin staining.

Does Training Background Influence Decision-Making in the Management of Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures?

Purpose: Management of zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures should be based on injury patterns and not on training background. This study assessed management decisions for ZMC injuries among surgeons with different training backgrounds.

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of surgeons who evaluated 5 ZMC injury cases.

Are Quantitative Measures of Academic Productivity Correlated with Academic Rank in Plastic Surgery? A National Study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between quantitative measures of academic productivity and academic rank among full-time academic plastic surgeons.

Methods: Bibliometric indices were computed for all full-time academic plastic surgeons in the United States. The primary study variable was academic rank.

Nutritional assessment of bariatric surgery patients presenting for plastic surgery: a prospective analysis.

Background: Assessment of nutritional status in the growing postbariatric patient population remains controversial. Previous literature suggests that these patients have poor nutrition that may have adverse effects on surgical outcomes. The authors sought to determine the optimal method of nutritional assessment in postbariatric patients.

Hereditary coagulopathies: practical diagnosis and management for the plastic surgeon.

Background: Venous thromboembolism is a devastating complication representing one of the major causes of postoperative death in plastic surgery. Within the scope of plastic surgery, body-contouring procedures are often considered to carry a higher risk of venous thromboembolism. Hereditary thrombophilias comprise a group of conditions defined by a genetic predisposition to thrombosis development.

Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty: a safe alternative to traditional abdominoplasty for the massive weight loss patient.

Background: Traditional abdominoplasty techniques often fail to adequately correct the complex contour deformities in the massive weight loss patient. To address these deformities, addition of a vertical skin resection to the traditional horizontal excision has become a popular procedure. The authors analyzed the impact of vertical (fleur-de-lis) excision on complications when compared with traditional transverse excision.