Impact and Implementation of Plastic Surgery Interest Groups: National Survey of Plastic Surgery Interest Group Leadership.

Plastic surgery interest groups (PSIGs) provide an invaluable opportunity to enhance medical students' exposure to and knowledge of plastic surgery. Despite this, there have been no studies that provide information on the formation of these groups as well as the aspects that make for a productive PSIG. An anonymous survey was distributed by email via RedCAP to US medical students who hold leadership positions within their medical school's PSIG.

Capitalizing on social media: An evaluation of the public's preferences for plastic surgery social media content.

Background: The effectiveness of utilizing social media platforms to promote clinical practices and attract patients has been well established. This study aimed to assess what plastic surgery social media content and educational material the public is most responsive to.

Methods: An anonymous 25-question survey was distributed using REDCap and Amazon's Mechanical Turk to ascertain demographic information, patterns of social media use, levels of interest in plastic surgery, and preferences for plastic surgery content.

The Upcoming Pass/Fail USMLE Step 1 Score Reporting: An Impact Assessment From Medical School Deans.

The US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 change to pass/fail has been met with mixed reviews, and the impact on medical student education and residency match is unknown. We surveyed medical school student affairs deans regarding their thoughts on the upcoming transition of Step 1 to pass/fail. A questionnaire was emailed to medical school deans.

In the Age of Social Media, How Does the Public Choose a Plastic Surgeon? A Crowdsourcing Analysis of Major Deciding Factors.

Background: Patients consider many factors when selecting a plastic surgeon. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of board certification and reputation in this decision. Despite this, there is a paucity of knowledge on the role that cost of procedure, social media, and surgeon training have on the decision-making process.

TikTok: Is It Time to Start Trending with #PlasticSurgery?

Background: TikTok is a short-form video social media platform created in 2016 that has rapidly grown in popularity. The aim of this study was to examine trending plastic surgery videos on TikTok and to understand the dynamics of the #PlasticSurgery conversation on this relatively new social media platform.

Methods: A prospective analysis of TikTok videos identified by directly querying the platform using #PlasticSurgery was performed during November of 2020.

Perspectives on the Plastic Surgery Common Application (PSCA): A Survey of 2021-2022 Integrated Plastic Surgery Applicants.

Unlabelled: The Plastic Surgery Common Application (PSCA) was introduced as a free and specialty-specific application for plastic surgery applicants in the 2020-2021 cycle. Now in its second year, the PSCA is being piloted by all integrated residency programs with future plans to replace Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) in the 2022-2023 cycle. This study aimed to explore applicant perspectives related to the PSCA and ERAS applications.

Outpatient Prosthetic-Based Reconstruction during COVID-19 Pandemic Possible in Selected Patients without Increased Complications.

Background: Following the reopening of elective surgery, the authors' division transitioned from inpatient admission to same-day discharge for immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction in an effort to decrease the hospital's clinical burden and minimize potential coronavirus disease of 2019 exposure. This study aims to compare complication rates following this acute transition for patients who had inpatient and outpatient mastectomy with immediate alloplastic reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate prosthetic reconstruction.

Public Confidence for Undergoing Elective Plastic Surgery Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has since been followed by a gradual resumption of elective surgery. Many individuals remain cautious about visiting a hospital or clinic to undergo surgery. As plastic surgeons are starting to resume elective surgery at this time, it is important to understand the perspectives of potential patients and the concerns they may have.

Plastic Surgery Residency Applicants' Perceptions of a Virtual Interview Cycle.

Background: The 2020 to 2021 residency application cycle marked the first year of fully virtual integrated plastic surgery interviews. The virtual format was a double-edged sword for applicants with several advantages, such as reduced costs and time lost from travel, and disadvantages as the novel format introduced new stressors on top of an already demanding process. Concerns included unfair interview invitation distribution, interview "hoarding," and assessing "fit" virtually.

Neurotization in Innervated Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Techniques and Outcomes.

Background: Significant improvements in sensory recovery after innervated breast reconstruction have been reported. However, surgical approaches and sensory testing methods have been widely variable. This systematic review aimed to synthesize neurotization techniques and outcomes in breast reconstruction surgery.

A national analysis of outpatient mastectomy and breast reconstruction trends from 2013 through 2019.

Background: Traditionally, patients with breast reconstruction (BR) were hospitalized at least one day postoperatively. However, new trends suggest that outpatient surgery is a viable and safe alternative. This study aims to assess trends among patients with breast cancer who underwent outpatient mastectomy alone, with immediate BR (IBR) or delayed BR (DBR).

Reflections on a Career in Plastic Surgery: A National Survey of Retired Surgeons.

Introduction: Retired plastic surgeons can provide valuable insights for the greater plastic surgery community. The purpose of this study was to gather demographics, personal reflections, and advice for a career in plastic surgery from retired American plastic surgeons.

Methods: An email survey was distributed to 825 members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons during September 2021.

Comparison of Various Modalities Utilized for Preoperative Planning in Microsurgical Reconstructive Surgery.

Background:  The benefits of preoperative perforator imaging for microsurgical reconstruction have been well established in the literature.

Methods:  An extensive literature review was performed to determine the most commonly used modalities, and their applicability, advantages and disadvantages.

Results:  The review demonstrated varioius findings including decreases in operative time and cost with the use of CT angiography to identification of perforators for inclusion in flap design with hand-held Doppler ultrasound.

Trends and characteristics of neurotization during breast reconstruction: perioperative outcomes using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP).

This study aimed to investigate the impact of performing neurotization during breast reconstruction on total operating time and post-operative morbidity. The 2015 through 2019 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) databases were utilized to identify patients who underwent breast reconstruction with and without neurotization. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, operative characteristics and outcomes were examined for each group.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Impact of Tranexamic Acid Administration in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Background: Recent evidence suggests tranexamic acid (TXA) may improve outcomes in aesthetic surgery patients.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of TXA use in aesthetic plastic surgery on bleeding and aesthetic outcomes.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies evaluating TXA use in aesthetic plastic surgery.

Virtual Interviews for the Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Match: The Program Director Perspective.

Unlabelled: Interviews for the integrated plastic surgery residency match took place in a virtual format for the 2020-2021 application cycle. Current literature lacks the perspectives of program directors (PDs) on virtual interviews compared with traditional in-person interviews.

Methods: Following institutional review board approval, an anonymous 17-question survey was distributed by email to 82 program directors of integrated plastic surgery residency programs in the United States.

Does Anticoagulation Improve Flap Outcomes in Hypercoagulable Patients? A Systematic Review.

Background:  Despite improvements in microsurgical techniques, hypercoagulable patients remain a reconstructive challenge. Thrombophilias are a relatively common problem with potentially catastrophic results including free flap loss. The aim of this study was to assess the available literature on free tissue transfer in patients with known hypercoagulability to develop recommendations for management.