Trends of Medicare Reimbursement Rates for Lower Extremity Procedures.

Background:  Data collected across many surgical specialties suggest that Medicare reimbursement for physicians consistently lags inflation. Studies are needed that describe reimbursement rates for lower extremity procedures. Our goal is to analyze the trends in Medicare reimbursement rates from 2010 to 2021 for both lower extremity amputation and salvage surgeries.

Cast selection and non-union rates for acute scaphoid fractures treated conservatively: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cast selection for conservatively treated acute scaphoid fractures remains controversial. Cast options include short arm versus long arm, and those that include the thumb or leave it free. We sought to investigate the role of how cast choice affects nonunion rates after conservative management of scaphoid fractures.

Trends of Medicare Reimbursement Rates for Common Plastic Surgery Procedures.

Background: Knowledge of Medicare reimbursement is essential for plastic surgeons providing care to Medicare beneficiaries. The authors sought to evaluate changes in Medicare reimbursement for common plastic surgery procedures from 2010 to 2020.

Methods: The authors assessed the Physician Fee Schedule of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.

Arteriovenous loop grafts for free tissue transfer.

Arteriovenous (AV) loop grafts are a type of vascular conduit that can be used to support free tissue transfer. Wounds of various etiologies may require free tissue transfer, and the AV loop graft is a useful adjunct when adjacent blood supply is inadequate. Here we present 2 cases and review the technique and published literature.