Postoperative follow-up time and justification in prospective hand surgery research: a systematic review.

We systematically reviewed prospective studies for five hand procedures to analyse postoperative follow-up time, clinical or radiographic plateau, and whether the authors provide justification for times used. Demographic data, outcomes and mean follow-up were analysed. A total of 188 articles met our inclusion criteria.

Variation in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures in the United States: 2010 to 2015.

Background: It remains unknown whether treatment trends for distal radius fracture have changed in light of value-based care initiatives during recent years. The authors aimed to characterize modern practice patterns for distal radius fracture management.

Methods: Truven MarketScan databases from 2009 to 2015 were used to extract demographic characteristics, geographic location, and comorbidities for patients receiving treatment for a distal radius fracture.

Unplanned Emergency Department Visits within 30 Days of Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Unplanned emergency department visits are often overlooked as an indicator of care quality. The authors' objectives were to (1) determine the rate of 30-day emergency department visits following mastectomy with or without immediate reconstruction, (2) perform a risk analysis of potential factors associated with emergency department return, and (3) assess for potentially preventable visits with a focus on returns for pain.

Methods: Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project data, the authors identified adult women who underwent mastectomy with or without reconstruction.

Improving Effective Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Application in Soft Tissue Wrist Injury.

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for soft-tissue wrist injury may be overprescribed, contributing to ineffective health care resource use. We aimed to discern predictive factors that may improve MRI's application in soft-tissue wrist injury.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adults who underwent MRIs for possible soft-tissue wrist injury between June 2009 and June 2014.

Older Patient Preferences for Internal Fixation after a Distal Radius Fracture: A Qualitative Study from the Wrist and Radius Injury Surgical Trial.

Background: Distal radius fracture treatments provide similar functional outcomes. It has been hypothesized that the use of internal fixation is increasing because of physician preferences. The multisite randomized Wrist and Radius Injury Surgical Trial provides a unique opportunity to examine patient preferences in the absence of surgeon influence.

Cost of Surgical Treatment for Distal Radius Fractures and the Implications of Episode-Based Bundled Payments.

Purpose: To examine the cost of care of surgical treatment for a distal radius fracture (DRF) and develop episodes that may be used to develop future bundled payment programs.

Methods: Using 2009 to 2015 claims data from the Truven MarketScan Databases, we examined the cost of care for surgical treatment of DRFs among adult patients in the United States. We excluded patients with concurrent fractures, patients who required complex care, and patients in assisted living facilities.

Complications of Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Injuries: Prevention and Treatment.

Proximal interphalangeal joint injuries are one of the most common injuries of the hand. The severity of injury can vary from a minor sprain to a complex intra-articular fracture. Because of the complex anatomy of the joint, complications may occur even after an appropriate treatment.

Learning from an Unsuccessful Study Idea: Reflection and Application of Innovative Techniques to Prevent Future Failures.

A well-organized, thoughtful study design is essential for creating an impactful study. However, pressures promoting high output from researchers can lead to rushed study proposals that overlook critical weaknesses in the study design that can affect the validity of the conclusions. Researchers can benefit from thorough review of past failed proposals when crafting new research ideas.

The Effect of Impactful Articles on Clinical Practice in the United States: Corticosteroid Injection for Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis.

Background: Following publication of high-level evidence demonstrating that it is not an effective treatment for lateral epicondylitis, a reduction in the corticosteroid injection rate would be expected. The authors aimed to clarify current clinical practice pattern for lateral epicondylitis and identify factors that influence the introduction of evidence into clinical practice.

Methods: In this administrative claims analysis, the authors used 2009 to 2015 Truven MarketScan data to extract claims for corticosteroid injection, physical therapy, platelet-rich plasma injection, and surgery for lateral epicondylitis.

The Desired Role of Health Care Providers in Guiding Older Patients With Distal Radius Fractures: A Qualitative Analysis.

Purpose: Understanding patient preferences for shared decision making is valuable for surgeons to advance patient-centered care, particularly in cases where there is not a clearly superior treatment option, like distal radius fracture. The existing evidence presents conflicting views on the desired role of the provider among older patients when making medical decisions. We aimed to investigate the perceived versus desired role of the provider in older adult patients with distal radius fracture.

Use and Associated Spending for Anesthesiologist-Administered Services in Minor Hand Surgery.

Background: Evidence is lacking to support the use of specialized anesthesia providers in minor surgical operations for patients without medical necessity. The authors sought to estimate the extent of potentially discretionary service use (anesthesiologist-administered anesthesia services among low-risk patients).

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective claims analysis using the Truven MarketScan Database to estimate the prevalence and cost of anesthesiologist-administered anesthesia services provided to patients undergoing minor hand surgery (i.

A Population-Based Study of Replantation After Traumatic Thumb Amputation, 2007-2012.

Purpose: The recommended surgical treatment after thumb amputation is replantation. In the United States, fewer than 40% of thumb amputation injuries are replanted, and little is known about factors associated with the probability of replantation. We aimed to investigate recent trends and examine patient and hospital characteristics that are associated with increased probability of attempted thumb replantation.