Publications by authors named "Higdon K"

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the role of histone demethylase JMJD3 in the nucleus accumbens and its impact on heroin-seeking behavior after a period of abstinence in male rats.
  • Findings show that JMJD3 levels and phosphorylated SMAD1/5 increase following 14 days of heroin abstinence, and manipulating these pathways affects drug-seeking behaviors.
  • The research concludes that JMJD3 is involved in long-term changes linked to heroin relapse, with its effects being regulated by the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway.
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Environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses are an increasingly popular tool for assessing biodiversity. eDNA sampling that uses invertebrates, or invertebrate DNA (iDNA), has become a more common method in mammal biodiversity studies where biodiversity is assessed via diet analysis of different coprophagous or hematophagous invertebrates. The carrion feeding family of beetles (, Latreille (1807)), have not yet been established as a viable iDNA source in primary scientific literature, yet could be useful indicators for tracking biodiversity in forested ecosystems.

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This study aimed to determine whether there is a difference in free flap failure based on the decision to undergo immediate versus delayed autologous tissue breast reconstruction after mastectomy. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for breast free flap procedures performed between 2015 and 2020. This study demonstrates that the decision to undergo immediate versus delayed autologous tissue breast reconstruction does not have a significant association with free flap failure.

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Background: Different types of abdominoplasties have been developed to address individual patient characteristics. However, an analysis of complication rates and risk factors for different types of abdominoplasties has yet to be reported.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the complication rates and risks associated with each type of abdominoplasty.

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Background: The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap is the gold standard procedure for autologous breast reconstruction. Although breast-related complications have been well described, donor-site complications and contributing patient risk factors are poorly understood.

Methods: We examined a multi-institutional, prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing DIEP free flap breast reconstruction between 2015 and 2020.

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The picture-superiority effect is the finding that memory for pictures exceeds memory for words on many tasks. According to dual-coding theory, the pictures' mnemonic advantage stems from their greater likelihood to be labelled relative to words being imaged. In contrast, distinctiveness accounts hold that the greater variability of pictures compared to words leads to their mnemonic advantage.

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Background: Abdominal contouring surgery can provide both functional and cosmetic benefits to patients with abdominal soft tissue laxity. Although these procedures have been studied in the inpatient setting, few studies describe abdominal contouring surgery in the ambulatory setting.

Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to investigate patterns in patient demographics between functional panniculectomy and cosmetic abdominoplasty using national data from the last four years.

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Background: With ongoing investigations of the impact of device texturing on breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), studies have begun comparing complication profiles of tissue expanders. However, there is a paucity of timing and severity data of complications. The aim of this study was to provide a comparative survival analysis of postoperative complications between smooth (STEs) and textured tissue expanders (TTEs) in breast reconstruction.

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Background: Pain control after autologous breast reconstruction is important for patient satisfaction and early recovery. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are commonly used as part of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway for breast reconstruction. It is uncertain whether liposomal bupivacaine used in TAP blocks offers additional advantages.

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Background: The location of tissue expanders in implant-based breast reconstruction remains controversial due to variation in surgical techniques and devices.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive assessment of early and late complication rates between prepectoral and subpectoral placement of tissue expanders.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all adult female patients who had undergone 2-stage implant-based breast reconstruction between 2013 and 2019 in our institution.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study compares surgical complications between two breast reconstruction techniques: prepectoral and subpectoral placement, sourcing data from various medical databases up to December 2022.
  • - Analysis of 18 studies involving 2,360 patients revealed that prepectoral reconstruction significantly reduces the odds of complications like hematoma, seroma, infection, and the need for revision or reoperation compared to the subpectoral method.
  • - While both techniques are deemed safe, the results favor prepectoral reconstruction for having lower rates of major postoperative issues, with minimal differences in outcomes across different countries.
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Background: Tighter abdominal wall reconstruction may increase intra-abdominal pressure, which can decrease lower extremity venous return. Decreased venous return through the inferior vena cava has been demonstrated to increase risk of deep vein thrombosis.

Objectives: Tighter abdominal wall plication during cosmetic abdominoplasty compared with functional panniculectomy may increase these risks.

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Background: Microvascular free tissue transfer is an increasingly popular modality for autologous tissue breast reconstruction. However, flap failure remains an ominous risk that continues to plague surgeons and patients even in the setting of meticulous surgical technique and monitoring. Venous and arterial thromboses are the leading causes of free flap failure.

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Background: In addition to its intended purpose of perforator mapping, computed tomography angiography can also identify incidental findings that may require further evaluation. In this multi-institutional study, the authors evaluated the frequency of incidental findings and their significance and effects on treatment course and aimed to identify risk factors for detecting such findings.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent perforator mapping with computed tomography angiography was performed over a 5-year period from three academic institutions.

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Background: Amidst the rising trend of bariatric surgical procedures being performed across the country and around the world, patients seeking functional panniculectomy after massive weight loss represent a different population than those seeking cosmetic abdominoplasty. The purpose of this study was to determine whether certain complications are more likely to occur in patients undergoing functional panniculectomy, as well as identify risk factors that are implicated in the occurrence of adverse events.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients undergoing cosmetic abdominoplasty and functional panniculectomy in North America between 2015 and 2019 using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database sponsored by the American College of Surgeons.

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Background: Although there are many indications for periprosthetic breast capsulectomy, heightened public attention surrounding breast implant illness has resulted in increased rates of capsulectomy.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the incidence of major complications and risk factors associated with capsulectomy.

Methods: From an examination of a prospectively enrolled cosmetic surgery insurance database, CosmetAssure (Birmingham, AL), patients undergoing capsulectomy between January 2, 2017 and July 31, 2019 were identified.

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The US Health and Human Services Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force initiated a public-private partnership which led to the publication of its report in 2019. The report emphasized the need for individualized, multimodal, and multidisciplinary approaches to pain management that decrease the over-reliance on opioids, increase access to care, and promote widespread education on pain and substance use disorders. The Task Force specifically called on specialty organizations to work together to develop evidence-based guidelines.

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Background: Post-mastectomy pocket irrigation solution choice is debated and primarily surgeon dependent. We compare triple antibiotic solution (TAS) with 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).

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Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the commonly used fat grafting techniques-Telfa rolling and a closed washing system-in breast reconstruction patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing fat grafting were retrospectively reviewed and grouped by technique. Patients with less than 180 days of follow-up were excluded.

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Background: The dimensions of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) and its location on the chest wall are important aesthetic factors in male breast surgery.

Objectives: This study examines the perceptions of aesthetic surgeons and the general population for the aesthetically ideal position and size of male NAC.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) members and to the general population.

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Background: The numerous office visits required to complete expansion in implant-based breast reconstruction impact patient satisfaction, office resources, and time to complete reconstruction. This study aimed to determine whether prepectoral compared to subpectoral immediate implant-based breast reconstruction offers expedited tissue expansion without affecting complication rates.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent immediate implant-based breast reconstruction with tissue expanders from January of 2016 to July of 2017 by a single surgeon were grouped into subpectoral (partial submuscular/partial acellular dermal matrix) or prepectoral (complete acellular dermal matrix coverage), and reviewed.

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Surgical site infections represent one of the most common postoperative complications in patients undergoing aesthetic surgery. As with other postoperative complications, the incidence of these infections may be influenced by many factors and varies depending on the specific operation performed. Understanding the risk factors for infection development is critical because careful patient selection and appropriate perioperative counseling will set the right expectations and can ultimately improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.

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