Does Delay to Theater Lead to Increased Infection Rates in Hand Trauma? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: In an ideal health system, traumatic wounds would be surgically managed within 24 hours; however, resource constraints result in patients with open wounds commonly waiting much longer for surgery. Does this result in increased morbidity? This study compares infection rates over time for patients who received operative management of traumatic hand injuries.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of patients admitted between July 2014 and June 2015 who presented within 24 hours of sustaining a hand injury and subsequently underwent operative repair.

3D Printed Models of Cleft Palate Pathology for Surgical Education.

Unlabelled: To explore the potential viability and limitations of 3D printed models of children with cleft palate deformity.

Background: The advantages of 3D printed replicas of normal anatomical specimens have previously been described. The creation of 3D prints displaying patient-specific anatomical pathology for surgical planning and interventions is an emerging field.

Muscle versus fasciocutaneous free flaps in heel reconstruction: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Management of soft tissue injuries of the heel is challenging and the composition of free tissue transfer that provides optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes in heel reconstruction is not clear. While fasciocutaneous flaps may result in shear planes that cause instability with mobilization, insensate muscle flaps may not be able to withstand the pressures of weight bearing and thus ulcerate.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using Medline and PubMed databases.

Developments in image-guided deep circumflex iliac artery flap harvest: a step-by-step guide and literature review.

Purpose: The deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap has evolved significantly over time in the intricacies of flap design and breadth of surgical application. This has been facilitated by advances in preoperative imaging and planning, in particular, computed tomographic angiography. Studies have highlighted that advanced imaging modalities and other technologies such as image-guided stereolithographic biomodeling can substantially improve flap planning, flap harvest, and operative outcomes.

The vascular basis of the hemi-hamate osteochondral free flap. Part 1: vascular anatomy and clinical correlation.

Purpose: The treatment of comminuted fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint is highly challenging due to the complexities of joint bio-mechanics and stability. The hemi-hamate osteochondral auto-graft has been popularised in this role, able to replace articular loss and restore joint stability. Recent evaluation of their long-term follow-up however has shown the early development of osteoarthritis and potential early cartilage loss, which may be due to the non-vascularised nature of the graft.

The vascular basis of the hemi-hamate osteochondral free flap. Part 2: surgical anatomy and clinical application.

Purpose: The free vascularised hemi-hamate flap combines the utility of providing a small osteochondral portion of hamate for reconstruction, while providing a means of vascularisation to preserve articular cartilage after transfer. In Part 1 of this series, we highlighted the vascular approaches to such a technique. The current study investigates the bony architecture of the hamate, with particular emphasis on its utility for a range of osteochondral defects in the hand.

Visual loss following sclerotherapy for varicose veins.

The authors report the case of a 66-year-old lady referred to the acute eye clinic with left homonymous hemianopia following sclerotherapy for left lower limb varicose veins and review the literature on sclerotherapy-induced visual loss.