A Simple Brochure Improves Disposal of Unused Opioids: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: We evaluated the effectiveness of a simple, low-cost educational brochure in improving disposal rates of unused opioids after outpatient upper extremity surgery.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled eligible adult patients from a peripheral nerve clinic between November 2017 and September 2018. Patients either received or did not receive the educational brochure, which outlined a simple method to dispose of unused opioids and completed a survey at 2 weeks after surgery.

Nerve Transfers-A Paradigm Shift in the Reconstructive Ladder.

In this review, we present the current role of nerve transfers in the management of nerve injuries. The outcome of a literature review comparing the results of nerve graft versus nerve transfer and the experience of select surgical societies' members regarding experience and adoption of nerve transfer are reported. Nerve transfer publications have increased more than nerve graft or repair articles.

Cross-Palm Nerve Grafts to Enhance Sensory Recovery in Severe Ulnar Neuropathy.

Intrinsic atrophy and debilitating sensory loss are prominent features of severe ulnar neuropathy with limited surgical options to reliably improve recovery. Restoration of sensation is important to provide protection for the vulnerable ulnar border of the hand. Here, we report our experience with side-to-side sensory nerve grafting from the median to ulnar nerve in the palm to enhance ulnar sensory recovery.

Empowering Post-Surgical Patients to Improve Opioid Disposal: A Before and After Quality Improvement Study.

Background: Our country is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. Although the problem is multifactorial, one issue is the presence of excess prescription opioid medications circulating in our communities. Our objective was to determine whether dissemination of an educational brochure would improve the disposal of unused opioids after surgery.

Stakeholders' Perspectives on Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: Recognizing Ways to Improve Shared Decision Making.

Background: Postmastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) is an elective, preference-sensitive decision made during a stressful, time-pressured period after a cancer diagnosis. Shared decision making (SDM) can improve decision quality about preference-sensitive choices. Stakeholders' perspectives on ways to support PMBR decision-making were explored.

Subclinical Peroneal Neuropathy: A Common, Unrecognized, and Preventable Finding Associated With a Recent History of Falling in Hospitalized Patients.

Purpose: Identification of modifiable risk factors for falling is paramount in reducing the incidence and morbidity of falling. Peroneal neuropathy with an overt foot drop is a known risk factor for falling, but research into subclinical peroneal neuropathy (SCPN) resulting from compression at the fibular head is lacking. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of SCPN in hospitalized patients and establish whether it is associated with a recent history of falling.

Prevalence of Needlestick Injuries, Attitude Changes, and Prevention Practices Over 12 Years in an Urban Academic Hospital Surgery Department.

Objective: Needlestick injury prevalence, protection practices, and attitudes were assessed. Current medical students were compared with 2003 data to assess any changes that occurred with engineered safety feature implementation.

Background: Risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens is elevated in the operating room particularly with surgeons in training and nurses.

Surgical Treatment of Neuromas Improves Patient-Reported Pain, Depression, and Quality of Life.

Background: Surgical management of neuromas is difficult, with no consensus on the most effective surgical procedure to improve pain and quality of life. This study evaluated the surgical treatment of neuromas by neurectomy, crush, and proximal transposition on improvement in pain, depression, and quality of life.

Methods: Patients who underwent neuroma excision and proximal transposition were evaluated.

Resident perceptions on pregnancy during training: 2008 to 2015.

Background: Perceptions of residents regarding pregnancy during training were compared over time and across surgical, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and anesthesia specialties.

Methods: A single-institution survey was distributed to female residents in 2008 and to female and male residents in 2015. Nonparametric comparisons of Likert scale response distributions were performed on the supportiveness for pregnancy of the residency program and childbearing influences of female residents in 2008 and 2015, between specialties for each survey year, and between male and female residents in 2015.