Vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap to reconstruct thigh and groin defects: A retrospective cohort and systematic review.

Background: The vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap is one of the options for soft-tissue reconstruction in the groin and thigh. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes, risk factors for complications, and the utility of using mesh to prevent abdominal hernia.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent VRAM flap reconstruction to reconstruct proximal thigh and groin defects from 1997 to 2018 was performed.

Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Seroma and Hematoma Formation Following Reduction Mammaplasty.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has gained increasing recognition as a valuable pharmacologic agent within plastic surgery.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the value and safety profile of both intravenous and topically administered TXA in the setting of bilateral reduction mammaplasty.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify consecutive patients who underwent bilateral reduction mammaplasty for symptomatic macromastia (January 2016-July 2021).

Diversity Matters: A 21-Year Review of Trends in Resident Recruitment into Surgical Specialties.

Background: Diversity within the healthcare workforce is essential to improve quality of care, although evaluation of diversity within surgical training remains limited. This study analyzed diversity in recruitment of residents into surgical subspecialties at a large academic medical institution and national trends.

Methods: A 21-year cross-sectional study of medical school graduates accepted into all surgical subspecialty training programs was performed.

Local Infiltration of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) in Liposuction: A Single-Surgeon Outcomes Analysis and Considerations for Minimizing Postoperative Donor Site Ecchymosis.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has gained increasing recognition in plastic surgery as a dependable adjunct capable of minimizing blood loss, ecchymosis, and edema. To date, there have been limited data on the utilization of TXA to mitigate liposuction donor site ecchymosis.

Objectives: The authors sought to investigate whether infiltration of TXA into liposuction donor sites safely reduces postoperative ecchymosis.

Aesthetic Augmentation Phalloplasty: A Systematic Review of Techniques and Outcomes.

Background: Aesthetic augmentation phalloplasty is a set of procedures aimed at increasing penile length and/or girth; many of these procedures are investigational. This systematic review set out to summarize available literature on these procedures in patients with normal penile anatomy.

Methods: A systematic review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Surgical and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients With PEEK Versus Titanium Cranioplasty Reconstruction.

Background: Several materials are available for cranioplasty reconstruction and consensus regarding the ideal material is lacking. The goal of this study is to present surgical and patient-reported outcomes with PEEK versus Titanium alloplastic cranioplasty.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent alloplastic cranioplasty with PEEK or Titanium from 2010 to 2017 was conducted.

Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Safely Reduces Hematoma without Thromboembolic Events.

Background: Antifibrinolytic medications, such as tranexamic acid, have recently garnered increased attention. Despite its ability to mitigate intraoperative blood loss and need for blood transfusion, there remains a paucity of research in breast reconstruction. The authors investigate whether intravenous tranexamic acid safely reduces the risk of hematoma following implant-based breast reconstruction.

Do We Publish What We Present? A Critical Analysis of Abstracts Presented At Three Plastic Surgery Meetings.

Background: Presentation of research at scientific conferences provides an opportunity for researchers to disseminate their work and gain peer-feedback. However, much of the presented work is never published in peer-reviewed journals. We aimed to analyze the conversion rate of abstracts presented at three national plastic surgery meetings.

Should Obesity Be Considered a Contraindication for Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction?

Background: Prepectoral implant-based reconstruction reemerged as a viable approach following recent advances in reconstructive techniques and technology. To achieve successful outcomes, careful patient selection is critical. Obesity increases the risk of complications and has been suggested as a relative contraindication for prepectoral breast reconstruction.

Eyebrow Height Changes with Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: The eyebrows play an important role in emotional facial expressions, nonverbal communication, and facial esthetics. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying eyebrow aging is vital in allowing plastic surgeons to appropriately address these age-related changes and to recreate an aesthetically desirable outcome for patients seeking brow rejuvenation. The aim of this study is to summarize the current literature on eyebrow height changes with aging.

Reconstruction of Oncologic Sternectomy Defects: Lessons Learned from 60 Cases at a Single Institution.

Unlabelled: Oncologic sternectomy results in complex defects where preoperative planning is paramount to achieve best reconstructive outcomes. Although pectoralis major muscle flap (PMF) is the workhorse for sternal soft tissue coverage, additional flaps can be required. Our purpose is to evaluate defects in which other flaps beside PMF were required to achieve optimal reconstruction.

Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction in Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy With Immediate Mastopexy.

Background: Nipple-areola preservation positively impacts quality of life of the patients and helps them to achieve a better psychological and sexual well-being, as well as higher satisfaction with their reconstruction. Patients with large or ptotic breasts, however, represent a technical challenge to surgeons, and nipple-areola preservation may be deferred in this clinical scenario. The aim of this study is to report our experience in patients with large or ptotic breasts who underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction with immediate mastopexy.

Augmentation Phalloplasty for Acquired Penile Shortening: A Systematic Review of Techniques, Outcomes, Patient Satisfaction, and Limitations.

Introduction: Although an infrequent cause of small penile size in adult men, acquired penile shortening represents a particular reconstructive challenge due to preexisting penile anatomic deformities.

Aim: With numerous techniques being performed, the purpose of our study is to assess available literature on length enhancement procedures used for acquired penile shortening deformities.

Methods: A systematic review was performed using the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses.

Diagnosis of Infectious Fluid Collections in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: The Role of Ultrasound.

Objective: Implant-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy remains the most common reconstructive modality worldwide. Infection is a frequent complication that negatively affects the reconstructive outcome and increases health-care costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in identifying fluid collections in patients with breast implant infection.

Infections following Immediate Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Case-Control Study over 11 Years.

Background: Surgical-site infection after implant-based breast reconstruction adversely affects surgical outcomes and increases health care costs. This 11-year case-control study examines risk factors specific for surgical-site infection after immediate tissue expander/implant-based breast reconstruction.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective review to identify all consecutive patients with breast implant infections between 2006 and 2016.

Albucasis: A Pioneer Plastic Surgeon.

The middle ages in the Arab world etched medical advancements that laid the foundations of modern medical practice. Among the several renowned physicians of historical importance, Abu Alkasem al-Zahrawi (Albucasis) left his mark in the fields of medicine and surgery. He is notably famous for his 30-volume compendium Kitab-al Tasreef, which served as his magnum opus.

Time from submission to publication in plastic surgery journals: The story of accepted manuscripts.

Background: Publication of research in highly regarded journals is a laborious journey that requires a considerable amount of effort and time. The objective of this article is to obtain insight into the time required for articles to be accepted and published in the top six plastic surgery journals and to study the effects of article characteristics on their publication time.

Methods: A comprehensive review of all articles published by six scientific plastic surgery journals during a one-year period (2018) was performed.

The American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program Incompletely Captures Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Complications.

Background: Implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) accounts for 70% of postmastectomy reconstructions in the United States. Improving the quality of surgical care in IBR patients through accurate measurements of outcomes is necessary. The purpose of this study is to compare the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data from our institution to our complete institutional health records database.

Single-Stage Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction: A Comparison Between Subpectoral Versus Prepectoral Implant Placement.

Background: Single-stage direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction can offer several potential benefits. Subpectoral DTI reconstruction can present with animation deformity and pectoralis muscle spasm. To potentially avoid these complications, surgeons have attempted prepectoral placement for DTI; however, the benefits of this approach are mostly unknown.

Microbiology of Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Infections: A Systematic Review.

Background: Postsurgical complications have been an increasing concern for hospitals, particularly in light of payment reform. The costs to the health care system are increasing in light of Medicare penalties for readmissions for certain conditions. Surgical site infection following implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) remains challenging.

Outcomes and Complications of Pediatric Cranioplasty: A Systematic Review.

Background: Pediatric calvarial reconstruction is challenging because of the unique anatomical and growth considerations in this population. Comparative studies evaluating current cranioplasty materials are lacking. This review addresses the knowledge gap in pediatric cranioplasty outcomes with emphasis on current materials used.

Two-Staged Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Long-Term Outcome Study in a Young Population.

Differences in patient anatomy and physiology exist between young and older patients undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Breast cancer has been described as being more aggressive, more likely to receive radiation, contralateral mastectomy, as well as bilateral reconstruction in young patients. Our purpose is to report long-term experience on two-staged implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) in young females, with complication sub-analysis based on obesity and adjuvant radiation.

Profile of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Obese and Lean Environments.

Background: With the demand for stem cells in regenerative medicine, new methods of isolating stem cells are highly sought. Adipose tissue is a readily available and non-controversial source of multipotent stem cells that carries a low risk for potential donors. However, elevated donor body mass index has been associated with an altered cellular microenvironment and thus has implications for stem cell efficacy in recipients.

Deformation of cranioplasty titanium mesh in a paediatric patient following head trauma.

Decompressive craniectomy is a life-saving procedure performed to treat intracranial hypertension caused by a variety of conditions. Subsequent cranioplasty reconstruction is needed for brain protection. Different alloplastic materials with different advantages and disadvantages are available for cranial reconstruction.

Surgical Outcomes of Prepectoral Versus Subpectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction in Young Women.

Background: Two-staged implant-based reconstruction (IBR) is the most common breast reconstructive modality. Recently, technological and surgical advances have encouraged surgeons to revisit prepectoral IBR. Data comparing prepectoral against subpectoral IBR in women under the age of 40 are lacking.