Publications by authors named "Karen R Li"

Background:  Multidisciplinary care with vascular surgery and plastic surgery is essential for lower extremity free flap (LEFF) success in the chronic wound population with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. There is a lack of understanding on performing targeted direct endovascular reperfusion on a vessel that will be used as the flap recipient. Our study compares outcomes of patients who received targeted revascularization (TR) to the recipient vessel for LEFF anastomosis versus nontargeted revascularization (NR) of arterial recipients prior to LEFF.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Among patients with critical limb ischemia and tissue loss, revascularization is an essential component for limb salvage. Local flaps of the foot and ankle remain a versatile tool in reconstructive limb salvage but is dependent on adequate arterial flow. In patients with arterial occlusive disease requiring revascularization, there is a lack of evidence in the current literature investigating on the necessity of direct arterial flow to the respective angiosome for local flaps reconstruction.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Fillet of toe flap (FTF) leverages the "spare parts" algorithm in reconstructive surgery-utilizing tissue from amputated or otherwise non-salvageable body parts, thus avoiding donor-site morbidity. This study assesses the efficacy of FTF coverage in non-traumatic foot amputations. A retrospective review of patients undergoing foot amputation with FTF coverage between January 2013 to August 2023 was conducted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - The integration of AI tools like ChatGPT in medicine can enhance patient education, particularly for gender-affirming mastectomy (GAM), which is significant for many transmasculine and non-binary individuals in their transition.
  • - This study evaluated the quality and readability of ChatGPT's responses to 10 frequent questions about GAM, revealing a readability level suitable for college graduates but also issues with accuracy and comprehensiveness in the information provided.
  • - While physicians found value in ChatGPT's tone and patient-centered approach, they cautioned against over-reliance on it due to instances of misinformation and the need for professional medical advice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Estimating resection weight for patients undergoing reduction mammoplasty (RM) informs surgical planning and outcomes. Existing formulas have limitations that make insurance coverage and accurate surgical planning challenging. We identified the most commonly used scales to evaluate their accuracy in estimating resection weight by applying them to a database of patients to compare calculated and actual resection weights.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The surgical decision for limb-salvage with free tissue transfer (FTT), partial foot amputation (PFA), or below-knee amputation (BKA) for complex lower extremity (LE) wounds hinges on several factors, including patient choice and baseline function. However, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) on LE function, pain, and QoL for chronic LE wound interventions are limited. Thus, the study aim was to compare PROMs in patients who underwent FTT, PFA, or BKA for chronic LE wounds.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - This study analyzed the effectiveness of different blood flow patterns (direct vs. indirect) in local flap reconstructions for foot and ankle surgeries in patients with advanced arterial disease, involving 92 patients and 103 flaps.
  • - The results showed that immediate flap success rates were quite similar for both direct flow (97.3%) and indirect flow (92.6%), but the indirect flow group had a significantly higher contralateral amputation rate (26.9% vs. 5.3%).
  • - The findings suggest that while alternative blood flow sources can support local flaps, using direct flow or arterial connections is preferable to minimize the risk of amputation, especially in random pattern flaps which can rely on less reliable
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • This study analyzes the outcomes of two surgical techniques - peritoneal flap vaginoplasty (PFV) and intestinal segment vaginoplasty (ISV) - in transgender or non-binary patients who experienced failed penile inversion vaginoplasty (PIV).
  • Both methods aim to restore neovaginal depth and sexual function, with 21 patients undergoing PFV and 24 patients undergoing ISV reported between December 2018 and April 2023.
  • The results show that while PFV had a higher rate of long-term complications like vaginal stenosis, ISV exhibited lower complications overall, suggesting ISV may be a more favorable option for revising vaginal stenosis after failed PIV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Patients with chronic nonhealing lower extremity wounds often need split-thickness skin grafts (STSG), and this study comparing superficial vs. deep debridement found significant differences in outcomes.
  • Data from 244 wounds in 168 patients revealed that those receiving deep debridement (DD) had lower graft failure rates compared to those receiving superficial debridement (10.5% vs. 22.2%).
  • The findings suggest that deep debridement is more effective, particularly for culture-positive wounds, improving STSG success rates in patients with these chronic wounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Gender-affirming mastectomy (GAM) improves the psychosocial functioning and quality of life of transgender and non-binary (TGNB) individuals. However, the perioperative period is often marked by emotional stress, concerns about surgical outcomes, and physical discomfort. While inpatient procedures provide multiple opportunities to engage with and educate patients, outpatient surgeries, such as GAM, pose a unique challenge as patients are followed for <24 h postoperatively.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the use of pedicled local (PFs) versus random pattern flaps (RpFs) in foot and ankle reconstruction in patients with chronic, nonhealing wounds.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective review of 204 patients with 118 PFs and 86 RpFs was performed. The primary outcome included rates of limb salvage.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: This study aims to compare perfusion dynamics using indocyanine green videoangiography before and after the creation of a second venous anastomosis between the superficial inferior epigastric vein and the retrograde internal mammary vein (IMV) in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstructions.

Methods: Indocyanine green videoangiography performed during DIEP flap reconstructions was analyzed prospectively. The areas of interest were above the perforators with the highest intensity (complete perfusion), the most distal lateral edge of the flap (partial perfusion), and the next lowest intensity (ischemic).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: One of the biggest challenges with gender-affirming vaginoplasty was the creation of a long-lasting, durable, patent, and self-lubricating neovaginal canal that allowed for spontaneous, pain-free sexual intercourse. The jejunum was a durable, physiologic, and intestinal option to create the neovaginal canal that minimizes the adverse effects of skin graft, peritoneal, and colonic vaginoplasties. Free jejunal vaginoplasties had been performed in cis females for congenital genitourinary anomalies like Mullerian agenesis or after gynecologic-oncologic surgery but had yet to be reported for gender-affirming vaginoplasties.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Double-incision mastectomy (DIM) with free nipple grafts (FNG) is a common technique employed in gender-affirming mastectomy (GAM), but is associated with a high scar burden. Intraoperatively, the surgeon may opt for a single-incision mastectomy (SIM) along the inframammary folds (IMF) to optimize aesthetic outcomes. This study sought to identify factors predictive of intraoperative conversion.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Complex surgical back wounds represent significant morbidity in patients who have undergone spinal procedures requiring closure or revision by plastic surgeons. This study aimed to assess the utility of bacterial wound culture data for predicting surgical outcomes of wound management.

Methods: This study is a single-institution retrospective review of consecutive patients who required plastic surgery intervention for wound infection following spinal procedures between the years 2010 and 2021 (n = 70).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The use of free tissue transfer (FTT) is efficacious for chronic, non-healing lower extremity (LE) wounds. The four pillars of managing patient comorbidities, infection control, blood flow status, and biomechanical function are critical in achieving successful limb salvage. The authors present their multidisciplinary institutional experience with a review of 300 FTTs performed for the complex LE limb salvage of chronic LE wounds.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Thyroid chondroplasty (TC) in facial gender-affirming surgery (FGAS) is aimed at modifying the thyroid cartilage to achieve a more feminine laryngeal appearance. This study evaluated open versus endoscopic techniques to TC and associated outcomes and complications. A systematic review (SR) of articles pertaining to TC was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF