Hirudotherapy Efficacy and Complications in the Management of Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

Background: We aimed to assess the effect of hirudotherapy on flap congestion and thrombosis in adult female patients who underwent microvascular breast reconstruction.

Methods: A systematic review of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane was completed. A qualitative synthesis of all included studies was then performed.

An Institutional Analysis of Early Postoperative Free Tissue Transfer Takeback Procedures.

Background:  Postoperative free tissue transfer reexploration procedures are relatively infrequent but associated with increased overall failure rates. This study examines the differences between flaps requiring takeback versus no takeback, as well as trends in reexploration techniques that may increase the odds of successful salvage.

Methods:  A retrospective review was conducted on all free tissue transfers performed at our institution from 2011 to 2022.

Optimizing Surgical Outcomes and the Role of Preventive Surgery: A Scoping Review.

Background:  Plastic and reconstructive surgeons are often presented with reconstructive challenges as a sequela of complications in high-risk surgical patients, ranging from exposure of hardware, lymphedema, and chronic pain after amputation. These complications can result in significant morbidity, recovery time, resource utilization, and cost. Given the prevalence of surgical complications managed by plastic and reconstructive surgeons, developing novel preventative techniques to mitigate surgical risk is paramount.

The Impact of Health Literacy on Trust in Online Plastic Surgery Content: A Nationwide Analysis.

Introduction: On most online platforms, just about anyone can disseminate plastic surgery (PS) content regardless of their educational or professional background. This study examines the general public's perceptions of the accuracy of online PS content and the factors that contribute to the discernment of credible information.

Methods: The Amazon Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing platform was used to survey adults in the United States.

A Meta-Analysis of the Mortality and the Prevalence of Burn Complications in Western Populations.

Management of burn injuries is complex, with highly variable outcomes occurring among different populations. This meta-analysis aims to assess the outcomes of burn therapy in North American and European adults, specifically mortality and complications, to guide further therapeutic advances. A systematic review of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane was performed.

Women in Plastic Surgery Innovation: A 10-Year Review of Gender Representation in Mammary Device Patents.

Background: This study aims to pioneer in evaluating women's representation in plastic surgery innovations, focusing on mammary prosthesis devices' inventorship. Despite growing gender parity in the field, women's involvement in innovation remains underexplored. This is especially crucial, as the predominant recipients of these innovative technologies are women, urging a necessity for broader female engagement in pioneering surgical advancements.

Continuing Insurance Coverage for Flap-Based Breast Reconstruction: Is There a Reservation Cost Related to a Woman's Abdominal Flap Choice?

Background: The recent proposed alterations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations, although subsequently reversed on August 21, 2023, have engendered persistent concerns regarding the impact of insurance policies on breast reconstruction procedures coverage. This study aimed to identify factors that would influence women's preferences regarding autologous breast reconstruction to better understand the possible consequences of these coverage changes.

Methods: A survey of adult women in the United States was conducted via Amazon Mechanical Turk to assess patient preferences for breast reconstruction options, specifically deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap surgery.

A National Analysis of Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Following Major Upper Extremity Amputation.

Background: Post-amputation pain is a debilitating sequela of upper extremity (UE) amputation. Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a relatively novel treatment that can help prevent pain and improve quality of life. The purpose of this study is to evaluate national trends in the application of immediate TMR following UE amputations.

Patient Comfort with Before and After Photography at Plastic Surgery Offices.

Background: Before and after (B&A) photographs are a sensitive part of patients' medical records, and the use of smartphones may pose risks to confidentiality and comfort. The purpose of this study was to assess patient comfort depending on the circumstances under which these photographs being taken.

Methods: Amazon's Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing service and REDCap's survey manager were used to recruit survey participants.

Racial and ethnic representation in united states plastic surgery clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: In 1993, the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act mandated increasing minority and women enrollment in clinical trials (CTs). This study aimed to investigate trends in race and ethnicity enrollment and reporting in US plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) CT.

Methods: A comprehensive systematic review was performed.

Merits of simulation-based education: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The drive to improve surgical proficiency through advanced simulation-based training has gained momentum. This meta-analysis systematically evaluated evidence regarding the impact of plastic surgery-related simulation on the performance of residents.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library and review of articles was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis protocol.

Utilization of patient-reported outcome measures in plastic surgery clinical trials: A systematic review.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have evolved to validated questionnaires assessing health-related quality of life. This systematic review evaluates the utilization of PROs in United States plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) clinical trials (CTs).

Methods: A medical librarian conducted a search strategy for PRS CTs from 2012 to 2022.

Liposuction Complications in the Outpatient Setting: A National Analysis of 246,119 Cases in Accredited Ambulatory Surgery Facilities.

Background: Suction lipectomy (liposuction) is a popular cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States, but little has been documented regarding perioperative complications due to its outpatient nature.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aims to analyze the most common complications that accompany liposuction-related procedures and importantly estimate the total complication rate occurring at ambulatory surgical facilities.

Methods: Adult patients who experienced liposuction-related complications from 2019 to 2021 were identified in the reporting database of the global surgery accreditation authority, the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (QUAD A).

Rhinoplasty Preferences: Can the Public Detect Prior Surgery on Social Media?

Background: The creation of postoperative rhinoplasty results that appear natural and proportional to the face are crucial for patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to assess the public's ability to detect a post-rhinoplasty result and preference of preoperative and postoperative rhinoplasty outcomes.

Methods: A survey was distributed using the Amazon Mechanical Turk online platform showing nine preoperative and postoperative rhinoplasty patients.

Beyond Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Required Scholarship: The Academic Journey of Plastic Surgery Residents.

Introduction: Research productivity is an important part of required Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education scholarship during residency training and critical to trainees who intend to pursue careers in academia. This study aims to determine plastic surgery residents' experiences with and attitudes toward research.

Methods: Accredited independent (52) and integrated (86) plastic surgery program websites were manually searched for currently active residents' names and email addresses.

Preferences and Barriers of Male Patients Seeking Aesthetic Procedures.

Background: As social attitudes toward plastic surgery continue to evolve, the prevalence of men seeking plastic surgery has been increasing. By delving into the factors that encourage male patients to seek plastic surgery and the obstacles they encounter, this study aims to facilitate the development of more inclusive and effective approaches for this population.

Method: An anonymous 41-question survey was conducted among adult men in the USA via the Amazon Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing platform.

Workplace Bias Affecting Applicants to Independent Plastic Surgery Residencies.

Background: This study explores factors that encourage residents to apply to independent plastic surgery residencies to gain insight into whether they faced bias as a result of this decision.

Methods: Resident applicants who applied to two academic independent plastic surgery residencies in 2021 and 2022 were emailed a survey consisting of 25 questions. Responses were collected anonymously and analyzed.

Pedicled Flaps for High-Risk Open Vascular Procedures of the Lower Extremity: An Analysis of The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Database.

Background:  Use of pedicled flaps in vascular procedures is associated with decreased infection and wound breakdown. We evaluated the risk profile and postoperative complications associated with lower extremity open vascular procedures with and without pedicled flaps.

Methods:  The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2010-2020) was queried for Current Procedural Terminology codes representing lower extremity open vascular procedures, including trunk and lower extremity pedicled flaps.

A National Analysis of Socioeconomic Variables of Access to Inpatient Body Contouring Procedures After Bariatric Surgery.

Background: Weight loss following bariatric surgery often results in excess skin, which has led to a population of patients seeking body contouring surgery (BCS). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of patients who underwent BCS following bariatric surgery using the national inpatient sample (NIS) database and to assess the demographic and socioeconomic variables of this cohort.

Methods: NIS database was queried from 2016 to 2019 using ICD-10 codes to identify patients that underwent bariatric surgery procedures.

Capitalizing on social media: An evaluation of the public's preferences for plastic surgery social media content.

Background: The effectiveness of utilizing social media platforms to promote clinical practices and attract patients has been well established. This study aimed to assess what plastic surgery social media content and educational material the public is most responsive to.

Methods: An anonymous 25-question survey was distributed using REDCap and Amazon's Mechanical Turk to ascertain demographic information, patterns of social media use, levels of interest in plastic surgery, and preferences for plastic surgery content.

Hand and Wrist Amputation: A Demographic Analysis Using the National Inpatient Sample.

Background: Traumatic hand and wrist amputations are rare but debilitating injuries. Surgical replantation of the hand provides a unique alternative to revision surgery but requires appropriate access to necessary medical resources. This study aims to understand the national practice of replantation of traumatic hand amputation and to determine whether disparities exist in accessing surgical treatment.