Effect of incision choice on outcomes in primary breast augmentation.

Background: Capsular contracture (CC) is the most common complication following primary breast augmentation and one of the most common causes of reoperation. Various studies have suggested certain risk factors, including incision choice.

Objectives: The authors investigate a possible association between the three most common breast augmentation incisions (inframammary, periareolar, and transaxillary) and CC.

Management of massive mastectomy skin flap necrosis following autologous breast reconstruction.

Background: The optimal management of severe mastectomy skin flap necrosis continues to remain a challenge. Following autologous reconstruction, small or minor areas of ischemia/tissue necrosis can result in multiple office visits, increased expenses due to dressing supplies and nursing care, and revisional operations. The purpose of this study is to describe outcomes of a common management strategy for surgeons when confronted with a patient with extensive mastectomy skin flap necrosis.

Sports participation and alcohol use among adolescents: the impact of measurement and other research design elements.

Introduction: Sports participation, while offering numerous developmental benefits for adolescents, has been associated with alcohol use in prior research. However, the relationship between sports participation and alcohol use among adolescents remains unclear, particularly how research design elements impact evidence of this relationship. We reviewed the evidence regarding sports participation and alcohol use among adolescents, with a focus on examining the potential impact of research design elements on this evidence.

The association of mode of delivery and common childhood illnesses.

Participants enrolled in a randomized control trial (RCT) were eligible for this cross-sectional study to determine if children born via cesarean (C)-section had higher rates of common infectious diseases and change in normal daily activities due to illness than children born vaginally. The RCT collected parent-reported health information and mode of delivery was assessed during follow-up calls. Parent-reported rates of infectious sequelae and changes in daily activities were compared between C-section and vaginally delivered children.

A head-to-head comparison of quality of life and aesthetic outcomes following immediate, staged-immediate, and delayed oncoplastic reduction mammaplasty.

Background: Oncoplastic reduction mammaplasty offers patients breast conservation with the added benefit of functional improvement in symptoms related to macromastia. The reduction can be performed in the immediate setting with the lumpectomy, in a staged-immediate fashion after final pathology has been confirmed or in a delayed fashion after completion of both lumpectomy and radiation. This study compared quality of life and aesthetic outcomes for these different cohorts.

Association of age, health literacy, and medication management strategies with cardiovascular medication adherence.

Objective: To examine patients' use of medication management strategies (e.g., reminders, pill boxes), and to determine how their use influences the relationship between patient characteristics and medication adherence.

Occupational injury in plastic surgeons.

Background: Little research to date has investigated musculoskeletal injury in the surgical workforce. This study estimates the prevalence and functional impact of work-related injury in plastic surgeons and other surgical specialists.

Methods: A validated self-assessment of work-related injury was administered to surgeons at various professional conferences, over the telephone, and via email.

Development and evaluation of the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS) among low-literacy patients with chronic disease.

Objectives: Patient literacy affects many aspects of medication use and may influence the measurement of adherence. The aim of the study is to design and evaluate a medication adherence scale suitable for use across levels of patient literacy.

Methods: The Adherence to Refills and Medications scale (ARMS) was developed, pilot tested, and administered to 435 patients with coronary heart disease in an inner-city primary care clinic.

Relationships between beliefs about medications and adherence.

Purpose: The relationships between beliefs about medications, health literacy, and self-reported medication adherence are examined.

Methods: Patients from an inner-city hospital pharmacy completed an in-person, interviewer-assisted questionnaire that included the Morisky 8-item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), the Beliefs About Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), and the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of self-reported medication adherence as determined by the MMAS-8.