Updates on Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocols for plastic surgery of the breast and future directions.

Introduction: Perioperative pain control is an important component of any plastic surgery practice. Due to the incorporation of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols, reported pain level, opioid consumption, and hospital length of stay numbers have decreased significantly. This article provides an up-to-date review of current ERAS protocols in use, reviews individual aspects of ERAS protocols, and discusses future directions for the continual improvement of ERAS protocols and control of postoperative pain.

Augmented Reality Microsurgery: Proof of Concept for a Novel Approach to Microsurgical Field Visualization in Plastic Surgery.

Background: Microsurgery is conducted on tiny anatomical structures such as blood vessels and nerves. Over the past few decades, little has changed in the way plastic surgeons visualize and interact with the microsurgical field. New advances in augmented reality (AR) technology present a novel method for microsurgical field visualization.

Modern Approaches to Alternative Flap-Based Breast Reconstruction: Transverse Upper Gracilis Flap.

The transverse upper/myocutaneous gracilis is a medial thigh-based flap primarily reserved as a secondary choice for autologous reconstruction of small to moderate-sized breasts in women without a suitable abdominal donor site. Its consistent and reliable anatomy based on the medial circumflex femoral artery permits expedient flap harvest with relatively low donor site morbidity. The primary disadvantage is the limited achievable volume, often necessitating augmentation such as extended flap modifications, autologous fat grafting, flap stacking, or even implant placement.

Decreasing Opioids in Outpatient Breast Surgery with an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Program and Preoperative Education.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have been detailed in the literature predominantly in the inpatient setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an ERAS protocol with a preoperative educational class on opioid prescribing and patient outcomes for outpatient breast surgery.

Methods: An ERAS protocol was formulated focusing on preoperative education, multimodal pain control, and an intraoperative block.

Comparison of Liposomal Bupivacaine to a Local Analgesic Cocktail for Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks in Abdominally Based Microvascular Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Transversus abdominis plane blocks can improve pain control and decrease opioid use within an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in patients undergoing abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction. The authors have transitioned to using a local analgesic cocktail for transversus abdominis plane blocks. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative opioid use in patients who received the blocks.

Propeller Flaps in Lower Extremity Reconstruction.

Propeller flaps represent an outstanding alternative to conventional pedicled and free flap options in lower extremity reconstruction, offering significant advantages over the latter. An understanding of the perforasome concept, hot and cold perforator locations, and basic flap design enable the surgeon to readily harvest flaps based on any clinically relevant perforator in freestyle fashion. The purpose of this article is to review fundamentals of propeller flap design and harvest in the lower extremity and discuss reconstructive strategies by level of injury.

"Does ERAS benefit higher BMI patients? A single institutional review".

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is increasingly used in plastic surgery to optimize patient care. Mitigating the risk of postoperative complications is particularly important in patients with risk factors, such as obesity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the ERAS pathway in patients, stratified by BMI, undergoing free flap breast reconstruction on length of stay and complications.

How Fat Grafting Works.

Unlabelled: Fat grafting has been shown to improve diseased soft issue. Although the mechanism behind fat grafting's regenerative properties is currently debated, published studies agree that there is an associated vasculogenic effect. A systematic literature review was conducted to elucidate the biochemical pathways responsible for establishing neo-vasculature to grafted fat.

Aesthetic Surgery in Plastic Surgery Academia.

Background: Aesthetic surgery is a critical component of academic plastic surgery. As institutions are placing increased focus on aesthetic surgery, there is an opportunity to identify factors that facilitate the creation and maintenance of successful aesthetic plastic surgery programs.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a national survey to evaluate the current state of academic aesthetic surgery and to identify factors that contribute to success.

Multimodal Analgesia in Breast Surgical Procedures: Technical and Pharmacological Considerations for Liposomal Bupivacaine Use.

Enhanced recovery after surgery is a multidisciplinary perioperative clinical pathway that uses evidence-based interventions to improve the patient experience as well as increase satisfaction, reduce costs, mitigate the surgical stress response, accelerate functional recovery, and decrease perioperative complications. One of the most important elements of enhanced recovery pathways is multimodal pain management. Herein, aspects relating to multimodal analgesia following breast surgical procedures are discussed with the understanding that treatment decisions should be individualized and guided by sound clinical judgment.

Pre-expanded Internal Mammary Artery Perforator Flap.

Internal mammary artery (IMA)-based pedicled perforator flaps can be used to reconstruct defects of the neck and anterior chest wall. Pre-expansion causes a possible delay phenomenon, improves flap survival, and decreases donor site morbidity. It also increases the area that can be covered.

Pre-expanded Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap.

The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap can be used to cover large defects of the proximal lower extremity, abdominal wall, perineum, vulva, and buttock. Pre-expanding DIEP flaps cause a possible delay phenomenon improving vascularity, decrease donor site morbidity, and increase the area that can be covered. Pre-expansion requires staged procedures, has risk of extrusion and infection, causes temporary contour deformity during the expansion process, and requires a longer course.