Decreased Rate of Complications in Carpal Tunnel Release with Hand Fellowship Training.

Purpose: In many procedures, both high case volumes and fellowship training have been shown to improve outcomes. One of the most common procedures performed by hand surgeons, the carpal tunnel release (CTR) is also performed by several other specialties without specialty training in a hand fellowship. This study analyzed the effect that hand fellowship training has on outcomes of CTRs.

Relationship between Smoking and Outcomes after Cubital Tunnel Release.

Purpose: Several studies have drawn a connection between cigarette smoking and cubital tunnel syndrome. One comparison article demonstrated worse outcomes in smokers treated with transmuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve. However, very little is known about the effect that smoking might have on patients who undergo ulnar nerve decompression at the elbow.

Evolution of Bilateral Free Flap Breast Reconstruction over 10 Years: Optimizing Outcomes and Comparison to Unilateral Reconstruction.

Background: There is an increasing trend for contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, but studies focusing on bilateral free flap breast reconstruction are lacking.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all bilateral free flap breast reconstructions performed from 2000 to 2010.

Results: Overall, 488 patients underwent bilateral breast reconstruction (bilateral immediate, n = 283; bilateral delayed, n = 93; and bilateral immediate/delayed, n = 112), which more than doubled from the years 2000-2005 to 2006-2010 [147 versus 341 (232.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Risk Factors and Management of Impending Flap Loss in 2138 Breast Free Flaps.

Loss of a breast free flap is a relatively rare but catastrophic occurrence. Our study aims to identify risk factors for flap loss and to assess whether different salvage techniques affect flap salvage. We performed a retrospective review of all breast free flaps performed at a single institution from 2000 to 2010.

Demystifying the use of internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels in free flap breast reconstruction.

Background: The internal mammary vessels are commonly used as primary recipient vessels for free flap breast reconstruction. However, there is debate about the reliability of the left internal mammary vein. The authors explored the anatomy of the internal mammary vessels as revealed during free flap breast reconstruction to determine whether microvascular complications differed between the left and right sides.

Comprehensive analysis of donor-site morbidity in abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction.

Background: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of factors that might contribute to abdominal donor-site morbidity after abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of all abdominally based free flap breast reconstructions performed from January of 2000 through December of 2010 at their institution.

Results: Overall, 89 of 1507 patients developed an abdominal bulge/hernia (unilateral: 57 of 1044; bilateral: 32 of 463).

Choosing the optimal timing for contralateral symmetry procedures after unilateral free flap breast reconstruction.

Achieving symmetry in unilateral free flap breast reconstruction often requires a contralateral procedure; however, no large studies exist that examine the factors related to revisions performed on the contralateral breast. The present study examines the relationship between revision and complication rate, and the type and timing of the contralateral procedure. Retrospective analysis was performed of all unilateral free flap breast reconstructions from January 2000 to December 2010 at a single academic institution.

Lower extremity reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh flap.

The versatility and location of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap make it well suited for lower extremity reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate surgical and functional outcomes by specific anatomic regions in the lower extremity to better define the role of the ALT flap in lower extremity reconstruction. A retrospective review of patients undergoing lower extremity reconstruction with an ALT flap between July 2002 and December 2010 was performed.

Outcomes of arteriovenous fistulae compared with heparin-bonded and conventional grafts for hemodialysis access.

Purpose: Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis patients. However, patients who do not have suitable veins require prosthetic arteriovenous graft (AVG) placement. We analyzed the patency and complication rates of upper extremity brachiocephalic AVF compared to brachioaxillary tapered heparin-bonded AVG and conventional AVG.