The Lost and Variable Cause: A Systematic Review of Shunt-Related Craniosynostosis Occurrence.

Objective: Shunt-related craniosynostosis (SRC) is the premature fusion of cranial sutures possibly due to a loss of tension across dura and suture lines after placement of a shunt for hydrocephalus. As modifications in approaches toward shunting represent a modifiable risk factor, prior literature has investigated the determinants and outcomes. However, the data remain highly variable and are limited by single-institution studies.

The Role of Virtual Surgical Planning in Surgery for Complex Craniosynostosis.

Background: Virtual surgical planning (VSP) decreases reliance on intraoperative subjective assessment of aesthetic and functional outcomes in craniofacial surgery. Here, we describe our experience of using VSP for complex craniosynostosis surgery to inform preoperative decision making and optimize postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Chart review was performed for children treated with craniosynostosis at our institution from 2015 to 2021.

Masculinizing Chest Reconstruction in Adolescents and Young Adults: An Analysis of National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Data.

Background: Masculinizing chest reconstruction (MCR) has been shown to improve quality of life and gender dysphoria in transmasculine adult patients. As nationwide access to gender-affirming care expands, more adolescents are seeking MCR. However, there is a paucity of literature examining patient characteristics, safety, and disparities among this population.

Concordance of National Insurance Criteria with WPATH Standards of Care for Gender-Affirming Surgery.

Background: Given that gender-affirming surgery (GAS) is considered medically necessary for transgender and gender-diverse individuals who desire it, the aim of this study was to assess the concordance of insurance criteria for GAS with the most recent World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8.

Methods: Insurance policies for coverage of gender-affirming genital surgery ("bottom surgery"), chest surgery ("top surgery"), and facial reconstruction from companies representing 80% of the market coverage in each state were evaluated. Policies were classified into 3 categories: no coverage, case by case, or preauthorization.

National Legislative Favorability and Insurance Coverage for Adult and Adolescent Gender-Affirming Surgery.

Background: Despite established medical necessity, laws prohibiting coverage discrimination, and increasing numbers of transgender and gender-diverse patients seeking gender-affirming surgery (GAS), cost and restrictive insurance policies continue to be the most common barriers. As recent legislation places further restrictions on GAS, this study aimed to provide an updated review of insurance policies and assess the relationship between legislative favorability and coverage.

Methods: Insurance policies of groups representing 80% market coverage in each state were collected for gender-affirming chest, genital, and facial surgery.

Return of the Flap; The Empire State Mandate: A Multi-decade Multi-institutional Analysis of the 2010 New York State Legislature's Impact on Postmastectomy Immediate Flap-Based Reconstruction.

Purpose: Immediate postmastectomy breast reconstruction plays an integral role in patient care because of its psychosocial benefits. New York State (NYS) passed the 2010 Breast Cancer Provider Discussion Law with the aim of increasing patient awareness of reconstructive options through mandating plastic surgery referral at the time of cancer diagnosis. Short-term analysis of the years surrounding implementation suggests the law increased access to reconstruction, especially for certain minority groups.

Complications Associated with Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: No meta-analysis has examined whether contralateral prophylactic mastectomy increases complication risk for unilateral breast cancer patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy.

Methods: Fifteen studies on complications of unilateral mastectomy plus contralateral prophylactic mastectomy met inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses compared complications of (1) diseased versus contralateral breasts in unilateral plus contralateral prophylactic mastectomy patients and (2) patients undergoing unilateral plus contralateral prophylactic mastectomy versus unilateral alone when grouped by reconstructive method.

Closing the Gap: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols in Primary Cleft Palate Repair.

Objective: Assess the evidence for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in the cleft palate population.

Design: A systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases for articles detailing the use of ERAS protocols in patients undergoing primary palatoplasty.

Setting: New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction Without the Use of Acellular Dermal Matrix: A 3-Year Review.

Introduction: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is frequently used during prepectoral tissue expander-based breast reconstruction. However, there has been a paucity of literature describing the experience of prepectoral reconstruction without the accompanying use of ADM. We seek to highlight our institutional experience with immediate prepectoral tissue expander placement without the use of ADM in breast reconstruction.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the Hand Vasculature in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: When patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develop digital ischemia, conventional angiography (CA) is traditionally used to assess hand vasculature. Recently, Chang et al described an angiographic classification system for patients with SSc. Conventional angiography uses intravascular contrast agents that are nephrotoxic and vasoconstrictive.

Patients and Procedures of Facial Gender Confirmation Surgery: A NSQIP Study.

Various recent developments, including legislation in 2014 banning healthcare discrimination against gender minorities, have contributed to expanding insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, which includes facial gender confirmation surgery (FGCS). Increasing evidence suggests FGCS improves quality-of-life outcomes, but literature evaluating FGCS patient demographics, surgical risk factors, procedures, and complications is limited. Therefore, the authors conducted a study of a national surgical database from 2005 to 2019 attempting to fill in these literature gaps.

Home Field Advantage: Assessing the Geographic Trends of the Plastic Surgery Residency Match during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: In previous plastic surgery residency match cycles, in-person activities at other institutions, such as away rotations, have facilitated matches outside of an applicant's home program or region. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, limited these in-person opportunities. Therefore, we hypothesized that applicants of the 2021 cycle would be more likely to match into programs with which they have existing geographic connections when compared to previous years.

The Epidemiology of Carpal Tunnel Revision Over a 1-Year Follow-Up Period.

Purpose: To establish the incidence of revision carpal tunnel surgery within a 1-year postoperative period using a national administrative database. This information has been unknown until this point because of the absence of laterality-specific coding with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition and earlier coding systems.

Methods: Data were collected from the Humana insurance database using PearlDiver patient records from 2015 to 2017.

Efficacy of Arthroscopic Arthrolysis in the Treatment of Arthrofibrosis: A Systematic Review.

Stiffness after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a clinical challenge for health care professionals. Historically, arthroscopic arthrolysis is a treatment modality that has been reserved for patients that have failed other conservative modalities, including manipulation under anesthesia. However, a systematic review of the literature evaluating the clinical efficacy and complications of arthroscopic arthrolysis for stiffness after TKA has not been performed.