Meralgia Paresthetica: An Anatomical Review and Surgical Case Presentation Utilizing a Robotic Exoscope.

Background: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a neuropathic condition marked by pain, tingling, and numbness in the anterolateral thigh, primarily caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Although compression often occurs beneath the inguinal ligament, anatomical variations can lead to different entrapment sites. Treatments range from conservative measures to surgical decompression, depending on symptom severity.

Controlled Substance Use in Plastic Surgery Related Emergency Department Visits: An NEISS Study of Burn, Hand, and Face Injuries.

Psychoactive substance use is often a complicating factor in injury that requires an emergency room visit. The present study examined data recorded in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database for patients who presented to an Emergency Department (ED) and had psychoactive substance involvement, requiring management by plastic surgery. A retrospective cohort study was performed using the NEISS database, from 2019 to 2021.

Assessing racial disparities in gender-affirming surgery utilization and hospital-level experience.

Racial and ethnic minority groups as well as gender minorities seeking gender-affirming care and surgery have historically had difficulties with healthcare access and experience. The intersection of these two groups may result in deficient healthcare for patients of minority racial and ethnic groups seeking gender-affirming surgery. This study sought to explore differences in gender-affirming genital surgery experience by race.

The Impact of Depression and Anxiety Comorbidities on Acute Postoperative Pain After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Depression and anxiety have a complex association with opioid dependence, though their impact on acute postoperative pain is unclear. The present study investigated the impact of depression and anxiety on acute postoperative pain and opioid requirements following deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction.

Methods: Patients receiving DIEP flap breast reconstruction were retrospectively identified from 2019 to 2023.

The Statistical Fragility of Outcomes on Breast Reconstruction with Acellular Dermal Matrix: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is pivotal in breast surgery, yet the statistical robustness of surgical outcomes remains underexplored. This study employs the fragility index (FI), reverse fragility index (rFI), and fragility quotient (FQ) to investigate the statistical fragility of ADM breast reconstruction outcomes.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (2013-present) with dichotomous outcomes were sourced from PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, Medline, and Cochrane databases.

Aesthetic Specialization: A Comparative Study Across Medical and Surgical Specialties.

Background: Post-residency fellowship training has become increasingly popular as a career option. Specifically, the subspecialty of aesthetic surgery has grown tremendously over the past two decades within several fields, including plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS), otolaryngology, dermatology, and ophthalmology. However, the popularity of aesthetic specialization through fellowship remains unknown.

Regulatory elements in (7q21.3) locus contribute to genetic control of coronal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis and bone density-related traits.

Purpose: The etiopathogenesis of coronal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (cNCS), a congenital condition defined by premature fusion of 1 or both coronal sutures, remains largely unknown.

Methods: We conducted the largest genome-wide association study of cNCS followed by replication, fine mapping, and functional validation of the most significant region using zebrafish animal model.

Results: Genome-wide association study identified 6 independent genome-wide-significant risk alleles, 4 on chromosome 7q21.

Understanding the role of intraoperative hypothermia in perioperative opioid requirements in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction.

Background: The relationship between perioperative temperatures and postoperative pain is unknown. The present study investigated the relationship of intraoperative hypothermia and perioperative opioid requirements after immediate implant-based breast reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients undergoing immediate implant-based breast reconstruction from 2019-2023.

Impact of Plastic Surgery and an Enhanced Prophylaxis Protocol on Cervical Spine Surgery Infection.

Reduction of surgical site infections (SSIs) is important in improving cervical spine surgery outcomes. Plastic surgery involvement and an enhanced modified prophylaxis protocol may reduce infection rates. A total of 962 cervical spine operations were conducted by a single surgeon (TFC).

Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis Correlation Between Ethnicity, Race, and Pattern of Affected Suture Type: Meta-Analysis.

Background: Previous studies have sought to analyze risk factors associated with craniosynostosis and while syndromic craniosynostosis is often linked to genetic mutations, the factors impacting nonsyndromic cases are less investigated. The aim of current meta-analysis is to evaluate the relationship between ethnicity and suture type in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis patients.

Methods: The search term "craniosynostosis [Title/Abstract] AND (race [Title/Abstract] OR ethnicity [Title/Abstract])) NOT (syndrome [Title/Abstract])" was used to search the PubMed, Cochrane, and MEDLINE databases.

Litigation in gender affirming surgery: Reviewing five decades of the medical malpractice landscape.

The present study sought to analyze malpractice cases related to gender affirming surgery to provide information to physicians as it may serve to minimize the risk of malpractice suits. The Westlaw and Lexis Nexis databases were queried for jury verdicts and settlements related to gender affirming surgery malpractice lawsuits. A total of 26 cases were identified between 1970 and 2020, five of which were determined relevant on further review.

An Analysis of Medical Malpractice Litigation Involving Orbital Fractures.

Background: Orbital fractures frequently require operative management by a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Due to the proximity to the globe and complexity of the reconstruction, orbital fractures, and related procedures have the potential to be a source of medical litigation. The aim of the present study was to review orbital fracture malpractice litigation, including case outcomes and compensatory damages.

Out-of-Pocket Costs and Payments in Autologous and Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: Many factors influence a patient's decision to undergo autologous versus implant-based breast reconstruction, including medical, social, and financial considerations. This study aims to investigate differences in out-of-pocket and total spending for patients undergoing autologous and implant-based breast reconstruction.

Methods: The IBM MarketScan Commercial Databases were queried to extract all patients who underwent inpatient autologous or implant-based breast reconstruction from 2017 to 2021.

Predicting Postsurgical Complications of Peripheral Nerve Decompression: NSQIP Analysis of Frailty Measures Versus Historic Proxies.

Background: Peripheral nerve decompression (PND) is generally safe, and newer techniques allow frail patients to undergo PND at less common sites. Current literature suggests patient frailty measures may more accurately predict postsurgical complications versus other proxies, but no current literature examines frailty in PND.

Methods: The authors reviewed data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for patients who underwent PND outside the most common sites from 2013 to 2019.

Statistical fragility of outcomes in acellular dermal matrix literature: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is commonly used in plastic and reconstructive surgery. With the abundance of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting P-values for ADM outcomes, this study used the fragility index (FI), reverse fragility index (rFI), and fragility quotient (FQ) to evaluate the statistical stability of the outcomes in ADM RCTs.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, Medline, and Cochrane databases were reviewed for ADM RCTs (2003-present) reporting a dichotomous, categorical outcome.

Never events in plastic surgery: An analysis of surgical burns and medical malpractice litigation.

Introduction: Burns and fires in the operating room are a known risk and their prevention has contributed to many additional safety measures. Despite these safeguards, burn injuries contribute significantly to the medical malpractice landscape. The aim of the present study is to analyze malpractice litigation related to burn and fire injuries in plastic and reconstructive surgery, identify mechanisms of injury, and develop strategies for prevention.

Pediatric Plastic Surgery in the COVID-19 Era.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the healthcare system to adopt novel strategies to treat patients. Pediatric plastic surgeons are uniquely exposed to high rates of infections during examinations and surgeries via aerosol-generating procedures, in part because of the predilection of viral particles for the nasal cavities and pharynx. Telemedicine has emerged as a useful virtual medium for encouraging prolonged patient follow-up while maintaining physical distance.