Updates in Cleft Care.

Cleft lip and/or palate is a congenital malformation with a wide range of presentations, and its effective treatment necessitates sustained, comprehensive care across an affected child's life. Early diagnosis, ideally through prenatal imaging or immediately postbirth, is paramount. Access to longitudinal care and long-term follow-up with a multidisciplinary approach, led by the recommendations of the American Cleft Palate Association, is the best way to ensure optimal outcomes.

Comparison of Long-term Surgical Outcomes and Microsurgical Skills between Independent and Integrated Plastic Surgery Trainees.

Unlabelled: We compared the surgical skills and outcomes of microsurgical fellows who completed an independent versus integrated plastic surgery residency.

Methods: We reviewed outcomes of abdominal wall reconstructions performed autonomously by microsurgical fellows at our institution from March 2005 to June 2019; outcome measures included hernia recurrence, surgical site occurrence, surgical site infection, length of hospital stay, unplanned return to the operating room, and 30-day readmission. The microsurgical skills were prospectively evaluated using the validated Structured Assessment of Microsurgical Skills at the start and end of the fellowship, in an animal laboratory model and clinical microsurgical cases.

No Association of Sirolimus with Wound Complications in Children With Vascular Anomalies.

Introduction: Sirolimus has demonstrated effectiveness as a treatment option for several types of vascular anomalies; however, it has a potential side effect of delayed surgical wound healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of sirolimus with postoperative complications in the pediatric vascular anomaly population.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed for children with a vascular anomaly who underwent excision or debulking of the anomaly from 2015 to 2020.

Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact the Caliber of Trainees Taken During Match 2021? A Survey of General Surgery Residency Program Directors.

Background: The cancellation of clinical rotations (CRs) and implementation of virtual interviews (VIs) profoundly affected the residency selection process leading up to the 2021 NRMP Match. The authors investigated how these changes influenced the caliber of applicants taken by general surgery (GS) residency programs from the perspectives of program directors (PDs).

Methods: A 14 question, web-based electronic survey was emailed to PDs of ACGME-accredited GS residency programs.

Mandibular Fracture in a Hemifacial Microsomia Patient following Implant Failure and Hardware Infection: A Case Report.

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a complex congenital condition with heterogeneous malformations of the facial skeleton that almost always involves mandibular hypoplasia. Here we introduce a unique case in which a patient with HFM had initially successful optimization of facial symmetry using a polyetheretherketone implant for mandibular augmentation. However, multiple factors associated with the intraoperative and postoperative course, including hardware failure and infection, led to diminished mechanical strength of the mandible, ultimately resulting in a mandibular fracture.

Arteriovenous Malformations of the Hand: Optimizing Outcomes with Palmar Arch Reconstruction.

Background: Arteriovenous malformations are abnormal high-flow vascular anomalies that can greatly alter the structure of surrounding tissues. Treatment of symptomatic hand arteriovenous malformations must address the functional and aesthetic considerations of the hand. Nonsurgical treatment such as embolization continues to be plagued by complications such as digital ischemia and secondary need for amputation.

Impact of the Virtual Format on Plastic Surgery Residency and Fellowship Interviews: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The 2020 to 2021 residency and fellowship application cycles were profoundly affected by the introduction of virtual interviews. The authors investigated the impact the virtual format had on plastic surgery residency and fellowship interviews from the perspectives of program directors.

Methods: Surveys were sent to program directors of integrated plastic surgery residency and fellowship programs to ascertain their perspectives regarding the virtual format's impact on residency and fellowship interviews.

Interviewing Amidst a Pandemic: Perspectives of US Residency Program Directors on the Virtual Format.

COVID-19 imposed significant limitations upon the 2021 U.S. National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), most important of which is the replacement of traditional in-person interviews with a virtual format.

The Challenges of Upper Extremity Intramuscular Hemangioma: A Case Study and Systematic Review.

Background: Intramuscular hemangiomas are rare, benign vascular tumors, constituting 0.8 percent of all hemangiomas. Upper extremity intramuscular hemangiomas pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges because of their rarity, invasive nature, and potential for neurovascular involvement.

Comparison of Outcomes of Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Performed by Surgical Fellows vs Faculty.

Importance: Concern regarding surgical trainees' operative autonomy has increased in recent years, emphasizing patient safety and preparation for independent practice. Regarding abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR), long-term outcomes of fellow autonomy have yet to be delineated.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of AWRs performed by fellows and compare them with those of AWRs performed by assistant, associate, and senior-level professors.

Impact of the Virtual Interview Format on Urology Residency Interviews: A Survey of Program Directors.

Introduction: Our objective is to assess the impact of the virtual interview (VI) format on urology residency interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of program directors (PDs).

Methods: An anonymous survey was sent to PDs of American Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited urology residency programs. Questions were designed to evaluate how VIs affected programs' assessment of applicants, interview logistics, and overall perspectives regarding in-person and virtual interviews.

The Experience of Virtual Interviews in Resident Selection: A Survey of Program Directors in Surgery.

Background: MATCH 2021 was short of the classic "in-person" component. Herein, we assess the impact of virtual interviews (VIs) on resident selection, from the perspectives of program directors (PDs) across all surgical specialties.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey-based study of ACGME-accredited US residency program directors (PDs) of all surgical specialties.

Treatment Outcomes of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Pediatric Lymphedema.

Background: Pediatric lymphedema can result in irreversible, debilitating limb swelling, tissue fibrosis, skin ulcers, infection, and impaired limb function in children at an early age. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a noninvasive technique, which is a part of intensive decongestive therapy to reroute lymphatic flow to healthy channels used to manage lymphedema. Outcomes of this treatment option in children have not been studied.

The Virtual Interview Experience for MATCH 2021: A Pilot Survey of General Surgery Residency Program Directors.

Background: Virtual interviews (VIs) for the 2020 residency application season were mandated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to determine the perspectives of general surgery (GS) program directors (PDs) on the benefits and drawbacks of VIs.

Methods: A 14-item survey was emailed to all GS PDs from programs identified on the American Council for Graduate Medical Education website.