Tourniquet Use in Extremity-Based Microsurgery.

Background:  The use of tourniquets and their role in extremity-based microsurgery has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate tourniquet use and its associated outcomes and complications. The authors hypothesize that tourniquets enhance visualization, bloodless approaches to vessel harvest, flap elevation, and anastomosis without added complications.

Evaluating the change in patterns of traumatic injury in the setting of pandemic and social distancing restrictions: An analysis of a level 1 trauma center.

Background: Social distancing measures and quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to reported changes in traumatic injury patterns. We set to examine the effects of these restrictive guidelines in our trauma center.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of all patients evaluated for traumatic injuries at a Level 1 trauma center during two time periods: March-June 2020 (COVID) and March-June 2019 (Pre-COVID).

Surgical Decision Making in Autologous Fat Grafting: An Evidence-Based Review of Techniques to Maximize Fat Survival.

Autologous fat grafting is an important tool in plastic surgery and is widely used for a variety of applications, both aesthetic and reconstructive. Despite an ever-increasing list of indications and extensive research over many years into improving outcomes, fat grafting remains plagued by incomplete and often unpredictable graft survival. Decisions made at each stage of surgery can potentially contribute to ultimate success, including donor site selection and preparation, fat harvest, processing, and purification of lipoaspirate, recipient site preparation, and delivery of harvested fat to the recipient site.

A reconstructive algorithm of oncologic defects of the upper trunk and shoulder girdle: Factors predicting complexity and outcomes.

Background: Locally advanced malignancies of the upper torso and shoulder girdle (UT-SG) necessitate extensive resection and complex reconstruction. Due to the infrequent nature of these operations, a global reconstructive algorithm has not been defined.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who received reconstructive surgery following malignant tumor extirpation in the UT-SG from 2008 to 2018 at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.