American Insurance Coverage of Endovenous Ablation for Greater and Lesser Saphenous Varicose Veins.

Background: Severe cases of varicose veins can cause psychological distress as well as physical symptoms including skin discoloration, wounds, and burning sensations. One intervention, endovenous laser/radiofrequency ablation, is variably covered by insurance. Insurance coverage for this procedure was assessed for all indications of endovenous laser/radiofrequency ablation as medically necessity criteria.

Patient-Specific Implant Customization for Treatment of Internal Orbital Fractures Using Office-Based Three-Dimensional Printing.

Objective: Three-dimensional (3D) modeling technology aids the reconstructive surgeon in designing and tailoring individualized implants for the reconstruction of complex craniofacial fractures. Three-dimensional modeling and printing have traditionally been outsourced to commercial vendors but can now be incorporated into both private and academic craniomaxillofacial practices. The goal of this report is to present a low-cost, standardized office-based workflow for restoring bony orbital volume in traumatic orbital fractures.

A 10-Year Retrospective Review on the Use of Prophylactic Spinal Reconstruction in Spinal Surgery Involving High-Risk Patients.

Background: Spinal surgeries are being offered to a broader patient population who are both medically and surgically complex. History of prior spinal surgery, advanced age, and presence of comorbidities, such as obesity, malnutrition, steroid use, and tobacco use, are risk factors for postoperative complications. Prophylactic spinal reconstruction at the time of spinal surgery has been shown to have improved outcomes and decreased wound complications; however, outcomes focusing specifically on complex patients with a history of previous spinal surgery (or surgeries) have not been well described.

Lymphedema Surgical Education and Faculty Demographics in United States Plastic Surgery Residency Programs.

Background:  Recent advancements in supermicrosurgery and promising preliminary outcomes have led to a surge in physiologic lymphedema surgery. This study is the first to evaluate lymphedema surgical education among U.S.

Gender and Racial Representation of Invited Speakers From The Aesthetic Society Annual Meetings Over a 5-Year Period.

Background: Increased representation from both women and non-White ethnicities remains a topic of discussion in plastic surgery. Speakers at academic conferences are a form of visual representation of diversity within the field. This study determined the current demographic landscape of aesthetic plastic surgery and evaluated whether underrepresented populations receive equal opportunities to be invited speakers at The Aesthetic Society meetings.

The Surgical Management of Migraines and Chronic Headaches: A Cross-sectional Review of American Insurance Coverage.

Background: Migraine headache can be an extremely debilitating condition, with pharmacotherapy for prophylaxis or treatment of acute symptoms being unsuccessful in a large proportion of patients. Surgical management of migraine has recently gained popularity as an alternative to pharmacotherapy for severe disease. However, the novel nature of these procedures may lead to variable insurance coverage, limiting access to care.

Insurance Coverage of Dermabrasion and Chemical Peel Procedures: A Critical Analysis of 58 American Insurance Companies.

Introduction Dermabrasion and chemical peels are infrequently utilized methods of treatment for medical-grade conditions despite demonstrations of favorable outcomes. Insurance coverage status has previously been shown to impact availability and accessibility to specific treatments. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of insurance coverage provided for dermabrasion and chemical peel procedures in the treatment of acne, acne scarring, and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC).

Insurance Coverage of Prophylactic Mastectomies: A National Review of the United States.

Background: Breast cancer is associated with a multitude of risk factors, such as genetic predisposition and mutations, family history, personal medical history, or previous radiotherapy. A prophylactic mastectomy (PM) may be considered a suitable risk-reducing procedure in some cases. However, there are significant discrepancies between national society recommendations and insurance company requirements for PM.

In vitro fertilization: a cross-sectional analysis of 58 US insurance companies.

Purpose: Infertility affects one in eight women in the USA. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an effective but costly treatment that lacks uniform insurance coverage. We evaluated the current insurance coverage landscape for IVF in America.

An In Vitro Model of the Efficacy of Breast Implant Irrigant Solutions Against Gram-Negative Infections.

Background: In implant-based breast surgery, infections remain a clinically challenging complication. Surgeons often prophylactically address this risk by irrigating the implant at the time of placement. However, there remain few data on the ideal irrigant for gram-negative species.

Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Applicant Perceptions of Virtual Interviews.

Purpose: The 2020-2021 interview cycle for integrated plastic surgery applicants was the first to be held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we detail the largest study on integrated plastic surgery applicant perceptions after the virtual interview cycle.

Methods: A 35-question institutional review board-approved survey was distributed to medical students who had applied to the Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland or University of California San Diego integrated residency programs during the 2020-2021 interview cycle.

A critical analysis of American insurance coverage for imaging and surgical treatment of lymphedema.

Background: Over 35 million Americans have lymphedema. Nonetheless, lymphedema is underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide. We investigated whether the rates of coverage for imaging and surgical procedures may contribute to the limited care provided for lymphedema.

Craniofacial Fellowship Applicant Perceptions of Virtual Interviews.

Introduction: The 2021 interview cycle for craniofacial fellowship applicants was the first to be held virtually due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Here, we detail the craniofacial fellowship applicant perceptions and experience on the virtual interview process.

Materials And Methods: An institutional review board-approved 35-question survey study on the perception of the virtual interview process among craniofacial fellowship applicants was conducted.

A review of American insurance coverage and criteria for conservative management of lymphedema.

Objective: Lymphedema affects >1 in 1000 Americans, most often resulting from breast cancer surgery. Conservative treatment, such as compression garments, combined decongestive therapy (CDT), and pneumatic compression pumps, is the current standard of care. Despite the wide availability of these therapies, lymphedema has remained undertreated worldwide.

Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury-Like Injury Observed in Patients With Craniofacial Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wounds.

Background: Although blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is recognized as a risk factor for trauma morbidity and mortality, little is described regarding similar cerebrovascular injury (CVI) in patients with penetrating wounds. The authors aim to characterize these injuries in the craniofacial self-inflicted gunshot wound (SIGSW) population.

Methods: An institutional review board (IRB)-approved retrospective nstudy was conducted on patients presenting to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center with SIGSWs between 2007 and 2016.

Many Moving Pieces: Virtual Preoperative Surgical Planning for Traumatic Occlusal Splints.

Introduction: Achieving anatomic reduction and re-establishing premorbid occlusion in patients with complex maxillomandibular fractures is challenging even for seasoned surgeons. Historically, surgeons have utilized occlusal splints to help establish occlusal relationships before fracture reduction and fixation. These acrylic splints are fabricated from dental impressions and require manual repositioning of tooth bearing segments along the fracture line to reapproximate premorbid occlusion.

Insurance Coverage of Pediatric Bariatric Surgery: a Cross-Sectional Analysis of the USA.

Purpose: Pediatric bariatric surgery is increasingly recognized as a safe and effective option for the management of obesity and obesity-related conditions. However, insurance coverage is a key barrier to accessing these procedures. Criteria are variable and often not evidence-based.

The Digital Footprint of Academic Plastic Surgeons.

Introduction: The digital age and global pandemic have transformed the way patients select their plastic surgeon. However, as more patients turn to online resources, there is little information on the digital presence of academic plastic surgeons.

Methods: We identified all academic faculty from integrated and independent plastic surgery residency programs.

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in the setting of breast cancer diagnosis and their insurance coverage in the United States.

Background: Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is more common in the United States than the rest of the world. However, the benefit of this procedure is still under question in many breast cancer scenarios. CPM utilization in the United States is in part dependent on a patient's health insurance coverage of breast oncology surgery and any desired reconstruction.

A National Review of Insurance Coverage of Noncancerous Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Breast reconstruction is commonly performed for a multitude of noncancerous indications, such as correction of congenital deformities, acquired tissue disease, burns, and trauma. However, breast reconstruction for noncancerous indications is often considered cosmetic or not explicitly mentioned in insurance policies. The goal of this study was to assess variability in insurance coverage of breast reconstruction for noncancerous indications.

A Cross-Sectional Analysis of American Insurance Coverage of Prominauris Otoplasty.

Background: Prominent ears affect up to 5% of the population and can lead to social and psychological concerns at a critical time of social development. It can be addressed with an otoplasty, which is often considered a cosmetic procedure. The authors assessed insurance coverage of all indications of otoplasty and their medical necessity criteria.

Occupational exposures in the operating room: Are surgeons well-equipped?

Background: Occupational health hazards are ubiquitously found in the operating room, guaranteeing an inevitable risk of exposure to the surgeon. Although provisions on occupational health and safety in healthcare exist, they do not address non-traditional hazards found in the operating room. In order to determine whether surgeons or trainees receive any form of occupational health training, we examine the associations between occupational health training and exposure rate.