The Impact of Early Exposure to Microsurgery Training on Undergraduates: A Pilot Course.

Introduction: This case study aimed to investigate a disparity in the medical education pipeline by investigating the impact of fundamental microsurgical training on interest and desire to pursue a career in medicine. This research introduces a method to attract undergraduate students from various backgrounds to the field of microsurgery through a hands-on microsurgical training course.

Methods: Microsurgical training took place 6 hours a week for 6 weeks.

Significantly Improved Cold Preservation of Rat Hind Limb Vascularized Composite Allografts Using the New PrC-210 Free Radical Scavenger.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) represents a promising reconstructive solution primarily conducted to improve quality of life. However, tissue damage caused by cold-ischemia (CI) storage prior to transplant represents a major factor limiting widespread application. This study investigates the addition of the novel free radical scavenger PrC-210 to UW Organ Preservation Solution (UW Solution) to suppress CI-induced skeletal muscle injury in a rat hind limb amputation model.

From Tip of Brush to Tip of Knife: The Relationship Between Post-mastectomy Breast Reconstruction and the Classical Arts.

Breast reconstruction is highly complex, requiring navigation of not only clinical and operative realities, but of patient expectations as well. The authors sought to identify historical art pieces that exhibit breast asymmetries and deformities for comparison with photographs of breast reconstruction patients seen at the clinic of the senior author (S.O.

Rise Above the Competition: How Do Plastic Surgery Residency Applicants with NCAA Experience Fare in the Residency Match?

Background: The integrated plastic surgery residency match continues to be highly competitive. Every year, some candidates are former NCAA athletes. While it is challenging to balance academic and athletic responsibilities, participation in NCAA sports may be predictive of continued success.

Blue-Blood Pig Thorax Model Increases Residents' Confidence in Internal Mammary Dissection.

Background:  Preparation of the recipient vessels is a crucial step in autologous breast reconstruction, with limited opportunity for resident training intraoperatively. The Blue-Blood-infused porcine chest wall-a cadaveric pig thorax embedded in a mannequin shell, connected to a saline perfusion system-is a novel, cost-effective ($55) simulator of internal mammary artery (IMA) dissection and anastomosis intended to improve resident's comfort, safety, and expertise with all steps of this procedure. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the use of this chest wall model on resident's confidence in performing dissection and anastomosis of the IMA, as well as obtain resident's and faculty's perspectives on model realism and utility.

The Relationship Between Neuropsychiatric Diagnoses and Revision Surgery After Breast Reconstruction.

Background: A neuropsychiatric diagnosis (ND) has the potential to affect patient satisfaction after breast reconstruction. However, literature regarding the interplay between neuropsychiatric diagnoses and revision operations after reconstruction remains sparse. In this study, we aim to determine whether neuropsychiatric diagnoses result in increased revision operations and healthcare utilization of plastic surgery resources after alloplastic and autologous breast reconstruction.

Local Environment Induces Differential Gene Expression in Regenerating Nerves.

Introduction: Approximately 80% of amputations are complicated by neuromas. Methods for neuroma management include nerve translocation into bone and implantation into skeletal muscle grafts, which have also facilitated the development of regenerative neural interfaces to enable fixation of prosthetics with motor and sensory feedback. However, molecular-level differences between nerves in these environments have not been investigated.

Surgical and demographic predictors of free flap salvage after takeback: A systematic review.

Background: Microsurgical free tissue transfer (FTT) is a widely employed surgical modality utilized for reconstruction of a broad range of defects, including head and neck, extremity, and breast. Flap survival is reported to be 90%-95%. When FTT fails, salvage procedures aim at establishing reperfusion while limiting ischemia time-with salvage rates between 22% and 67%.

The Effect of Tension on Gene Expression in Primary Nerve Repair via the Epineural Suture Technique.

Introduction: The precise mechanism through which excessive tension confers poor outcomes in nerve gap repair is yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, the effect of tension on gene expression in regenerating nerves has not been characterized. This study investigated differential gene expression in transected nerves repaired under high and minimal tension.

Diversity in Plastic Surgery Authorship: A 14-Year Analysis of 2688 Articles Published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Background: Publication in peer-reviewed journals is a duty and privilege. It is essential to the advancement of evidence-based medicine and often used as a proxy for academic achievement, contributing to decisions around promotion in academia. Within plastic surgery, authors have historically been male surgeons affiliated with academic institutions, lacking representation of women, private practice, medical students, and international collaboration.

Evaluation of Racial Disparities in Postoperative Outcomes Following Breast Reconstruction at a Single Institution in Wisconsin.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Wisconsin. Evidence demonstrates that non-White racial minorities in the United States exhibit a higher mortality rate and more advanced or aggressive presentations of the disease than their White counterparts. Postmastectomy breast reconstruction remains essential to the treatment and recovery of these patients; however, racial disparities in the receipt of reconstruction are evident.

Academic Productivity in Plastic Surgery: A Comparison of US and International Medical Graduates.

Introduction: International medical graduates (IMGs) make up nearly 10% of plastic surgeons in the United States, yet there is little information regarding their relative contributions to the field of academic plastic surgery. This study compares the research productivity and academic rank of IMG academic plastic surgeons and their US medical graduate (USMG) counterparts.

Method: A cross-sectional study was performed to include all IMG and USMG full-time academic plastic surgeons in the United States.

The Blue-Blood Porcine Chest Wall: A Novel Microsurgery Training Simulator for Internal Mammary Vessel Dissection and Anastomosis.

Background:  Preparation of the internal mammary artery (IMA) is a critical step in autologous breast reconstruction. Intraoperatively, there is limited opportunity for residents to practice this skill. Porcine models provide highly realistic simulation for vascular surgery; however, use of live laboratory pigs is expensive, inconvenient, and offers limited opportunity for repetitive training.