Simultaneous Symmetrizing Surgery on the Contralateral Breast in Unilateral Autologous Breast Reconstruction is Cost-Effective.

BACKGROUND Simultaneous symmetrizing surgery at the time of unilateral free flap reconstruction has been described as a method to facilitate single stage breast reconstruction. However, the impact on cost and number of additional procedures is not well described. METHODS Patients with unilateral free flap reconstruction were identified in national administrative data from 2017-2021 and followed for one year.

Real World Data in Stage III Melanoma in Latino Low Middle Income Country: Prognostic Factors and Outcomes.

Introduction: Malignant melanoma is a heterogeneous disease, with varying outcomes depending on the patient's race and ethnicity. Advanced stages can be tackled by novel targeted therapies and immunotherapy. We aimed to investigate the real-world data in Latino-Hispanic patients diagnosed with Stage III melanoma residing in Peru, a region marked by limited resources and healthcare infrastructure.

Generation Z in Plastic Surgery: Challenges, Solutions and New Horizons - A European and transatlantic overview.

Introduction:   The entrance of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) into professional life, including the practice of medicine, marks a transformational shift in priorities and values. This generation, shaped by digital immersion and a strong focus on work-life balance, is redefining the landscape of Plastic Surgery. Their preferences for inclusivity, innovation, and structured working hours challenge traditional models of mentorship, patient care, and surgical training.

Serial changes of systemic ventricular function and atrioventricular valve function in patients with failing Fontan.

Objectives: This study investigated the longitudinal changes in ventricular function and atrioventricular valve function to clarify the timing and the mechanisms of failing Fontan.

Methods: Patients who underwent total cavopulmonary connection between 1994 and 2023 were reviewed, and longitudinal echocardiographic examinations of ventricular function and atrioventricular valve regurgitation were analyzed.

Results: A total of 650 patients were included.

The Impact of Language-Discordant Care Upon the Patient Family Experience in Pediatric Plastic Surgery.

Background: Patient satisfaction surveys usually overlook differences in patient family experience (PFE) for families whose spoken language is different from that of the treating physician. This study examines the relationship between language-discordant care and patient experience.

Methods: A retrospective review of deidentified pediatric plastic surgery PFE survey responses from 2018 to 2021 was performed with permission from Lurie Children's Hospital's PFE Team.

Efficacy and tolerability of neoadjuvant therapy with Talimogene laherparepvec in cutaneous basal cell carcinoma: a phase II trial (NeoBCC trial).

We present a single-arm, phase II, neoadjuvant trial with the oncolytic virus talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) in 18 patients with difficult-to-resect cutaneous basal cell carcinomas. The primary end point, defined as the proportion of patients, who after six cycles of T-VEC (13 weeks), become resectable without the need for plastic reconstructive surgery, was already achieved after stage I (9 of 18 patients; 50.0%); thus the study was discontinued for early success.

Success of Bone Ossification After Posterior Vault Distraction Osteogenesis in Patients With Craniosynostosis.

Background: Posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO) is an effective treatment for multisuture and syndromic craniosynostosis. It remains unclear how well the calvarium ossifies after PVDO, especially in older patients when they have plateaued in their cranial growth phase. The purpose of this study is to report outcomes associated with PVDO across a wide range of ages at our institution.

Chartering Patient Flights for Surgery in a Road Inaccessible Nation: The Samaritan's Purse Cleft Lip Missions Model in South Sudan.

Introduction: Few patients in South Sudan have access to cleft lip repair due to limitations in health care facilities, personnel and road infrastructure. Samaritan's Purse is a non-governmental organization that provides chartered flights from road inaccessible regions to a single central hospital in this nation's capital. This study's purpose was to describe the chartered flight model for conducting nationwide cleft lip mission trips.

A fight on your own - experiences of rehabilitation after traumatic brachial plexus injuries.

Purpose: Individuals with traumatic brachial plexus injuries (TBPI) may experience lifelong physical and psychosocial consequences. With or without surgical treatment, the rehabilitation is considered important. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists face challenges due to the scarcity of evidence-based rehabilitation protocols after TBPI.

Cleft-Related Revision Procedures: Surgeon Perspectives on Shared Decision-Making and a Decision Aid Prototype.

Objective: Decision-making for elective cleft lip and nose revisions varies widely, from patient-led decisions to more paternalistic approaches. As these procedures incur additional scarring that may impact future interventions, patients should be equipped to participate in these surgical decisions. We thus developed a decision aid based on international standards, and to ensure methodologic rigor, we sought feedback from other surgeons regarding shared decision-making and potential barriers to adopting the decision aid.

Influence of Social Media in Multidisciplinary Cleft Care in Indonesia.

Social media has played a pivotal role in relaying healthcare-related information, especially in efforts to improve cleft management. Cleft management involves a multidisciplinary team throughout the years of comprehensive intervention, from birth to adulthood. To investigate the behaviors of parents and patients with clefts regarding social media use in improving cleft-related outcomes, knowledge, and awareness.

Looped Penrose Drainages of Acute Hand Infections in Vulnerable Populations.

Purpose: Acute hand infections (AHIs) remain a challenge for hand surgeons and represent a condition for which clinical outcomes are considerably affected by social barriers. We previously described the looped Penrose drainage technique, where a drain is sutured to itself in a loop and the outflow tract of egress is maintained, thus obviating the need for large incisions, wound closure, or repeat packing, thereby reducing the follow-up burden. In the face of escalating numbers of socioeconomically vulnerable patients, especially in urban settings, we aimed to characterize the clinical features and outcomes of this technique in an urban population of patients with AHI.

A collaborative interdisciplinary approach for trigger finger management.

Background: Stenosing tenosynovitis, or trigger finger, is a common cause of hand disability. This study outlines a trigger finger management protocol that redirects referrals for surgical consultations to conservative management first.

Purpose: The primary outcome variable was the protocol endpoint based on the resolution of trigger finger symptoms (i.

Reconstructive techniques for chest and breast deformities in Poland syndrome: An up-to-date systematic review.

Background: Poland syndrome (PS) is a congenital abnormality defined as aplasia or hypoplasia of the unilateral pectoralis muscle and breast tissue that may be accompanied by limb or thoracic deformities. Reconstruction of deformities associated with PS is challenging owing to the spectrum of differences. We aimed to evaluate the trends in surgical management of chest and breast anatomical anomalies associated with PS.

Outcomes of liposuction techniques for management of lipedema: a case series and narrative review.

Background And Objective: Lipedema is a commonly underdiagnosed chronic condition. This study aimed to evaluate liposuction techniques for lipedema by conducting a systematic review and presenting our experience. A case series study and a comprehensive review were conducted.

Artificial intelligence in clinical settings: a systematic review of its role in language translation and interpretation.

Background: Addressing language barriers through accurate interpretation is crucial for providing quality care and establishing trust. While the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to translate medical documentation has been studied, its role for patient-provider communication is less explored. This review evaluates AI's effectiveness in clinical translation by assessing accuracy, usability, satisfaction, and feedback on its use.

Facial Fat Grafting Cannula: A Tool to Facilitate Closed Irrigation in Flexor Tenosynovitis.

Pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis (PFT), also known as septic or suppurative flexor tenosynovitis, is a closed-space infection of the hand's flexor tendon sheath that necessitates timely diagnosis and treatment. The treatment consists of antibiotic therapy often combined with prompt surgical treatment. The most common surgical approach is the closed irrigation technique, which involves inserting a 16-gauge angiocatheter in the proximal aspect of the flexor tendon sheath, leaving the distal end of the Brunner incision open during the irrigation process.

Rhinoplasty Septal Cartilage Harvest and Reconstruction: The 4 Clicks.

Successful rhinoplasty relies on a deep understanding of nasal anatomy and precise nasal tip control for lasting functional and aesthetic outcomes. Structural grafts, like septal extension grafts, are instrumental in maintaining tip position and projection with minimal long-term changes. This article details a systematic technique to harvest septal cartilage that maximizes graft material and allows for effective septal deviation correction.

Surgical Treatment of Obstetric Plexus Lesions by Direct Coaptation Compared to Sural Nerve Graft Interposition.

 To date, there are no uniform guidelines for the treatment of obstetric plexus lesions in German-speaking countries. An end-to-end direct suture after resection of trunk neuroma is recommended for surgical treatment if tension-free coaptation is possible, whereas the use of autologous nerve grafts bridging the gap between the adaptation margins is advised by consensus if tension-free coaptation is impossible.  The aim of the study was to investigate which reconstruction strategy may provide a better recovery of motor function for patients after obstetric brachial plexus lesion.

Early activation of macrophage-2 with IL-4 in stromal vascular fraction increases VEGF levels and adipocyte count and maintains volume of fat graft in Wistar rats ().

Several previous studies have demonstrated the benefits of early macrophage 2 activation fat grafts supplemented with macrophage culture. However, this approach is considered impractical in clinical settings because of intraperitoneal induction use. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of early stromal vascular fraction (SVF) macrophage-2 activation with IL-4 on fat graft survival compared to SVF alone using an animal model for better fat graft viability.

Malnutrition in Spine Oncology: Where Are We and What Are We Measuring?

Study Design: Scoping review.

Objective: To identify which markers are used as surrogates for malnutrition in metastatic spine disease and which are the most studied outcomes associated with it.

Methods: A scoping review was performed by searching the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases up to July 2022.

Evaluation of PCORnet as an Approach to Accessing Electronic Health Record (EHR) Data for Cleft Outcomes Research: Advantages and Limitations.

To evaluate the feasibility of using the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) as a source of electronic health record (EHR) data for cleft outcomes research. Exploratory retrospective analysis of multi-year, administrative and clinical, structured data stored in PCORnet. Academic institution with an ACPA-approved cleft and craniofacial team.

NADPH Oxidases: Redox Regulation of Cell Homeostasis & Disease.

The redox signaling network in mammals has garnered enormous interest and taken on major biological significance in recent years as the scope of NADPH oxidases (NOXs) as regulators of physiological signaling and cellular degeneration has grown exponentially. All NOX subtypes have in common the capacity to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide anion (O) and/or hydrogen peroxide (HO). A baseline, normal level of ROS formation supports a wide range of processes under physiological conditions.

Cell type specific differences in transcriptome profiles of adipose derived stem cells and vaginal fibroblasts in patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

This study examined the molecular phenotypes of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and vaginal fibroblasts (VFBs) and assessed whether pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects their biological properties. We performed RNA sequencing of paired ASCs and VFBs from six patients with POP and six controls (CTRL). The transcriptomes of POP and CTRL in either ASCs or VFBs were compared (DESeq2, false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.