Gender Gap? A Survey among Plastic Surgeons in Germany.

Introduction: There is an ongoing increase in the percentage of females in the field of Plastic Surgery in Germany. Currently, 29,1% of fellows and 46% of residents in Germany are female. Several studies have pointed out the various obstacles that female doctors, especially female plastic surgeons, are confronted with in their professional life.

Multi-disciplinary treatment of broncho-esophageal fistula in a high-risk single-lung patient.

Background: A broncho-esophageal fistula (BEF) is a medical and surgical disaster. Treatment of BEF is often limited to palliative stent treatment that may migrate or cause erosions and tissue necrosis. Surgical repair of BEF is the only established definite treatment.

Surgical outcomes of the ZSI475 FtM inflatable erectile prosthesis implantation after phalloplasty.

Objectives: To report the surgical outcomes and complications experienced after implantation of the ZSI475 FtM prosthesis after phalloplasty.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent ZSI475FtM prosthesis implantation in their neophallus between January 2016 and March 2024 in our center were included. There was no exclusion criterion.

Predictors of dilation difficulty in gender-affirming vaginoplasty.

A necessary component of postoperative care in gender-affirming vaginoplasty is the dilation of the neovaginal canal. Difficulty with dilation can cause patient pain and distress, often decreasing compliance and leading to partial or complete closure of the neovaginal canal. This study sought to evaluate the sociodemographic, operative, and comorbid characteristics that contribute to patient difficulty with neovaginal dilation.

No penalty for blocking: Preoperative nerve blocks do not prevent motor nerve stimulation during TMR.

The timing of nerve blocks for amputation surgery with immediate targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) has been disputed. Traditional practices often defer nerve blocks until post-amputation, fearing interference with motor nerve target identification for TMR. Here, we present a case series demonstrating that pre-amputation regional nerve blocks do not prevent the identification of motor nerve targets.

Opioid-Sparing Protocols in Hand Surgery: Successes and Opportunities.

The opioid epidemic has been a defining crisis in American health care. Many attempts to address the epidemic have focused on issues around opioid prescribing. Legislation at the state and federal levels has been passed; however, the results from these policies have been mixed.

Anatomical Characterization of the Motor Branch to the Fourth Lumbrical: A Cadaver Study.

Purpose: The branching pattern of the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve (DBUN) in the hand is complex. The anatomy of the motor branch innervating the fourth lumbrical (4L), where paralysis results in a claw hand deformity after ulnar nerve injury, is not well defined. This cadaver study focused on mapping and defining anatomical landmarks in relation to the motor branch to the 4L.

Aggressive Digital Papillary Adenocarcinoma: A Meta-Analysis of the Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes of a Rare Hand Tumor.

Background: Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma (ADPA) is a rare skin adnexal tumor with a predilection for the hand. The presentation, treatment, and outcomes of ADPA remain poorly defined due to the scarcity of reports and low-level evidence of published findings.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines with the intent to provide hand surgeons a better understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Comparative Analysis of Liposuction and Conservative Treatment in Lipedema Patients: A Modified Body-Q Questionnaire Study.

: Despite its estimated high prevalence among women and increasing awareness, lipedema remains under-investigated. Ignoring its debilitating nature, surgical treatment for this condition is frequently covered by health insurance only in advanced stages and after the exhaustion of conservative therapies. : A total of 1015 patients with lipedema were recruited via social media platforms.

Presentation and Management of Silicone Lymphadenopathy: A Single Institutional Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Silicone Lymphadenopathy (SL) is a complication of breast implants that involves migration of silicone to nearby soft tissue/lymph nodes. Data on its clinical features and management is scarce. We aimed to identify the clinical presentation and management of SL.

In utero progression of cephaloceles: prenatal to postnatal analysis.

Objective: The natural history of cephaloceles is not well understood. The goal of this study was to better understand the natural history of fetal cephaloceles from prenatal diagnosis to the postnatal period.

Methods: Between January 2013 and April 2023, all patients evaluated with a cephalocele at the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment were identified.

Focused Investigation of Facial Nerve Dysfunction After Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis for Robin Sequence.

Facial nerve dysfunction (FND) is a well-recognized but poorly documented complication of mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) for Robin sequence (RS). This study aims to document the authors' experiences with FND and identify risk factors associated with this adverse event. A retrospective review of a prospectively gathered database was performed to identify patients with RS who underwent MDO at the authors' institution from March 2016 to June 2023.

New Productive Force: The Preliminary Report of First Craniofacial Surgical Robot IST Multicenter Clinical Trial in China.

Background: This paper presents the authors' team's research on a craniofacial surgical robot developed in China. Initiated in 2011 with government funding, the craniofacial surgical robot project was officially launched in Shanghai, developed jointly by the Ninth People's Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University medical-engineering team. Currently, based on multiple rounds of model surgeries, animal experiments, and clinical trials, our team is applying for approval as a Class III medical device from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

Novel Reconstruction Method Using the Double-Arm Vascularized Fibula Flap and TriLock Bridging Plate System for Segmental Mandibulectomy Including the Anterior Border of the Mandibular Ramus.

This study aimed to develop a novel reconstruction method for segmental mandibulectomy. In the authors' opinion, reconstruction of the anterior border of the mandibular ramus using a double-arm vascularized fibular flap is important to prevent deformity due to buccal depression and the accumulation of food debris, thereby eliminating masticatory dead space that cannot be filled with prostheses such as implants or dentures. Using conventional reconstruction plates, the reconstructed bone positioned at the anterior border of the mandibular ramus required either fixing with only 1 screw or using 2 plates for stable fixation, making it difficult to position the plates stably.

Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life following the Karydakis Flap Procedure for Pilonidal Sinus Treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcome of the Karydakis flap procedure performed by a single surgeon for the treatment of pilonidal sinus, focusing on postoperative complications, recurrence rate, wound healing time, and return to daily life.

Methods: Authors performed a retrospective data analysis of patients who underwent reconstruction of pilonidal sinus using the Karydakis technique at the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Center for Severe Burn Injuries of Paracelsus Medical University, Klinikum Nürnberg, Germany, between 2014 and 2021. All cases were performed by a single surgeon.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: A clinical and pathological observational report of Asian samples from one center.

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, low-grade fibrohistiocytic tumor with malignant potential. It is considered to have a high local recurrence rate due to the characteristic invasion of the finger-like lesion into the soft tissues.

Method: This retrospective study presents details of 20 DFSP patients with a history of surgery and a long follow-up period.

How Does Diploic Space Thickness Change With Age?

Background: Cranial defects from trauma, surgery, or congenital conditions require precise reconstruction to restore cranial vault integrity. Autogenous calvarial grafts are preferred for their histocompatibility and biomechanical properties, but their success depends on a well-developed diploic space. Although prior studies have described overall skull thickness development, less is known about how diploic thickness changes through adulthood.

The Transcription Factor SOX18 Inhibitor Small Molecule 4 Is a Potential Treatment of Cancer-Induced Lymphatic Metastasis and Lymphangiosarcoma.

Background: Malignant tumors release growth factors, promoting lymphangiogenesis in primary tumors and draining sentinel lymph nodes, ultimately facilitating lymph node metastasis. As a malignant lymphatic tumor entity, lymphangiosarcomas are characterized by low survival rates and limited treatment options. The transcription factor SOX18 plays a crucial role in both lymphatic endothelial cell differentiation and cancer-induced lymphangiogenesis.

Increasing Incidence of Facial Nerve Disorders in the United States from 2007 to 2022.

Background: Incidence data on Facial Nerve Disorders (FND) and Bell's palsy are currently limited. Prior epidemiological studies have estimated the incidence rate of Bell's palsy to be between 11 and 53/100,000 individuals, although the most cited incidence data are from single regions or municipalities, many of which are outdated from several decades ago.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of US adults from 2007 to 2022 using the Merative™ Marketscan® Research Databases.

Bioengineering strategies for regeneration of skin integrity: A literature review.

Objective: The skin is a complex organ that includes various stem cell populations. Current approaches for non-healing skin defects are sometimes inadequate and many attempts have been made to regenerate skin integrity. The aim of this review is to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application of skin integrity regeneration.

Qualitative assessment of proposed visual key information pages for informed consent.

Introduction: The 2018 Common Rule revision intended to improve informed consent by recommending a concise key information (KI) section, yet provided little guidance about how to describe KI. We developed innovative, visual KI templates with attention to health literacy and visual design principles. We explored end users' attitudes, beliefs, and institutional policies that could affect implementing visual KI pages.