Publications by Type: Journal Article

BACKGROUND: Laser therapy has emerged as a promising treatment modality for improving the appearance and symptoms associated with hypertrophic and keloid scars. In this network meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different laser types in treating hypertrophic and keloid scars.

METHODS: A comprehensive search of four databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up until July 2023. Data were extracted from eligible studies and pooled as mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes and risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous data in a network meta-analysis (NMA) model, using R software.

RESULTS: A total of 18 studies, comprising 550 patients, were included in the analysis. Pooling our data showed that fractional carbon dioxide (FCO2) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was superior to control in terms of Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), pliability score, and thickness; [MD = - 5.97; 95% CI (- 7.30; - 4.65)], [MD = - 2.68; 95% CI (- 4.03; - 1.33)], [MD = - 2.22; 95% CI (- 3.13; - 1.31)], respectively. However, insignificant difference was observed among FCO2 plus 5-FU compared to control group in terms of erythema, vascularity, redness and perfusion, and pigmentation [MD = - 0.71; 95% CI (- 2.72; 1.30)], [MD = - 0.44; 95% CI (- 1.26; 0.38)], respectively.

CONCLUSION: Our NMA found that the FCO2 plus 5-FU was the most effective intervention in decreasing the VSS and thickness, while FCO2 plus CO2 was the most effective intervention in decreasing the pliability score. Further research is needed to determine the optimal laser parameters and long-term efficacy of laser therapy in hypertrophic and keloid scars.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

INTRODUCTION: Research productivity is an important part of required Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education scholarship during residency training and critical to trainees who intend to pursue careers in academia. This study aims to determine plastic surgery residents' experiences with and attitudes toward research.

METHODS: Accredited independent (52) and integrated (86) plastic surgery program websites were manually searched for currently active residents' names and email addresses. Identified residents were emailed a survey consisting of 25 questions through Research Electronic Data Capture.

RESULTS: A total of 45 plastic surgery residents responded to the survey request (14.6% response rate). Respondents were 57% female and 43% male, with an average age of 30.7 y. At the time of survey participation, 95% of surgery residents were involved in research endeavors, voluntarily or as part of their residency training. Of the respondents, 13 (32%) previously participated in a research fellowship compared to 28 (68%) respondents who did not. Interestingly, respondents who completed fellowships were 2.84 times (95% confidence interval: 0.52-15.38, P = 0.2269) more likely to intend continuing research endeavors after residency. Participants were most in agreement with statements suggesting their research fellowship benefitted their application in the plastic surgery match process (4 [interquartile range (IQR): 4, 4]), improved their ability to conduct research (4 [IQR: 4, 4]), and helped to better understand medical literature (4 [IQR: 3, 4]).

CONCLUSIONS: Plastic surgery programs' robust research emphasis has a favorable translation into residents' self-perceived understanding of medical literature and clinical knowledge.

BACKGROUND: Patients consider many factors when selecting a plastic surgeon. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of board certification and reputation in this decision. Despite this, there is a paucity of knowledge on the role that cost of procedure, social media, and surgeon training have on the decision-making process.

METHODS: The authors' study used a population-based survey administered by Amazon Mechanical Turk. Adults 18 years and older and residing in the United States were asked to rank the importance of 36 factors from 0 (least important) to 10 (most important) when selecting a plastic surgeon.

RESULTS: A total of 369 responses were analyzed. The mean age of respondents was 36.9 years (SD, 10.9 years), and 174 participants (47.2%) were female. Of those surveyed, 216 (55.0%) had previously undergone plastic surgery, and all respondents were considering plastic surgery either at the time of survey or in the future. The most common first step for respondents in identifying a plastic surgeon was a web-based search (32.2%). The top three most important factors in selecting a plastic surgeon were surgeon's experience with the desired procedure (7.48), surgeon's board certification (7.38), and surgeon's years in practice (7.36). The three least important factors were the surgeon's race (5.43), number of social media posts (5.62), and television appearances (5.64).

CONCLUSIONS: The authors' survey provides insight into the role that different elements play in the decision of selecting a plastic surgeon in the United States. Understanding how patients select a plastic surgeon can help surgeons optimize these elements in their practices.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the effect of hirudotherapy on flap congestion and thrombosis in adult female patients who underwent microvascular breast reconstruction.

METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane was completed. A qualitative synthesis of all included studies was then performed.

RESULTS: Twelve studies were included, pooling 34 female patients with ages ranging from 28 to 64 years old, having received medical leech therapy to breast flap following microsurgical breast reconstruction for a duration ranging from 1 to 10 days. The most common flap in our patient population was the Transverse Abdominis (TRAM) flap, followed by the Deep Inferior Epigastric (DIEP) flap and lastly, the Latissimus Dorsi flap. Nine patients experienced flap loss (26.5%), 9 experienced infections (26.5%), 19 had some degree of flap necrosis (55.9%), and 8 patients had to return to the operating room for revision surgeries (23.5%). Of the 9 reported cases of infection, 6 grew cultures specific to leech pathogens, confirming hirudotherapy as the cause (17.6%).

CONCLUSION: Presently, this systematic review provides an overview of the role that hirudotherapy has played in the management of congestion in breast microvascular reconstruction in the literature. Clinicians should be aware of the complications associated with this choice of therapy for their patients, especially infection. Despite their established use in flap congestion, the limited evidence available for hirudotherapy to treat flap complications in autologous breast reconstruction calls for more studies to be conducted on the matter.

BACKGROUND: Suction lipectomy (liposuction) is a popular cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States, but little has been documented regarding perioperative complications due to its outpatient nature.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study aims to analyze the most common complications that accompany liposuction-related procedures and importantly estimate the total complication rate occurring at ambulatory surgical facilities.

METHODS: Adult patients who experienced liposuction-related complications from 2019 to 2021 were identified in the reporting database of the global surgery accreditation authority, the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (QUAD A). Patients were then divided by complication type and procedure location. Demographics and facility-specific variables were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were performed.

RESULTS: Overall, 984 patients were included, with a mean age of 44 years (interquartile range [IQR] 37-53) and a median BMI of 28.7 kg/m2 (IQR 25.7-32.2). The overall confirmed complication rate was found to be 0.40% (984/246,119). Unplanned emergency department presentation was the most common complication overall (24%). Wound disruption was associated with the longest median procedure length (261 min), and venous thromboembolism was associated with the highest median BMI (30.1 kg/m2). The Southeast had the most complications (431), which accounted for 13/21 deaths (61.9%). Out of all complications, death was associated with the highest average annual case volume (241).

CONCLUSIONS: Procedures that involve liposuction are associated with a variety of medical and surgical complications. Given the high frequency and variability in how liposuction is performed, a thorough assessment of complications is critical to improve the safety of this procedure.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic abnormalities including hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. The safety profiles of patients with MetS undergoing breast reconstruction remain underreported. This study aims to evaluate the impact of MetS on the BR decision-making process and postoperative complication rates.

METHODS: The ACS-NSQIP database was utilized to identify women who underwent BR between 2012 and 2021. Baseline characteristics were compared based on the presence of MetS, defined as patients receiving medical treatment for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, with a body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2. Group differences were assessed using t tests and Fisher's exact tests. Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated postoperative complications between the groups.

RESULTS: A total of 160,115 patients underwent BR. A total of 4570 had a diagnosis of MetS compared to 155,545 without MetS. No statistically significant differences were observed in the type of BR patients received across cohorts. Logistic regression models demonstrated a higher likelihood of postoperative wound complications (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.399, 3.478; p = 0.001), and readmission rates (OR 2.045; 95% CI 1.337, 3.128; p = 0.001) in the MetS group compared to the non-MetS patients. No significant differences were identified in other postoperative complications between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MetS appear to have an increased risk of postoperative wound complications and readmission after breast reconstruction. The synergistic effects of these comorbidities on postoperative outcomes underscore the importance of addressing MetS as a holistic condition and considering choosing Delayed breast reconstruction over Immediate Breast Reconstruction in this population. Thus, integrating MetS management and patient counseling at various stages of BR may improve outcomes and facilitate patient decision-making.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that by 2050, a total of 3.6 million patients will be living with an amputation in the United States. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effect of targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) on pain and physical functioning in amputees.

METHODS: A literature search was performed on PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE up to November 28, 2021. Clinical studies assessing the outcomes of TMR (pain, prosthesis control, life quality, limb function, and disability) were included.

RESULTS: Thirty-nine articles were included. The total number of patients who underwent TMR was 449, and 716 were controls. Mean follow-up was 25 months. A total of 309 (66%) lower-limb and 159 (34%) upper-limb amputations took place in the TMR group, the most common being below-knee amputations (39%). The control group included a total of 557 (84%) lower-limb and 108 (16%) upper-limb amputations; the greatest proportion being below-knee amputations in this group as well (54%). Trauma was the most common indication for amputation. Phantom limb pain scores were lower by 10.2 points for intensity ( P = 0.01), 4.67 points for behavior ( P = 0.01), and 8.9 points for interference ( P = 0.09). Similarly, residual limb pain measures were lower for cases for intensity, behavior, and interference, but they failed to reach significance. Neuroma symptoms occurred less frequently, and functional and prosthesis control outcomes improved following TMR.

CONCLUSION: The literature evidence suggests that TMR is a promising therapy for improving pain, prosthesis use, and functional outcomes after limb amputation.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have evolved to validated questionnaires assessing health-related quality of life. This systematic review evaluates the utilization of PROs in United States plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) clinical trials (CTs).

METHODS: A medical librarian conducted a search strategy for PRS CTs from 2012 to 2022. CTs were identified and assessed for PRO utilization. Summary statistics were performed, and Fisher's exact test was used for subgroup analysis.

RESULTS: Of the 3609 studies initially identified, 154 were PRS CTs. Approximately half (80 studies) employed PROs, encompassing 13,190 participants, 95% (12,229) of whom were female. Among the CTs, 37 (48%) were in the field of reconstruction, while 25 (32%) were cosmetic. Pain (35%) and patient satisfaction (24%) were the most common primary outcomes. Validated PROs were the main outcome in 61% of these trials, with the visual analog scale (19%) and BREAST-Q (15%) as the top instruments. Funding was primarily private (34%) or not reported (49%). No significant trend in validated PRO usage was observed over the examined decade.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of PROs is relevant for healthcare delivery and improvement as they provide insight into the efficacy of treatments from a patient-centered viewpoint. PROs are reported in just over half of PRS CTs, and within those CTs, the use of validated questionnaires is inconsistent. Therefore, emerging CTs should strive to incorporate PRO measures and utilize the existing validated tools to assess novel interventions and ensure that the data reported is objective.

INTRODUCTION: This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) versus its dissection for patients who underwent breast surgery.

METHODS: The authors searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Scopus from inception until March 2023. Records were screened for eligible studies, and all relevant outcomes were pooled as an odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% CI in the meta-analysis models using RevMan version 5.4.

RESULTS: These results from 11 studies (1021 patients) favored preservation of the ICBN over its dissection in terms of anaesthesia and hypaesthesia [OR 0.50, (95% CI, 0.31-0.82); P = 0.006] and [OR 0.33, (95% CI, 0.16-0.68); P = 0.003], respectively. Whereas the overall effect favored ICBN dissection over preservation in the case of hyperaesthesia [OR 4.34, (95% CI, 1.43-13.15); P = 0.01]. Conversely, no significant variance was detected between the two groups in terms of pain [OR 0.68, (95% CI, 0.28-1.61) P = 0.38], paraesthesia [OR 0.88, (95% CI, 0.49-1.60); P = 0.68], and analgesia [OR 1.46, (95% CI, 0.05-45.69); P = 0.83].

CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis revealed that the preservation of the ICBN has a significant effect on the disturbance of sensory parameters of hypaesthesia and anaesthesia when compared to its dissection. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to precisely compare both techniques on a wider range of parameters.