Created vascularization in a directional icetemplated scaffold involving decellularized matrix
The growing demand for postbariatric body-contouring surgery after massive weight loss goes hand-in-hand with an increase in wound complications. Consequently, surgical reoperation or conservative management is necessary and represents a difficult challenge to healthcare professionals. Moreover, it is well known that postbariatric patients present aberrant wound healing due to multifactorial causes, such as preoperative illness, nutritional deficiencies, and vascular disease. To treat such complex wounds, several methods have been recommended, such as the use of negative pressure wound therapy, tissue-engineered skin substitutes, and collagen-based wound dressings. The case presented here is of a patient with deep wound dehiscence of the inner left thigh, 1 week after a medial thigh lift procedure, successfully managed with Vergenix Flowable Gel, a human recombinant type I collagen produced in plants. After 2 weeks of treatment, wound dehiscence was replaced with granulation tissue, and after 4 weeks, the patient was completely healed, with an acceptable aesthetic outcome of the surgical scar.
Patients with deformational plagiocephaly are often referred for evaluation by a plastic surgeon. During the early COVID-19 pandemic, visits were performed predominantly via telehealth. This study compares costs, satisfaction, and technological considerations for telehealth and in-person consultations for plagiocephaly.
This prospective study evaluated telehealth and in-person consultation for plagiocephaly between August 2020 and January 2021. Costs were estimated using time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) and included personnel and facility costs. Patient-borne expenses for travel were assessed. Post-visit questionnaires administered to patients' families and providers measured satisfaction with the consult and technical issues encountered.
Costing analysis was performed on 20 telehealth and 11 in-person consults. Median total personnel and facility costs of providing in-person or telehealth consults were comparable (
> 0.05). Telehealth visits saved on the cost of clinic space but requiredtients with plagiocephaly may wish to consider expanding their virtual consult offerings to families desiring this option. Long-term outcome studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of both visit types.
Increased access to care and insurance coverage has led to an increase in gender-affirming surgeries performed in the United States. Gender-affirming phalloplasty has a variety of donor sites and surgical techniques including both pedicled and free flaps. Although surgical techniques and patient outcomes are well-described, no reports in the literature specifically discuss postoperative management, which plays a crucial role in the success of these operations. Here, we present a postoperative protocol based on our institution's experience with gender-affirming phalloplasty with the hope it will serve as a standardized, reproducible reference for centers looking to offer these procedures.
Patients undergoing gender-affirming phalloplasty at our institution followed a standardized protocol from the preoperative stage through phases of postoperative recovery. Medication, laboratory, physical and occupational therapy, flap monitoring, and dressing change guidelines were extracted and compiled into a single reroach focusing on flap monitoring, mobilization and activity, medications, and postoperative dressing care decreases errors, accelerates recovery, shortens length of stay, and instills confidence in the patient.
Utilizing inclusive terminology in patient education materials is an increasing area of focus in plastic surgery. Over 300,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2020, affecting cisgender and gender diverse patients alike. Both cisgender and gender diverse patients may choose to undergo breast reconstruction. This study aims to assess the use of inclusive language in online patient education materials on reconstruction after breast cancer.
Materials were collected from all academic hospitals with a plastic surgery integrated and/or independent residency program, 97 in total. Programs were further classified by the presence of a comprehensive gender program. Materials were analyzed for gender diverse terminology outlined by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. A chi-square test evaluated for statistical significance of inclusive terminology based on the presence or absence of a comprehensive gender program.
The majority (75%) of programs referenced cis women alone, with 25% referring to both men and women or using gender neutral terms such as "patients." Although most (85%) programs wrote in second person ("you"), 15% used she/her/hers pronouns alone, and no programs utilized gender diverse language outlined by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. The presence or absence of a comprehensive gender program was not predictive of the use of inclusive terminology (
= 0.32).
This study found that only 25% of breast reconstruction materials contained inclusive gender terminology. Plastic surgeons should provide patient education materials with language that supports members of a gender diverse population to facilitate a safe, inclusive space and conversation.
This study found that only 25% of breast reconstruction materials contained inclusive gender terminology. Plastic surgeons should provide patient education materials with language that supports members of a gender diverse population to facilitate a safe, inclusive space and conversation.The DIEP flap is currently considered the gold standard for autologous reconstructive breast surgery. Postoperative flap failure due to microvascular postanastomotic thrombotic occlusion is a rare but severe complication. Alteplase, a thrombolytic agent typically used in the setting of an ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or pulmonary embolism, has also been injected into the microcirculation of flaps as a rescue procedure due to imminent flap loss. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview and detailed guidance for such a thrombolytic procedure due to suspected thrombotic microsurgical failure in free flap surgery. We report the case of a 43-year-old woman who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction with a DIEP flap at our department. Approximately 12 hours postoperatively, an arterial inflow problem was suspected and revision surgery was performed. Peripheral flap perfusion remained absent without an obvious cause and distal thrombosis was assumed to be present. Therefore, alteplase was gradually injected into the arterial pedicle in the anterograde direction just distal to the anastomosis while clamping the artery proximally. About 3 hours after selective flap thrombolysis, microcirculation of the flap was successfully restored without complications. Anterograde injection of alteplase can successfully salvage a free flap. To our knowledge, evidence for optimal dosing and delivery of alteplase for the treatment of thrombosed DIEP flaps has not been published to date. Our approach presents a therapeutic option that both maximizes alteplase concentration in the flap and minimizes the dosage required for flap salvage to significantly reduce systemic adverse effects.Hyaluronic acid fillers are one of the most widely used and versatile fillers worldwide. Although traditionally regarded as immunologically inert, many currently available products have been substantially modified to improve longevity and to optimize properties for specific indications. check details Such modifications, either alone or in combination with other factors (such as the immune status of the patient, immune-triggering events, and bacterial contamination), may lead to the development of late-onset inflammatory nodules in some patients. This article discusses the clinical presentation of late-onset adverse inflammatory reactions to hyaluronic acid injections, describes their likely triggers, and presents the author's treatment algorithm for successful resolution.We report the case of a 62-year-old female patient with a triple-crush radial nerve injury, diagnosed in subsequent order following a fracture of the left humerus. The patient developed flaccid paralysis of all muscles innervated by the left radial nerve except the triceps brachii and reported a sensory deficit corresponding to the innervation territories of the posterior nerve of the forearm as well as the superficial branch of the radial nerve. Following neurolysis of the radial nerve at the humerus level, wrist extension as well as sensory perception on the dorsal aspect of the forearm recovered, but finger extension and thumb abduction were still impossible. Following neurological evaluation and nerve ultrasound, supinator syndrome was diagnosed and the patient underwent decompression surgery. Following surgical decompression, motor recovery was observable but a sensory deficit remained in the area innervated by the superficial branch of the radial nerve. In consequence, the third crush injury of the left radial nerve, that is, Wartenberg syndrome or cheiralgia paraesthetica was diagnosed. Decompression surgery of the superficial branch of the radial nerve was performed and the patient reported profound amelioration of her sensory symptoms during a follow-up examination at our outpatient clinic 6 weeks postoperatively.
Major limb amputation is a devastating potential outcome of trauma, tumor, or disease. Much has been written about the physical, functional, economic, and psychological consequences of major limb loss. In contradistinction, considerably less has been written concerning the consequences of "minor" limb loss, specifically single partial digit amputations. Are minor limb (partial single digit) amputations associated with symptoms of psychological disorder similar to those reported for major limb amputations?
We conducted a clinical research study through interview and examination of 25 adult patients (average age 45 years) who had suffered a single partial digit amputation to determine if symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, or posttraumatic stress disorder newly occurred, and if such symptoms correlated with the surgical outcome. Questionnaires for Quick-DASH, Michigan Hand Score, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 Psychological Profile testing were completed.
All but one of theuroma pain and verbally offering psychological support services early in the postamputation period should improve the clinical outcome of digital amputations.
Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) injection is the most widely performed aesthetic procedure and a first-line therapeutic option for various medical conditions. The potential for BoNT-A immunoresistance and secondary nonresponse related to neutralizing antibody (NAb) formation warrants attention as the range of BoNT-A aesthetic applications continues to expand.
An international multidisciplinary panel reviewed published evidence on BoNT-A immunoresistance in aesthetic and therapeutic applications and discussed best practices integrating clinical, ethical, and aesthetic considerations. Consensus statements relating to awareness, assessment, and management of the risk of NAb-related secondary nonresponse in aesthetic practice were developed.
There was a consensus that, as doses used in aesthetic practice become like those in therapeutics, rates of NAb formation may be expected to increase. However, the true extent of NAb formation in aesthetics is likely underestimated due to limitations of published evidence and variability in treatment patterns of aesthetic patients.