Management of Acute Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: This review aims to compare recovery outcomes of conservative, early operative, and a combination of conservative and operative management for acute carpal tunnel syndrome (ACTS). Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL from 1970 to 2022 was conducted using the keywords carpal tunnel syndrome and acute nerve compression. ACTS was defined as a case within 12 weeks of symptom onset. Primary data extracted included causes (traumatic or atraumatic), symptom duration (<1 day, 1-7 days, or 8-84 days), intervention (surgical, conservative, or conservative then surgical), follow-up duration, and outcome (full recovery or non-full recovery). Logistic regression analyses and χ2 tests were performed to investigate associations among these variables. Results: A total of 197 patients involving 127 (64.5%) traumatic and 70 (35.3%) atraumatic cases were included. Forty-seven percent of patients were managed conservatively followed by surgery, 30% conservative only, and 23% surgery only. The traumatic group was associated with better recovery than the atraumatic group. Recovery outcomes were not associated with symptom duration or follow-up time. The choice of intervention was not associated with traumatic or atraumatic etiology, nor did it affect recovery outcomes in either group. Conclusions: Traumatic ACTS is associated with better recovery outcomes than atraumatic etiologies. Surgical intervention was not found to be associated with better outcomes than conservative management, regardless of the etiologies. Further prospective studies are warranted to compare surgical versus conservative management. Clinical Relevance: Currently, there are no guidelines for the best management of ACTS, and it is not known if early or delayed surgical treatment is optimal. This review compiles the current evidence and identifies gaps in the literature, highlighting the need for further investigation to provide the best clinical practice.

Weight Control following Body Contouring Surgery: Long-Term Assessment of Postbariatric and Nonbariatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: Few reports of weight maintenance following body contouring (BC) surgery present weight measurements as percentage weight change, and most of these studies do not isolate BC to specific body areas. This study analyzed weight control in the trunk-based BC population and further compared BC outcomes in postbariatric and nonbariatric patients. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive postbariatric and nonbariatric patients who underwent trunk-based BC (abdominoplasty, panniculectomy, and circumferential lipectomy) from January 1, 2009, through July 31, 2020, at West Virginia University. A minimum 12-month follow-up was required for inclusion. With BC surgery date as the reference point, percentage total weight loss was assessed at 6-month intervals for 2 years following BC and every year thereafter. Change over time was compared between postbariatric and nonbariatric patients. RESULTS: Within the 12-year timeframe, 121 patients meeting criteria underwent trunk-based BC. Average follow-up from date of BC was 42.9 months. Sixty patients (49.6%) had previously undergone bariatric surgery. From before BC to endpoint follow-up, postbariatric and nonbariatric patients experienced a 4.39% ± 10.93% and 0.25% ± 9.43% increase in weight from baseline, respectively ( P = 0.0273). Once nadir weight loss was attained, weight regain occurred through endpoint follow-up in both groups (11.81% in the postbariatric cohort and 7.56% in the nonbariatric BC cohort; P = 0.0106). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term weight regain is common following trunk-based BC operations-specifically, in postbariatric patients. Although this should not contend with the psychological benefit of removing this excess tissue, it is important to report results with ideal weight metrics to optimally assess outcomes in this population. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Changes in Glucose Control and Lipid Levels Following Trunk-Based Body Contouring Surgery in Postbariatric and Nonbariatric Patients.

Background: Despite consistent interest over the past 2 decades regarding the metabolic effects of body contouring (BC), previous studies are limited by short follow-up periods, small sample sizes, gender-specific cohorts, and assessment of all anatomic regions together. Objectives: This study evaluates the changes in glucose and lipid levels over long-term follow up after trunk-based BC and compares postbariatric with nonbariatric patients. Methods: The retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent trunk-based BC from January 1, 2009 through July 31, 2020 at West Virginia University. A minimum 12-month follow up was required for inclusion. With BC surgery as the reference point, patients' glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and lipid levels were assessed prior to surgery and at long-term follow up. Change over time was compared between postbariatric and nonbariatric cohorts. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to assess the effect of potential confounding variables on the difference between cohorts. Results: Seventy-seven BC patients had glucose levels evaluated during the study period, and 36 had lipid profiles obtained. Average follow up from date of BC was 41.2 months for the patients with glucose follow up and 40.9 months for those with lipid levels. From pre-BC to endpoint follow up, glucose levels mildly increased in all patients. Multivariable linear regression models accounting for age showed nonbariatric patients experience significantly improved total cholesterol levels compared to postbariatric patients (P = 0.0320). Weight loss maintained following BC was not associated with significant differences between cohorts. Conclusions: Fasting glucose levels marginally increase in most BC patients through follow up. Nonbariatric patients generally experience more favorable changes in lipid profile following trunk-based BC than do postbariatric patients.

Atypical Hyperplasia Found Incidentally during Routine Breast Reduction Mammoplasty: Incidence and Management.

Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) of the breast are premalignant lesions. Although the literature on ADH and ALH as a whole is well-developed, research on ADH and ALH incidentally discovered during breast reduction is less robust. METHODS: In this study, 355 patients undergoing bilateral reduction mammoplasty at West Virginia University were retrospectively reviewed. A variety of demographic and clinicopathologic variables were collected for each patient, and the incidence of atypical hyperplasia was calculated. Four patients (1.13%) were found to have atypical hyperplasia, three ALH, and one ADH, which is within the range reported in the literature. For patients incidentally found to have atypical hyperplasia, an in-depth analysis of postoperative management was performed. RESULTS: Of the four patients with atypical hyperplasia, three were referred to a cancer center, and one patient followed only with plastic surgery. The three patients who were referred to a cancer center saw a breast surgeon, whereas the patient followed only by plastic surgery did not. None of the four patients received anti-estrogen therapy, but each patient who followed with a cancer center was offered treatment and declined. CONCLUSIONS: As a relatively uncommon finding with complex management guidelines, atypical hyperplasia discovered on breast reduction should be referred to a cancer center for long-term follow-up and management when possible. Further research is needed to assess if the management of atypical hyperplasia discovered incidentally after routine reduction should mimic treatment of atypical hyperplasia found after biopsy for suspicion of malignancy.

US Public's Perceptions of Online Transformation Photos.

BACKGROUND: Although many plastic surgeons seek to optimize their online presence and reach a broader patient base, no studies to our knowledge have evaluated the general public's perceptions of one of the most valued informational tools: transformation photos. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the general public's preferences for viewing transformation photos online. METHODS: Respondents representative of the US public, crowdsourced through Amazon Mechanical Turk, answered a survey assessing perceptions of the posting of before-and-after photos. RESULTS: One thousand respondents completed the questionnaire. Ninety percent (905/1000) of respondents are willing to view online before-and-after photos. Sixty-three percent (634/1000) would consent to online posting of before-and-after photos of at least 1 body area, with comfort levels highest for facelift (36.4%), nonoperative facial rejuvenation (31.9%), liposuction (24.9%), and abdominoplasty (23.2%). Breast reduction (12.4%), breast reconstruction (10.9%), gluteal augmentation (14.0%), and vaginal rejuvenation (4.4%) are considered least acceptable for public posting. Respondents are significantly more opposed to online viewing of genitals than any other body area (P < 0.0001). Of those willing to have their own transformation photos posted online, 74.0% would allow posting on professional practice websites, 35.1% on Instagram, 26.6% on Facebook, 17.2% on Twitter, and 10.7% on Snapchat. Significantly more respondents prefer their transformation photos reside only on professional practice websites rather than on a social media platform (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The public considers aesthetic facial procedures and body contouring most acceptable for showcasing transformation photos online. Although most respondents prefer viewing these photos on professional practice websites, Instagram is the favored social media platform. The majority of the public seek transformation photos when choosing a plastic surgeon for a cosmetic procedure.