Single-stage Latissimus Dorsi Breast Reconstruction Using Spectrum Devices: Outcomes and Technique.

BACKGROUND: Latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is a workhorse flap in breast reconstruction. Despite many advantages, the primary criticism of this flap is the requirement of a second surgery to exchange expansion devices for permanent implants. This study reports a single-stage reconstruction and outcomes wherein Spectrum devices (Mentor, Irving, TX), which serve as expanders and permanent implants, are used, and expansion ports are removed under local anesthetic. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing LD flap reconstruction with Spectrum device by a single surgeon at a single center during a 10-year period was performed. All patients, unilateral/bilateral, immediate/delayed were included. Details of implants, surgical procedure(s), and follow-up visits were assessed for patient outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 41 patients and 56 breasts were included. Of the total patients, 58.5% retained the Spectrum device and had the expansion port removed under local anesthetic. An estimated 6 major complications occurred (14.6%), requiring return to the operating room: 3 patients required a capsulectomy, 1 a capsulotomy/implant repositioning, one had loss of implant (infection), and 1 had venous congestion of the flap. Eleven minor complications occurred (26.8%): 5 seromas (3 at the breast site, 2 at the donor site), 3 delayed wound healings (2 at donor site, 1 at breast site), 1 mastectomy flap necrosis, 2 infections (1 at each breast site, 1 at donor site). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides details of a single-stage LD flap with Spectrum device breast reconstruction that can be considered when performing an LD reconstruction. This technique is efficient and safe with comparable complication profile.

The Shame-Blame Game: Is It Still Necessary? A National Survey of Shame-based Teaching Practice in Canadian Plastic Surgery Programs.

BACKGROUND: As understanding of poor physician mental health and burnout strengthens, it is becoming important to identify factors that detract from wellbeing. Shame-based learning (SBL) is detrimental to psychological health and can contribute to burnout, substance abuse and suicide. This study endeavoured to quantify the unknown prevalence and effects of SBL in Canadian plastic surgery programs. METHODS: An electronic survey was sent to all attending surgeons and trainee (residents and fellows) members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons. SBL was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. RESULTS: 98 responses (14.7%) comprising of 63 attending surgeons and 36 trainees were received. The majority of attending surgeons (78 percent) and trainees (67%) have been shamed. Fourteen percent of trainees and 9% of attending surgeons felt that SBL is necessary. The most common event provoking shaming for trainees was wrong answers (56%) and for attending surgeons was disagreement in clinical care (21%). For both groups, shamers were in positions of authority. The most common effect of SBL in trainees was a loss of self-confidence (53%), compared to no negative effect in attending surgeons (49 percent). Thirty-nine percent of trainees dealt with shaming events with support from fellow trainees (39 percent), while attending surgeons kept it to themselves (40 percent). CONCLUSION: SBL is present in Canadian plastic surgery residency programs and has numerous detrimental effects. To foster better mental health, residency programs should identify ongoing SBL and make efforts to transition to healthier feedback strategies.

Donor Site Morbidities of Iliac Crest Bone Graft in Craniofacial Surgery: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) is criticized for high donor site morbidity. Recent research suggests this morbidity is related to the patient population for which the ICBG is harvested. This systematic review is the first to delineate the type and incidence of ICBG donor site complications in craniofacial surgery. METHODS: Two independent reviewers conducted a systematic review of multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDRO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) from 1917 to 2017. All studies utilizing the ICBG for craniofacial indications were included. Donor site morbidities, including immediate and chronic pain, hematoma, seroma, infection, hypertrophic/painful scarring, nerve injury, muscle herniation, iliac crest fracture, and gait disturbance, were recorded. A weighted incidence for each morbidity, excluding immediate pain, was calculated. An average visual analog scale score was calculated for immediate pain. RESULTS: Forty-four studies, with 2801 patients, were included. Oral and maxillofacial (50%) and cleft reconstruction (40%) were the primary indications for surgery. Average immediate pain visual analog scale scores on postoperative days 1 and 14 were 6.3 and 1.3, respectively. The incidence of donor site morbidities was as follows: acute (45.7%) and chronic (1.5%) gait disturbance, acute (17.8%) and chronic nerve changes (1.4%), hypertrophic/painful scar (9.1%), chronic pain (3.1%), hematoma (2.2%), seroma (2.0%), infection (1.0%), iliac crest fracture (1.2%), and muscle herniation (0%). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic morbidity was lower than previously documented. Rare chronic morbidity illustrates that the ICBG remains a viable surgical option. The authors hope this review will facilitate surgical planning and informed consent.

Why Videos Matter So Much in Plastic Surgery Today: A Complete Index of Videos in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open.

The main purpose of this article is to provide the reader with an easily searchable online index of the first 1976 videos published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open to facilitate access to readers. The authors also describe the history and evolution of video articles in the first journal to provide a large offline video library of plastic surgery. The importance of videos in plastic surgery education is explored.

Tendon Rupture and Tenosynovitis following Internal Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Tendon-related complications after plate fixation of distal radius fractures can cause significant morbidity in the patient. This retrospective systematic review aims to report and compare the current rate of tendon rupture and tenosynovitis complicating the operative management of distal radius fractures. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify relevant articles reporting tendon complications after operative management of distal radius fractures. The search included published articles in three electronic databases-Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library-starting from the establishment of each database to February of 2016. RESULTS: A total of 56 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 6278 patients. Overall tendon-related adverse events were reported in 420 patients (6.8 percent). The incidence of tendon rupture was 1.5 percent with volar plates and 1.7 percent with dorsal plates. The incidence of tenosynovitis was 4.5 percent with volar plates and 7.5 percent with dorsal plates. Individual tendon complications were reported with volar and dorsal fixation, respectively: extensor pollicis longus tenosynovitis (0.3 percent and 1.1 percent), extensor pollicis longus rupture (0.8 percent and 0.3 percent), flexor pollicis longus tenosynovitis (1.3 percent and 0 percent), flexor pollicis longus rupture (0.6 percent and 0.2 percent), flexor digitorum profundus/flexor digitorum superficialis tenosynovitis (1.2 percent and 1.3 percent), flexor digitorum profundus/flexor digitorum superficialis rupture (0.1 percent and 0 percent), extensor digitorum communis tenosynovitis (1.7 percent and 5.9 percent), and extensor digitorum communis rupture (0.05 percent and 1.3 percent). CONCLUSION: This systematic review provides an update on the literature regarding tendon-related complications in the management of distal radius fractures.

Counseling about gestational weight gain and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy: Canadian maternity care providers' self-evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: There is discord between the recall of maternity care providers and patients when it comes to discussion of gestational weight gain (GWG) and obesity management. Few women report being advised on GWG, physical activity (PA), and nutrition, yet the majority of health care providers report discussing these topics with patients. We evaluated whether various Canadian maternal health care providers can identify appropriate GWG targets for patients with obesity and determine if providers report counseling on GWG, physical activity, and nutrition. METHODS: A valid and reliable e-survey was created using SurveyMonkey software and distributed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada listserve. A total of 174 health care providers finished the survey. Respondents self-identified as general practitioners, obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, midwives, or registered nurses. RESULTS: GWG recommendations between disciplines for all body mass index categories were similar and fell within Health Canada/Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines. Of those who answered this question, 110/160 (68.8%) were able to correctly identify the maximum IOM GWG recommended for patients with obesity, yet midwives tended to recommend 0.5-1 kg more GWG (P = 0.05). PA counseling during pregnancy differed between disciplines (P < 0.01), as did nutrition counseling during pregnancy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In contrast to patient reports, the majority of health care providers document counseling on GWG, PA, and nutrition and appropriately identify GWG limits for obese patients. However, the content and quality of the discourse between patient and provider warrants further investigation.