What comes first: teeth or face? Recommendations for an interdisciplinary collaboration between facial esthetic surgery and dentistry.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to provide recommendations in order to facilitate communication between dental professionals and surgeons who are collaborating in the field of dentofacial esthetics. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Smile esthetics are beyond the scope, both of the surgeons who are collaborating with facial esthetics and of the dentists, as a wide range of treatment options from both sides is available. It can be difficult for the surgeon or the dentist that first comes in contact with the patient to conduct an individualized global treatment plan, in order to find out how the various phases of the treatment can be sequenced, as a workflow for an efficient interaction between facial surgery and dentistry still does not exist in the scientific literature. CONCLUSIONS: Facial cosmetic procedures and dental treatment have to be planned as individual elements of the whole dentofacial esthetic rehabilitation. The treatment has to be initiated with the design of the smile and the intraoral mock-up, followed by the required surgical interventions, and to be finished with the delivery of the definitive dental restoration. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dentofacial esthetics require comprehensive communication between surgeons and dentists. Following the proposed recommendations, an individualized interdisciplinary treatment plan can be conducted, defining the role of each specialty.

Covering skin defects with a xenogeneic collagen matrix in comparison with a skin graft - A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

The objective of this study was to analyze, in a randomized controlled multicenter trial, whether a xenogeneic collagen matrix (XCM) could be used to cover skin defects. Patients with the need for skin excisions were recruited and randomized to treatment with a skin graft after a period of granulation or to treatment with an XCM. The results were evaluated by two independent observers on the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. On this scale, scars are ranked from 1 to 10 in six different categories. Results range from 6 to 60, with lower scores representing scars closer to normal skin. The results 6 months after reconstruction were used as primary endpoint and compared in a non-inferiority approach. A total of 39 wounds in the head and neck region were analyzed. The mean results were 16.55 (standard deviation 6.8) for XCM and 16.83 (standard deviation 8.21) in the control group. The result of the XCM was not significantly inferior to the result of the skin graft (p = 0.91). Within the limitations of the study, it seems that the use of xenogeneic collagen matrices is a viable alternative to other approaches in small skin defects, and therefore should be taken into account whenever the reduction of patient morbidity to a minimum is the priority. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register under registration identification number DRKS00010930 and can be found under the following URLs: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00010930. https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=DRKS00010930.

Tendon Transfers for Knee Extension Following Femoral Nerve Injury After Hip Arthroplasty.

Femoral nerve injury is a rare but devastating complication of direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty that occurs in about 1% of the cases and could potentially lead to debilitating loss of knee extension. In this case report, we present a case of femoral nerve injury following direct anterior approach hip arthroplasty with an inability to extend the affected knee, gait instability, and multiple falls. For this patient, an innovative functional adductor magnus muscle transfer was performed to restore knee extension. At 6 months after surgery, the patient's knee extension was partly restored, and ambulation was significantly improved.

Optimal timing for plastic surgical procedures for common congenital anomalies: A review.

Apart from listening to the cry of a healthy newborn, it is the declaration by the attending paediatrician in the labour room that the child is normal which brings utmost joy to parents. The global incidence of children born with congenital anomalies has been reported to be 3%-6% with more than 90% of these occurring in low- and middle-income group countries. The exact percentages/total numbers of children requiring surgical treatment cannot be estimated for several reasons. These children are operated under several surgical disciplines, viz, paediatric-, plastic reconstructive, neuro-, cardiothoracic-, orthopaedic surgery etc. These conditions may be life-threatening, e.g., trachea-oesophageal fistula, critical pulmonary stenosis, etc. and require immediate surgical intervention. Some, e.g., hydrocephalus, may need intervention as soon as the patient is fit for surgery. Some, e.g., patent ductus arteriosus need 'wait and watch' policy up to a certain age in the hope of spontaneous recovery. Another extremely important category is that of patients where the operative intervention is done based on their age. Almost all the congenital anomalies coming under care of a plastic surgeon are operated as elective surgery (many as multiple stages of correction) at appropriate ages. There are advantages and disadvantages of intervention at different ages. In this article, we present a review of optimal timings, along with reasoning, for surgery of many of the common congenital anomalies which are treated by plastic surgeons. Obstetricians, paediatricians and general practitioners/family physicians, who most often are the first ones to come across such children, must know to guide the parents appropriately and convincingly impress upon the them as to why their child should not be operated immediately and also the consequences of too soon or too late.

Autoestima e qualidade de vida em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia plástica / Self-esteem and quality of life in patients undergoing plastic surgery

Introdução: A autoestima é definida pelo valor que as pessoas dão a si mesmas. É um componente avaliativo do autoconhecimento. A cirurgia plástica tem sido uma alternativa para as pessoas melhorarem a visão de si mesmas, sentindo-se mais confiantes e satisfeitas com seus aspectos corporais. Dessa forma, com a elevação da autoestima nessas pessoas, a cirurgia é capaz de interferir de forma positiva não somente na autoavaliação corporal, mas também na dimensão psicossocial. Método: Foi realizado um estudo observacional descritivo e analítico longitudinal prospectivo no qual foi avaliado o impacto da cirurgia plástica na autoestima e nos relacionamentos pessoais e profissionais. Aplicamos um questionário sociodemográfico, a Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg, além do Questionário de Qualidade de Vida da OMS abreviado (WHOQOL-bref) em pacientes no pré-operatório e que serão submetidos a cirurgia plástica com, pelo menos, 3 meses de pós-operatório, graduando, desta forma, a melhora ou não da autoestima e qualidade de vida. Resultados: Participaram da pesquisa 52 pacientes, sendo 48 mulheres (92,3%), apresentando idade média de 37±11 anos. Através da aplicação da Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg, pudemos notar uma evolução da autoestima, em que os pacientes apresentaram uma média de 29,87±2,10 pontos no escore do período pré-operatório, passando para 34,92±1,84 pontos no período pós-operatório. (p<0,001). Já no WHOQOL-bref, foi obtida uma melhora da autoestima através dos escores dos 4 domínios. Conclusão: Através deste estudo, foi evidenciado um aumento da autoestima e qualidade de vida.

Introduction: Self-esteem is defined by the value people place on themselves. It is an evaluative component of self-knowledge. Plastic surgery has been an alternative for people to improve their vision of themselves, feeling more confident and satisfied with their body aspects. Therefore, by increasing self-esteem in these people, surgery is capable of positively interfering not only with body self-assessment but also in the psychosocial dimension. Method: A prospective longitudinal descriptive and analytical observational study was carried out in which the impact of plastic surgery on self-esteem and personal and professional relationships was assessed. We applied a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, in addition to the abbreviated WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-bref) in patients in the preoperative period and who will undergo plastic surgery at least 3 months after surgery. surgery, thus determining whether or not self-esteem and quality of life improve. Results: 52 patients participated in the research, 48 of whom were women (92.3%), with a mean age of 37±11 years. Through the application of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, we were able to notice an evolution in self-esteem, in which patients presented an average of 29.87±2.10 points in the preoperative period score, rising to 34.92±1.84 points in the postoperative period (p<0.001). In the WHOQOL-bref, an improvement in self-esteem was obtained through the scores of the 4 domains. Conclusion: Through this study, an increase in self-esteem and quality of life was evidenced.

Técnica Boomerang para plástica genital estética feminina / Boomerang technique for female genital aesthetic surgery

Introdução: A hipertrofia de pequenos lábios combinada com capuz clitoriano redundante é uma queixa comum entre mulheres que procuram cirurgia plástica genital cosmética por queixas funcionais, psicológicas e estéticas. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a técnica boomerang, um tratamento cirúrgico da hipertrofia labial que se estende a todo o capuz clitoriano. Método: Foi conduzido um estudo retrospectivo, de caráter analítico, para avaliar os prontuários médicos de 48 pacientes consecutivas submetidas a cirurgia estética genital feminina entre julho de 2017 e julho de 2021. Todos os procedimentos cirúrgicos foram realizados pela mesma cirurgiã. A técnica utilizada nas pacientes consistiu na ressecção longitudinal dos excessos de pequenos lábios vaginais associado à ressecção de capô clitoriano em forma de boomerang e à clitoropexia. Resultados: A idade média das pacientes submetidas a cirurgia foi de 36,25 anos (intervalo 18-59 anos), entre as quais 94,44% apresentaram queixas estéticas associadas ou não a queixas funcionais, e 5,56% apresentaram somente queixas funcionais. Duas pacientes apresentaram hematomas nos grandes lábios no pós-operatório imediato, e uma paciente teve deiscência de sutura nos pequenos lábios. Conclusão: A técnica boomerang é reprodutível e proporciona benefícios estéticos e/ou funcionais na genitália feminina.

Introduction: Hypertrophy of the labia minora combined with a redundant clitoral hood is a common complaint among women seeking aesthetic genital cosmetic surgery for functional, psychological, and aesthetic complaints. The objective of this study was to describe the boomerang technique, a surgical treatment for labial hypertrophy that extends to the entire clitoral hood. Method: A retrospective, analytical study was conducted to evaluate the medical records of forty-eight consecutive patients who underwent female genital cosmetic surgery between July 2017 and July 2021. The same surgeon performed all surgical procedures. The technique used in the patients consisted of longitudinal resection of excess small vaginal lips associated with resection of the boomerang-shaped clitoral hood associated with clitoroplasty. Results: The average age of patients undergoing surgery was 36.25 years (range 18-59 years), among whom 94.44% had aesthetic complaints associated or not with functional complaints, and 5.56% had only functional complaints. Two patients had bruises on the labia majora in the immediate postoperative period, and one patient had suture dehiscence on the labia minora. Conclusion: The boomerang technique is reproducible and provides aesthetic and/or functional benefits to the female genitalia.

Compressão intermitente imediata sobre anastomose vascular: Uma nova técnica para prevenir trombose? / Immediate intermittent compression over vascular anastomosis: a new technique to prevent thrombosis

Introdução: Este estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da compressão intermitente imediata sobre anastomoses arteriais microcirúrgicas em comparação com compressão fixa e com utilização isolada de irrigação com soro fisiológico e heparina em laboratório experimental. Método: 12 ratos Wistar foram aleatoriamente divididos em três grupos para terem suas artérias femorais seccionas e anastomosadas de forma término-terminal, para comparação de patência com 30 minutos e 7 dias. Grupo I: foi realizada compressão intermitente imediata sobre a anastomose por 60 segundos; grupo II: uma compressão fixa foi mantida imediatamente após a anastomose, também por 60 segundos; grupo III, após o término da anastomose, não foi feita nenhuma intervenção adicional. Além da avaliação da patência, os animais foram pesados e medidos os diâmetros arteriais operados. Resultados: 24 artérias femorais foram abordadas. As médias de peso inicial dos ratos dos grupos I, II e III foram, respectivamente, de 243,8g, 254,6g e 260,4g, enquanto as finais foram de 264,4g, 281g e 282,1g (p<0,001). O diâmetro médio das artérias abordadas foi, respectivamente, de 0,89mm, 0,88mm e 0,90mm, e os tempos de anastomoses em minutos, de 25,6, 24,5 e 24,5, respectivamente; As patências finais após 7 dias foram, respectivamente, de 62,5% (p=0,07), 25% (p=0,48) e 50% (p=0,13). Conclusão: A compressão intermitente imediata pode ser realizada ao término de anastomoses arteriais microcirúrgicos sem prejuízo na patência final do procedimento.

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the effect of immediate intermittent compression on microsurgical arterial anastomoses in comparison with fixed compression and only observation in an experimental laboratory. Methods: The two femoral arteries of twelve male Wistar rats were sectioned and reanastomosed to compare patency at 30 minutes and 7 days. Group I: immediate intermittent compression was performed over the anastomosis for 60 s; group II: a fixed compression was maintained immediately after the anastomosis for 60 s; group III: after completion of the anastomosis, no additional intervention was performed. In addition to the patency assessment, the animals were weighed and the operated arterial diameters were measured. Results: Twenty-four femoral arteries were examined. Initial average weights of the rats in groups I, II, and III were 243.8g, 254.6g, and 260.4g, respectively, while the final weights were 264.4g, 281g, and 282.1g (p<0.001), respectively; mean diameter of the approached arteries was 0.89, 0.88, and 0.90mm, respectively, and the anastomoses (time in minutes) were 25.6, 24.5, and 24.5, respectively; final patencies after 7 days were 62.5% (p=0.07), 25% (p=0.48), and 50% (p=0.13), respectively. Conclusion: Immediate intermittent compression can be performed at the end of microsurgical arterial anastomoses without affecting the final patency of the procedure.

Scrotal reconstruction after Fournier's Gangrene using the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) propeller flap: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Fournier's gangrene, a rare infectious condition affecting the external genitalia, often requires aggressive medical-surgical interventions, resulting in variable scrotal tissue loss. Despite numerous proposed reconstruction techniques, achieving a consensus on the most effective approach that balances aesthetics and function remains elusive. This case report presents a one-year follow-up on scrotal reconstruction using a pedicled Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator (SCIP) propeller flap. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old patient with significant scrotal tissue loss due to Fournier's gangrene underwent scrotal reconstruction using a pedicled SCIP propeller flap. Optimal placement was ensured through a subcutaneous tunnel, with a thin thigh skin graft applied to cover the penile skin defect. DISCUSSION: The SCIP flap is distinguished by its thin and pliable characteristics, rapid harvesting and featuring a discreet donor site. It stands as a compelling alternative to skin grafts, providing advantages in sensory restoration, color congruence, and resilience against tension. Considering the thickness of the reconstruction helps both in recovering testicular function and improving the appearance by restoring the natural contour. CONCLUSION: The utilization of the pedicled SCIP propeller flap for scrotal tissue loss resulting from Fournier's gangrene has demonstrated both aesthetic and functional success, underscoring its potential as an effective reconstructive option.

Women in the Operating Room: The Role of Mentorship in Challenging the Gendered Norms of Surgical Practices.

Historically, surgery has been considered an inherently "masculine" profession. This persistent stereotype has led to gender inequality in currently practicing surgeons, despite gender parity of newly admitted medical students in North America. Since women began practising medicine in the 19th century, these norms began to be challenged in tandem with the suffragette movement. In the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, pioneering female physicians and surgeons worked together to establish spaces where women would be welcomed and mentored the next generation of female surgeons. In this essay, I highlight prominent women physicians and surgeons that have contributed to the presence of women in the operating room through mentorship.

Arterial occlusion secondary to prior cardiac catheterization in a radial forearm flap-lessons learnt from an unusual case.

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is a workhorse flap for head and neck reconstruction. We present an unusual case of radial artery occlusion, likely from previous transradial cardiac catheterization, in a patient for whom an RFFF was raised for floor of mouth reconstruction following resection of squamous cell carcinoma. Pre-operative assessment with ultrasound Doppler and an Allen test was normal. The flap was raised uneventfully under tourniquet control. However, following flap elevation and tourniquet release, poor flap perfusion was noted, and cutback of the artery revealed a long segment of hard fibrous plaque within the lumen. Retrospective review of medical records showed a history of cardiac catheterization via the same radial artery. We discuss various measures that can prevent this occurrence, including careful pre-operative screening of previous procedures involving the radial artery, the reverse Allen test, Doppler ultrasound, and consideration of distal arterial exploration without a tourniquet.

A Video-illustrated Overview of Reconstructive Surgical Techniques Following Penile Cancer Treatment.

Surgery is the cornerstone of treatment for penile squamous cell carcinoma. Following surgical excision, reconstructive surgery is beneficial to restore aesthetics, functionality, and overall quality of life of these patients. In this mini-review, we discuss the use of skin grafts, perineal urethrostomy, phalloplasty, and vascularised flaps as reconstructive options following penile cancer treatment. Illustrated by videos, we highlight the surgical approach, indications, complications, and outcomes of these reconstructive strategies. PATIENT SUMMARY: Reconstructive surgery is important to restore appearance, urinary function, and sexual function in patients who have been treated for penile cancer. We discuss the benefits and potential complications of various surgical reconstructive options, which are illustrated with videos.

Conventional Scalpel Technique for Frenectomy During Orthodontic Treatment: A Case Report.

Frenum aberrations in the maxillary and mandibular regions are pivotal concerns, particularly regarding midline diastema and gingival health. The frenum is composed predominantly of collagenous and elastic fibers. There are various frenal attachment anomalies that may result in gingival recession. Amidst treatment options, conventional scalpel frenectomy emerges as a viable solution, showcasing its efficacy in addressing deviant frena. Ultimately, our findings underscore the imperative for personalized interventions to alleviate aesthetic apprehensions and uphold periodontal integrity in adult populations.

The Use of the Symani Surgical System® in Emergency Hand Trauma Care.

Background: The use of robotic systems for microsurgery has gained popularity in recent years. Despite its drawbacks, such as increased learning time and lack of haptic feedback, robot-assisted microsurgery is beneficial for emergency care due to its reduced risk of tremor and fatigue. The Symani Surgical System® is 1 example of this advanced technology. The device offers a range of possibilities in the field of microsurgery by combining precision and dexterity, revolutionizing microsurgical procedures. This article explores the applications of the Symani in microsurgical procedures in emergency hand trauma care, highlighting its advantages and limitations. Material and Methods: We present the results of 62 anastomoses of blood vessels under .8 mm diameter after hand trauma. 31 anastomoses were conducted using the Symani Surgical System®, and the other 31 were done as a control group in hand-sewn technique. Study Sample: The patient characteristics, including sex, age, and risk factors, were matched. Results: We found no significant differences in the anastomosis surgery length when performed with the Symani (arterial 17.3 ± 1.9 min; venous 11.5 ± 1.3 min) vs the hand-sewn technique (arterial 16.1 ± 1.4 min; venous 10.2 ± 1.8 min). Additionally, the learning curve consistently decreased over time, with the 10th surgery taking 30% (arterial) less time. Conclusion: Our study indicates that robot-assisted microsurgery can help surgeons maintain a relaxed and focused state while producing results comparable to hand-sutured procedures in emergency care.

Sex classification of 3D skull images using deep neural networks.

Determining the fundamental characteristics that define a face as "feminine" or "masculine" has long fascinated anatomists and plastic surgeons, particularly those involved in aesthetic and gender-affirming surgery. Previous studies in this area have relied on manual measurements, comparative anatomy, and heuristic landmark-based feature extraction. In this study, we collected retrospectively at Cedars Sinai Medical Center (CSMC) a dataset of 98 skull samples, which is the first dataset of this kind of 3D medical imaging. We then evaluated the accuracy of multiple deep learning neural network architectures on sex classification with this dataset. Specifically, we evaluated methods representing three different 3D data modeling approaches: Resnet3D, PointNet++, and MeshNet. Despite the limited number of imaging samples, our testing results show that all three approaches achieve AUC scores above 0.9 after convergence. PointNet++ exhibits the highest accuracy, while MeshNet has the lowest. Our findings suggest that accuracy is not solely dependent on the sparsity of data representation but also on the architecture design, with MeshNet's lower accuracy likely due to the lack of a hierarchical structure for progressive data abstraction. Furthermore, we studied a problem related to sex determination, which is the analysis of the various morphological features that affect sex classification. We proposed and developed a new method based on morphological gradients to visualize features that influence model decision making. The method based on morphological gradients is an alternative to the standard saliency map, and the new method provides better visualization of feature importance. Our study is the first to develop and evaluate deep learning models for analyzing 3D facial skull images to identify imaging feature differences between individuals assigned male or female at birth. These findings may be useful for planning and evaluating craniofacial surgery, particularly gender-affirming procedures, such as facial feminization surgery.

Contralateral facial artery myomucosal island flap for the reconstruction of T2-T3 oncologic oral defects.

Objectives: To avoid the oncologic risks of ipsilateral regional flaps, this study aimed to explore the feasibility and clinical outcomes of the contralateral-based facial artery myomucosal island flap (C-FAMMIF) for oral T2-T3 oncologic defects reconstruction. Methods: A study of flap anatomy was conducted on 7 cadaver samples and a cohort of 24 patients who received C-FAMMIF reconstruction after malignancy resection were retrospectively researched. A balanced anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) group of 47 patients was extracted as control group using propensity score matching method. Progression-free survival (PFS), functional outcomes, and donor site complications were assessed. Results: Consistent blood supply and drainage through facial artery and vein with median maximum pedicle length of 106 mm supported contralateral reconstruction. The superficial vein drainage pattern indicated safer flap harvest at contralateral neck under circumstances of ipsilateral neck dissections. The pedicle and marginal facial nerve formed three anatomical patterns. The surgical management of each was described. Patients with ipsilateral pN+ neck accounted for 41.7% and 40.4% in the C-FAMMIF and ALT group, respectively. The 2-year PFS rate between the C-FAMMIF and ALT groups was not significantly different (88.2% in C-FAMMIF group and 84.6% in ALT group, respectively, p = 0.6358). Promising recoveries were observed for swallowing function and tactile sensation. The donor sites healed upon primary closure without trismus or permanent facial palsy. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that C-FAMMIF is feasible and safe for T2-T3 oral oncologic defect reconstruction in patients with ipsilateral cN+ neck.

Fat management in upper blepharoplasty: Addition or subtraction blepharoplasties, how and when.

BACKGROUND: As one of the most common aesthetic surgical procedures carried out today, blepharoplasty should be in the repertoire of every plastic surgeon. The term blepharoplasty encompasses a wide range of techniques and options that must be tailored to the specific defect and patient one has to treat. A sound knowledge of the upper and lower eyelids' anatomy is essential for proper surgical execution. Trends have shifted towards more conservative methods (especially of the fat compartment) and sometimes in combination with augmentation techniques, helping to reach a rejuvenated appearance. AIM: To present an overview of the surgical techniques considered for upper lid blepharoplasty and fat pad management, in addition to information on how a surgeon may approach the best treatment for his patient based on current publications in literature. METHODS: We searched the literature published between 2013, to 2023 using Medline and Reference Citation Analysis. The database was searched using the keywords "upper blepharoplasty" AND "fat". Papers without full text/abstracts and reviews were excluded. The search strategy followed the PRISMA. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons guidelines for Therapeutic Studies checklist was used to assess all articles. Two authors individually reviewed each article and rated them for importance and relevance to the topic. A consensus was sought and the most relevant studies. RESULTS: After the application of the selection criteria used in our review, 13 publications were found to address upper lid blepharoplasty specifically. Three of these studies were reviews and three were retrospective studies. Five publications were comparative studies and a further two were clinical trials. CONCLUSION: The tendency of modern surgery is to be conservative, by removing adipose tissue only if strictly necessary and restoring the volume of the upper eyelid in a concept of beauty that espouses a "full" sight. There is no gold standard technique to achieve younger and enhanced eyelids. Long-term prospective comparative studies are fundamental in understanding which path is the best to follow.

Artificial Intelligence in Postoperative Care: Assessing Large Language Models for Patient Recommendations in Plastic Surgery.

Since their release, the medical community has been actively exploring large language models' (LLMs) capabilities, which show promise in providing accurate medical knowledge. One potential application is as a patient resource. This study analyzes and compares the ability of the currently available LLMs, ChatGPT-3.5, GPT-4, and Gemini, to provide postoperative care recommendations to plastic surgery patients. We presented each model with 32 questions addressing common patient concerns after surgical cosmetic procedures and evaluated the medical accuracy, readability, understandability, and actionability of the models' responses. The three LLMs provided equally accurate information, with GPT-3.5 averaging the highest on the Likert scale (LS) (4.18 ± 0.93) (p = 0.849), while Gemini provided significantly more readable (p = 0.001) and understandable responses (p = 0.014; p = 0.001). There was no difference in the actionability of the models' responses (p = 0.830). Although LLMs have shown their potential as adjunctive tools in postoperative patient care, further refinement and research are imperative to enable their evolution into comprehensive standalone resources.

Exploring the Role of Caregivers in Day Surgery for Patients Undergoing Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Comprehensive Patient and Caregiver Survey Approach.

This study investigates the interplay between plastic and reconstructive surgery patients and their respective caregivers in the Day Surgery Unit of Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy. Utilizing a dual survey approach, we explored the role in patient safety and the challenges faced by caregivers during the perioperative period. This study, conducted at Policlinico Umberto I, covers all surgical procedures from October to December 2023, encompassing skin cancer removal, fat grafting, scar revisions, hand surgeries, and eyelid surgeries. Patient demographics reflect varying age distributions: 18-39 (4.9%), 40-59 (31.7%), 60-75 (34.1%), and over 76 years (29.3%).

Practice Trends in Plastic Hand Surgery: An Evaluation of Cases in the TOPS Database.

Background: Previous studies have sought to outline the clinical practice of hand surgeons with plastic surgery training backgrounds. Still, minimal data exist characterizing the scope of hand surgery among plastic surgeons, regardless of the subspecialty fellowship training. Methods: All hand procedures logged in the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS) database from 2002 to 2016 were identified by the Common Procedural Technology (CPT) code and/or "upper extremity" anatomic classification. Trends in the total number and types of procedures, facility type, admission type, modes and providers of anesthesia, and patient demographics were reviewed. Results: A total of 182,137 hand procedures performed on 82,811 patients during the 15-year period were reviewed. Sixty-eight percent of procedures involved soft tissue only, and 22.7% involved only bone and/or joint. The most common procedure categories included the following: wound closure/coverage (15.8%), debridement/drainage (15.3%), nerve (13.2%), tendon (12.9%), and fracture/dislocation (12.9%). Ambulatory and office-based procedures increased over time, along with the use of local anesthetic, as well as a transition from the procedural surgeon providing anesthesia to the use of anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. In addition, hand procedures have remained a considerable proportion of all logged procedures but have seen a steady decline since 2014. Conclusion: Plastic surgeons play an important role in the field of hand surgery, performing a wide variety of procedure types, which has remained stable over time. The trends in facility type and anesthesia characteristics have, however, varied.