Plastic Surgery Service Research Articles

Surgical Capacity Assessment and Leverage in the Palestinian Land (SCALPEL-I) Study: The First Nationwide Plastic Surgery Capacity Evaluation in Palestine.

Access to surgical care in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in war-torn areas such as the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), is a global health priority. The plastic surgical capacity in the oPt has not been evaluated. This study provides the first systematic evaluation of plastic surgical capacity in the oPt. A cross-sectional study conducted between December 2022 and February 2023 included facilities providing plastic surgery services in the oPt, except private centers run by nonsurgeons. A modified PIPES (personnel, infrastructure, procedures, equipment, and supplies) tool was used. Data were analyzed for geographic and private/public disparities. Eleven facilities were included; 6 (54.5%) were in the West Bank and 5 (45.5%) in Gaza. The majority were private hospitals (n = 6, 54.5%). The mean PIPES score was personnel = 4.3 (4.03), infrastructure = 18.4 (2.4), procedures = 9.8 (3.8), equipment = 19.2 (3.6), and supplies = 22.4 (1.9). Hospital beds, operating rooms, and plastic surgeons per 100,000 people were 33.5, 1.0, and 0.5, respectively. There were 8 board-certified plastic surgeons. No facilities had a plastic surgery residency program. Key deficiencies included: 8 facilities (72.2%) not performing microsurgical free tissue transfers (none in Gaza), 5 (45.5%) lacking a system to identify complications, and 7 (63.3%) not offering regular educational courses. Average power supply was 8.0 hours/day in Gaza and 24.0 hours/day in the West Bank. Plastic surgical capacity in the oPt shows significant deficiencies, especially in Gaza. These findings should inform stakeholders to address disparities, develop training programs, and improve access to safe plastic surgery.

Soft Tissue Reconstruction of Upper Limb Injuries in Southwestern Nigeria: Methods and Outcome

Abstract Introduction: Upper limb injuries requiring soft tissue coverage are common in our environment. These reconstructions provide protection for vital structures and enable tendon gliding. Despite the frequency of these, there is a lack of data on the scope of soft tissue reconstruction and outcomes in our subregion. Objectives: To demonstrate the scope and outcome of soft tissue reconstruction of upper limb injuries, we conducted a study at a major plastic surgery service in Southwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional analytic approach, focusing on all patients with upper limb injuries requiring soft tissue reconstruction between April 2022 and March 2023. Results: During the study period, a total of 49 patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction for upper limb injuries, with a mean age of 36.4 ± 11.3 years. The majority were male (n = 40, 81.6%). The methods of reconstruction included flaps (51%, n = 25) of cases, direct closure (36.7%, n = 18), and skin grafting (12.3%, n = 6). Among flap options, local flaps were utilized in 48% (n = 12), regional flaps in 32% (n = 8), and distant flaps in 20% (n = 5). The median time from injury to surgery, surgery to discharge, and length of hospital stay are 6 days, 6 days, and 13 days, respectively. Patients undergoing local flaps had a shorter injury-to-surgery time compared to those receiving regional and distant flaps (P = 0.026). Patients undergoing skin grafting, regional flaps, and distant flaps experienced longer hospital stays compared to those with direct closure and local flaps (P = 0.000). The in-patient complication rate was 14.3%. Conclusions: The methods of soft tissue reconstruction for upper limb injuries in our institution include flaps, skin grafting, and direct closure.

The incidence and prevalence of chronic wounds from a major plastic surgery service from a metropolitan city in south western Nigeria: A sixteen-year retrospective review

IntroductionChronic wound presents a burden to the patient due to the effect on their quality of life and cost of care. The exact prevalence is difficult to assess due to insufficient data, different study designs, and deferent study definitions of chronic wounds. There is limited data on the prevalence and the burden of chronic wound in our subregion. This study was therefore carried out to establish the burden of chronic wound in order to document a baseline data for monitoring progress, as well as provide information for advocacy on equitable distribution of resources for wound care. MethodThis was a retrospective review between January 2007 and December 2022. Data was analysed using SPSS. ResultA total of 866 patients with new chronic wounds were seen at an average of 54 cases per year. An average of 330 old and new chronic wounds are seen yearly. Chronic ulcers are developing at a rate of 1.2/1000 population, and the prevalence of chronic ulcer is 3.3/1000 population. Most patients were males (57.2 %), with a mean age of 41.7years ± 20.6. Post traumatic wound is the leading aetiology. Age correlates positively with aetiology, p=<0.001. Sickle cell and venous wounds are predominantly on the legs, p=<0.001. There is a correlation between increasing age and occurrence of chronic wound in the leg, p=<0.001. ConclusionPost traumatic wound is the leading cause of chronic wound in our subregion. There is a need to improve care of acute wounds to reduce the burden of chronic wounds.

Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Deep Second Degree Burn Patients Treated with Platelet Lysate

The wound healing process in burn victims is still a problem today despite the advances made in the management of these patients with the different resuscitation regimens, the advent of antibiotic therapy as well as the different local treatments used. The local application of a high concentration of growth factor through the use of halogenic platelet concentrates lyzed by freezing- thawing has been done in the past with the aim of accelerating the healing process of the various wounds. The aim of this work is to describe Clinical and epidemiological profile of deep second degree burn patients treated with platelet lysate. A longitudinal and prospective study was carried out in 30 adult patients with deep second-degree burns with boiling water with a burned body surface area ≤ 5%, treated locally with allogeneic platelet lysate in the Burn centre and Plastic Surgery Service of the General Hospital “Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso” in Santiago de Cuba, during the period of February 2015 to February 2016.A total of 30 adult patients have been studied. The mean age was 33.93. Female sex predominated with a male/female ratio of 1/2. The most frequent location of burns was in the lower limbs accounting for 36.6% of patients, followed by the upper limbs and anterior trunk at 26.7% in both cases. For the study group, the epitelization time was less than 21 days and in the majority of cases (66.7%) this time was 7-13 days. Non-relevant side effects were observed in 80% of patients and included pruritus (50%), perilesional erythema (8.3%) and pain in 29.2% of patients. Apart from these side effects, no complications have been observed in our patients. The promising results reported in this study and in the literature warn that platelet lysate may become a potential therapeutic candidate for deep second- degree burns from boiling water.

A feasibility model for restructuring the role of the hand surgeon taking call at a level I trauma center

BackgroundThe discrepancy between the volume of hand-related consults and the concurrent lack of specialized hand surgeons available continues to strain an overburdened system. Recent attention has focused on the redistribution of this workload towards management in the outpatient realm. MethodsThis is a retrospective review of hand consults for the plastic surgery service over summer and winter intervals at a Level I trauma center. Consults were triaged with non-plastic surgery residents managing consults through remote direction of a plastic surgery resident. Demographic, clinical and outcomes data were analyzed to make inferences regarding care. ResultsThere were 116 hand consults of which 94.8 ​% were managed acutely by non-plastic surgery clinicians. Lacerations and fractures were more common in the summer, while infections and dislocations were more common in the wintertime (p value ​= ​0.0029). The three most common procedures were reduction and splinting (41.4 ​%), suturing (28.4 ​%), and incision and drainage (6.0 ​%). 12.1 ​% were admitted for management of the hand-related issue. Average time to the OR was shortest for infections or compartment syndrome as compared to that for other acquired concerns (1.0 days versus 11.6 days, p ​= ​0.0027). There were two complications (1.7 ​%) involving an unplanned return to the OR, but neither resulted from a delay in treatment. ConclusionsWe propose a model of offloading the majority of hand consults through coverage by trainees with trauma experience knowledgeable in the basics of hand exams and general procedures. This model was safe and effective across a wide range of hand-related complaints.

Lower extremity degloving soft tissue injuries: Patterns, treatment, and short-term Outcome in Sudan: A Sub-Saharan African setting

BackgroundDegloving soft tissue injury is among the most devastating trauma types, especially when involving the lower extremities. This study aims to identify degloving soft tissue injury (DSTI) Patterns, Treatment, and Short-term Outcomes. MethodsThis is a prospective, cross-sectional, hospital-based study of patients with DSTIs over six months. ResultsFifty-six patients with lower extremity DSTIs were included. The mean age of the patients was. 29.2 years.Males were predominant (71.4 %). The common site for DSTIs is the dorsum of the foot. Fourteen patients with degloving injury to the foot dorsum had open fractures with type 3 A Gustilo classification. Participants with MESS 1 did not have underlying fractures. Patients with higher MESS scores experienced a more severe form of injury. Most of the patients presented late to plastic surgery services. Definitive management offered to the patients includes secondary intention, direct closure, SSG, and loco-regional flap. The loco-regional flaps used were random fascia-cutaneous, sural, saphenous, Lateral gastrocnemius, and medial gastrocnemius. Thirty-nine of the participants had no complications following management. The complications encountered include Surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, and partial graft or flap loss. These complications were managed by local wound care and a local flap. More extended hospital stay was observed in patients with low revised trauma scores. ConclusionLower extremity DSTIs are common injuries in Sudan, and it is management is challenging. DSTIs with underlying fractures are the most common pattern of injury, with the dorsum of the foot being the most commonly affected part. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for management.

Publications in Plastic Surgery and Reconstruction: A Review from a Developing Country, Sudan.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery services need to be improved in developing African countries. Research and article publications from those countries are limited. This review was conducted to identify published articles from Sudan in the area of plastic and reconstructive surgery. This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines were used for the preparation of this systematic review. A comprehensive systematic search was performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases. Articles published in Sudan, specifically in the area of plastic and reconstructive surgery, and written in English were included in this review. The total number of articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria was 23. The articles were written from 1969 to 2023. Only two articles were published in the 20th century. The most common study type was a retrospective study of eight articles, and the most common study area was Khartoum Teaching Hospital. Regarding the publishing journals, the number of subscription journals was six (30%), whereas open access was 17 (70%). This review demonstrates the lack of articles published on plastic surgery in Sudan. Further investigation is needed to determine the challenges and problems associated with possible clarifications.

Side Effects and Adverse Events After Treatment With Teprotumumab for Thyroid Eye Disease: A Retrospective Observational Case Series.

As the use of teprotumumab for thyroid eye disease (TED) becomes more prolific, there remains a scarcity of literature regarding the associated side effects and adverse events of teprotumumab use. The authors present a single-center retrospective, observational case review of TED patients who received at least a single dose of teprotumumab infusion at the oculofacial plastic surgery service between February 2020 and July 2023. The most predominant recollected side effects were fatigue, brittle nails, dry eye symptoms, hair loss, muscle spasms, and dry mouth. Significant adverse events were limited to two cases of a blood clot and a single case of pulmonary embolism. This is the first retrospective study of patient-reported side effects and adverse events experienced by a cohort of teprotumumab users.

An Interdisciplinary, Comprehensive Recovery Pathway Improves Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction Delivery.

Free-flap (autologous) breast reconstruction demonstrates superiority over alloplastic approaches but is offered infrequently. Enhanced recovery protocols can address postoperative challenges, but most literature is limited to inpatient interventions and outcomes. This study describes an adoptable, longitudinally comprehensive and multidisciplinary recovery pathway for autologous reconstruction which adds to the current guidelines. The authors aimed to allow perioperative outcomes comparable to alloplastic reconstructions. All autologous Comprehensive Recovery Pathway (CRP) subjects from a single surgeon were retrospectively included. A comparator group of equal size was randomly selected from institutional subpectoral and dual-plane tissue expander patients having Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guideline-directed care. All subjects in both cohorts received preoperative paravertebral regional blocks. Operative detail, inpatient recovery, longitudinal morphine equivalents (MEs) required, and complications were compared. Each cohort included 71 cases (99 breasts). Despite longer operations, intraoperative MEs were fewer in autologous cases ( P = 0.02). Morphine equivalents during inpatient stay were similar between cohorts, with both being discharged on median day 2. Multivariate regression demonstrated a 0.8-day increased stay for autologous subjects with additional contribution from bilateral cases, body mass index, and age ( P < 0.05). Autologous subjects were regularly discharged postoperative day 1 (17%) and postoperative day 2 (39%), with trend toward earlier discharge ( P < 0.01). Outpatient MEs were significantly fewer in autologous subjects, corresponding to a 30- to 150-mg oxycodone difference ( P < 0.01). Major complication occurred in 12.7% of autologous and 22.5% of alloplastic subjects ( P = 0.11). Flap loss occurred in 1 autologous subject versus 11 alloplastic failures ( P < 0.01). This study details partnership between the plastic surgery service, regional and acute pain anesthesia services, and dedicated nursing with longitudinal optimizations allowing perioperative outcomes improved over current literature. Patients in the CRP used fewer opioids from operation through follow-up with comparable length of stay and significantly fewer reconstructive failures than alloplastic subjects. The pathway may be quickly adopted into academic practice patterns and mitigates traditional barriers, allowing extension of autologous reconstruction offerings.

Paraspinous Muscle Flaps in Complex Pediatric Spine Surgeries: A 12-Year Single Institution Experience.

The benefits of paraspinous flaps in adult complex spine surgery patients are established in the literature; however, their use in pediatric patients has not been well described. This study compares clinical outcomes with and without paraspinous muscle flap closure in pediatric patients who have undergone spine surgery. We conducted a retrospective review of all pediatric spine surgeries at the University of California, San Francisco from 2011 to 2022. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts based on whether the plastic surgery service closed or did not close the wound with paraspinous muscle flaps. We matched patients by age, American Society of Anesthesiology classification, prior spinal surgical history, and diagnosis. Surgical outcomes were compared between the 2 cohorts. We identified 226 pediatric patients who underwent at least one spinal surgery, 14 of whom received paraspinous flap closure by plastic surgery. They were matched in a 1:4 ratio with controls (n = 56) that did not have plastic surgery closure. The most common indication for plastic surgery involvement was perceived complexity of disease by the spine surgeon with concern for inadequate healthy tissue coverage (78.6%), followed by infection (21.4%). Postoperative complications were similar between the two groups. The plastic surgery cohort had a higher rate of patients who were underweight (57.1% vs 14.3%, P < 0.01) and had positive preoperative wound cultures (28.6% vs 8.9%, P = 0.05), as well as a higher rate of postoperative antibiotic usage (78.6 vs 17.9%, P < 0.01). There was no difference in recorded postoperative outcomes. Spine surgeons requested paraspinous flap closure for patients with more complex disease, preoperative infections, history of chemotherapy, or if they were underweight. Patients with paraspinous flap coverage did not have increased postoperative complications despite their elevated risk profile. Our findings suggest that paraspinous muscle flaps should be considered in high-risk pediatric patients who undergo spine surgery.

Relationship between quality of life, emotional symptomology and perceived emotional intelligence in a sample of burn victims

The main objective of this study is to analyse the association between Quality of Life (QOL), Emotional Symptomology and perceived Emotional Intelligence (EI) in burn patients. Additionally, it is intended determine the predictor models of QOL, and confirm the mediating effect of emotional symptomology between QOL and perceived EI. This is a transversal study developed in the Hospital da Prelada, Porto, Portugal, with a sample of 92 patients that were hospitalized in the Burn Unit and the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Service. The assessment protocol consisted of a sociodemographic and clinical data sheet. To assess the perception of QOL of the burn patient it was used the Burn Specific Health Scale – Revised (BSHS-R), the emotional symptomology was measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and Trait Met-Mood Scale-24 (TMMS) was used to assess Emotional Intelligence (EI). The cross-sectional and correctional data were analysed through descriptive statistics, correlations, regressions and simple mediations. The results obtained suggest significant associations between QOL, perceived EI and Emotional Symptomology in burn patients. The results of the predictor models of the QOL domains encompass the Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI of Emotional Symptomology), where the total variance is explained mainly by the models of QOL Affect and Body Image 46% and Treatment 31%. The mediating effect of the PSDI in the relationship between QOL in the Affect and Body Image dimension and the Mood Repairs (MR) was also tested, having proved to have a total mediation (the Mood Repairs loses its contribution in the QOL model when the PSDI variable is introduced). This study underscores the importance of perceived Emotional Intelligence and its association with the burn impact in the different dimensions of QOL of the patients. The intention of this study is to alert health professionals for patient support in the search for strategies that aim for positive adaptation which promotes QOL and emotional adjustment of burn patients to their new condition.

Management of congenital blepharoptosis in pediatric patients

IntroductionPalpebral ptosis corresponds to the lowered positioning of the upper eyelid margin (MRD1) in primary gaze. The objective of this work is to present the response to surgical treatment of palpebral ptosis operated in the last 3 years. MethodsThis was a retrospective study that included pediatric patients less than 15 years old operated for palpebral ptosis at the Pediatric Plastic Surgery Service from 2021 to 2023. We report 13 cases of operated blepharoptosis in 19 eyelids. The variables were MRD1 level in primary gaze pre and postoperative, levator muscle function, cause, associated syndrome, unilateral or bilateral, age, type of surgery (frontal sling vs. levator resection), and complications. Excellent response was defined when symmetric MRD1 was achieved, good response in 1 MRD asymmetry, and poor response in 2 or more MRD1 asymmetry. Results7 cases were myogenic, 2 mechanical, 1 neuropathic, and 3 blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome. The ages at surgery for severe ptosis were 3 months, 6 months and 2 years and the average age for moderate ptosis was 7 years (range 6 months to 15 years). Three patients were resolved with levator muscle advancement and resection and three with frontal sling. In the case of mechanical ptosis, plasty of the scar and resection of the mass was performed with resolution of the ptosis. Ten patients had an excellent response and 3 had good response. One lagophthalmos, hematoma, partial relapse and two entropions were presented as complications. ConclusionBlepharoptosis is a condition that must be managed in a multidisciplinary way to achieve symmetry in the gaze and reduce related complications. We have observed a good response with the levator muscle resection and frontal sling techniques. Leve of evidence4

Patients' tendency to recommend plastic surgery clinic shaped by appearance consciousness.

Plastic surgery services need adjustment from a patient experience perspective. However, its association with outcome quality was rarely studied. Postoperative appearance can play the role in predicting the clinic recommendations likelihood. This study is aimed to analyse recommendation likelihood (LRC) to the clinic, incorporating postoperative patient consciousness of appearance (PCA) as a mediator. Postoperative patient from two plastic surgery clinics in Jakarta, the Capital of Indonesia. Quantitative study with postoperative patient self-reported survey and cross-sectional data from 97 respondents were taken purposively. Respondent data were analysed through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Five elements of patient experience had positive association with LRC (p < 0.05) mediated by PCA, while PCA demonstrated a large effect on LRC (β: 0.403; p = 0.004; confidence interval [CI] = 0.173-0.671). Thus, PCA can mediate the relationship of patient experience to encourage clinic recommendations. Furthermore, healthcare by plastic surgeons showed predominant relationships followed by staff service and accessibility, suggesting those should be of utmost concern to plastic surgery patients. Patient experience elements have positive association with LRC mediated by PCA. Therefore, the importance of PCA as a quality outcome must be considered in quality care delivery at plastic surgery clinics. Clinic management should prioritise optimising factors contributing to PCA. This study showed evidence that postoperative consciousness of appearance as outcome quality occurred as a mediator in patient experience relationship towards behavioural intention.

Epidemiological Profile of Victim Patients of Facial Canine and Human Bites in a Public Hospital.

Bites are among the most common types of trauma to which humans are exposed. The possibility of disfiguring lesions and the transmission of infectious diseases with high morbidity make this trauma a public health problem. This was a retrospective, descriptive study that analyzed the medical records of patients treated at the Emergency Unit of the Plastic Surgery Service of the Asa Norte Regional Hospital from March 2019 to March 2020. The variables analyzed included age, sex, origin, time interval from aggression to hospital care, aggressor agent, wound site, lesion characteristics, and treatment. A total of 103 patients with a mean age of 25 years were evaluated. Most patients were male (57.3%), and 73.8% were from the Federal District. The most common type of treatment was direct suturing in 77.7% of cases, followed by local flaps (15.5%) or grafts (4.9%). There were no deaths or infections reported. The predominant profile of a facial bite victim is a young male adult living in the Federal District, bitten by a canine and treated with direct sutures. Adequate treatment for animal bites should include prevention of infection, such as rabies and tetanus, as well as primary wound closure for achieving a better prognosis and satisfactory esthetics for the patient.

The Value of Plastic Surgery Closure in Adults Undergoing Scoliosis Surgery

Introduction: Surgical treatment for scoliosis can be done for functional and esthetic concerns. Surgical intervention may be associated with a complication rate of up to 40% in patients with non-idiopathic scoliosis, and 3% in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. In the present study, the authors sought to evaluate patients undergoing surgery for scoliosis with closure by the plastic and reconstructive surgery service. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed by extracting data, including demographics, surgical characteristics, and outcomes, from the electronic medical records of a single, large, tertiary care hospital and from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Data was collected for patients aged 18 to 75 undergoing spinal surgery for scoliosis from 2012 to 2020. Data collected from institutional records included only patients whose incision was closed by plastic and reconstructive surgery, while data from NSQIP was collected from all scoliosis surgery patients regardless of closure type. Results: A total of 98 scoliosis patients were identified who underwent closure by the plastic and reconstructive surgery service. These were compared to 1390 scoliosis patients in NSQIP for whom no specific closure details were noted. At 30-day post-operatively, readmission rates were 2.04% and 7.34% for the institutional and NSQIP cohorts, respectively ( P = 0.041), reoperation rates were 1.04% and 5.83% for the institutional and NSQIP cohorts, respectively ( P = 0.0384), and overall complication rates were 2.04% and 12.52% for the institutional and NSQIP cohorts, respectively ( P = 0.0005). Conclusion: Surgical intervention for scoliosis may benefit from closure by the plastic and reconstructive surgery service, which may yield potential lower rates of readmission, reoperation, and post-operative complication.

Managing complications following cosmetic surgery after the COVID pandemic: A study of a year at an NHS plastic surgery unit

The study was an analysis of patients managed by plastic surgery services at Heatherwood and Wexham Park hospitals during the calendar year 2022 for complications following cosmetic surgeries performed both internationally and within the United Kingdom. Patients were identified via local databases and encounters and management confirmed with retrospective studies of patient electronic medical records. 23 patients were managed during the year 2022 for complications post cosmetic surgery. 91% (n=21) of complications were related to breast cosmetic surgery and/or abdominoplasties. 78% (n=18) of patients presented within the first two months following their procedure. The most common complications identified were wound dehiscence 43% (n=10), post-operative infection 39% (n=9) and seromas 30% (n=7). The most common country selected for surgery by patients was Turkey with 48% (n=11) of managed patients. 52% (n=12) of cases were managed conservatively and 48% (n=11) of cases required invasive procedures including surgery. 87% (n=20) of patients were discharged with completed treatment. Cosmetic surgery and tourism are an in-demand phenomenon and appear here to stay. The stringent regulatory and legal processes in place in the UK may not be applicable abroad to the detriment of patient care. Greater effort is needed to increase public awareness to the risks involved in seeking international options and how to self-screen suitable clinics. Ongoing current national auditing may need to be expanded to understand the true impact on NHS units in dealing with the aftermath of these surgical expeditions.

Elective Hand Surgery and Antithrombotic Use in Veterans.

Patients undergoing plastic surgery have traditionally been instructed to avoid anticoagulants and antiplatelets during the perioperative period to avoid bleeding that could lead to painful hematomas, skin necrosis, unplanned procedures, and blood transfusions. Many veterans are currently prescribed anticoagulants for prevention of life- and limb-threatening embolic and thrombotic events. In early 2015, the plastic surgery service began to instruct patients undergoing elective hand surgery to stay on their prescription anticoagulant perioperatively. The objective of this study was to determine the postoperative bleeding complication rate, if any, over a 7.5-year period in patients who did not interrupt their prescription anticoagulants. Health records at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida, were queried for all plastic surgery cases performed from January 1, 2015, through June 30, 2022. Elective hand cases were identified based on the operation description and included carpal tunnel decompression (endo and open), cubital tunnel decompression (in situ), trigger finger release, trapeziectomy, small-joint fusion, neurectomy, elective amputations, and benign neoplasm removals. Patient history and physicals notes were reviewed for mention of a prescription anticoagulant on their medication list and for instructions to not discontinue blood thinner use. The postoperative notes were reviewed for up to 30 days to look for evidence of postoperative bleeding complications. One hundred seventy-eight patients were identified for maintaining prescription blood thinners during their elective hand surgery. There was 1 major complication (0.6%) when a patient had to return to surgery for emergent control of bleeding. This was an in situ cubital tunnel release on clopidogrel and aspirin. There were 4 minor bleeding complications (2.2%) that were treated in the clinic with compression, wound care, or expedited follow-up for reassurance. Continuing prescription anticoagulants and antiplatelets during the perioperative period for elective hand surgery is a safe practice with an acceptably low local complication rate.

Comparing outcomes following direct admission and early transfer to specialized trauma centers in open tibial fracture treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Guidelines on the management of open tibia fractures recommend timely treatment in a limb reconstruction center which offer joint orthopedic-trauma and plastic surgery services. However, patient's transfer between centers remains inevitable. This review aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and hospital factors for patients directly admitted and transferred patients to a limb-reconstruction center. A research protocol adhering to PRISMA standards was established. The search included databases like MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library up until March 2023. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria, focusing on open tibia fractures. Exclusion criteria were experimental studies, animal studies, and case reports. Outcomes of interest were operation and infection rates, nonunion, limb salvage, and the Enneking limb score. The analysis involved data from 520 patients across nine studies published between 1990 and 2023, with the majority (83.8%) having Gustilo Anderson type III open tibia fractures. Directly admitted patients showed lower overall infection rates (RR 0.30; 95% CI 0.10-0.90; P = 0.03) and fewer deep infections (RR 0.39; 95% CI 0.22-0.68; P = 0.001) compared to transferred patients. Transferred patients experienced an average five-day delay in soft tissue closure and extended hospital stays by eight days. Patients transferred without initial surgical management underwent fewer total surgical procedures. The direct admission group displayed more favorable functional outcomes. Low- to moderate-quality evidence indicates worse clinical outcomes for transferred patients compared to directly admitted patients. Early treatment in specialized limb reconstruction units is essential for improved results in the management of open tibia fractures. Therapeutic level IIa.

Neurovascular injury from supracondylar fractures in children: a 10-year experience of 762 cases.

We evaluated the management of supracondylar paediatric fractures at our institution over a 10-year period in this retrospective cohort study. In total, 762 children with a supracondylar fracture were treated. The mean age of injury was 5.2 years. The incidence of documented nerve and/or vascular injury was 8.3%. A total of 26 patients had early plastic surgeon involvement; of these, 25 had an open exploration. Eight patients required vein grafting for brachial artery reconstruction for intimal tears. There was one nerve rupture requiring repair and 12 children underwent neurolysis. There were 17 late referrals to the plastic surgery service, of which three were explored (two neurolysis, one neuroma resection and sural nerve grafting). In all cases of nerve injury, the deficit took 7.9 months to recover, indicating a more significant injury than neurapraxia. Early exploration of supracondylar fractures allows direct visualization of the extent of neurovascular injury and immediate intervention.Level of evidence: IV.

Generalizability of COBRA: A Parsimonious Perioperative Venous Thromboembolism Risk Assessment Model

IntroductionStandardized use of venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment models (RAMs) in surgical patients has been limited, in part due to the cumbersome workflow addition required to use available models. The COBRA score—capturing cancer diagnosis, (old) age, body mass index, race, and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score—has been reported as a potentially automatable VTE RAM that circumvents the cumbersome workflow addition that most RAMs represent. We aimed to test the ability of the COBRA model to effectively risk-stratify patients across various populations. MethodsPatients were included from the 2014-2019 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Participant Use Data File for two hospitals, representing colorectal, endocrine, breast, transplant, plastic, and general surgery services. COBRA score was calculated for each patient using preoperative characteristics. We calculated negative predictive value (NPV) for VTE outcomes and compared the COBRA score to NSQIP's expected VTE rate for all patients, between the two hospitals, and between subspecialty service lines. ResultsOf the 10,711 patients included, those with COBRA <4 (31%) had projected median VTE rate of 0.21% (interquartile range, 0.09-0.68%; mean, 0.54%). Patients with higher scores (69%) had median rate of 0.88% (0.26-2.07%; 1.46%); relative rate 2.7. The median projected VTE rates for patients identified as low risk were 0.21% and 0.16% and as high risk were 0.87% and 0.89% at hospitals one and 2, respectively. The median projected VTE rates for patients identified as low risk were 0.17%, 0.61%, and 0.08% and as high risk were 0.52%, 1.43%, and 0.18% among general, colorectal, and endocrine surgery patients, respectively. COBRA had NPV of 0.995 and sensitivity of 0.871 as compared to NPV 0.997 and sensitivity 0.857 of the NSQIP model. ConclusionsThe COBRA score is concordant with the traditional gold standard NSQIP VTE RAM and demonstrates interhospital and service-specific generalizability, although performance was limited in especially low-risk patients. The model adequately risk-stratifies surgical patients preoperatively, potentially providing clinical decision support for perioperative workflows.