Surgical Care of People Experiencing Homelessness: A Canadian Hospital System Retrospective Review.

Introduction: Surgical care for people experiencing homelessness is not well described in a universal healthcare context. This study describes in-hospital surgical encounters and procedures for people experiencing homelessness with Canadian data.

Methods: This retrospective chart review covers a 1-y period (January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019) at two tertiary care hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Comparison of hypofractionation and conventional fractionation in postmastectomy radiotherapy after immediate breast reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of complications.

Background: The optimal radiotherapy regimen following mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction remains under active investigation. In particular, the safety of moderate hypofractionation (HF) compared to conventional fractionation (CF) for postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) has not been clearly established. Given the growing adoption of HF in breast cancer treatment, a thorough synthesis comparing complication outcomes is essential to guide clinical practice.

Repeat lumpectomy and external beam radiation therapy for ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence: a systematic review.

Introduction: Salvage mastectomy is the standard of care for breast cancer patients with ipsilateral breast recurrence (IBR). This systematic review aims to evaluate effectiveness and safety of external beam RT (EBRT) as an accessible modality for repeat BCT.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from database inception until September 22, 2024.

Chronic radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: pathophysiology, prevention and management strategies, and clinical impact.

Radiation therapy (RT) is a common component of breast cancer treatment. Chronic radiation dermatitis (CRD), defined as occurring after or extending beyond 90 days following the completion of RT, can be progressive and irreversible and manifest as changes in skin pigmentation, fibrosis, telangiectasia, ulceration, necrosis, and contribute to the development of cutaneous malignancy. There is limited existing research on the incidence, management approaches, and prevention strategies for CRD.

A Systematic Review of the Reporting Quality of Qualitative Research in Breast Plastic Surgery.

Qualitative research incorporates patients' voices into scientific literature. To date, there has been no formal review of qualitative research in plastic surgery. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the reporting quality of "breast specific" plastic surgery qualitative research.

Patient Perspectives of "Failure" in Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Literature: Points de vue des patients sur les «échecs» de la reconstruction mammaire: Revue systématique des publications sur l'aspect qualitatif.

The concept of in breast reconstruction can occur when negative outcomes dominate the patient experience. The primary objective of this review was to identify experiences of in breast reconstruction from the patient's perspective in the qualitative literature. MEDLINE, Embase, Psychinfo, Emcare, and CINAHL were searched on July 31, 2023 using terms related to breast reconstruction and qualitative research.

Understanding Stakeholder Priorities in Dupuytren Disease: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Currently, there is no recommended standard set of outcomes to report in Dupuytren disease treatment studies, nor are there guidelines on how the outcomes themselves should be reported. This study aimed to elicit the most salient issues for patients living with and undergoing treatment for Dupuytren disease, as well as for the hand surgeons, occupational therapists, and physical therapists caring for these patients.

Methods: A qualitative, interpretive description study employing one-on-one semi-structured interviews was conducted.

Bridging the care gap: radiation therapy in elderly and frail cancer patients.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to address the gap in radiation therapy (RT) care for elderly cancer patients. It will discuss the barriers to implementing effective RT in elderly and frail patients with a focus on breast cancer and metastatic settings.

Recent Findings: Recent studies indicate that SBRT provides better pain control for bone metastases compared to cEBRT, but elderly patients are underrepresented in these trials.

Comparing the EORTC QLQ-LC13, EORTC QLQ-LC29, and the FACT-L for assessment of quality of life in patients with lung cancer - an updated systematic review.

Purpose Of Review: Two commonly used quality of life (QoL) questionnaires in lung cancer patients are the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Lung Cancer 13 (QLQ-LC13) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L). More recently, the EORTC QLQ-LC29 was developed. This systematic review compares the EORTC QLQ-LC29, EORTC QLQ-LC13 and FACT-L in terms of the content, validity and psychometric properties in assessing the QoL of lung cancer patients.

The EORTC QLQ breast modules and the FACT-B for assessing quality of life in breast cancer patients - an updated literature review.

Purpose Of Review: Two commonly used quality of life questionnaires in breast cancer are EORTC QLQ-BR23, the FACT-B, and the extended FACT-B + 4. More recently, the EORTC EORTC QLQ-BR42 was developed. This systematic review compares the various versions of the EORTC QLQ and FACT tools for breast cancer in terms of their content, validity, and psychometric properties.

Drains in Breast Reduction: How Good Is the Recommendation Not to Use Them?

A clinical practice guideline (CPG) from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommended not to use drains in breast reduction. This CPG was based on 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The objective of this review was to double-check the methodological quality of the 3 RCTs.

Estimating the Minimal Clinically Important Difference on the Visual Analogue Scale for Carpometacarpal Thumb Joint Osteoarthritis.

Background: The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is the smallest perceived treatment effect that patients deem clinically significant. There is currently no agreement on an appropriate MCID for the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) in the context of thumb osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: We approximated MCIDs using a distribution-based approach that pooled standard deviations (SDs) associated with baseline mean values of the pain VAS (0-100 mm).

A scoping review of surgical care for people experiencing homelessness: prevalence, access, and disparities.

Background: Numerous studies have highlighted the inequitable access to medical and psychiatric care that people experiencing homelessness (PEH) face, yet the surgical needs of this population are not well understood. We sought to assess evidence describing surgical care for PEH and to perform a thematic analysis of the results.

Methods: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using the terms "surgery" AND "homelessness.

A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research in Hand Surgery.

No formal review of qualitative research in hand surgery has been previously performed. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the reporting quality of hand surgery qualitative research with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR), a 21-item checklist. The secondary objectives were to describe qualitative research in hand surgery by domain, determine differences in reporting quality based on use of a reporting guideline, publication of SRQR and journal of publication, and to identify important outcomes in hand surgery conditions.

The appropriateness and quality of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in plastic surgery randomized controlled trials: A systematic review.

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) quantify patient perspectives to measure outcomes that matter to patients. The aim of this study was to assess the reporting of appropriateness and quality of PROM selection in plastic surgery randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched from January 1, 2000, to June 5, 2022, to identify published RCTs within the plastic surgery literature.