Analyzing socioeconomic characteristics in brachial plexus birth injuries: A multicenter public health analysis.

Purpose: We aimed to examine and compare socioeconomic characteristics of infants with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) at two high-volume, distinct healthcare systems in the United States.

Methods: All patients diagnosed with non-transient BPBI presenting between November 2021-November 2023 at either institution, New York City ("NY") or Los Angeles ("LA"), were included. To stratify based on socioeconomic background, Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Child Opportunity Index (COI) were utilized.

Expanding Access to Minor Hand Surgery Procedures in Underrepresented Patient Populations: Safety and Efficacy of a Minor Procedure Clinic in an Urban Safety-Net Hospital.

Background: Minor hand surgeries are increasingly being performed in procedure rooms (PRs) rather than operating rooms (ORs). We aimed to determine the safety of PR-based hand surgeries at an urban safety-net hospital among an underserved patient population.

Methods: An institutional review board-approved retrospective review of PR-based hand surgeries from January 2022 to February 2024 was conducted.

Preoperative nutrition intervention program increases cleft surgery eligibility in the low- and middle-income country setting.

Background: Children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) are highly susceptible to malnutrition, which may restrict surgery eligibility and delay repair. Preoperative nutrition programs for children with unrepaired CL/P are an effective treatment to overcome malnutrition for safe surgical intervention in high-resource settings; however, the effectiveness of such programs has not been demonstrated in the setting of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We studied the impact of a preoperative nutrition program on improving nutritional status and achieving surgical eligibility for children with CL/P.

ChatGPT and large language models (LLMs) awareness and use. A prospective cross-sectional survey of U.S. medical students.

Generative-AI (GAI) models like ChatGPT are becoming widely discussed and utilized tools in medical education. For example, it can be used to assist with studying for exams, shown capable of passing the USMLE board exams. However, there have been concerns expressed regarding its fair and ethical use.

Custom Endoprosthesis-Assisted Pediatric Microsurgical Jaw Reconstruction.

Surgical treatment of pediatric maxillary and mandibular tumors can cause significant postresection disfigurement, mastication, and speech dysfunction. The need to restore form and function without compromising growth at the recipient and donor sites poses a particular reconstructive dilemma. This study evaluates outcomes of the custom endoprosthesis (CE) compared with noncustom reconstruction (NCR) and introduces an algorithm using CE to optimize available soft tissue reconstructive options.

A Systematic Review of Simulation in Burn Care: Education, Assessment, and Management.

Assessment and management of burns require nuanced, timely interventions in high-stake settings, creating challenges for trainees. Simulation-based education has become increasingly popular in surgical and nonsurgical subspecialties to supplement training without compromising patient safety. This study aimed to systematically review the literature on existing burn management-related simulations.

Comparison of Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Limb Salvage Reconstructive Surgery Based on Estimated Prevalence of Preexisting Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Background: Limb salvage after lower extremity (LE) trauma requires optimal blood flow for successful microsurgical reconstruction. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) decreases LE perfusion, affecting wound healing. Patients who present with LE trauma may have undiagnosed PAD, particularly those with atherosclerotic risk factors.

Impact of endocrine dysregulation on disability and non-motor symptoms in pediatric onset multiple sclerosis.

Background: Pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) commonly occurs at the time of various endocrine changes. Evaluation of the impact of endocrine status on disease severity in POMS has not been previously explored.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate if sex and stress hormones in children with POMS impact motor and non-motor diseases severity.

Outcomes of Local versus Free Flaps for Lower Extremity Trauma.

Background: Lower extremity reconstruction often requires soft tissue transfer for limb salvage. Flaps are allocated based on injury size, location, and shape coupled with surgeon expertise. Ideally, vascularized tissue should have similar outcomes across local and free tissue transfers.

Obstetrical outcomes and follow-up for patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 at delivery: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Universal testing for COVID-19 on admission to the labor and delivery unit identifies asymptomatic patients. Whether or not these patients are at increased risk for adverse outcomes and go on to develop clinically significant disease is uncertain.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 presentation among pregnant patients admitted for delivery and to determine whether these patients become symptomatic or require hospital readmission after discharge.

Clinical course of severe and critical coronavirus disease 2019 in hospitalized pregnancies: a United States cohort study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had an impact on healthcare systems around the world with 3 million people contracting the disease and 208,000 cases resulting in death as of this writing. Information regarding coronavirus infection in pregnancy is still limited.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the clinical course of severe and critical coronavirus disease 2019 in hospitalized pregnant women with positive laboratory testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.