Venous thromboembolism after ventral hernia repair with transversus abdominis release.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) events, such as pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT), are a significant source of morbidity and mortality after major abdominal wall reconstruction. We aim to describe the incidence of VTE events in patients undergoing ventral hernia repair (VHR) with transversus abdominis release (TAR) at our institution.

Methods: The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative registry was queried for patients, 18 years and older, who underwent VHR with TAR at our institution between August 2014 and December 2023.

Extended Reality Technologies for Visualization in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

BackgroundDeep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction is the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction but is complex due to variable vascular anatomy. Traditional imaging modalities like computed tomography angiography (CTA) provide two-dimensional visualization, which can limit spatial understanding. Extended reality (XR) technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) offer immersive three-dimensional visualization that may enhance surgical planning and intraoperative guidance.

A 5-year Review of Characteristics and Outcomes of Trauma Surgery Patients Leaving Against Medical Advice.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to characterize the demographic, social, economic, and clinical factors of trauma surgery patients leaving against medical advice (AMA).

Methods: Data were retroactively obtained from a level-one trauma center in a medium-sized metropolitan area from January 2017 to December 2021. The sample population consisted of patients admitted or treated by the trauma surgical service.

Comparing Safety Profiles of Skin-Sparing and Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy With Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Mastectomy is performed prior to or concurrently with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. However, the complication rates of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) versus skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with DIEP are not well-characterized.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent SSM or NSM with DIEP reconstruction between January 2019 and July 2022 at an academic institution.

Gastrointestinal complications requiring operative intervention after cardiovascular surgery: Predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Background: Risk factors for in-hospital mortality related to gastrointestinal complications requiring operative intervention after cardiovascular surgery have not been previously described.

Methods: Adult patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery followed by gastrointestinal surgery during the same admission between January 2010 and June 2023 were included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Diversity in Plastic Surgery: Evaluating Effective Initiatives and Identifying Areas for Improvement.

Women and racial and ethnic minorities have historically been underrepresented in medicine, making up a minority of all physicians and a smaller subset of plastic surgeons. Furthermore, these groups represent an even smaller fraction of plastic surgeons in research and leadership roles. Parallel to the general recognition of the importance of increasing diversity in the medical field, there has been a surge in the literature detailing current issues and highlighting potential areas for intervention within plastic surgery.

Accessibility of Neurotization in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Reconstruction: Inequities and Implications for Preauthorization.

Background:  Breast anesthesia and hypoesthesia occur commonly after mastectomy and negatively impact quality of life. Neurotization during deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) breast reconstruction offers enhanced sensory recovery. However, access to neurotization for DIEP reconstruction patients has not been evaluated.

Correction: A Review of Medical Student First-Author Publications in Plastic Surgery.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43025.

A 10-Year Retrospective Review of Playground-Associated Craniofacial Injuries in the Pediatric Patient Population.

This retrospective study utilized the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database to identify pediatric emergency department (ED) patients with playground-associated craniofacial injuries between January 2012 and December 2021. A total of 25 414 patients were identified. The majority of injuries occurred in preschool and elementary school-age children (90.

A Review of Medical Student First-Author Publications in Plastic Surgery.

The integrated plastic surgery residency match is a highly competitive process. If performed wisely, medical research is an opportunity to differentiate applications from peers, and productivity is closely evaluated by residency programs. In this study, the authors aimed to characterize medical student research productivity for integrated plastic surgery residency programs and their respective medical schools.

Lysosomal acidification dysfunction in microglia: an emerging pathogenic mechanism of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Microglia are the resident innate immune cells in the brain with a major role in orchestrating immune responses. They also provide a frontline of host defense in the central nervous system (CNS) through their active phagocytic capability. Being a professional phagocyte, microglia participate in phagocytic and autophagic clearance of cellular waste and debris as well as toxic protein aggregates, which relies on optimal lysosomal acidification and function.

Rapid restitution of contractile dysfunction by synthetic copolymers in dystrophin-deficient single live skeletal muscle fibers.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the lack of dystrophin, a cytoskeletal protein essential for the preservation of the structural integrity of the muscle cell membrane. DMD patients develop severe skeletal muscle weakness, degeneration, and early death. We tested here amphiphilic synthetic membrane stabilizers in mdx skeletal muscle fibers (flexor digitorum brevis; FDB) to determine their effectiveness in restoring contractile function in dystrophin-deficient live skeletal muscle fibers.

A Comprehensive Assessment of Cleft Lip and Palate Websites and Patient Education Information.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate online educational resources on cleft lip and palate teams.

Design: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Setting: An International, Multi-Institutional Study.