There is equipoise regarding the use of closed-incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) versus conventional dressings for abdominal incisions in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. The primary objective was to determine the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing ciNPT versus conventional dressings for abdominal incisions in DIEP flap breast reconstruction. A parallel, between-group randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted at two academic breast reconstruction centers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A key outcome in aesthetic treatments is the patient's view of how their skin looks and feels after a treatment.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to add a Treatment Outcome scale to the SKIN-Q patient-reported outcome measure.
Methods: Concept elicitation interviews were performed with patients in Canada and the United States.
Two-stage reconstruction with a tissue expander/implant (TE/I) technique remains the most common breast reconstructive approach following mastectomy. This study analyzes the post-operative complications and burden associated with 2-stage TE/I reconstruction independent of acellular dermal matrix (ADM). A retrospective chart review identified patients that underwent 2-stage, reconstruction with TE/I without ADM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrobial colonization of burn wounds leads to infection, which is a major cause of morbidity/mortality, prolonged admission, and cost. This study aims to investigate the incidence of positive burn wound colonization and its associated risk factors in a provincial referral center within a single-payer system. We performed a retrospective review of all adult (≥18 years) patients admitted to a single, tertiary burn center, with a primary burn diagnosis between January 2011 and 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg
June 2025
Background: Reoperation shortly after free flap breast reconstruction is a substantial event with impacts on patients and healthcare utilization. The objective of the study was to evaluate the factors associated with the return to the operating room in free flap breast reconstruction patients.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent postmastectomy free flap breast reconstruction from 2005 to 2020 in Ontario, Canada.
Background: The FACE-Q Aesthetics is a validated tool for assessing patient-reported outcomes related to surgical and nonsurgical facial aesthetic treatments. Recognizing patient-specific variables that may influence FACE-Q scores is essential to control for potential confounders in research.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors that predict FACE-Q Aesthetics scale scores.
Plast Surg (Oakv)
February 2025
It is unknown whether early mobilization after cubital tunnel decompression improves functional outcomes without increasing complication risks. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early mobilization compared to delayed mobilization of the elbow after ulnar nerve decompression. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing adults who received early mobilization or late mobilization were included.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlast Surg (Oakv)
February 2025
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: FACE-Q Aesthetics scales can be used to assess patient-important outcomes following both surgical and nonsurgical facial cosmetic interventions. Convergent validity is the degree to which the scores of one measurement relate to another measuring a similar construct.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish the convergent validity of 11 FACE-Q Aesthetics appearance scales vs the MERZ Aesthetics (Raleigh, NC) scales.
Hand (N Y)
December 2024
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.
Purpose: Well-designed pilot trials are essential in determining feasibility prior to initiating definitive randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and their implementation into clinical practice. The primary outcome of this study was to identify the number of pilot or feasibility studies in Plastic Surgery that progressed to a definitive RCT. Secondary outcomes included a) number of pilot studies expressing feasibility statements and outcomes and b) reporting quality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe FACE-Q Aesthetic module measures patient-important outcomes following surgical and non-surgical facial cosmetic procedures. The primary aim of this systematic review was to summarize the pre- to post-intervention mean differences of facial aesthetic interventions that evaluate outcomes using the FACE-Q Face Overall, Psychological, and Social scales. Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched on December 20, 2022 with the assistance of a health-research librarian (CRD42023404238).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBurn wound infection can progress to sepsis and is a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms are high in burn patients; these organisms can be transmitted between patients leading to poor outcomes. To characterize patient-to-patient transmission of pathogens causing burn wound colonization at a single tertiary hospital burn center in Hamilton, Canada from 2011 to 2020.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdmitted patients with burn injuries require prompt treatment and shorter hospital stays to avoid hospital-acquired infections and associated complications. This study aimed to determine the impact of time to the first surgery, and total length of hospital stay on the incidence of BWI and associated complications in adult patients with moderate burn injuries at a single tertiary hospital burn center. A retrospective chart review identified burn patients admitted to the Burn Unit between January 2011 and January 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlast Surg (Oakv)
November 2024
To recruit enough patients to achieve adequate statistical power in clinical research, investigators often rely on financial incentives. The use of these incentives, however, remains controversial as they may cause patients to overlook risks associated with research participation. This concern is amplified in the context of plastic surgery where aesthetic procedures are often more desirable and are not typically covered by public or private insurance plans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA breast cancer diagnosis may result in disabling effects which may persist after treatment. The aim of this study was to identify patient factors that are associated with increased cancer worry, fatigue, and impact on work. Women with a history of breast cancer, aged ≥18 years, and English-speaking were recruited through the Love Research Army between October and November 2019.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLimited palmar fasciectomy (LPF) and collagenase injection (CI) are the most common procedures to manage symptoms of Dupuytren's Disease. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to directly compare patient outcomes 12 months following CI and LPF. Twenty-two patients with Dupuytren's Disease were randomized to either LPF or CI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlast Surg (Oakv)
November 2024
J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg
December 2024
Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are key to investigating patient perspectives in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Standardization of PRO reporting is critical for trial generalizability and the application of findings to clinical practice. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the reporting quality of RCTs published in the top plastic surgery journals according to the consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT)-PRO extension.
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