Postoperative Management of Kirschner-Wire Fixation of All Phalangeal and Metacarpal Fractures at a Single Tertiary Care Center: A Retrospective Review.

Kirschner-wire (K-wire) fixation (KF) is the most common operative technique for hand fractures among Canadian plastic surgeons. However, postoperative rehabilitation varies widely and rely on low-quality studies and expert opinion. The study reviewed KFs of phalangeal and metacarpal fractures at a single academic center to quantify practice variation and patient outcomes.

Closed-Incision Negative Pressure Therapy Compared to Conventional Dressing Following Autologous Abdominal Tissue Breast Reconstruction: The MACVAC Pilot Randomized Control Trial.

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.

Do compensation models affect family physician job satisfaction? Scoping review.

Objective: To explore how factors associated with various compensation models affect job satisfaction of family physicians.

Data Sources: Three databases were searched (Web of Science, Embase, and MEDLINE) with 3 keywords (MeSH headings) used: , and .

Study Selection: To be included articles had to be peer reviewed, at least 50% of study participants had to be family physicians practising longitudinal or comprehensive care, and articles had to address career satisfaction in relation to compensation models.

Enhanced Visualization, Reduced Burden: Endoscopic versus Tubular Spine Surgery for Lumbar Stenosis.

Background: Spinal stenosis is a common degenerative condition affecting quality of life. Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques like tubular and endoscopic decompression are increasingly favored over open surgery, but direct comparisons remain limited. This study evaluates their relative effectiveness in terms of operative metrics, postoperative pain, complications, and hospital stay.

Comparative Study on Clinical Outcomes of Posterior Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy under Local Anesthesia with Conscious Sedation and General Anesthesia.

Objective: Posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy (PECF) is a minimally invasive surgical technique for treating cervical radiculopathy. Traditionally, PECF is performed under general anesthesia in the prone position, but concerns over anesthesia-related complications have led to the exploration of local anesthesia in the lateral decubitus position as an alternative. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy of PECF performed under local anesthesia in the lateral decubitus position versus general anesthesia in the prone position.

Endoscopic percutaneous extraction of a retained bullet fragment in the lumbar spine for lead toxicity management: illustrative case.

Background: It is often common practice to leave gunshot wound (GSW) bullet fragments in the spinal column given the morbidity of surgical removal. When extraction is indicated, the least invasive approach is favored to preserve surrounding neurovascular structures, particularly in cases without focal neurological deficits. This report highlights a percutaneous endoscopic technique for the retrieval of a retained bullet causing lead toxicity.

Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Microbial Colonization of Burn Wounds: An Observational Study.

Microbial 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.

Patient Factors That Impact FACE-Q Aesthetics Outcomes: An Exploratory Cross-sectional Regression Analysis.

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.

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.

Establishing Convergent Validity of the FACE-Q Aesthetics Module Scales.

Background: 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.

Quality of plastic surgery Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) studies: A systematic review.

Background: In effort to improve post-operative outcomes, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have gained popularity. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the reporting and methodological quality of plastic surgery ERAS studies.

Methods: All plastic surgery ERAS implementation studies, published between January 1, 2020, to November 20, 2023, were included.

Association between a 6-h feeding protocol and postprocedure hospital length of stay following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in hospitalized adults: A before-and-after cohort study.

Background: Tolerance of enteral nutrition following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a barrier to discharge. This study investigated the impact of an expedited feeding protocol following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy on postprocedure length of stay (LOS).

Methods: We performed a before-and-after cohort study on hospitalized adults in whom percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was placed by surgeons following the implementation of a standardized feeding protocol in which enteral feeds were resumed at the preoperative rate 6 h later.

Progression of Pilot Trials to Completed Randomized Controlled Trials in Plastic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

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.

Measuring the Impact of Surgical and Non-surgical Facial Cosmetic Interventions Using FACE-Q Aesthetic Module Scales: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The 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).

A 10-year Retrospective Review of Patient-to-Patient Transmitted Pathogens in Culture-Positive Burn Wounds at a Tertiary Burn Center.

Burn 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.

The Impact of Surgical Wait Time and Hospital Stay on the Incidence of Burn Wound Infection and Related Complications at a Single Tertiary Hospital Centre: A 10-Year Experience.

Admitted 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.

Sensory restoration following breast reconstruction with operative reinnervation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is currently no consensus on the efficacy of operative reinnervation at the time of post-mastectomy reconstruction. This review compares postoperative sensation between innervated and non-innervated flaps in breast reconstruction through systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: EMBASE, Ovid, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to December 6, 2023.

Reporting of patient-reported outcomes amongst randomized clinical trials in plastic surgery: a systematic review using CONSORT-PRO.

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.

A Novel Structured Si-Based Composite with 2D Structured Graphite for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Silicon is a promising alternative to graphite anodes for achieving high-energy-density in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical capacity (3579 mAh g). However, silicon anode must be developed to address its disadvantages, such as volume expansion and low electronic conductivity. Therefore, the use of silicon as composed with graphite and carbon anode materials is investigated, which requires properties such as a spherical morphology for high density and encapsulation of silicon particles in the composite.

Diversity gaps among practicing ophthalmologists in Canada: a landscape study.

Objective: Outline geographic disparities in access to language-and gender-concordant ophthalmologic care in Canada.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Participants: Practicing ophthalmologists in Canada (September 2023).

Changes in payer mix of new and established trauma centers: the new trauma center money grab?

Background: Although timely access to trauma center (TC) care for injured patients is essential, the proliferation of new TCs does not always improve outcomes. Hospitals may seek TC accreditation for financial reasons, rather than to address community or geographic need. Introducing new TCs risks degrading case and payer mix at established TCs.

Use of Minimal Important Difference for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Plastic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: The minimal important difference (MID) is vital to consider when interpreting the clinical importance of observed changes from surgical interventions assessed by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). There is no accepted standard for how to calculate MIDs, and uptake in the plastic surgery literature is unknown, leading to methodologic and interpretation issues.

Methods: Medline and Embase were searched to identify all plastic surgery randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using PROMs as outcomes and MID estimation studies for PROMs used by RCTs.