Use of Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Surgical Site Infection Prevention in Nononcologic Breast Surgery: A Scoping Review.

Background: The practice of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent surgical site infection (SSI) in breast surgery remains debated. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature evaluating the current evidence on the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in nononcologic breast surgery, including risk-reducing mastectomy, gender-affirming mastectomy, augmentation, and reduction.

Methods: A literature search of PubMed and Cochrane databases of 1990-2025 was conducted to identify studies evaluating antibiotic prophylaxis and SSI outcomes in nononcologic breast surgery.

The Anatomy of Grayson's Ligament and Cleland's Ligament: The Basis of Digit Escharotomy for Circumferential Full Thickness Burns of the Fingers.

Escharotomies are incisions placed in burned, devitalized tissue to relieve tension caused by contraction and fluid shifts. In circumferential burns of the extremities and torso, escharotomy can be limb and lifesaving. Escharotomy of the fingers for salvage following full thickness burns is inadequately described in the literature of burn surgery.

Peripheral Nerve Transfers: Core Principles and Workhorse Techniques.

Despite the long history of experience in peripheral nerve reconstruction, dating back to the 1870s, recent decades have seen an explosion of innovation. Advancements have been made in primary repair, secondary repair, nerve grafts, tendon transfers, and, most recently, nerve transfers. These innovations address the distance-to-target problem faced by surgeons and provide improved functional outcomes.

How Do We Measure Our Competence: Objective Measures of Assessing Surgical Training.

This study reviews the advancements in objective tools for surgical skill assessment, outlining the transition from subjective apprenticeship models to structured, competency-based systems. It examines various tools and technologies, including simulation laboratories, motion analysis systems, and task-specific checklists, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and the importance of integrating these tools into training programs. The goal is to enhance surgical education, ensuring surgeons are adept in both technical skills and soft skills like decision-making and teamwork.

Hand function recovery after extended radial forearm free flap: A case series of a progressive therapy protocol.

Background: Restoration of hand function postextended radial forearm free flap (E-RFFF) is vital but challenging due to complex forearm anatomy and potential complications like reduced range of motion and sensory deficits. Traditional rehabilitation protocols often do not effectively address these issues.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the effectiveness of a hand therapy protocol that incorporates early active motion to enhance recovery outcomes after E-RFFF.

The Impact of International Fellowship on Research Productivity: International Fellowship on Research Productivity.

International medical graduates (IMGs) represent a significant portion of the US physician workforce, comprising 25% across all specialties with a strong presence in internal medicine and primary care. However, their representation in plastic surgery remains limited at only 10%. Matching into a US plastic surgery residency is highly competitive for both US medical graduates and IMGs.

Recurrent Nasal Subcutaneous Emphysema: A Rare Complication of Open Septorhinoplasty.

Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) is a notably rare complication of surgical procedures, particularly in the context of rhinoplasty. In this report, we present a novel case of recurrent nasal SE following routine open septorhinoplasty in a 59-year-old male. This patient developed persistent subcutaneous air over the nasal dorsum, linked to a fistula tract to the nasal vault, despite initial conservative management with needle aspiration.

Vanderbilt University Rehabilitation Approach to Zone 2 Tendon Repairs in the Hand.

Zone 2 of the hand, which stretches from the region between the A1 pulley at the distal palmar crease to the insertion of the FDS tendon at the end of the A4 pulley, is notable for its high complication rate following surgery. Many of these complications, such as adhesions, contractures, and tendon rupture, can be avoided through adequate rehabilitation. We document the rehabilitation protocol at Vanderbilt University Medical center, which is characterized by 4 phases.

Identification of Pain through Actigraphy-Recorded Patient Movement: A Comprehensive Review.

Chronic pain affects over 50 million people in the United States, particularly older adults, making effective assessment and treatment essential in primary care. Actigraphy, which monitors and records limb movement to estimate wakefulness and sleep, has emerged as a valuable tool for assessing pain by providing insights into activity patterns. This review highlights the non-invasive, cost-effective nature of actigraphy in pain monitoring, along with its ability to offer continuous, detailed data on patient movement.

Current Diagnostic Measures for Lymphedema: A Comprehensive Review.

Lymphedema presents diagnostic challenges due to complex symptomatology and multifaceted onset. This literature review synthesizes diagnostic measures ranging from clinical assessments to advanced imaging techniques and emerging technologies. It explores the challenges in early detection and delves into the disparities in access to advanced diagnostic tools, which exacerbate health outcome differences across populations.

The Departmental Scholarly Index: A Metric of Research Productivity.

Introduction: While bibliometric ranking systems have been designed to use citations, funding, and alumni productivity, there is a need for a simple metric that objectively evaluates the work of a group or organization. The present study describes a bibliometric tool, the Departmental Scholarly Index (DSI), for this purpose.

Methods: Publications from academic plastic surgery programs in qualifying states of the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons released in 2022 were collected via PubMed affiliation search.

The Impact of Digital Health Solutions on Bridging the Health Care Gap in Rural Areas: A Scoping Review.

Digital health tools can improve health care access and outcomes for individuals with limited access to health care, particularly those residing in rural areas. This scoping review examines the existing literature on using digital tools in patients with limited access to health care in rural areas. It assesses their effectiveness in improving health outcomes.

Incidence of High Risk and Malignant Pathological Findings in Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals Undergoing Gender-Affirming Mastectomy.

Background: Concrete, data-driven guidelines for breast cancer screening among the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) population is lacking. The present study evaluates possible associations of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on incidental breast pathology findings in trans-masculine patients to inform decision making about breast cancer screening.

Patients And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who had gender-affirming mastectomy or breast reduction at a single center from July 2019 to February 2024.

Identification of Potential Factors Associated with Cellulitis Following Lymphovenous Bypass Surgery in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background:  Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, with around 2.3 million cases diagnosed in 2020. One in five cancer patients develops chronic lymphedema caused by multifactorial triggers and treatment-related factors.

Global insights into keloid formation: An international systematic review of regional genetic risk factors and commonalities.

Keloid disorder is a morbid and disfiguring benign fibroproliferative disease with a higher incidence in groups with darker skin pigmentation. Predicting keloidogenesis in patients is difficult with treatment primarily aimed at preventing further scar expansion and improving aesthetics without addressing their unknown underlying pathophysiology. We aimed to identify potential genetic predispositions to keloid scarring in the literature.

Optimizing Safety and Aesthetics in Facial Feminization: Laryngoscopic-Assisted Chondrolaryngoplasty (2019-2023).

Introduction: The thyroid cartilage, an androgen-sensitive structure, enlarges during puberty in individuals assigned male at birth, often resulting in a pronounced neck protuberance. This feature can exacerbate gender dysphoria in transfeminine patients. Chondrolaryngoplasty, commonly known as tracheal shave, is a procedure incorporated into facial feminization surgery (FFS) to address this issue.

Cell-Based Therapies Induce Tolerance of Vascularized Composite Allotransplants: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is the transplantation of multiple tissue types as a solution for devastating injuries. Despite the highly encouraging functional outcomes of VCA, the consequences of long-term immunosuppression remain the main obstacle in its application. In this review, we provide researchers and surgeons with a summary of the latest advances in the field of cell-based therapies for VCA tolerance.

A narrative review of telemedicine and its adoption across specialties.

Background And Objective: Telemedicine and video consultation are crucial advancements in healthcare, allowing remote delivery of care. Telemedicine, encompassing various technologies like wearable devices, mobile health, and telemedicine, plays a significant role in managing illnesses and promoting wellness. The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, ensuring convenient access to medical services while maintaining physical distance.

The usefulness of artificial intelligence in breast reconstruction: a systematic review.

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers an approach to predictive modeling. The model learns to determine specific patterns of undesirable outcomes in a dataset. Therefore, a decision-making algorithm can be built based on these patterns to prevent negative results.

"Toward Breast Reinnervation- What is our Endpoint" A systematic review of normal breast sensibility.

Background: To restore breast sensibility, some centers are offering nerve reconstruction as a component of implant and flap-based breast reconstruction. To interpret and contextualize the results of these procedures, it is necessary to understand the normal range of breast sensibility, the factors that affect it, and the best methods for its objective measurement.

Methods: We conducted systematic and comprehensive searches across PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases using keywords and controlled vocabulary for the concepts of the breast, nipple, areola, and measurement.

In Vitro Enhanced Osteogenic Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Seeded in a Poly (Lactic--Glycolic) Acid Scaffold: A Systematic Review.

Study Design: Human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) and human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) have demonstrated the capability to regenerate bone once they have differentiated into osteoblasts.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential of these cells when seeded in a poly (lactic--glycolic) acid (PLGA) scaffold.

Methods: A literature search of 4 databases following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted in January 2021 for studies evaluating the osteogenic differentiation potential of hBMSCs and hADSCs seeded in a PLGA scaffold.