Plastic and reconstructive surgery
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Jul 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialTopical Aloe Vera Gel for Accelerated Wound Healing of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial and Systematic Review.
Aloe vera has been used to treat wounds since ancient times. However, data regarding the efficacy of aloe vera for burns and split-thickness skin graft donor sites are inconclusive. ⋯ Therapeutic, I.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Jul 2018
Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe Impact of Once- versus Twice-Daily Enoxaparin Prophylaxis on Risk for Venous Thromboembolism and Clinically Relevant Bleeding.
Venous thromboembolism is a life- or limb-threatening complication that occurs in plastic surgery patients. At present, the optimal dose of enoxaparin that balances the risk of venous thromboembolism and the risk of medication-related adverse drug events-specifically, bleeding-remains unknown. ⋯ Therapeutic, II.
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New developments in primary tendon repair in recent decades include stronger core tendon repair techniques, judicious and adequate venting of critical pulleys, followed by a combination of passive and active digital flexion and extension. During repair, core sutures over the tendon should have sufficient suture purchase (no shorter than 0.7 to 1 cm) in each tendon end and must be sufficiently tensioned to resist loosening and gap formation between tendon ends. Slight or even modest bulkiness in the tendon substance at the repair site is not harmful, although marked bulkiness should always be avoided. ⋯ A wide-awake surgical setting allows patient to actively move the digits. After surgery, surgeons and therapists protect patients with a short splint and flexible wrist positioning, and are now moving toward out-of-splint freer early active motion. Improved outcomes have been reported over the past decade with minimal or no rupture during postoperative active motion, along with lower rates of tenolysis.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Jun 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyProspective, Randomized, Controlled Comparison of Bupivacaine versus Liposomal Bupivacaine for Pain Management after Unilateral Delayed Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Free Flap Reconstruction.
Effective postsurgical analgesia is a critical aspect of patient recovery. The goal of this prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded study was to examine the effect that liposomal bupivacaine delivered by means of a transversus abdominis plane block has on pain control in women undergoing unilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstruction. Institutional review board approval was granted for this prospective study. ⋯ This is the first study to investigate liposomal bupivacaine delivered as a transversus abdominis plane block in a prospective, randomized, blinded study in women undergoing unilateral, delayed, abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction. The authors were able to demonstrate a significant reduction in intravenous and total narcotic use when a liposomal bupivacaine transversus abdominis plane block was used. Future studies are needed to prospectively investigate the effect that liposomal bupivacaine would have on immediate and bilateral reconstructions.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Jun 2018
External Port Tissue Expansion in the Pediatric Population: Confirming Its Safety and Efficacy.
External filling ports in tissue expander-based reconstruction have the advantages of being associated with less pain and emotional distress. However, among practicing surgeons using tissue expansion, a theoretical concern remains regarding higher risk of infection. The authors' goal was to evaluate external port safety in the pediatric population by looking at the complications and overall success rate of reconstruction. ⋯ Therapeutic, IV.