Annals of plastic surgery
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Annals of plastic surgery · Aug 2020
Evaluating the Effects of COVID-19 on Plastic Surgery Emergencies: Protocols and Analysis From a Level I Trauma Center.
The COVID-19 crisis has brought many unique challenges to the health care system. Across the United States, social distancing measures have been put in place, including stay-at-home (SAH) orders, to combat the spread of this infection. This has impacted the type and volume of traumatic injuries sustained during this time. Meanwhile, steps have been taken in our health care system to assure that adequate resources are available to maintain a high standard of patient care while recognizing the importance of protecting health care providers. Using comparative data, we aim to describe the trends in traumatic injuries managed by our plastic surgery service and detail the changes in consultation policies made to minimize provider exposure. ⋯ Stay-at-home orders in Chicago have impacted traumatic injury patterns seen by the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at a level I Trauma Center. Safe and timely care can continue to be provided with thorough communication, vigilance, and guidance from our colleagues.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Aug 2021
Versatility of the Peroneal Perforator Propeller Sural Flap for Various Types of Injuries in the Ankle and Foot Regions.
The goals of soft tissue reconstruction in the distal lower extremities are to provide a functional limb and to help patients return to a normal life with the capability of wearing shoes or boots. A peroneal perforator propeller sural flap is a combination of a sural flap and a peroneal propeller perforator flap. This article presents the versatility of this flap in the foot and ankle regions. ⋯ The peroneal perforator propeller sural flap can be harvested as a sensory flap with sural nerve coaptation, a passing-through- style, an interpolation style, an extended style, or as a component of double perforator flaps. This type of flap provides various options in the challenging field of reconstructive surgery.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Oct 2021
Quantifying the Pipeline of Ethnically Underrepresented in Medicine Physicians in Academic Plastic Surgery Leadership.
The lack of underrepresented in medicine (UIM) physicians in academic plastic surgery is emerging as a critical issue. Lack of diversity has a negative effect on patient care and on the culture of our health care system. This study reports the current status of ethnically UIM physicians in the plastic surgery pipeline, starting from the medical student level and progressing to national leadership positions. ⋯ In order for our profession to reflect our nation's demographics, academic plastic surgery is in need of a paradigm shift now. Attrition of UIM physicians in plastic surgery begins at medical school graduation and persists through surgical training, faculty appointments, and attainment of leadership positions. Creative and innovative commitment to diversity and inclusion is necessary.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Nov 2016
ReviewThree-Dimensional Printing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Systematic Review.
Increasingly affordable three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies now make it possible for surgeons to create highly customizable patient-tailored products. This process provides the potential to produce individualized artificial and biologic implants, regenerative scaffolds, and cell-specific replacement tissue and organs. The combination of accurate volumetric analysis and production of 3D printed biologic materials are evolving techniques that demonstrate great promise in achieving an accurate and naturally appearing anthropomorphic reconstruction. This systematic review summarizes the current published literature and known ongoing research on 3D printing in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS). ⋯ The 3D printing provides the ability to construct complex individualized implants that not only improve patient outcomes but also increase economic feasibility. The technology offers a potential level of accessibility that is paramount for remote and resource-limited locations where health care is most often limited. The 3D printing-based technologies will have an immense impact on the reconstruction of traumatic injuries, facial and limb prosthetic development, as well as advancements in biologic and synthetic implants.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Aug 2021
State of Microsurgery Training in 2020: Survey of Hand Surgery Fellowship Program Directors.
Given the current national conundrum of decreasing microsurgery case volume performed by hand surgery fellows despite interest, program directors were surveyed to evaluate opinions of exposure gaps in training and to determine the current state of microsurgery training in 2020. ⋯ In 2020, most hand surgery fellowship program directors highly value and prioritize microsurgery exposure for their hand surgery fellows' education despite the decrease in case volume for hand surgery fellows.