Annals of plastic surgery
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Annals of plastic surgery · Jun 2015
Comparative StudyEffects of immediate reconstruction on adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.
Recent studies have shown that patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy have a higher rate of complications relative to patients undergoing mastectomy alone. Conflicting data exist on how these complications impact adjuvant treatment. We sought to quantify the additional risk associated with immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy and determine how these risks influence adjuvant chemotherapy. ⋯ Immediate reconstruction after mastectomy does not delay additional cancer treatment. Overall, when complications do occur, adjuvant therapy is significantly delayed, though the median delay was only 6 days.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Jun 2015
Multicenter StudyCraniofacial fracture patterns in all terrain vehicle injuries.
A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted to determine the frequency and distribution of craniofacial fractures sustained from all terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents. ⋯ The most common craniofacial fractures experienced in ATV injuries are naso-orbital fractures. The correlation of nonuse of safety equipment and associated traumatic brain injuries displays the importance of using helmets when operating ATVs. Future studies can be conducted examining ATV-related upper extremity injuries, among others.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Jun 2015
Comparative StudyStuck in a moment: an ex ante analysis of patient complaints in plastic surgery, used to predict malpractice risk profiles, from a large cohort of physicians in the patient advocacy reporting system.
Unsolicited patient complaints (UPCs) serve as a powerful predictor of increased risk of malpractice claims, and reductions in UPCs, through targeted physician interventions, lower incidence of lawsuits and decrease cost of risk management. We analyzed UPCs, verified by trained counselors in patient relations, to determine the malpractice risk of plastic surgeons, compared to dermatologists, all surgeons, and all physicians, from a national patient complaint registry. ⋯ "Reconstructive" plastic surgeons are at increased risk for UPCs, compared to most physicians, especially dermatologists. Because UPCs are a robust proxy for malpractice risk, targeted interventions to decrease patient complaints may improve patient satisfaction and reduce malpractice claims and risk management activity. Monitoring UPCs may permit early identification of high-risk surgeons before malpractice claims accumulate.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Jun 2015
Scaphoid fracture nonunion treated with pronator quadratus pedicled vascularized bone graft and headless compression screw.
The purpose of our retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of scaphoid fracture nonunion treated with a pronator quadratus pedicled vascularized bone graft and a headless compression screw with regard to early wrist and thumb mobilization. From January 2008 to June 2011, 27 patients (20 men and 7 women; mean age, 24 years; age range, 15-32 years) with scaphoid fracture nonunion were treated with a pronator quadratus pedicled vascularized bone graft and a headless compression screw, and who met our inclusion criteria, including symptomatic scaphoid waist fracture nonunion with or without compromised vascularity and carpal instability. We evaluated radiologic assessment (correction of carpal instability and union rate). ⋯ The final average range of motion was as follows: wrist flexion, 73 degrees (range, 65-85 degrees); extension, 69 degrees (range, 60-80 degrees); ulnar deviation, 36 degrees (range, 15-50 degrees); and radial deviation, 22 degrees (range, 10-35 degrees). The average postoperative modified Mayo wrist score and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score were 92 points (range, 78-100 points) and 11 points (range, 0-32 points), respectively. Our results suggest that a pronator quadratus pedicled vascularized bone graft and internal fixation with a headless compression screw can yield satisfactory functional and radiographic outcomes in the treatment of scaphoid fracture nonunion.