The Effect of Electronic Cigarettes on Hand Microcirculation.

PURPOSE: Smoking conventional cigarettes reduces peripheral microcirculation leading to worse outcomes after hand surgery. Patients are increasingly using electronic cigarettes (eCigarettes); however, there is no published research investigating the effects of eCigarettes on hand microcirculation. METHODS: Fifteen healthy subjects with a median age of 26 years were recruited: 7 smokers and 8 nonsmokers. A noninvasive O2C laser Doppler probe measured a baseline control reading at deep (7-mm) and superficial (3-mm) levels. Participants commenced a 5-minute smoking protocol of nonnicotine (0-mg) eCigarettes with continuous microcirculation measurements during smoking and for 20 minutes afterward. This was repeated with nicotine (24-mg) eCigarettes. Readings were averaged over 5-minute periods and standardized as a percentage of baseline. A linear mixed-effects model with an unstructured covariance structure was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Smokers had a statistically significant reduction in hand microcirculation during and up to 20 minutes after smoking a 24-mg eCigarette. There was a maximum reduction of 77% in superficial flow and 29% in deep flow. After smoking a 0-mg eCigarette, smokers demonstrated an increase in superficial flow of up to 70% with no change in deep flow. Nonsmokers had no statistically significant change in superficial or deep flow after smoking either eCigarette. CONCLUSIONS: A 24-mg eCigarette significantly reduced smokers' hand microcirculation during and after smoking. Microcirculation increased in smokers after inhalation of a 0-mg eCigarette. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We advise smokers undergoing hand surgery to avoid high-dose eCigarettes and, if necessary, to use 0-mg eCigarettes as an alternative.

A Randomized Control Trial Exploring the Effect of Mental Rehearsal and Cognitive Visualization on Microsurgery Skills.

Background Many factors are known to influence the performance of surgeons within the operating theater, including tiredness, previous experience, and stress levels. The effects of mental rehearsal and cognitive visualization on microsurgical skills have not been assessed. Methods Thirty-six subjects recruited from the Northwick Park Microsurgery Skills Course were randomized into three groups; (1) a control group (C) with no mental rehearsal script, (2) a visual anastomosis group (VA), with a detailed rat anastomosis script, and (3) a visual relaxation (VR) group with a relaxation script, unrelated to the anastomosis. Participants ran through relevant scripts from day 2 to 5 and were assessed through recorded arterial rat anastomosis, scored using the structured assessment of microsurgery skills. Results Results were analyzed by double-blinded assessors. No statistical significance was found on Monday and Tuesday (first day post intervention), p = 0.326 (VA vs. C) and p = 0.283 (VR vs. C). A statistically significant difference was noted at the end of day 4; p < 0.001 (VA vs. VR) and p = 0.001 (VA vs. C). Further analysis demonstrated that domains within the global rating scoring system showed statistical significance for (1) dexterity: VA versus VR, p = 0.001, (2) visuospatial skills: VA versus VR, p = 0.001, and VA versus C, p = 0.002, and (3) operative flow: VA versus VR, p = 0.044, and VA versus C, p = 0.026. Conclusion The benefits of cognitive visualization and mental rehearsal in microsurgery may result in fewer complications from errors and thus lead to enhanced patient safety and better operative outcomes.

Unveiling Gender Disparity: A Closer Look at Speaker Representation at International Aesthetic Medicine Conferences.

Introduction: Despite some recent progress, gender disparity is a well-documented and persistent problem at medical professional conferences, with women being consistently underrepresented.1 This study examines the representation of speakers at international aesthetic medicine conferences, an area previously unexplored in the literature. Methodology: An analysis of speaker composition was conducted of three international aesthetic medicine conferences over the past three years: the Aesthetics & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress (AMWC), the International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS) World Congress, and the Facial Aesthetic Conference and Exhibition (FACE). Results: Of the 5,993 clinical lectures amongst 189 sessions over three years, 66.34 percent were given by male speakers and 33.66 percent by female speakers. The gender disparity remained consistent over the three-year period reviewed, with no upward trend. Symposiums with all-male panels consisted of 26.4 percent of the total sessions. Conclusion: The study highlights an ongoing gender imbalance at international aesthetic medicine conferences. These disparities have broad and significant implications in terms of inequalities in employment and earnings as well as the perpetuated societal inequalities faced by women. The aesthetic medicine community should therefore consider it a priority to acknowledge and address this issue by supporting improved representation of women at key events and congresses amongst other initiatives to drive positive change.

Ready-to-use abobotulinumtoxinA solution versus powder botulinumtoxinA for treatment of glabellar lines: Investigators' and subjects' experience in a Phase IV study.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) is well-established for treatment of glabellar lines (GLs), and mostly formulated as powders requiring reconstitution for injection. The approved liquid formulation, ready-to-use (RTU) abobotulinumtoxinA was developed to ease injection procedures and prevent reconstitution errors. This multicenter, open-label, Phase IV study evaluated GL treatment experience using RTU abobotulinumtoxinA versus powder BoNT-A (onabotulinumtoxinA). METHODS: Females with experience of BoNT-A facial treatment were randomized 2:1 to GL treatment with 50 U RTU abobotulinumtoxinA (N = 99) or 20 U powder BoNT-A (N = 51) and followed-up for 6 months or 1 month, respectively. Assessments included: time to prepare each product for injection (primary endpoint); investigators' experience with product preparation/reconstitution; investigators' and subjects' treatment experience; safety; and for the RTU product: aesthetic improvement of GLs; subject satisfaction. RESULTS: Compared with powder BoNT-A, RTU abobotulinumtoxinA required statistically significantly less preparation time (mean 0:33 vs. 1:34 min: s; p < 0.0001). Investigators preferred RTU abobotulinumtoxinA over powder BoNT-A (81% of treatment sessions) and found it allowed more time to communicate with subjects (97%). All investigators (100%) also found it easy-to-use, easy-to-learn, and that it fulfilled their expectations. Subjects found the RTU abobotulinumtoxinA treatment comfortable (91%), and through 6 months posttreatment, most reported satisfaction with their appearance (≥88%), looking natural (≥95%) and refreshed (≥80%). At Month 1, 99% of RTU-treated subjects had investigator-assessed improved aesthetic appearance in GLs, maintained in 76% at Month 6. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: RTU abobotulinumtoxinA for GL treatment is well-tolerated, efficacious, shows high levels of subject satisfaction throughout 6 months, saves time, and is preferred by clinicians over powder BoNT-A. GOV REGISTRY: NCT05277337.

Patient-performed pinnaplasty using industrial nail glue.

Malformations of the pinna occur in around 2-5% of all newborns. Prominent ears in childhood can be a source of psychological distress and lead to bullying and social exclusion. We present the case of a 14-year-old girl who inflicted chronic, non-healing wounds in the post auricular area bilaterally after attempting to glue back her ears with industrial strength glue. To our knowledge, this is the first case of its kind to be published.

Spontaneous painful subungual thumb haematoma.

We present the case of a 56-year-old man who presented to our accident and emergency department 15 years after a work-based injury to his left thumb.In January 2017, the patient was woken up acutely with excruciating pain in his left thumb with no preceding trauma. On clinical examination, only a subungual haematoma was noted. Radiographs of the effected thumb demonstrated a round, lytic lesion with an accompanying hairline fracture on the distal phalanx of the left thumb. The radiologist suggested a differential diagnosis of enchondroma should be considered.The patient was referred for a routine plastic surgery outpatient appointment. Curettage sampling of the lesion was performed and a cement filler was used to prevent further pathological fractures.The biopsy report stated that the sample contained normal bone tissue with no evidence of enchondroma or other malignancy and the patient was discharged without any further complications.

PHYSICIAN ADVISERS ADD UP FOR SOME HOSPITALS.

A team of health care experts crunches the numbers sand reaches the conclusion that creating - or expanding - a physician adviser program is a good return on investment for any organization that's considering it.

Burning vasculitis.

We present the case of a 69-year-old man who was found collapsed close to a heat source and admitted to hospital for severe sepsis. He was also found to have widespread blistering and ulceration of his right leg; however, a history was unobtainable due to reduced consciousness levels. The leg lesions had the initial appearance of mixed depth burns and a management plan was made to transfer the patient to a burns unit for debridement. It was subsequently noted that the patient had a previous diagnosis of seropositive erosive rheumatoid arthritis. A biopsy of the leg lesion was performed and a diagnosis of rheumatoid vasculitis confirmed. Treatment with systemic steroids, intravenous antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for severe hypogammaglobulinaemia was started, and the patient was not transferred for surgical debridement. Rheumatoid vasculitis is a rare and extremely serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis that can manifest in a number of ways, occasionally mimicking other conditions. This case is essential to raise awareness of rare, severe rheumatoid vasculitis and of the potential for its misdiagnosis as a mixed depth burn.

Indications for renal autotransplant: an overview.

Advances in transplantation led to the first renal autotransplant in 1963 performed due to high ureteral injury sustained during aortic surgery. The procedure involves excision of the kidney and autologous re-implantation. Subsequently, multiple cases of renal autotransplantation have been reported in the literature for a range of indications. This reviews aims to assess the literature and experiences reported to assess the varying indications for renal autotransplant. The evidence and literature generated from experiences in this procedure are largely limited to case reports and relatively small or moderately sized case series. The main indications reported for performing autotransplant broadly includes renovascular disease, ureteral pathology and neoplastic disease. The advent of laparoscopic techniques and their implications on renal autotransplant also are discussed. Varying degrees of success are reported with this procedure with controversial issues surrounding this procedure remain, particularly in the area of neoplastic surgery. Renal autotransplant may be a useful last resort in preventing kidney loss in highly selected circumstances and when conventional methods have failed.

Compartment syndrome resulting from undetected ulnar artery injury in the absence of a forearm fracture.

A 6-year-old boy presented following a transient crush injury to his forearm. He displayed mild abrasions but no laceration or associated fractures. The injury resulted in traumatic rupture of the ulnar artery, which caused a large forearm haematoma and an acute forearm compartment syndrome. Prompt clinical diagnosis and operative intervention were required to prevent disastrous consequences.

Classification of trigonocephaly in metopic synostosis.

BACKGROUND: The orbitofrontal deformity in metopic synostosis is recognized clinically but has not been quantitatively defined in a large patient population. The authors' purpose was to document the dysmorphology in metopic synostosis and define subtype gradations. METHODS: Demographic and computed tomographic information was recorded. Three-dimensional computed tomographic renderings were created digitally. Craniometric analysis was conducted for endocranial bifrontal angle, interzygomaticofrontal suture and interdacryon distance, and angle of orbital aperture to the midline. RESULTS: Thirty-five computed tomographic scans were analyzed: 25 affected infants (median age, 5 months) and 10 controls (median age, 6 months). The endocranial bifrontal angle ranged from 100 to 148 degrees in metopic patients and 134 to 160 degrees in controls. The metopic group was split into severe metopic (100 to 124 degrees) and moderate metopic (124 to 148 degrees) synostosis. The endocranial bifrontal angle was significantly different among severe metopic, moderate metopic, and control patients. Interzygomaticofrontal suture of the severe group was less than in both moderate (p = 0.0043) and control (p = 0.011) groups. Interdacryon distance was smaller in severe versus moderate (p = 0.0083) and control (p = 0.0002) groups. The orbital rim angle of the severe group was more acute than that in the moderate (p = 0.0106) and control (p = 0.0062) groups. Except for endocranial bifrontal angle, there was no difference between moderate metopic and control groups in any analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Metopic synostosis can be divided into two distinct severity indices. The severe group has significantly narrower orbitofrontal dimensions, whereas the moderate group does not differ from control. Characterization of trigonocephaly may shed light on the etiopathogenesis of disease.

Expanding the live kidney donor pool: ethical considerations regarding altruistic donors, paired and pooled programs.

In renal transplant, there is a well-known deficiency in organ supply relative to demand. Live donation provides superior results when compared with deceased donation including a better rate of graft success and fewer immunologic complications. This deficiency in organs leads to significant morbidity and mortality rates. Alternative avenues have been extensively explored that may expand the live donor pool. They include altruistic donation as well as paired and pooled exchange programs. Altruistic donation is a truly selfless act from a donor unknown to the recipient. Kidney paired donation involves 2 incompatible donor-recipient pairs swapping donors to produce compatibility. Pooled donation involves at least 2 pairs, and can take the form of domino chains in which altruistic input sets up a chain of transplants, in which each recipient's incompatible donor makes a donation for the next recipient. Despite application of these various methods, there lie extensive ethical issues surrounding them. Misconceptions frequently occur; for instance, the perceived benefit that donating an organ to a loved one is greater for a related donor than for an altruistic one. Additionally, it is frequently believed that immunologic incompatibility offers coerced donors liberation from surgery, and that overcoming these barriers by introducing exchange programs provides vulnerable donors less protection. This article explores these and other complex ethical issues surrounding the various methods of expanding the donor pool. The authors offer opinions that challenge the ethical issues and attempt to overcome those views that hinder progress in the field.