The Impact of Venous Reconstruction on Finger Replantation Success Rates Based on Level of Injury.

PURPOSE: The requirement for anatomic venous reconstruction in digit replantation is an ongoing area of research. In this study, we evaluated our institutional experience to study whether replantation success is affected by the presence or absence of vein repair, stratified by the level of injury. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at an urban, level-1 trauma center of all single-digit replantations performed in adults from 2012 to 2021. Patient demographics, injury mechanism, level of injury, whether a vein was repaired, and replant survival were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-seven single replanted digits were included. Patients were, on average, 38 years old, and 94% were men. The most common mechanism of injury was a sharp laceration (81%). The overall survival rates for all replantations were 68.7% (46/67) and 60% (12/20) for distal finger replantation. Patients with digital replantations at Tamai zone III or more proximal exhibited a 1.8 times increase in survival rates when one vein was repaired versus zero veins (84.4% vs 46.7%). Patients with digital replantations at Tamai zones I and II exhibited similar survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Replantations at or proximal to the middle phalanx should be repaired with at least one artery and vein to maximize the chance for success. However, for distal finger replantations, artery-only replantation is a viable option when vein anastomosis is not achievable. TYPO OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Limited Flexor Sheath Incision and Drainage in the Emergency Department in the Management of Early Pyogenic Flexor Tenosynovitis.

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis (PFT) has been considered a surgical emergency. Varying operative approaches have been described, but there are limited data on the method, safety, and efficacy of nonoperative or bedside management. We present a case series where patients with early flexor tenosynovitis are managed using a limited flexor sheath incision and drainage (I&D) in the emergency department (ED) to both confirm purulence within the flexor sheath and as definitive treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients clinically diagnosed in the ED with flexor tenosynovitis at our institution from 2012 to 2019 was performed. Patients with frank purulence on examination were taken emergently to the operating room (OR). Patients with equivocal findings underwent limited flexor sheath I&D in the ED. Safety and efficacy were studied for patients with early flexor tenosynovitis managed with this treatment approach. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Ten patients underwent direct OR I&D, and 24 patients underwent ED I&D. In the ED I&D group, 96% (24 of 25) of patients did not have frank purulence in the flexor sheath and were managed with bedside drainage alone. There were no procedural complications and no need for repeat operative intervention. Time to intervention (3.1 hours vs 8.4 hours) was significantly shorter for the ED I&D group compared with the OR I&D group. Within the ED I&D group, 86% of patients exhibited good/excellent functional scores. CONCLUSIONS: Limited flexor sheath I&D in the ED provides a potential safe and effective way to manage patients with early flexor tenosynovitis.

Rethinking the Need for Nail Plate Removal: A Comparison of the Risks Between Standard Nail Bed Repair and Nonoperative Management.

PURPOSE: Nail bed injuries are commonly treated with nail plate removal and repair due to concern for future nail deformity. There is controversy whether this is necessary. We compared the outcomes for adult patients with simple nail bed lacerations who underwent either formal nail bed repair or nonoperative management. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of adult patients with nail bed lacerations from 2012 to 2019. Nail bed lacerations were diagnosed in patients with fingertip injuries resulting in subungual hematoma greater than 50% or in any subungual hematoma in the setting of a distal phalanx fracture. All patients included had an intact nail plate. Patients were treated with nail bed laceration repair or nonoperatively without nail plate removal. The primary outcome was the development of a nail deformity. Secondary outcomes included infection, fracture nonunion, and patient-reported functional outcomes using the quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients with nail bed lacerations were treated nonoperatively, and 40 patients were treated with nail bed repair. The average follow-up time was 4.5 weeks in the office. In addition, 1-year evaluation of patients was performed through telephone interview. The patients in the nonoperative group exhibited no statistically significant difference in the calculated risk for nail deformities compared with the nail bed repair group (13% vs 23%, relative risk = 0.58, P = 0.40, 95% confidence interval = 0.42-1.25). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes or quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The authors observed no meaningful difference in the rate of nail deformities in adult patients who underwent nail bed repair compared with those managed nonoperatively.

Symptomatic hernia of the thigh musculature requiring reconstruction: A rare late presenting sequela after fascial release for compartment syndrome.

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of the lower extremity is a surgical emergency, often secondary to severe crush injury, and requires immediate fascial release. In treatment of ACS, the underlying fascia is left unrepaired and the subsequent fascial defect does not generally cause negative consequences. Here, we present a 24-year-old man who developed symptomatic muscle herniation 3-years after undergoing fascial release secondary to ACS of the anterior thigh. Given the size of the defect, reconstruction was performed using Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM). The patient did well, with no complications 6 months postoperatively. Symptomatic muscle herniation following fasciotomy can be treated with hernia reduction and fascial repair. When primary closure is not possible, Acelluar Dermal Matrix (ADM) is an option for successful fascial reconstruction.

3D Printed N-95 Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned.

Early in 2020, the pandemic resulted in an enormous demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), which consists of face masks, face shields, respirators, and gowns. At our institution, at the request of hospital administration, the Lifespan 3D Printing Laboratory spearheaded an initiative to produce reusable N95 masks for use in the hospital setting. Through this article, we seek to detail our experience designing and 3D printing an N95 mask, highlighting the most important lessons learned throughout the process. Foremost among these, we were successful in producing a non-commercial N95 alternative mask which could be used in an era when N95 materials were extremely limited in supply. We identified five key lessons related to design software, 3D printed material airtightness, breathability and humidity dispersal, and ability for communication. By sharing our experience and the most valuable lessons we learned through this process, we hope to provide a helpful foundation for future 3D-printed N95 endeavors.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Plastic Surgery Consultations in the Emergency Department.

Stay-at-Home (SAH) orders implemented in the United States to combat COVID-19 had a significant impact on health care delivery for patients with all conditions. In this study, we examined the effect SAH orders had on the Emergency Department (ED) consultation volume, injury patterns, and treatment of patients managed by our plastic surgery service. METHODS: In Rhode Island, SAH orders were instituted from March 28, 2020, to June 30, 2020. A retrospective chart review of patients presenting to our Level-1 academic medical center was performed. Patient demographics, types of injuries, and need for treatment in the ED or operating room (OR) were collected. Tests of significance were conducted using a comparison group spanning the same time period, in 2019. RESULTS: There was a 36% decrease in ED consultations to plastic surgery during SAH orders when compared with those in 2019. No observed differences were noted in patient demographics between time periods. There were significant increases in the proportions of hand injuries secondary to power tools and facial injuries secondary to falls. No observed differences were identified in injury severity and need for either operating-room interventions or ED interventions for patients seen in consultation during SAH orders. CONCLUSIONS: SAH orders resulted in a decreased volume of plastic surgery consults in the ED but did not alter patient demographics, injury severity, or need for procedural interventions. There was a 2.9% positivity rate for COVID-19 for asymptomatic patients presenting in the ED with primary hand and facial injuries.

Coding and Billing in Surgical Education: A Systems-Based Practice Education Program.

OBJECTIVE: Despite increased emphasis on systems-based practice through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies, few studies have examined what surgical residents know about coding and billing. We sought to create and measure the effectiveness of a multifaceted approach to improving resident knowledge and performance of documenting and coding outpatient encounters. DESIGN: We identified knowledge gaps and barriers to documentation and coding in the outpatient setting. We implemented a series of educational and workflow interventions with a group of 12 residents in a surgical clinic at a tertiary care center. To measure the effect of this program, we compared billing codes for 1 year before intervention (FY2012) to prospectively collected data from the postintervention period (FY2013). All related documentation and coding were verified by study-blinded auditors. SETTING: Interventions took place at the outpatient surgical clinic at Rhode Island Hospital, a tertiary-care center. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 12 plastic surgery residents ranging from postgraduate year 2 through postgraduate year 6 participated in the interventional sequence. RESULTS: A total of 1285 patient encounters in the preintervention group were compared with 1170 encounters in the postintervention group. Using evaluation and management codes (E&M) as a measure of documentation and coding, we demonstrated a significant and durable increase in billing with supporting clinical documentation after the intervention. For established patient visits, the monthly average E&M code level increased from 2.14 to 3.05 (p < 0.01); for new patients the monthly average E&M level increased from 2.61 to 3.19 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a series of educational and workflow interventions, which improved resident coding and billing of outpatient clinic encounters. Using externally audited coding data, we demonstrate significantly increased rates of higher complexity E&M coding in a stable patient population based on improved documentation and billing awareness by the residents.

Revenue Generation and Plastic Surgery Training Programs: 1-Year Evaluation of a Plastic Surgery Consultation Service.

BACKGROUND: In academic institutions, residents make substantial contributions to clinical productivity. However, billing cannot be generated unless there is direct attending physician supervision of these services. The purpose of this study was to quantify clinical services provided by residents at a large academic medical center. METHODS: The authors performed a review of all consultations to the plastic surgery service between January 1 and December 31, 2014. Documentation was reviewed and hypothetical billing for services was generated using American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology and evaluation and management codes. RESULTS: A total of 2367 consultations were reviewed during the 1-year study period. Residents provided services under indirect supervision for the majority of consultations [n = 1940 (81.9 percent)]. If these services had been billed, evaluation and management would have resulted in 6970 physician work relative value units. More than half of the encounters (52.0 percent) involved at least one procedure, resulting in an additional 3316 work relative value units from 1339 Current Procedural Terminology codes. Using a conservative estimate (2014 Medicare reimbursement rates), charges from these services would total $368,496. CONCLUSIONS: The plastic surgery consultation service is a potential source of uncaptured revenue for training programs using indirect supervision of residents. Greater than 10,000 work relative value units could have been generated from resident clinical services, which is considerably more than the national average productivity of a full-time, academic plastic surgeon. Capturing a portion of this revenue stream could improve the fiscal balance of training programs and improve the cost-effective use of resident productivity.

Unnecessary Emergency Transfers for Evaluation by a Plastic Surgeon: A Burden to Patients and the Health Care System.

BACKGROUND: Plastic surgeons are frequently consulted for hand and facial injuries, and patients are often transferred to trauma centers for evaluation of these problems. The authors sought to identify the frequency and impact of "unnecessary" transfers for emergency evaluation by a plastic surgeon at a Level I trauma center. METHODS: The authors reviewed more than 32,000 consecutive emergency department encounters at their institution between April of 2009 and April of 2013 and found 1181 patients transferred for evaluation by plastic surgery. Using a retrospective chart review, necessity of transfer was determined based on the intervention performed at the authors' institution and the availability of resources at the transferring site. RESULTS: Of all the patients referred for "emergency" evaluation, 860 (74.1 percent) were unnecessary. Transfers for hand-related issues were more likely to be coded as unnecessary compared with referrals for facial trauma and infection (76 percent versus 66 percent; p < 0.001). The average time from referral to discharge from the emergency department was 412 minutes. The expense for these unnecessary transfers exceeded $4.6 million. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first intervention-based study evaluating the impact of unnecessary transfer for evaluation of hand and facial emergencies. Using a framework based on objective outcomes, the authors found that fewer than one-third of patients required emergent transfer for evaluation by a plastic surgeon, and almost half did not receive an intervention following transfer. Based on patient time and financial expenses for these unnecessary evaluations, improvements could be made in both quality and cost of care by limiting inappropriate emergency department referrals.

Prolonged length of stay in ED psychiatric patients: a multivariable predictive model.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate factors associated with prolonged emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) among psychiatric patients and to develop a multivariable predictive model to guide future interventions to reduce ED LOS. METHODS: Electronic health records of ED patients receiving a psychiatric consultation and providing research authorization were reviewed from September 14, 2010, through September 13, 2013, at an academic hospital with approximately 73000 visits annually. Prolonged LOS was defined as ≥8 hours. RESULTS: We identified 9247 visits among 6335 patients; median LOS was 4.1 hours, with 1424 visits (15%) with prolonged LOS. In the multivariable model, characteristics associated with an increased risk of a prolonged LOS included patient age 12 to 17 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.43; P<.001) or ≥65 years (OR, 1.46; P=.007); male gender (OR, 1.24; P=.002); Medicare insurance coverage (OR, 1.34; P=.008); use of restraints (OR, 2.25; P=.006); diagnoses of cognitive disorder (OR, 4.62; P<.001) or personality disorder (OR, 3.45; P<.001); transfer to an unaffiliated psychiatric hospital (OR, 22.82; P<.001); ED arrival from 11 pm through 6:59 am (OR, 1.53; P<.001) or on a Sunday (OR, 1.76; P<.001); or ED evaluation in February (OR, 1.59; P=.006), April (OR, 1.66; P=.002), and May (OR, 1.54; P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: Many psychiatric patients had a prolonged ED LOS. Understanding the multiple, patient-specific, ED operational, and seasonal factors that predict an increased LOS will help guide allocation of resources to improve overall ED processes and patient care.

Evidence for safe tourniquet use in 500 consecutive upper extremity procedures.

BACKGROUND: Although pneumatic tourniquets are widely used in upper extremity surgery, further evidence is needed to support their safe use. Excessive pressure and prolonged ischemic time can cause soft-tissue injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of tourniquet use in a yearlong, consecutive series of patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent upper extremity surgery by two board-certified hand surgeons over a 1-year period was performed. Demographic variables, comorbidities, and complications were noted along with tourniquet parameters, including application site, ischemic pressure, and time. RESULTS: A total 505 patients were included in the study because a tourniquet was used during their operation. Patients ranged in age from 3 months to 90 years old (mean 40.1 years). More than half of the population was overweight (mean body mass index (BMI) 27.1), and 77.1 % of adults had at least one cardiac risk factor. No immediate or delayed tourniquet-related injuries were identified. The average operative time was 35.9 min, with an average tourniquet time of 33.1 min. Tourniquet inflation pressure of 250 or 225 mmHg was utilized in 78 and 21 % of adult patients, respectively; no patients had a pressure setting exceeding 275 mmHg. CONCLUSION: In this series of more than 500 operations, there were no immediate or delayed tourniquet-related events using parameters determined perioperatively by the attending surgeon. Tourniquet pressures of 250 mmHg or less in adult patients with less than 2 h of ischemic time appear to be safe, even in the elderly and patients with multiple medical comorbidities.

Duty hours and home call: the experience of plastic surgery residents and fellows.

BACKGROUND: Although resident duty hours are strictly regulated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, there are fewer restrictions on at-home call for residents. To date, no studies have examined the experience of home call for plastic surgery trainees or the impact of home call on patient care and education in plastic surgery. METHODS THE AUTHORS DISTRIBUTED: an anonymous electronic survey to plastic surgery trainees at 41 accredited programs. They sought to produce a descriptive assessment of home call and to evaluate the perceived impact of home call on training and patient care. RESULTS: A total of 214 responses were obtained (58.3 percent completion rate). Nearly all trainees reported taking home call (98.6 percent), with 66.7 percent reporting call frequency every third or fourth night. Most respondents (63.3 percent) felt that home call regulations are vague but that Council regulation (44.9 percent) and programmatic oversight (56.5 percent) are adequate. Most (91.2 percent) believe their program could not function without home call and that home call helps to avoid strict duty hour restrictions (71.5 percent). Nearly all respondents (92.3 percent) preferred home call to in-house call. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine how plastic surgery residents experience and perceive home call within the framework of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education duty hour regulations. Most trainees feel the impact of home call is positive for education (50.2 percent) and quality of life (56.5 percent), with a neutral impact on patient care (66.7 percent). Under the Council's increasing regulations, home call provides a balance of education and patient care appropriate for training in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Digital imaging analysis of scar aesthetics.

OBJECTIVE: Aesthetic outcome is an important end point of wound care. The purpose of this study was to compare a wound aesthetic scoring system by emergency physicians, patients, and digital imaging by blinded plastic surgeons. The goal was to see if digital photography could accurately analyze the aesthetics of closed lacerations for future research. METHODS: This was a subanalysis of a prospective, randomized trial conducted in an urban, academic emergency department. Patients aged 18 to 100 years were included if they had simple, uncomplicated lacerations 8 hours old or less located on the trunk, head or neck (not scalp), or extremities that required repair by sutures. Exclusion criteria included immunocompromised state of health, a complicated laceration, specialty consultant intervention in management of the wound, or current use of or need for antibiotics for wound prophylaxis. Complicated lacerations were defined in the article. Infection outcomes, demographics, and aesthetic outcomes were assessed. Scar appearance was assessed at 3 to 4 months after closure using a previously validated 0-to 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) score and 6-point wound evaluation score (WES) done by 2 trained emergency physicians (MD1 and MD2). Patients also performed self-VAS (VAS(Pt)), whereas VAS was done using digital imaging by 2 trained plastic surgeons (VAS(Plast1) and VAS(Plast2)). Data were evaluated when both plastic surgeons independently believed that the digital images were able to be adequately scored. Pearson correlation coefficients were performed using mean values. RESULTS: Three- to 4-month VAS(MD) and WES(MD) follow-up was obtained in 66 of 175 (37.7%), 3- to 4-month VAS(Pt) follow-up was obtained in 70 of 175 (40.0%), and 3- to 4-month digital imaging assessment was obtained in 66 of 175 (37.7%). Digital images were evaluated for VAS(Plast) in 34 of 66 (51.5%). Mean scores for VAS(MD1) and VAS(MD2) were 84.2 (SD, 12.4) mm and 87.8 (SD, 10.5) mm. Mean scores for WES(MD1) and WES(MD2) were 5.5 (SD, 1.0) and 5.4 (SD, 1.0). Mean scores for VAS(Pt) were 86.6 (SD, 16.6) mm. Mean scores for VAS(Plast1) and VAS(Plast2) were 78.7 (SD, 26.6) mm and 66.2 (SD, 30.2) mm. Moderate correlation was noted for VAS(MD1) and VAS(MD2) (r = 0.63; n = 34; P < .001), WES(MD1) and WES(MD2) (r = 0.70; n = 34; P < .001), and VAS(Plast1) and VAS(Plast2) (r = 0.74; n = 34; P < .001). Correlations were also moderate for VAS(MD) and VAS(Plast) (r = 0.56; n = 34; P < .001), VAS(Pt) and WES(MD) (r =0.60; n = 34; P < .001), and VAS(MD) and WES(MD) (r = 0.64; n = 34; P < .001). However, correlations were weak for VAS(Pt) and VAS(Plast) at r = 0.25 (n = 34; P = .16), VAS(Pt) and VAS(MD) at r = 0.37 (n = 34; P =.03), and WES(MD) and VAS(Plast) at r = 0.13 (n = 34; P =.45). Three- to 4-month VAS(MD) and WES(MD) follow-up was obtained in 66 of 175 (37.7%), 3- to 4-month VAS(Pt) follow-up was obtained in 70 of 175 (40.0%), and 3- to 4-month digital imaging assessment was obtained in 66 of 175 (37.7%). Digital images were evaluated for VAS(Plast) in 34 of 66 (51.5%). Mean scores for VAS(MD1) and VAS(MD2) were 84.2 (SD, 12.4) mm and 87.8 (SD, 10.5) mm. Mean scores for WES(MD1) and WES(MD2) were 5.5 (SD, 1.0) and 5.4 (SD, 1.0). Mean scores for VAS(Pt) were 86.6 (SD, 16.6) mm. Mean scores for VAS(Plast1) and VAS(Plast2) were 78.7 (SD, 26.6) mm and 66.2 (SD, 30.2) mm. Moderate correlation was noted for VAS(MD1) and VAS(MD2) (r = 0.63; n = 34; P < .001), WES(MD1) and WES(MD2) (r = 0.70; n = 34; P < .001), and VAS(Plast1) and VAS(Plast2) (r = 0.74; n = 34; P < .001). Correlations were also moderate for VAS(MD) and VAS(Plast) (r = 0.56; n = 34; P < .001), VAS(Pt) and WES(MD) (r = 0.60; n = 34; P < .001), and VAS(MD) and WES(MD) (r = 0.64; n = 34; P < .001). However, correlations were weak for VAS(Pt) and VAS(Plast) at r = 0.25 (n = 34; P = .16), VAS(Pt) and VAS(MD) at r = 0.37 (n = 34; P =.03), and WES(MD) and VAS(Plast) at r = 0.13 (n = 34; P =.45).Three-to 4-month VAS(MD) and WES(MD) follow-up was obtained in 66 of 175 (37.7%), 3- to 4-month VAS(Pt) follow-up was obtained in 70 of 175 (40.0%), and 3- to 4-month digital imaging assessment was obtained in 66 of 175 (37.7%). Digital images were evaluated for VAS(Plast) in 34 of 66 (51.5%). Mean scores for VAS(MD1) and VAS(MD2) were 84.2 (SD, 12.4) mm and 87.8 (SD, 10.5) mm. Mean scores for WES(MD1) and WES(MD2) were 5.5 (SD, 1.0) and 5.4 (SD, 1.0). Mean scores for VAS(Pt) were 86.6 (SD, 16.6) mm. Mean scores for VAS(Plast1) and VAS(Plast2) were 78.7 (SD, 26.6) mm and 66.2 (SD, 30.2) mm. Moderate correlation was noted for VAS(MD1) and VAS(MD2) (r = 0.63; n = 34; P < .001), WES(MD1) and WES(MD2) (r = 0.70; n = 34; P < .001), and VAS(Plast1) and VAS(Plast2) (r = 0.74; n = 34; P < .001). Correlations were also moderate for VAS(MD) and VAS(Plast) (r = 0.56; n = 34; P < .001), VAS(Pt) and WES(MD) (r = 0.60; n = 34; P < .001), and VAS(MD) and WES(MD) (r = 0.64; n = 34; P < .001). However, correlations were weak for VAS(Pt) and VAS(Plast) at r = 0.25 (n = 34; P = .16), VAS(Pt) and VAS(MD) at r = 0.37 (n = 34; P =.03), and WES(MD) and VAS(Plast) at r = 0.13 (n = 34; P =.45). CONCLUSIONS: Correlations were moderate for VAS(MD) and VAS(Plast); however, correlations were weak for VAS(Pt) and VAS(Plast), VAS(Pt) and VAS(MD), and WES(MD) and VAS(Plast). This small study assessing digital imaging as a tool for evaluating scar aesthetics demonstrated limitations in its use. Future studies with larger populations and improved imaging modalities, such as 3-dimensional cameras and high-dynamic-range imaging, may provide potential for better assessment.