A tacrolimus-eluting nerve guidance conduit enhances regeneration in a critical-sized peripheral nerve injury rat model.

Critical-sized peripheral nerve injuries pose a significant clinical challenge and lead to functional loss and disability. Current regeneration strategies, including autografts, synthetic nerve conduits, and biologic treatments, encounter challenges such as limited availability, donor site morbidity, suboptimal recovery, potential immune responses, and sustained stability and bioactivity. An obstacle in peripheral nerve regeneration is the immune response that can lead to inflammation and scarring that impede the regenerative process. Addressing both the immunological and regenerative needs is crucial for successful nerve recovery. Here, we introduce a novel biodegradable tacrolimus-eluting nerve guidance conduit engineered from a blend of poly (L-lactide-co-caprolactone) to facilitate peripheral nerve regeneration and report the testing of this conduit in 15-mm critical-sized gaps in the sciatic nerve of rats. The conduit's diffusion holes enable the local release of tacrolimus, a potent immunosuppressant with neuro-regenerative properties, directly into the injury site. A series of in vitro experiments were conducted to assess the ability of the conduit to maintain a controlled tacrolimus release profile that could promote neurite outgrowth. Subsequent in vivo assessments in rat models of sciatic nerve injury revealed significant enhancements in nerve regeneration, as evidenced by improved axonal growth and functional recovery compared to controls using placebo conduits. These findings indicate the synergistic effects of combining a biodegradable conduit with localized, sustained delivery of tacrolimus, suggesting a promising approach for treating peripheral nerve injuries. Further optimization of the design and long-term efficacy studies and clinical trials are needed before the potential for clinical translation in humans can be considered.

Physician Assistants in Plastic Surgery: A Descriptive Analysis Using the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Dataset.

ABSTRACT: Physician assistants (PAs) play a vital role in the US health care system, particularly amid the persistent surgeon shortage and escalating health care demands. We aim to characterize the current cohort of PAs in plastic surgery by comparing them to PAs in all other specialties. Using a cross-sectional analysis of the 2022 National Commission on Certification of PAs dataset, we examined demographic and practice characteristics of PAs in plastic surgery with those in all other specialties. Analysis included descriptive and bivariate statistics. In 2022, 1.0% of PAs worked in plastic surgery, with the specialty's numbers nearly doubling from 2015 (n = 647) to 2022 (n = 1186). Bivariate analysis among PAs in plastic surgery and those in other settings revealed several important attributes (all P's < 0.001); PAs in plastic surgery were younger (median age, 36 vs 39), identified as female (91.0% vs 69.4%), resided in urban locations (97.6% vs 92.5%), and performed a higher proportion of clinical procedures (66.5% vs 33.9%). Furthermore, a statistically significant higher percentage of PAs in plastic surgery reported high job satisfaction and was more likely to report no symptoms of professional burnout. The expanding PA profession amid the scarcity of surgeons presents an ideal prospect for enhanced collaboration. In an era where surgeon burnout is increasingly common and PAs express a readiness to function at an advanced level, expanding PAs' role becomes desirable and imperative. This collaborative approach has the potential to address workforce challenges, elevate patient care, and enhance provider satisfaction.

Outpatient Prescription Opioid Use following Discharge after Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Breast Reconstruction with and without an Educational Intervention.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence for appropriate postoperative opioid prescribing in autologous breast reconstruction. We sought to describe postoperative outpatient prescription opioid use following discharge after deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) breast reconstruction with and without an educational video. METHODS: Patients undergoing DIEP reconstruction were given a 28-day postoperative pain and medication logbook from August 2022 to June 2023. Our practice implemented an educational video upon discharge on proper opioid consumption. Descriptive statistics on patient characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, and outpatient prescription opioid use after discharge were compared between the two cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 53 logbooks were completed with 20 patients in the no video cohort and 33 in the video cohort. On average, the days to cessation of opiates was longer in the no video cohort (8.2 vs. 5.1 days, p = 0.003). The average number of oxycodone 5 mg equivalents consumed following discharge was 13.8 in the no video cohort and 7.8 in the video cohort, which was statistically significant (p = 0.01). Overall, the percentage of opioids prescribed that were consumed in the video cohort was 28.3% versus 67.1% in the no video cohort. CONCLUSION: For patients discharging home after DIEP reconstruction, we recommend a prescription for 12 oxycodone 5 mg tablets. With the use of an educational video regarding proper opioid consumption, we were able to reduce the total outpatient opioid use to 5 oxycodone 5 mg tablets following hospital discharge.

The Effect of Body Mass Index on Free Flap Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Literature addressing the risks associated with increasing body mass index (BMI) for patients undergoing free flap breast reconstruction is limited. Often, an arbitrary BMI cutoff (i.e., BMI of 30 kg/m2) is used to determine candidacy for a free flap without substantial backing evidence. This study utilized a national multi-institutional database to analyze outcomes of free flap breast reconstruction and stratified complications by BMI class. METHODS: Using the 2010 to 2020 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, patients who underwent free flap breast reconstruction were identified. Patients were divided into six cohorts based on the World Health Organization BMI classes. Cohorts were compared by basic demographics and complications. A multivariate regression model was created to control for age, diabetes, bilateral reconstruction, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and operative time. RESULTS: Surgical complications increased with each BMI class, with the highest rates occurring in class I, II, and III obesity, respectively. In a multivariable regression model, the risk for any complication was significant for class II and III obesity (odds ratio [OR]: 1.23, p < 0.004; OR: 1.45, p < 0.001, respectively). Diabetes, bilateral reconstruction, and operative time were independently associated with an increased risk of any complication (OR: 1.44, 1.14, 1.14, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the risks of postoperative complications following free flap breast reconstruction are highest for patients with a BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2, having nearly 1.5 times higher likelihood of postoperative complications. Stratifying these risks by weight class can help guide preoperative counseling with patients and help physicians determine candidacy for free flap breast reconstruction.

Lasting Effects of Surgically Used Topical Vasodilators on DIEP Artery Vascular Function.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons routinely apply papaverine, lidocaine, or verapamil to produce acute vasodilation and prevent vasospasms during microvascular surgeries. There is evidence that topical vasodilators may induce postoperative endothelial and smooth muscle dysfunction, which would present after the acute vasodilatory effects of the topical drugs wear off. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the lasting effects of papaverine, lidocaine, and verapamil on human deep inferior epigastric perforator artery vasodilatory function after the acute effects of the topical drugs had worn off. METHODS: Deep inferior epigastric arterial samples were obtained from 12 patients during surgery. Each artery was dissected into four rings which where incubated for 1 minute in either physiological saline solution (control), papaverine (30 mg/mL), lidocaine (20 mg/mL), or verapamil (2.5 mg/mL), followed by a 2-hour washout. Endothelial-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation were then assessed by the isometric tension responses to acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside, respectively. RESULTS: Peak acetylcholine-evoked vasorelaxation (mean ± standard deviation) was not different between control (62 ± 23%) and lidocaine (57 ± 18%, p = 0.881), but was reduced (all p < 0.002) in papaverine (22 ± 27%) and verapamil (22 ± 20%). Peak sodium nitroprusside-evoked vasorelaxation was not different (all p > 0.692) among control (132 ± 35%), lidocaine (121 ± 22%), and verapamil (127 ± 22%), but was less in papaverine (104 ± 41%; p = 0.045) than control. CONCLUSION: Surgically used doses of papaverine and verapamil, but not lidocaine, have lasting negative effects on arterial vasodilatory function despite the acute effects of the drugs having worn off. These findings, in conjunction with the spasmolytic properties of each drug, may help guide the selection of an optimal topical vasodilator for use during microvascular surgeries.

A Comparison of Postoperative Outcomes between Unilateral and Bilateral Palatoplasty: Analysis of 2015-2020 Pediatric NSQIP Data.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify differences in 30-day medical and surgical complications in unilateral versus bilateral palatoplasty. DESIGN: The NSQIP-P 2015-2020 database was queried to identify cleft palate repairs using CPT codes. Cases were stratified as unilateral (Veau III) and bilateral (Veau IV) using ICD-9 and -10 codes. SETTING: A nationally representative random sample. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3791 cases were identified with 2608 undergoing unilateral repair and 1183 undergoing bilateral repair. MAIN OUTCOMES/MEASURES: The postoperative outcomes of interest included surgical complications (surgical site infections, wound dehiscence), medical complications (pneumonia, urinary tract infection, seizure, cardiac arrest, bleeding/transfusions, systemic sepsis, unplanned intubation), readmission, and reoperation. RESULTS: The bilateral cohort was older (696 days versus 619 days, P < .001) and had longer operative times (157.3 min versus 144.5 min, P < .001). The unilateral cohort had more comorbidities including developmental delay, structural CNS abnormalities, need for nutritional support, and bleeding disorders. The bilateral cohort had statistically significant higher occurrences of wound dehiscence (2.1% versus. 1.2%, P = .03) and readmission (3.2% versus 1.7%, P = .01). On multivariate analysis, bilateral cleft repair (OR: 1.83, CI: 1.176-2.840, P = .007) and ASA class 4 (OR: 13.1, CI 2.288- 62.586, P = .002) were associated with greater odds of readmission. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent bilateral cleft repair had a higher proportion of 30-day postoperative complications and a two-fold increased odds of readmission. While palatoplasty is generally regarded as a safe procedure in the pediatric population, identifying factors related to an increased risk of early postoperative complications can help surgical teams better manage high-risk individuals.

Analysis of Readmissions and Reoperations in Pediatric Microvascular Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Free tissue transfer is utilized as a reconstructive option for various anatomic defects. While it has long been performed in adults, reconstructive surgeons have used free tissue transfer to a lesser degree in children. As such, there are few analyses of factors associated with complications in free tissue transfer within this population. The aim of this study is to assess factors associated with readmission and reoperation in pediatric free flap patients utilizing the pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. METHODS: Pediatric patients who underwent microvascular reconstruction between 2015 and 2020 were included. Patients were identified by five microvascular reconstruction Current Procedural Terminology codes and were then stratified by flap site (head and neck, extremities, trunk) and defect etiology (congenital, trauma, infection, neoplasm). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with readmissions and reoperations. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 258 patients. The average age was 10.0 ± 4.7 years and the majority of patients were male (n = 149, 57.8%), were of white race (n = 164, 63.6%), and had a normal body mass index. Twenty-two patients (8.5%) experienced an unplanned readmission within 30 days of the initial operation, most commonly for wound disruption (31.8% of readmissions). The overall rate of unplanned reoperation within 30 days was 11.6% (n = 30) for all patients, with an average of 8.9 ± 7.5 days to reoperation. On multivariate regression analysis, each hour increase in operative time was associated with an increased odds of reoperation (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 1.45) and readmission (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.34). CONCLUSION: In pediatric patients undergoing free tissue transfer, higher readmission and reoperation risk was associated with longer operative duration. Overall, free tissue transfer is safe in the pediatric population with relatively low rates of readmission and reoperation.

A Comparison of Postoperative Outcomes Between Immediate, Delayed Immediate, and Delayed Autologous Free Flap Breast Reconstruction: Analysis of 2010-2020 NSQIP Data.

BACKGROUND: While many factors influence decisions related to the timing between mastectomy and flap-based breast reconstruction, there is limited literature comparing postoperative complications between immediate (IBR), delayed immediate (DIBR), and delayed (DBR) reconstruction modalities. Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), we sought to compare postoperative complication rates of each timing modality. METHODS: The NSQIP 2010-2020 database was queried for patients who underwent free flap breast reconstruction. Cases were categorized to include mastectomy performed concurrently with a free flap reconstruction, removal of a tissue expander with free flap reconstruction, and free flap reconstruction alone which are defined as IBR, DIBR, and DBR, respectively. The frequency of postoperative outcomes including surgical site infection (SSI), wound dehiscence, intraoperative transfusion, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and return to operating room (OR) was assessed. Overall complication rates, hospital length of stay (LOS), and operative time were analyzed. Multivariable regression analysis controlling for age, race, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, ASA class, and laterality was performed. RESULTS: A total of 7,907 cases that underwent IBR, DIBR (n = 976), and DBR reconstruction (n = 6,713) were identified. No statistical difference in occurrence of SSIs, wound dehiscence, or DVT was identified. DIBR (9%) and DBR (11.9%) were associated with less occurrences of reoperation than IBR (13.2%, p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that DIBR and DBR were associated with a lower odds of complications and shorter operation time versus IBR. No statistically significant differences between DIBR and DBR in surgical complications, LOS, and operative time were identified. CONCLUSION: Awareness of overall complication rates associated with each reconstructive timing modality can be used to help guide physicians when discussing reconstructive options. Our data suggests that DIBR and DBR are associated with less overall complications than IBR. Physicians should continue to consider patients' unique circumstances when deciding upon which timing modality is appropriate.

Scheduled Postoperative Ketorolac Does Not Decrease Opiate Use following Free Flap Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: In the setting of the opioid crisis, managing postoperative pain without the exclusive use of opiates has become a topic of interest. Many hospitals have begun implementing enhanced recovery after surgery protocols to decrease postoperative complications, hospital costs, and opiate utilization. Ketorolac has been added to many of these protocols, but few studies have examined its effects independently. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients that received autologous breast reconstruction from October 2020 to June 2022 at an academic institution. We identified patients who did and did not receive postoperative ketorolac. Use of ketorolac was based upon surgeon preference. The two groups were compared in basic demographics, reconstruction characteristics, length of stay, complications, reoperations, and morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). RESULTS: One-hundred ten patients were included for the analysis, with 55 receiving scheduled postoperative ketorolac and 55 who did not receive ketorolac. There were seven incidences of postoperative complications in each group (12.7%, p = 1.00). The total mean postoperative MMEs were 344.7 for the nonketorolac group and 336.5 for the ketorolac group (p = 0.81). No variable was found to be independently associated with postoperative opiate use. Ketorolac was not found to contribute significantly to any postoperative complication. CONCLUSION: In this study, the use of ketorolac did not significantly reduce opiate use in a cohort of 110 patients. Surgeons should consider whether the use of ketorolac alone is the best option to reduce postoperative opiate use following free flap breast reconstruction.

The First FDA Approved Early Feasibility Study of a Novel Percutaneous Bone Anchored Prosthesis for Transfemoral Amputees: A Prospective 1-year Follow-up Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel press-fit bone-anchored prosthesis in an FDA approved study. DESIGN: Single-center, prospective 1-year follow-up cohort study of a percutaneous bone anchored prosthesis. SETTING: Veterans Health Administration Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Ten male Veterans with unilateral transfemoral amputation that occurred at least 6 months prior to enrollment and was not the result of dysvascular disease (N=10). INTERVENTIONS: All participants received the novel press-fit Percutaneous Osseointegrated Prosthesis (POP) and a minimum of 10 days supervised rehabilitation therapy. OUTCOME MEASURES: Adverse events and radiographs were collected to assess device safety. Temporal assessments of bone density, stomal skin, prosthetic don/doff, functional ambulation, and patient-reported outcome compared our POP to a socket suspension system. RESULTS: Ten male participants mean age 48.8±12.1 years (range, 32-68 y) with mean time since amputation of 9.4± years (range 1-18 y) completed a two-staged implantation protocol and progressed to ambulation with an assistive device by post-operative day 14. Eight of 10 completed all study procedures. One implant loosened at 5 weeks, requiring removal. A second was removed after periprosthetic fracture from a non-device-related fall at 28 weeks. One patient required oral antibiotics for superficial infection. There were significant (P<.05) increases in bone density in the lumbar spine and adjacent to the distal porous coating with no radiographic evidence of bone resorption. Compared to the socket system, the use of POP significantly (P<.05) reduced prosthetic don and doff times and patient-reported prosthetic problem scores. Significant improvements (P<.05) in mean mobility, global health, and walking test scores were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in bone density, function, and patient reported outcomes were observed with the POP device when compared to a socket suspension system. This Early Feasibility Study established initial safety and effectiveness of the POP device, supporting expanded investigation as an alternative to socket prostheses.

Elective surgery resource utilization.

PURPOSE: Cessation of elective surgery during COVID-19 was partly driven by concern for consumption of hospital resources required by critically ill patients. We aim to determine the extent of resource utilization by elective outpatient surgery to assist in ensuring future resource conservation decisions are data driven. METHODS: The study utilized a retrospective cohort gathered from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Participants were adult patients who underwent elective or non-elective surgery between 2017 and 2018. Outcomes included patient characteristics and post-operative outcomes for elective and non-elective surgeries. Post-operative outcomes were used as a surrogate for the consumption of hospital resources. RESULTS: A total of 1,558,938 (79.8%) elective and 393,339 (20.2%) non-elective surgeries were identified. Elective surgery patients were more likely to be outpatient status, have an ASA class < 3, and exhibited lower rates of prolonged ventilation, 30-day reoperation, and 30-day readmissions, and averaged 5 days less of inpatient stay. Elective outpatient surgery (vs. elective inpatient surgery) averaged shorter operative times and exhibited lower rates of readmissions (2.1% vs. 5.5%; p < 0.001), reoperations (1.1% vs. 2.8%; p < 0.001), prolonged ventilation (0.0% vs. 0.3%; p < 0.001), and 30-day mortality (0.1% vs. 0.5%; p < 0.001) and accounted for 30.2% of the overall relative value units ($339,815,038). CONCLUSION: We evaluated utilization of hospital resources by patients undergoing elective outpatient surgery by identifying surgeries performed in 2017-2018 then stratifying them by outpatient status. Elective outpatient surgeries consumed negligible amounts of hospital resources and should not be considered a threat to resources in the setting of high demand by critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Characterizing the volume of surgery and post-operative complications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented changes in volume and quality of surgery. Utilizing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, the current study assesses the impact of COVID-19 on surgical volume during each quarter of 2020 in comparison to 2019. Quality of surgical care during 2020 was also investigated by assessing postoperative complications, readmissions, and reoperations during 2020 in comparison to the previous 5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The NSQIP database was queried from 2015 to 2020. Descriptive statistics and a chi-squared test were utilized to compare demographic variables. A seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average time-series model was fit to assess the trend and seasonality of complications from 2015 to 2019 and was used to forecast the proportion of complications in the year 2020 and compared the forecast with the actual proportions graphically. RESULTS: There were fewer patients operated on in 2020 compared to 2019, with the most dramatic drop in Q2 with a nearly 27% decrease. Patients with ASA class 3 or greater were operated on at a greater proportion in every quarter of 2020. Q2 of 2020 represented the highest proportion of any operative complications since 2015 at ~13%. Q4 of 2020 demonstrated a return to 2020 Q1 complication proportions. CONCLUSION: Surgical volume was heavily affected in 2020, particularly in Q2. Patients during Q2 of 2020 were generally of a higher ASA class and had increased operative complications. Operative volume and overall surgical complication rate normalized over the next two quarters.

Comparison of Human, Porcine, and Bovine Acellular Dermal Matrix in Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine rates of overall complications and failure of prepectoral breast reconstruction between various types of acellular dermal matrices (ADMs). BACKGROUND: Implant-based breast reconstruction is the most common reconstructive technique after mastectomy in the United States. Traditionally, the reconstruction has been performed in the subpectoral plane; however, there has been an emerging interest in prepectoral reconstruction using ADM. Human (hADM), porcine (pADM), and bovine (bADM) ADMs are available for use, but little is known about the benefits and complication profiles of each for prepectoral breast reconstruction. METHODS: Studies examining complications after the use of ADM for prepectoral breast reconstruction were identified using MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, LILACS, and the Web of Science from January 2010 to August 2021. Titles and abstracts of 1838 studies were screened, followed by full-text screening of 355 articles. Thirty-three studies were found to meet inclusion criteria. RESULTS: From the 33 studies, 6046 prepectoral reconstructions were examined. Implant loss was comparable across the different types of ADM (pADM, 4.0%; hADM, 4.0%; bADM, 3.7%). Bovine ADM had the highest rate of capsular contracture (6.1%), infection (9.0%), skin flap necrosis (8.3%), dehiscence (5.4%), and hematoma (6.1%) when compared with both hADM and pADM. Human ADM had the highest rate of postoperative seroma (5.3%), followed by pADM (4.6%) and bADM (4.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Among the prepectoral breast reconstruction studies using hADM, pADM, or bADM included in our analysis, complication profiles were similar. Bovine ADM had the highest proportion of breast complications in the following categories: capsular contracture, infection rate, skin flap necrosis, dehiscence, and hematoma. Implant loss was comparable across the cohorts. Overall, prepectoral breast reconstruction using ADM leads to relatively low complication rates with the highest rates within the bADM cohort.

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Microvascular Surgery Patients Using Weight-Based Unfractionated Heparin Infusions.

BACKGROUND: Unfractionated heparin infusions are commonly used in microvascular surgery to prevent microvascular thrombosis. Previously, fixed-dose heparin infusions were believed to provide sufficient venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis; however, we now know that this practice is inadequate for the majority of patients. Anti-factor Xa (aFXa) level is a measure of unfractionated heparin efficacy and safety. This study evaluated the pharmacodynamics of weight-based dose heparin infusions and the impacts of real-time aFXa-guided heparin dose adjustments. METHODS: This prospective clinical trial enrolled adult microvascular surgery patients who received a weight-based heparin dose following a microsurgical procedure. Steady-state aFXa levels were monitored, and patients with out-of-range levels received dose adjustments. The study outcomes assessed were aFXa levels at a dose of heparin 10 units/kg/hour, time to adequate aFXa level, number of dose adjustments required to reach in-range aFXa levels, and clinically relevant bleeding and VTE at 90 days. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were prospectively recruited, and usable data were available for twenty patients. Four of twenty patients (20%) had adequate prophylaxis at a heparin dose of 10 units/kg/hour. Among patients who received dose adjustments and achieved in-range aFXa levels, the median number of dose adjustments was 2 and the median weight-based dose was 11 units/kg/hour. The percentage of patients with in-range levels was significantly increased (65 vs. 15%, p = 0.0002) as a result of real-time dose adjustments. The rate of VTE at 90 days was 0%, and clinically relevant bleeding rate at 90 days was 15%. CONCLUSION: Weight-based heparin infusions at a rate of 10 units/kg/hour provide a detectable level of anticoagulation for some patients following microsurgical procedures, but most patients require dose adjustment to ensure adequate VTE prophylaxis.

The 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index as a Predictor of 30-day Complications in Pressure Ulcer Repair.

BACKGROUND: The 5-item modified frailty index (mFI-5) is a validated tool to assess postoperative risks in older surgical candidates. We sought to compare the predictive ability of mFI-5 to its individual components and other established risk factors for complications in flap reconstruction of late-stage pressure ulcer repair. METHODS: The 2012 to 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried for pressure ulcer diagnosis and reconstructive flap repair procedures. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis models were used to assess how mFI-5, the components of the mFI-5 (functional status before surgery, diabetes, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of congestive heart failure, and history of hypertension requiring medicine), and other factors commonly used to risk-stratify (age, obesity, ASA classification, and history of smoking) were associated with complications. RESULTS: 35.1% of the total 1254 flap reconstructive procedures for pressure ulcer repair experienced complications. Most cases had at least one of the five mFI-5 factors in both the complication (42.7%) and no complication (45.7%) cohorts. Compared with the factors making up the mFI-5 score and other common variables used to risk-stratify, mFI-5 was significantly associated with complications in the univariate (OR 1.17, CI 1.03 - 1.33; P = 0.02) and multivariate analysis (OR 1.16, CI 1.02 - 1.34; P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: The mFI-5 is a useful predictor of postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing reconstructive flap surgery for pressure ulcer injuries compared to other historically considered risk factors for surgical complications.

2011 ACGME Duty Hour Limits had No Association With Breast Reconstruction Complications.

BACKGROUND: In 2011, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) instituted further duty hour restrictions in response to concerns over long work hours and sleep deprivation in trainees and their effects on patient outcomes. The effect of duty hour restrictions on complications after breast reconstruction procedures has not been clarified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was designed. The National Inpatient Sample database was queried in the 2 y before and 2 y after the 2011 duty hour changes. Patients undergoing breast reconstruction, the most common elective admission diagnosis for plastic surgery patients, were selected for analysis. Patient groups were separated by teaching hospitals (THs) and nonteaching hospitals and by pre- and post-ACGME change periods. Surgical complication rates, length of stay, and procedures were analyzed using complex survey-weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, with additional sensitivity analysis applied. RESULTS: The number of procedures did not vary significantly in the period after duty hour restrictions in THs (n = 46,188, pre-ACGME versus n = 48,980, post-ACGME). Overall complication rates in teaching (9.54%, pre-ACGME versus 9.04%, post-ACGME; P = 0.561) and nonteaching hospitals (8.54%, pre-ACGME versus 7.70%, post-ACGME; P = 0.319) did not significantly change after the implementation of duty hour changes. On multivariate analysis, surgery performed in resident THs after duty hour changes was not associated with a significant change in overall (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.77-1.37; P = 0.857) breast-specific complications (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.77-1.46; P = 0.731) or general complications (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.80-1.54; P = 0.541). CONCLUSIONS: Duty hour restrictions enacted in 2011 were not associated with postoperative complications after breast reconstruction.

Standard preoperative use of nonopioid multi-modal medications for patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and the effect on postoperative opioid needs.

Standardized nonopioid preoperative protocol effects perioperative opioids. Combined use of acetaminophen, pregabalin, celecoxib, and transdermal scopolamine (APCS), in mastectomy with immediate subpectoral reconstruction procedures. Retrospective (2014-2017) cohort study (n = 305) examined treatment groups; APCS, no treatment (NONE), and partial combination APCS (OTHER), employing multivariable gamma regression models controlling preoperative and perioperative variables, examining postoperative opioid use (oral morphine equivalents, OME) and hospital stay (hours, LOS). APCS group had a 25% statistical reduction in OME total vs OTHER, a 12% statistical reduction in LOS vs OTHER, and 11% statistical reduction in LOS vs NONE. Standardized nonopioid preoperative protocol provides insight into perioperative opioid use.

Free tibia and fibula-fillet-of-leg flap for pelvic ring reconstruction: A case report.

Pelvic sarcoma resections present large and complex defects, which are a challenge to reconstruct. At times, these cancers are treated with external hemipelvectomy, and both the soft tissue and bony framework of the pelvic ring must be addressed. The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of a free tibia and fibula-fillet-of-leg flap for pelvic ring reconstruction, performed to enhance the quality of life of a patient following hemipelvectomy. A 50-year-old female with advanced stage undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the left thigh and pelvis underwent free vascularized tibia and fibula-fillet-of-leg flap, including 21 cm of bone length and 21 cm long and full circumferential soft tissues of the leg, accompanying the bone, for the reconstruction of the bony pelvis and soft tissue. Postoperatively, the patient had no surgical complications, was followed for 6 months and went on to have bony healing, and was able to sit prior to disease progression and eventual death from metastatic disease. In the reported case, we have shown that composite tibia-fibula free flap with lower leg soft tissues may be a viable option for the reconstruction of massive external hemipelvectomy defects.

A Nationwide Analysis of Early and Late Readmissions following Free Tissue Transfer for Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, surgical quality outcomes are assessed using a 30-day postoperative window. For breast cancer patients undergoing free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction, we sought to describe the distribution of and specific risk factors for early and late readmissions within a 0- to 90-day postoperative period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database was used to conduct a retrospective cohort study. Breast cancer patients undergoing free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction were identified using International Classification of Diseases -9 diagnosis and procedure codes. Ninety-day readmissions related to infection or wound complications were identified. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify patient risk factors for readmissions that occurred early (0-30 days) and late (31-90 days) after their index procedure. RESULTS: In the weighted sample, we identified approximately 7,305 free flap breast reconstructions and a surgical wound-related readmission rate of 4.3% (n = 312): 65.4% of the readmissions occurred early while 34.6% occurred late after surgery. The mean days to readmission was 26, and 75% of all readmissions occurred within the first 36 days after surgery. Variables independently associated with readmissions during the 0- to 90-day postoperative period included: history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.036), hypertension (p = 0.03), obesity (p ≤ 0.001), and history of smoking (p = 0.004). The variables independently associated with the early readmission period were the same as those identified for the 0- to 90-day postoperative period. The variables independently associated with late readmissions were different: history of depression (p = 0.001) and history of smoking (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The conventional 30-day hospital readmission rate classically used as a quality metric is overlooking a significant portion of admissions after free flap-based breast reconstruction. Different variables were found to be associated with readmission in the early versus late cohorts. Interventions targeting these variables could decrease readmissions and their associated costs.

Drug-delivering nerve conduit improves regeneration in a critical-sized gap.

Autologous nerve grafts are the current "gold standard" for repairing large nerve gaps. However, they cause morbidity at the donor nerve site and only a limited amount of nerve can be harvested. Nerve conduits are a promising alternative to autografts and can act as guidance cues for the regenerating axons, without the need to harvest donor nerve. Separately, it has been shown that localized delivery of GDNF can enhance axon growth and motor recovery. FK506, an FDA approved small molecule, has also been shown to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration. This paper describes the design of a novel hole-based drug delivery apparatus integrated with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nerve conduit for controlled local delivery of a protein such as GDNF or a small molecule such as FK506. The PTFE devices were tested in a diffusion chamber, and the bioactivity of the released media was evaluated by measuring neurite growth of dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) exposed to the released drugs. The drug delivering nerve guide was able to release bioactive concentrations of FK506 or GDNF. Following these tests, optimized drug releasing nerve conduits were implanted across 10 mm sciatic nerve gaps in a BL6 yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) mouse model, where they demonstrated significant improvement in muscle mass, compound muscle action potential, and axon myelination in vivo as compared with nerve conduits without the drug. The drug delivery nerve guide could release drug for extended periods of time and enhance axon growth in vitro and in vivo.