Common Pediatric Hand Anomalies.

Upper extremity congenital anomalies in the newborn are second only to congenital heart anomalies. Some of the more commonly encountered upper extremity anomalies are trigger thumb, thumb hypoplasia, polydactyly, syndactyly, and amniotic band syndrome. While some conditions occur in isolation, others are known to commonly occur in association with syndromes. Familiarity with these conditions is important not only to provide adequate evaluation and workup of these patients but also to deliver appropriate surgical intervention and prepare parents with appropriate expectations. In this article, we outline the etiology, classification, surgical management, and outcomes of these five commonly encountered upper extremity congenital anomalies.

Robotic Nerve Surgery: Brachial Plexus.

Management of closed brachial plexus injuries has traditionally favored conservative approaches with lengthy intervals between initial injury and surgical reconstruction. The complex anatomy of this region often requires large incisions with extensive dissection. Recently, the use of robotic systems in plastic and reconstructive surgery has been increasing, and robot-assisted brachial plexus reconstruction is a novel application that is currently being explored. Current literature describing this application is primarily comprised of feasibility studies using animal and cadaver models, and literature describing use in human subjects is limited. Advantages demonstrated by these early studies include the reduction of physiologic tremor, 3D visualization of anatomical structures, and ergonomic positioning; this allows for increased surgical dexterity and the ability to perform minimally invasive microsurgical procedures within the confined anatomical spaces of the brachial plexus. Limitations revolve around inadequate instrumentation, large learning curves, and increased costs that restrict the ability to perform these complex microsurgical procedures reliably and efficiently. As companies continue to develop instrumentation specific to robot-assisted microsurgery, more extensive longitudinal studies outlining long-term costs, changes in operating time, and functional outcomes will be required before a conclusion about the utility of these systems in brachial plexus surgery can be made.

Thoracic Aortic Graft Salvage after Sternal Wound Infection with Antibiotic Beads and Flap Coverage.

Infections involving thoracic aortic grafts are difficult to treat and have devastating consequences. The traditional approaches to surgical management include aggressive debridement with graft explantation and replacement. Despite treatment, the reported morbidity and mortality rates are high. The purpose of this study was to present our experience with an innovative approach to aortic graft salvage in the setting of sternal wound infection using antibiotic impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads followed by definitive wound closure with flap coverage. A retrospective review identified patients with surgical wounds after aortic graft or cardiac valve placement over a 7-year period at a single institution. Patients were treated using an algorithm consisting of repeated surgical debridement and placement of antibiotic beads followed by flap coverage after suppression of the infection. A total of 20 patients were treated for surgical wounds, including 19 sternal and one thoracotomy wound. Culture positive surgical site infections were documented in 16 patients. One patient required a bead exchange before definitive closure. There were no in-hospital mortalities. All but two patients achieved successful infection suppression and wound closure with flap coverage. The use of antibiotic beads with serial debridement and flap closure may offer a valid option for aortic graft salvage in the setting of infected sternal wounds in the appropriate patient population. The proposed algorithm showed that patients may be successfully treated, and their infection suppressed without the need for graft removal. Mortality rates were lower from those previously reported in the literature.

Employment as a Plastic Surgeon: A Review of Trends and Demand Across the Field.

ABSTRACT: Intrinsic to the field of plastic surgery, constant changes in health care policy, consumer demands, and medical technology necessitate periodic evaluation of trends in employment over time. In this article, we review the existing literature to report the current state of plastic surgery employment in the United States with regards to compensation, practice patterns, subspecialty trends, contract negotiation, representation of women in the field of plastic surgery, burnout and job satisfaction, and retirement. Understanding how the plastic surgery job market is changing not only serves as a valuable tool for the individual plastic surgeon regarding the navigation of his or her own career but also offers insight into the future of the field as a whole.