Autologous Fat Transfer for Scar Prevention and Remodeling: A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-controlled Trial.

Autologous fat transfer-also referred to as fat grafting-has been reported to provide beneficial effects to overlying scar and skin. Despite procedural frequency, there is a paucity of high-level evidence guiding the surgeon in technique, patient selection, and efficacy. METHODS: A multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, internally placebo-controlled trial was performed with an aim to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the impact of autologous fat transfer on the quality of overlying scar tissue. Fat-grafted scars were evaluated and compared with paired, saline-injected "control" scars. Subjective and objective metrics were evaluated in treated sites for 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Blinded qualitative results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in scar quality over time in fat-grafted scars. However, these improvements were not found to be statistically different from changes noted in scars treated with saline. In addition, objective metrics did not statistically differ between saline-injected and autologous fat-grafted scars. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that autologous fat grafting can improve the qualitative profile of a scar from both the patient and observer perspectives. However, there was no difference in improvement when compared with scars that were treated with saline in a randomized and blinded fashion. These results demonstrate that any improvements in scar quality related to fat grafting are also achieved using saline and suggest that mechanisms other than cell activity may be at play. Additional randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trials are required to either corroborate or contest the putative beneficial effect(s) of adipose tissue on scar remodeling.

Utilization and Perception of Integrative Medicine Among Plastic Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: Integrative medicine (IM) is currently used by 40% of Americans. Our objective is to examine the prevalence and perception of IM utilization in patients being evaluated for elective plastic surgery. METHODS: In July 2014, 402 consecutive patients presenting to plastic surgery clinics at the University of Florida, Veterans Affairs (VA), and Private Practices in Gainesville, Florida were requested to complete a survey regarding utilization of and attitudes towards IM. RESULTS: The survey completion rate was 75.5% (n = 331). The respondents' mean age was 48.5 years, and they were primarily white (75%), married (48%), and educated with at least a college degree (58%). The respondents were distributed between the university (74%), VA (15%), and private practice (11%). There was an equal mix of reconstructive (52%) and cosmetic (48%) visits. Overall IM utilization was 80.0%. Integrative medicine use correlated with having a college degree (P = 0.0002) and being middle age (40-64 years, P < 0.005). A higher utilization rate of IM in the private sector (87.0%) compared with the university (76.1%) and VA (71.0%) was not statistically significant (P = 0.17). Similarly, higher IM utilization in cosmetic patients compared with reconstructive patients (81% vs 74%) was not statistically significant (P = 0.56). The majority of patients stated a strong belief in self-healing techniques (71%, P < 0.005), and they desired (61%) that their physician should be familiar with these techniques (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The IM utilization is highly prevalent among plastic surgery patients regardless of reason for visit (cosmetic versus reconstruction) or practice setting (private versus academic versus VA). Increasing awareness of IM usage and potential impact on outcomes is especially important for academic and VA plastic surgeons. Moreover, an opportunity exists to study how certain aspects of IM can positively impact plastic surgery care.

Evolving Perceptions of the Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency Training Program.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, there has been a transition in plastic surgery residency training. Many programs across the country are now using integrated training modalities vs. independent training programs. This change in residency training has brought into question the effectiveness of integrated residency programs, in which medical students immediately enter the plastic surgery specialty upon graduation. This study assessed plastic surgery residency program directors and faculty members׳ viewpoints on the transition to integrated training programs and the effect this transition has had on the training of plastic surgery residents. DESIGN: An anonymous 13-question survey was formulated using a pilot survey sent to members of the plastic surgery department at the University of Florida. The final survey was then electronically sent via SurveyMonkey.com to 92 current plastic surgery residency program directors. Program directors were identified via program lists provided by the American Council of Academic Surgeons. Program directors were then asked to forward the survey to faculty members of their respective institutions. Responses collected were analyzed via SurveyMonkey.com and Microsoft Excel. SETTING: University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery. PARTICIPANTS: Plastic surgery residency program directors as identified by the American Council of Academic Surgeons. RESULTS: A response rate of 40.2% was achieved via 37 of the 92 plastic surgery program directors responding to the electronic survey. An additional 6 anonymous faculty members also responded to the survey, 13.9% of all responses. Institutions indicated that the majority was using integrated residency programs, with some institutions using both integrated and independent training programs simultaneously. Most respondents indicated that they supported the transition to the integrated residency program at their respective institutions. Respondents indicated several reasons as to why or why not programs have transitioned to the integrated program, with lack of funding being the primary indication of not making the transition. Upon responding with their level of agreement to several statements, respondents indicated that they agreed that the integrated training program is superior to the independent program and is not negatively effecting the specialty. CONCLUSIONS: The transition to the integrated plastic surgery residency program is continuing to grow. Most respondents in this survey indicated their belief in the superiority of the integrated program. However, a large proportion of respondents stated that they neither agreed nor disagreed with several of the provided statements concerning which residency program is superior. Thus, further research is needed to discern whether or not the integrated program is in fact superior to the independent residency training program.

Comparative Outcomes and Quality Analysis of Inverted-T and Pure Vertical Scar Techniques in Superomedial Pedicle Reduction Mammaplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple techniques exist for reduction mammoplasty, but no singular consensus exists as to which method is the most effective in providing an aesthetically pleasing breast. We reviewed our institution's reduction mammoplasty experience over a 2-year period to evaluate aesthetic and surgical outcomes comparing superiorly based pedicles with skin excisions resulting in either an inverted T or vertical scar. METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective review of our institution's surgical database identified patient characteristics and outcomes of all breast reductions performed over a 2-year period (n = 104). A subgroup analysis of patients with complete preoperative and postoperative photographs (n = 56) evaluated postoperative aesthetics on a scale of 1 to 5 (1, poor; 5, excellent). RESULTS: Techniques included a superomedial pedicle with an inverted T-pattern skin excision (n = 81) and pure vertical reduction (n = 23). There was no significant difference in complications between techniques. Common patient risk factors (age, body mass index [BMI], and smoking status) did not correlate with postoperative complications. In the photograph analysis subgroup, inverted T scar pattern reductions had a significantly better scar quality score (3.5 vs 3.2, P < 0.05). In analysis of all subjects, volume of tissue resected was a significant factor in determining overall aesthetic score, with resections of less than 1300 g being significantly associated with an overall aesthetic score of 4 or higher. Logistic regression demonstrated patient age younger than 40 years was a significant contributor to aesthetic score of 4 or higher (P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: We reviewed our institution's experience with 2 common breast reduction techniques. Better scarring was associated with inverted T scar pattern versus vertical pattern. Additionally, rather than pedicle type or skin excision pattern, patient age and weight of tissue resected were the most important contributors to an aesthetically optimal outcome. This study suggests that a single superlative technique does not exist. Rather, inherent patient characteristics are most important in provision of the best aesthetic outcome.

Risk Factor Analysis for Mastectomy Skin Flap Necrosis: Implications for Intraoperative Vascular Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Skin flap necrosis after mastectomy can be a devastating complication significantly affecting patient outcomes. Routine vascular analysis (fluorescein or laser angiography) of mastectomy skin flaps in all patients has been advocated but is of questionable cost-effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and causative risk factors for mastectomy skin flap necrosis and thereby calculate the fiscal reality of intraoperative vascular screening. METHODS: This is an institutional review board-approved retrospective study of all patients from 2007 to 2013 who underwent mastectomy related to breast cancer. Skin flap necrosis was defined as major if it necessitated return to the operating room. Data analysis was done for determination of causative factors of necrosis, including age, body mass index, smoking, previous irradiation, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hyperlipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, diabetes, thyroid disease, history of lumpectomy, and breast reduction or augmentation. During this time, intraoperative vascular screening was not done. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-one patients underwent 616 mastectomies with a total of 34 necrotic events (5.5%)-16 major and 18 minor. Analyses via Student t tests, univariate analyses, χ testing, and logistic regression showed that history of smoking was the only patient factor associated with postoperative necrosis (P = 0.008). More frequently represented in the necrosis group, but without statistical significance, are previous lumpectomy (P = 0.069) and immediate reconstruction (P = 0.078).For the entire study period, the actual cost to the hospital for major necrotic events was $7,123.10 or $445.19 for each of the 16 major necrotic events and $209.50 for all 34 necrotic events. Per-patient cost-effective screening would need to be less than $11.54 for all patients, $100.33 for highest risk patients (smokers), and $21.65 for highest risk patients (smokers, previous lumpectomy, and immediate reconstruction). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular screening other than clinical judgment of all patients is not cost effective. However, intraoperative vascular evaluation of high-risk patients is recommended before reconstruction and/or closure. These financial data that incorporate true costs and revenue can guide the use of newer, more expensive technology such as laser angiography and can be extrapolated to other institutions.

Long-term outcomes of gastric electrical stimulation in children with gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been used in adults with gastroparesis. However its use has been limited in children. We describe the largest experience with GES in children with long-term outcomes. METHODS: Data were collected on children who underwent GES over a 10-year period. Data regarding demographics, medical history, hospital course, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Symptom scores (validated Likert scores) were compared using a paired Student's t test. RESULTS: Overall, 97 patients underwent GES, and a majority were teenage Caucasian girls. Ninety-six had temporary GES (tGES), and 66 had improvement in their symptoms. A total of 67 underwent permanent implantation (pGES), and there was significant reduction in all individual symptoms (p<0.001) as well as the total symptom score (TSS) (p<0.0001) at 1, 6, 12, and >12 months. Recurrence of symptoms leading to device removal occurred in 7 cases. Forty-one patients had continued improvement in symptoms for over 12 months, with a mean follow-up of 3.5 years (range 1-9 years). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest experience of systematic application of GES in children. GES is a safe and effective therapy for selected children with intractable GP with continued symptomatic improvement at 1 year and beyond.

Maximizing chemoprophylaxis against venous thromboembolism in abdominoplasty patients with the use of preoperative heparin administration.

BACKGROUND: Abdominoplasty is one of the highest risk plastic surgery procedures for venous thromboembolism complications (VTE). Current recommendations for VTE prophylaxis are sequential compression devices (SCDs) in the OR and optional use of subcutaneous heparin after surgery. Subcutaneous heparin has been shown to be safe in other surgical groups. However, the large raw surface areas and dissection involved in abdominoplasty has been a relative contraindication for preoperative chemoprophylaxis. However, the period while the patient is under general anesthesia and immediately following the procedure is likely the highest risk time period for VTEs. The purpose of this study is to determine if preoperative chemoprophylaxis is safe in these patients. METHODS: All patients undergoing abdominoplasty by the senior author from January 1, 2005 to January 1, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients whose operation took place between January 1, 2005 and January 18, 2008 were given SCDs before the induction of anesthesia and heparin (unfractionated) 5000 units s.q. on call to the OR. All patients whose operation took place between January 19, 2008 and January 1, 2012 received enoxaparin (low molecular weight heparin) 40 mg s.q. on call to the OR and then daily for 2 days postoperatively. These groups were evaluated in regards to overall complication rate, incidence of VTE, and bleeding complications. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients underwent abdominoplasty during the study period. One hundred one patients received the SCD/heparin protocol and 50 had the enoxaparin protocol. The groups were similar in regard to pre-morbid conditions and risk factors for VTE. There were no VTEs diagnosed in either group. The overall incidence of any complication was similar between the 2 groups (19% vs. 14%, P = 0.503) and similar to other published series. The most common complications were seroma, cellulitis, and minor wound dehiscence. The incidence of bleeding complications was similar between the 2 groups (1% vs. 0%, P = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: The use of preoperative chemoprophylaxis in patients undergoing abdominoplasty can be done without an increase in bleeding complications or overall complication rate. Furthermore, enoxaparin can also be used preoperatively and continued for 2 more days during the period of time of maximum immobility with easy administration for outpatients via use of a prescription home use kit.