Comparing Gender Congruency in Nonsurgical versus Postsurgical Top Surgery Patients: A Prospective Survey Study.

Background: Gender dysphoria can result in reduced quality of life. Treatments include hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and gender-affirming surgery. Our study compared congruency, satisfaction, and discrimination in patients who underwent top surgery and HRT versus HRT alone. We hypothesized improved outcomes in top surgery patients but that lack of access is a common barrier. Methods: Transgender and nonbinary subjects who underwent at least 6 months of HRT were recruited and answered questions on gender congruency, discrimination, and barriers to care. Surgical patients were asked about postoperative satisfaction using the BREAST-Q. A Mann-Whitney test compared survey responses between study arms. Results: One hundred twelve eligible subjects completed the survey. Surgical subjects answered significantly more positively (P < 0.001) on all questions regarding gender congruency. The greatest difference was observed in how subjects' physical bodies represented their gender identity, where the surgery group rated higher on the five-point Likert scale by 2.0 points (P < 0.001). Surgical patients also reported less violence, verbal abuse, and discrimination (P < 0.003). Within the hormone arm, 87.1% stated desire for surgery and 62.5% declared barriers to surgery, with cost and insurance coverage representing the most common barriers. Finally, surgical subjects reported high satisfaction on the BREAST-Q, scoring more than 3.0 in all categories of breast augmentation and more than 2.6 for breast reduction on a four-point Likert scale. Conclusions: Top surgery, in addition to HRT, significantly improves gender congruency and decreases discrimination and abuse, compared with HRT alone. Unfortunately, barriers including cost and lack of insurance continue to be obstacles for care.

Vascularized Fibula Epiphysis Transfer for Pediatric Extremity Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vascularized fibula epiphysis transfer for pediatric extremity reconstruction intends to preserve growth potential. However, few cases are reported, and outcomes are poorly characterized. METHODS: Systematic review was performed through a MEDLINE search using keywords "pediatric" or "epiphyseal" and "vascularized fibula." Patients were divided into upper extremity or lower extremity groups. Functional and growth outcomes were assessed, and indications, pedicle, complications, and need for secondary surgery were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty publications with 62 patients were included. Mean age was 5.9 years, and mean follow-up was 5.8 years. Indications included sarcoma (60%), congenital deformity (21%), trauma (13%), and infection (6%). Anterior tibial pedicle was most common (63%) and was associated with significantly improved growth outcomes compared with the peroneal pedicle (23%; P < 0.001). Fifty-three patients underwent upper extremity reconstruction, with the most common complication being fracture (35%) and most common secondary surgery flap salvage (7%). Among upper extremity patients, full function was achieved in 25% and impaired function in 75%. Full growth was observed in 63% of patients, partial growth in 31%, and no growth in 4%. Nine patients underwent lower extremity reconstruction, with the most common complication being fracture (22%) and most common secondary surgery derotational osteotomy (22%). Among lower extremity patients, full function was achieved in 44% and impaired function in 56%. Full growth was observed in 56% of patients, partial growth in 22%, and no growth in 22%. CONCLUSIONS: Vascularized fibula epiphysis transfer can accomplish full long-term growth and function. However, complications, revision surgery, and chronic impairment are common.

The Management of Partial Zone II Intrasynovial Flexor Tendon Lacerations: A Literature Review of Biomechanics, Clinical Outcomes, and Complications.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating trauma or lacerations within zone II of the flexor sheath may result in partial tendon injury. The proper management of this injury is controversial; the literature contains differing indications for surgical treatment and postoperative rehabilitation. METHODS: A literature review of the Cochrane, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases was performed using the following search criteria: partial, flexor, tendon, and laceration. All English language studies that evaluated biomechanical strength, complications, and outcomes after partial tendon injury in human and animal studies were included and reviewed by two of the authors. RESULTS: Animal and cadaveric biomechanical studies have demonstrated that partial lacerations involving up to 95 percent of the tendon cross-sectional area can safely tolerate loads generated through unresisted, active finger flexion. Suture tenorrhaphy of partial tendon injury is associated with decreased tendon tensile strength, increased resistance, and decreased tendon gliding. Complications of nonsurgical management include triggering and entrapment, which can be managed by tendon beveling or pulley release. Late rupture is extremely uncommon (one report). CONCLUSIONS: Partial tendon lacerations involving 90 percent of the cross-sectional area can be safely treated without surgical repair and immediate protected active motion. Indications for exploration and treatment include concern for complete injury, triggering of the involved digit, or entrapment of the tendon. Surgical treatment for tendon triggering or entrapment with less than 75 percent cross-sectional injury is beveling of the tendon edges and injuries greater than 75 percent should be repaired with a noncircumferential, simple epitendinous suture. All patients should be allowed to perform early protected active motion after surgery.

Comparison of Long-Term Fertility Outcomes after Myomectomy: Relationship with Number of Myomas Removed.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if the number of myomas removed during myomectomy for symptomatic relief affects long-term fertility outcomes in reproductive-aged women. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort survey study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred forty-four patients who underwent myomectomy for symptomatic myomas and attempted to conceive afterward. INTERVENTION: Questionnaire mailed to reproductive-aged women who received robotic, laparoscopic, or abdominal myomectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients with >6 myomas removed were less likely to achieve pregnancy after myomectomy than patients with ≤6 myomas removed (22.9% vs 70.8%, respectively; p < .001). To achieve pregnancy, 45% of those with >6 myomas removed (vs 17.6% of those with ≤6 myomas removed) relied on fertility treatment (clomiphene citrate, letrozole, intrauterine insemination, or in vitro fertilization). Of those with >6 myomas removed who became pregnant, 45.5% had a term birth, 45.5% miscarried, and 9.1% had an ectopic pregnancy. Of those with ≤6 myomas removed who became pregnant, 61.8% had a term birth, 23.5% had a preterm birth, and 13.2% miscarried. CONCLUSION: The number of myomas removed during myomectomy significantly affects fertility. Women with >6 myomas removed were less likely to become pregnant, more likely to require fertility treatment, and less likely to have a term birth when compared with women with ≤6 myomas removed.

Effect of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on therapeutic outcomes among women with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) affect the use of hormonal treatments, subsequent ablative surgery, and need for pain management, including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-depressants, among women with endometriosis. METHODS: In a retrospective study, data were reviewed from women with surgically confirmed endometriosis who were not treated (n=234) or treated with DMARDs for 6 weeks or more (n=25) before surgical diagnosis at a single healthcare system in the USA between 2003 and 2013. The postoperative use of hormonal treatments, proportion of women undergoing subsequent ablative surgery, and use of adjunct therapies such as antidepressants, steroids, and opioids after surgery were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The two groups showed differences in age (P=0.007) and follow-up time (P<0.001). Univariate analysis showed more frequent use of hormonal treatments (P=0.045) and antidepressants (P=0.006) among women treated with DMARDs. The frequency of post-diagnostic use of opioids was lower among treated women (P=0.001); this association remained significant in multivariate analysis controlling for potential confounders (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that administration of DMARDs for at least 6 weeks is associated with decreased opioid usage among women with endometriosis.

Fat Injection: A Systematic Review of Injection Volumes by Facial Subunit.

BACKGROUND: Fat grafting to the aging face has become an integral component of esthetic surgery. However, the amount of fat to inject to each area of the face is not standardized and has been based mainly on the surgeon's experience. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of injected fat volume to different facial zones. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed through a MEDLINE search using keywords "facial," "fat grafting," "lipofilling," "Coleman technique," "autologous fat transfer," and "structural fat grafting." Articles were then sorted by facial subunit and analyzed for: author(s), year of publication, study design, sample size, donor site, fat preparation technique, average and range of volume injected, time to follow-up, percentage of volume retention, and complications. Descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS: Nineteen articles involving a total of 510 patients were included. Rhytidectomy was the most common procedure performed concurrently with fat injection. The mean volume of fat injected to the forehead is 6.5 mL (range 4.0-10.0 mL); to the glabellar region 1.4 mL (range 1.0-4.0 mL); to the temple 5.9 mL per side (range 2.0-10.0 mL); to the eyebrow 5.5 mL per side; to the upper eyelid 1.7 mL per side (range 1.5-2.5 mL); to the tear trough 0.65 mL per side (range 0.3-1.0 mL); to the infraorbital area (infraorbital rim to lower lid/cheek junction) 1.4 mL per side (range 0.9-3.0 mL); to the midface 1.4 mL per side (range 1.0-4.0 mL); to the nasolabial fold 2.8 mL per side (range 1.0-7.5 mL); to the mandibular area 11.5 mL per side (range 4.0-27.0 mL); and to the chin 6.7 mL (range 1.0-20.0 mL). CONCLUSIONS: Data on exactly how much fat to inject to each area of the face in facial fat grafting are currently limited and vary widely based on different methods and anatomical terms used. This review offers the ranges and the averages for the injected volume in each zone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Bipedicle Flaps for Posterior Elbow Reconstruction.

Chronic posterior elbow soft tissue defects often require soft tissue reconstruction because of exposure of the underlying triceps tendon and proximal ulna. Current options for soft tissue coverage require sacrifice of a local muscle or microsurgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient and surgical outcomes after reconstruction of small-sized to medium-sized (<50 cm) posterior elbow defects with bipedicle advancement flaps. A retrospective chart review was performed for 3 patients who underwent posterior elbow reconstruction with bipedicle flaps. The etiology of the soft tissue elbow defect was chronic infected olecranon bursitis (n=2) and exposed olecranon plate after open fracture (n=1). Patient comorbidities included: diabetes, CREST (Calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, Esophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia) syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. The mean patient age at time of reconstruction was 44 years (39 to 51 y), and the mean area of soft tissue defect was 39.3 cm (24 to 54 cm) after debridement of involved tissue. All patients had positive intraoperative cultures and were treated with culture-directed long-term intravenous antibiotics. There were no surgical complications or flap loss. All patients had reepithelialization of the donor site by postoperative week 8 and stable soft tissue coverage of the elbow after surgery at final follow-up with full preoperative elbow range of motion. This technique offers a simple, reliable solution for soft tissue coverage of the posterior elbow using excess local tissue for primary closure of posterior elbow wounds with minimal donor-site morbidity.

The Effect of Salpingectomy on Ovarian Function.

Tubal surgery is performed for a variety of indications in gynecology. Salpingectomy is the most aggressive form of tubal surgery and may be performed for potential risk reduction for epithelial ovarian cancer, sterilization, and ectopic pregnancy and as a method to enhance fertility in the setting of hydrosalpinx. Depending on the indication, alternatives include conservative therapy alone, tubal occlusion, and salpingostomy. However, aggressive tubal surgery may impact fertility and ovarian reserve because of its effects on adjacent ovarian tissue. Ovarian damage may manifest as alterations in serum and sonographic markers of ovarian function as well as in vitro fertilization (IVF) response and, ultimately, impair outcomes in assisted reproductive and spontaneous conception cycles. We performed a review of articles from PubMed, Cochrane, and MEDLINE from 1946 to 2016 and included 48 relevant publications. For most indications for salpingectomy, ovarian reserve is not impacted. Although there are several conflicting studies suggesting a slight impairment of the parameters of ovarian reserve, these studies were mostly in patients who underwent salpingectomy for an ectopic pregnancy. For patients attempting to conceive naturally, salpingectomy overall does not confer a substantial decrease in conception. Conservative options may increase their risk for persistent trophoblastic disease. In patients planning on IVF, salpingectomy does not appear to significantly affect ovarian stimulation parameters or clinical pregnancy rates. Furthermore, salpingectomy is recommended in cases of hydrosalpinx. Overall, salpingectomy has no significant effects on ovarian reserve. However, the impact on IVF success and spontaneous pregnancy rates must be weighed by the indication for possible salpingectomy. A review of these risks and benefits should aid in choosing between salpingectomy and less aggressive alternatives.

Hemostatic Techniques for Myomectomy: An Evidence-Based Approach.

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign gynecologic tumor. They are also a significant cause of morbidity, necessitating treatments ranging from hormonal suppression to surgical intervention. Myomectomy, the removal of these highly vascular tumors, offers significant quality of life and fertility-sparing benefit for patients affected by uterine leiomyomas but with a risk of substantial intraoperative blood loss. This risk of hemorrhage leads not only an increased transfusion rate but also he need for hysterectomy and other potential operative complications. Numerous medical and surgical techniques have been developed to minimize potentially significant blood loss during abdominal, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted myomectomies. Combined with judicious preoperative assessment, these techniques substantially enhance patient safety during a myomectomy and outcomes during recovery.