RESUMO
Home oxygen therapy (HOT) is prescribed to patients with pulmonary dysfunction to improve survival and quality of life. However, ignition of oxygen can lead to burns with significant morbidity and mortality. Providers who routinely treat this patient population face an ethical issue: balancing the obligation to provide beneficial treatment to a patient with the responsibility to protect that patient from suffering avoidable burn injuries. A thorough review was conducted to assess the literature regarding ethical considerations involved in managing patients who have been burned while smoking on HOT and who continue to smoke. Various aspects of this problem and potential approaches to address it were analyzed with respect to 4 core ethical principles of health care: beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. For patients who repeatedly present with burns acquired secondary to smoking while on oxygen, the authors consider it ethically unacceptable to withhold standard-of-care intervention for acute burns because refusal to treat acute burns conflicts with all 4 ethical principles. A preventive strategy would encourage a more judicious prescription of HOT, supporting the principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence. Additional preventive strategies include upstream solutions such as longitudinal patient education about smoking cessation and the risks of smoking on HOT. Physicians are tasked with the responsibility of both providing optimal care for this patient population and preventing future burn injuries. They may be able to address this challenging situation by thinking more critically about potential solutions while bearing in mind key ethical considerations and obligations.
Assuntos
Queimaduras , Serviços de Assistência Domiciliar , Oxigenoterapia , Humanos , Queimaduras/terapia , Oxigenoterapia/efeitos adversos , Oxigenoterapia/ética , Serviços de Assistência Domiciliar/ética , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Beneficência , MasculinoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional (3D) modeling technology aids the reconstructive surgeon in designing and tailoring individualized implants for the reconstruction of complex craniofacial fractures. Three-dimensional modeling and printing have traditionally been outsourced to commercial vendors but can now be incorporated into both private and academic craniomaxillofacial practices. The goal of this report is to present a low-cost, standardized office-based workflow for restoring bony orbital volume in traumatic orbital fractures. METHODS: Patients with internal orbital fractures requiring open repair were identified. After the virtual 3D models were created by iPlan 3.0 Cranial CMF software (Brainlab), the models were printed using an office-based 3D printer to shape and modify orbital plates to correctly fit the fracture defect. The accuracy of the anatomic reduction and the restored bony orbital volume measurements were determined using postoperative computed tomography images and iPlan software. RESULTS: Nine patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 8 patients had unilateral fractures and 1 patient had bilateral fractures. Average image processing and print time were 1.5 hours and 3 hours, respectively. The cost of the 3D printer was $2500 and the average material cost to print a single orbital model was $2. When compared with the uninjured side, the mean preoperative orbital volume increase and percent difference were 2.7 ± 1.3 mL and 10.9 ± 5.3%, respectively. Postoperative absolute volume and percent volume difference between the orbits were -0.2 ± 0.4 mL and -0.8 ± 1.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Office-based 3D printing can be routinely used in the repair of internal orbital fractures in an efficient and cost-effective manner to design the implant with satisfactory patient outcomes.
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Study Design: Retrospective chart review of revisional orbital surgery outcomes in patients with diplopia from prior operative treatment of orbital trauma. Objective: Our study seeks to review our experience with management of persistent post-traumatic diplopia in patients with previous orbital reconstruction and present a novel patient stratification algorithm predictive of improved outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on adult patients at Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital and at the University of Maryland Medical Center who underwent revisional orbital surgery for correction of diplopia for the years 2005-2020. Restrictive strabismus was determined by Lancaster red-green testing coupled with computed tomography and/or forced duction. Globe position was assessed by computed tomography. Seventeen patients requiring operative intervention according to study criteria were identified. Results: Globe malposition affected fourteen patients and restrictive strabismus affected eleven patients. In this select group, improvement in diplopia occurred in 85.7% of cases with globe malposition and in 90.1% of cases with restrictive strabismus. One patient underwent additional strabismus surgery subsequent to orbital repair. Conclusions: Post-traumatic diplopia in patients with prior orbital reconstruction can be successfully managed in appropriate patients with a high degree of success. Indications for surgical management include (1) globe malposition and (2) restrictive strabismus. High resolution computer tomography and Lancaster red-green testing discriminate these from other causes that are unlikely to benefit from orbital surgery.
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PURPOSE: The 2020-2021 interview cycle for integrated plastic surgery applicants was the first to be held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we detail the largest study on integrated plastic surgery applicant perceptions after the virtual interview cycle. METHODS: A 35-question institutional review board-approved survey was distributed to medical students who had applied to the Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland or University of California San Diego integrated residency programs during the 2020-2021 interview cycle. Survey questions assessed the structure, strengths, and weaknesses of the exclusively virtual interview process. Survey administration and data collection were performed using the Qualtrics platform. RESULTS: Of 318 distributed surveys, 94 were completed. In addition, 91.5% of respondents preferred in-person interviews before the interview season, whereas 54.3% preferred in-person interviews afterward. Applicants who favored virtual interviews did not view being unable to physically meet with program staff as a detriment (P = .001) and felt they could effectively advocate for themselves (P = .002). Overall, the most cited strengths were the ability to complete more interviews (P = .01) and cost benefits (P = .02). Criticisms were directed at the impersonal nature of the exchange (86.2%), lack of physical tour (56.4%), and difficulties at self-advocacy (52.1%). CONCLUSION: Preference for virtual interviews increased from 7.5% to 34.0% after the virtual interview cycle. For several students, the ideal interview structure permits both in-person and virtual interviews to maximize flexibility. Augmenting with virtual city tours and one-on-one interviews may mitigate the impersonal nature of virtual interviews as perceived by some applicants.
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COVID-19 , Internato e Residência , Estudantes de Medicina , Cirurgia Plástica , Humanos , Cirurgia Plástica/educação , Pandemias , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Due to COVID-19, hospitals underwent drastic changes to operating room policy to mitigate the spread of the disease. Given these unprecedented measures, we aimed to look at the changes in operative volume and metrics of the burn surgery service at our institution. A retrospective review was conducted for operative cases and metrics for the months of March to May for 2019, 2020, and 2021, which correspond with pre-COVID, early COVID (period without elective cases), and late COVID (period with resumed elective cases). Inclusion criteria were cases related to burns. Case types and operative metrics were compared amongst the three time-periods. Compared to the hospital, the burn service had a smaller decrease in volume during early COVID (28.7% vs 50.1%) and exceeded prepandemic volumes during late COVID (+21.8% vs -4.6%). There was a significant increase in excision and grafting cases in early and late COVID periods (P < .0001 and P < .002). There was a significant decrease in laser scar procedures that persisted even during late COVID (P < .0001). The projected and actual lengths of cases significantly increased and persisted into late COVID (P < .01). COVID-19 related operating room closures led to an expected decrease in the number of operative cases. However, there was no significant decline in the number of burn specific cases. The elective cases were largely replaced with excision and grafting cases and this shift has persisted even after elective cases have resumed. This change is also reflected in increased operative times.
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Queimaduras , COVID-19 , Humanos , Queimaduras/cirurgia , Transplante de Pele/métodos , Cicatriz/cirurgia , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Over 35 million Americans have lymphedema. Nonetheless, lymphedema is underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide. We investigated whether the rates of coverage for imaging and surgical procedures may contribute to the limited care provided for lymphedema. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional evaluation of 58 insurers, chosen based on state enrollment and market share. A web-based search or phone call determined whether a publicly available policy on lymphedema-specific imaging, physiological procedures, and excisional procedures was available. Coverage status and corresponding criteria were extracted. RESULTS: Of the two-thirds of insurers who included a policy on imaging, 4% (n = 2) provided coverage and 4% (n = 2) specified coverage only on a case-by-case basis. Forty-eight percent (n = 28) of insurers had a statement of coverage on lymphovenous bypass or vascularized lymph node transfer, in which reimbursement was almost universally denied (96%, n = 26; 93%, n = 26). Liposuction and debulking procedures were included in 25 (43%) and 13 (22%) policies, in which seven (28%) and four (31%) insurers would provide coverage, with over 75% having criteria. Coverage of liposuction was significantly more than for lymphovenous bypass (P < .04). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-half of American insurers do not have a publicly available policy on most imaging, physiological, or excisional procedures, leaving coverage status ambiguous. Reimbursement was uncommon for imaging and physiological procedures, whereas the majority of insurers who did offer coverage for excisional procedures also had multiple criteria to be met. These elements may together be a limiting factor in receiving appropriate care for lymphedema.
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Linfedema , Anastomose Cirúrgica , Estudos Transversais , Humanos , Cobertura do Seguro , Sistema Linfático , Linfedema/diagnóstico por imagem , Linfedema/cirurgia , Estados UnidosRESUMO
Home oxygen therapy (HOT) burns carry high morbidity and mortality. Many patients are active smokers, which is the most frequent cause of oxygen ignition. We conducted a retrospective review at our institution to characterize demographics and outcomes in this patient population. An IRB-approved single-institution retrospective review was conducted for home oxygen therapy burn patients between July 2016 and January 2021. Demographic and clinical outcome data were compared between groups. We identified 100 patients with oxygen therapy burns. Mean age was 66.6 years with a male to female ratio of 1.3:1 and median burn surface area of 1%. In these patients, 97% were on oxygen for COPD and smoking caused 83% of burns. Thirteen were discharged from the emergency department, 35 observed for less than 24 hours, and 52 admitted. For admitted patients, 69.2% were admitted to the ICU, 37% required intubation, and 11.5% required debridement and grafting. Inhalational injury was found in 26.9% of patients, 3.9% underwent tracheostomy, and 17.3% experienced hospital complications. In-hospital mortality was 9.6% and 7.7% were discharged to hospice. 13.5% required readmission within 30 days. Admitted patients had significantly higher rates of admission to the ICU, intubation, and inhalational injury compared to those that were not admitted (P < .01). Most HOT-related burns are caused by smoking and can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Efforts to educate and encourage smoking cessation with more judicious HOT allocation would assist in preventing these unnecessary highly morbid injuries.
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Queimaduras , Idoso , Queimaduras/epidemiologia , Feminino , Hospitalização , Humanos , Tempo de Internação , Masculino , Oxigênio , Oxigenoterapia/efeitos adversos , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Lymphedema affects >1 in 1000 Americans, most often resulting from breast cancer surgery. Conservative treatment, such as compression garments, combined decongestive therapy (CDT), and pneumatic compression pumps, is the current standard of care. Despite the wide availability of these therapies, lymphedema has remained undertreated worldwide. We investigated whether third-party insurance coverage might be a barrier to obtaining conservative treatment in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of publicly accessible insurance policies. A total of 58 insurers were included in accordance with their state enrollment data and market share. The analysis was conducted using a web-based search and individual telephone interviews. For those policies that extended coverage, the medical necessity criteria were abstracted. RESULTS: A total of 50 insurance companies (86%) had a policy in place addressing conservative management. Included in 37 policies (64%), compression garments were covered the least often (n = 33; 89%). Although CDT was included in only 22 policies (38%), it was universally covered. Noncalibrated pneumatic compression pumps were the most frequently addressed intervention (n = 46; 79%), significantly more often than CDT (P < .01) and were universally covered, significantly more often than were compression garments (P < .04). Criteria for reimbursement were present for more than one half of the policies that provided coverage. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of U.S. insurers provided coverage for conservative treatment of lymphedema. However, only 38% of the policies included a statement of coverage for CDT. Most of the policies that did provide coverage for these four therapies also had multiple criteria that were required to be met before considering reimbursement. These requirements could create barriers to the receipt of treatment.
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Tratamento Conservador , Linfedema , Tratamento Conservador/efeitos adversos , Estudos Transversais , Humanos , Cobertura do Seguro , Linfedema/diagnóstico , Linfedema/terapia , Mastectomia , Estados UnidosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Prominent ears affect up to 5% of the population and can lead to social and psychological concerns at a critical time of social development. It can be addressed with an otoplasty, which is often considered a cosmetic procedure. The authors assessed insurance coverage of all indications of otoplasty and their medical necessity criteria. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 58 insurance policies for otoplasty. The insurance companies were selected based on their state enrolment and market share. A web-based search and telephone interviews were utilized to identify the policies. Medically necessary criteria were then abstracted from the publicly available policies. RESULTS: Of the 58 insurance policies assessed, 25 (43%) provide coverage of otoplasty. There were 2 indications for coverage: hearing loss (nâ=â20, 80%) and normal approximation (nâ=â14, 56%), which would encompass prominent ears. Normal approximation was a covered indication for significantly fewer insurers than hearing loss (56% versus 80%, Pâ=â0.0013). Of all the otoplasty policies which covered normal approximation, 21% (nâ=â3) addressed protruding ears as an etiology. Prominent ears were not included in any policies which covered hearing loss. All policies inclusive of prominent ears required a protrusion of >20âmm from the temporal surface of the head (nâ=â3, 100%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a great discrepancy in insurance coverage of otoplasty. A greater proportion of policies cover hearing loss compared to normal approximation. The authors encourage plastic surgeons to advocate for the necessity and coverage of normal approximation by insurers.