IDEAL Phase 2a Results: Posterior Rectus Sheath Flap for Hiatal Augmentation in Complex Paraesophageal Hernias.

OBJECTIVE: To report the developmental phase results of posterior rectus sheath hiatal flap augmentation (PoRSHA), a promising surgical innovation for large and recurrent paraesophageal hernias. BACKGROUND: Durable hernia repair for large paraesophageal hernias continues to be a surgical challenge. PoRSHA addresses the challenges of current and historical approaches to complex paraesophageal hernias and demonstrates significant promise as a successful alternative approach. METHODS: Using the IDEAL framework, we outline the technical modifications made over the first 27 consecutive cases using PoRSHA. Outcomes measured included hernia recurrence on routine imaging at 6 months and 2 years, development of a postoperative abdominal wall eventration and incidence of solid food dysphagia. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients at our single institution with type III (n=12), type IV (n=7), or recurrent (n=8) paraesophageal hernias underwent PoRSHA. Surgery was safely and successfully carried out in all cases. Stability of the technique was reached after 16 cases, resulting in 4 main repair types. At an average follow-up of 11 months, we observed no radiologic recurrences, no abdominal eventrations or hernias at the donor site, and 1 patient with occasional solid food dysphagia that resolved with dilation. CONCLUSIONS: PoRSHA can not only be safely added to conventional hiatal hernia repair with appropriate training but also demonstrates excellent short-term outcomes. While the long-term durability with 5-year follow-up is still needed, here we provide cautious optimism that PoRSHA may represent a novel solution to the long-standing high recurrence rates observed with current complex PEH repair.

Ultradelayed Arterial Thrombosis: Critical Flap Ischemia After Phalloplasty.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Delayed arterial thrombus causing loss of a cutaneous free flap at or beyond 6 months is a rare phenomenon. The purpose of this report is to describe 2 cases of arterial compromise requiring medical and surgical intervention at or beyond 6 months after radial forearm free flap (RFFF) phalloplasty and to define the phenomenon of ultradelayed arterial thrombosis. METHODS: Patient 1 is a 44-year-old transmale who presented with pulselessness, pallor, and hypersensitivity of his neophallus 10 years status post-RFFF phalloplasty using a saphenous vein interposition graft (SVIG) between the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and radial artery (RA). Patient 2 is a 35-year-old transmale who presented with similar complaints 6 months status post-RFFF phalloplasty with the same vascular connections as above. RESULTS: Patient 1 was found to have an arterial thrombus distal to the SFA-SVIG anastomosis requiring catheter-directed thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator, resulting in partial loss limited to the distal three fourths of the shaft. Patient 2 was also found to have an arterial thrombus distal to the SFA-SVIG anastomosis requiring catheter-directed thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator and common femoral artery CFA-RA bypass, resulting in partial loss limited to the neoglans. CONCLUSIONS: Ultradelayed arterial thrombosis is a rare phenomenon requiring urgent intervention. The exact causes of this phenomenon, whether mechanical or physiological or both, have yet to be fully elucidated but it is hypothesized that the original anastomosis may continue to serve as the critical blood supply to its flap as far as 10 years after surgery.

Assessing Patient Satisfaction Among Transgender Individuals Seeking Medical Services.

BACKGROUND: Gender dysphoria is estimated to occur in up to 0.4% of the US population. Gender-confirming surgery (GCS) has been shown to improve the quality of life of transgender patients. However, a dearth of standardized and reliable measures specific to transgender individuals exists to objectively gauge sensitivity and competency among providers caring for these patients. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane databases using search terms related to provider competency and sensitivity during consultation for GCS was conducted for studies published through December 2017. Data were gathered from the publications that met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The total number of articles focusing on transgender persons was 14 of more than 75,000 patient satisfaction-oriented published articles (<0.001%). Only 8 (57%) of the 14 represented original research. After applying the inclusion criteria, only 2 were found to discuss measures of patient satisfaction specific to transgender individuals. Of these 2, none evaluated patient satisfaction specific to the time of surgical consultation. CONCLUSIONS: With increasing awareness and decreasing stigma surrounding transgender issues, it is likely that more transgender individuals will begin to seek GCS. There is a need for patient-reported experience measures specific to transgender individuals in order to appropriately gauge the interactions they experience with their surgeons. However, current instruments are neither standardized nor reliable for transgender patients to gauge provider sensitivity and competency.

Geometric Three-Dimensional End-to-Side Microvascular Anastomosis: A Simple and Reproducible Technique.

BACKGROUND: End-to-side (ETS) anastomoses are useful when preservation of distal vascularity is critical. The ideal ETS microanastomosis should maintain a wide aperture and have a smooth take-off point to minimize turbulence, vessel spasm, and thrombogenicity of the suture line. We have developed a unique, dependable, and reproducible geometric technique for ETS anastomoses, and analyze its efficacy in our series of patients. METHODS: The geometric ETS technique involves creating a three-dimensional (3D) diamond-shaped defect on the recipient vessel wall, followed by a slit incision of the donor vessel to create a "spatula" fitting this defect. This technique removes sutures from the point of most turbulent blood flow while holding the recipient vessel open with a patch vesselplasty effect. We perform a retrospective review of a single surgeon's experience using this technique. RESULTS: The geometric 3D ETS technique was used in 87 free flaps with a total of 102 ETS anastomoses in a wide range of cases including head and neck, trunk and genitourinary, and extremity reconstruction. Overall, free flap success rates were 98%. CONCLUSIONS: The geometric 3D ETS technique creates a wide anastomosis, minimizes turbulence-inducing thrombogenicity, and mechanically holds the recipient vessel open. It is reliable and reproducible, and when performed properly has been shown to have high rates of success in a large group of free tissue transfer patients.

Complex Orofacial Reconstruction with the Intrinsic Chimeric Flap.

Background Ablation of locally advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer often results in large composite orofacial defects with limited recipient vessels. These complex defects lend well to intrinsic chimeric flap reconstruction, which allows greater ability to inset various flap component tissue types than composite flaps and requires only one set of microvascular anastomoses. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent orofacial reconstruction with an intrinsic chimeric free flap from 2002 to 2015. Flaps with only one tissue type, such as two separate skin paddles with no additional component, were not considered chimeric flaps and therefore not included in this report. Patient demographic data, defect, and flap characteristics, as well as complications and outcomes were analyzed to create a guide for flap selection. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine risk factors for flap take-back and failure. Results Seventy-five patients underwent orofacial intrinsic chimeric free flap reconstruction. Results were organized based on defect characteristics to create a guide for flap selection. The number of chimeric flap components and operation duration were independently statistically associated with flap take-backs (p < 0.05). There were two (3%) total and five (7%) partial flap losses. Average follow-up time was 32.7 months. Conclusions Intrinsic chimeric flaps provide a versatile and elegant reconstructive option for a variety of complex orofacial defects. We provide a guide to facilitate decision making in flap selection for these challenging reconstructions and report factors associated with flap take-backs and losses.

Modification of the Labbé Procedure: Integration of the Deep Temporalis Fascia Turnover Flap.

Modification of the lengthening temporalis myoplasty for reanimation of facial paralysis is presented. A patient experienced traumatic laceration of the left facial nerve resulting in left hemifacial paralysis. Multiple attempts at nerve repair were unsuccessful. For smile restoration, a Labbé procedure was performed. Because of inadequate length, the temporalis tendon could not be directly secured to the modiolus. Therefore, an inferiorly based temporalis fascia flap was recruited from the deep temporal fascia and reflected inferiorly to provide additional length by which the tendon could be secured to the modiolus. This technique provided immediate smile restoration and required no additional donor site.

Chest wall, thymus, and heart vascularized composite allograft proof of concept cadaveric model for heart transplantation.

The use of vascularized composite allografts allows for the reconstruction of complex scenarios that previously have required multistaged operations. Heart transplantation often follows a series of previous operations leading to chest wall deformities and significant mediastinal adhesions that can limit the use of larger hearts, making it difficult to find a suitable donor. Further, research has shown that the use of vascularized bone marrow and vascularized thymus in transplantation potentially prolongs graft survival with decreased immunosuppression requirements. The authors propose using a vascularized composite allograft of the chest wall consisting of sternum and thymus in conjunction with the heart for cardiac transplantation to allow for more flexibility from the donor pool, maintain chest wall integrity and physiology, and potentially immunoregulate the concomitant solid organ transplant.

Factors Predicting 90-Day Readmissions for US Older Adult Burn Patients From the 2016-2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Older adults with burn injuries have a high risk of readmission after the initial burn admission. Frailty is associated with poor outcomes from the initial burn injury, however, it remains unknown if frailty impacts readmission in older adults after the initial index burn admission. Our study aims to examine patient, frailty, burn, surgical, and hospital factors that contribute to 90-day readmissions in older adults with an acute burn. Patients ≥ 50 years of age with an acute burn diagnosis in the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2016-2018) were included. Patients who died during index admissions were excluded from the readmission analysis. Patient, burn, hospital stay, and hospital characteristics were analyzed. Using variables significant from univariate logistic regression analysis, we performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with 90-day readmissions. A total of 41,500 weighted index burn admissions were included. The 90-day readmission rate was 25.6% (10,641/41,500). Almost all the readmissions were unplanned (96.5%). The most common primary readmission diagnoses based on Clinical Classifications Software Refined were burn injury and septicemia. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated an increased hospital frailty risk and lower-body-only burns were associated with an increased risk of readmission. Notably, surgical treatment of the burn injury during the index admission was associated with a decreased risk of readmission. This highlights the importance and challenges of surgical decision-making for older adults with high comorbidity burden. Future studies are needed to develop decision guides to help clinicians identify patients who would benefit from surgical treatment versus more conservative strategies in older adult patients with burns.

Acute Burn Care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article and viewing the videos, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe the current epidemiology of burn injuries. 2. Understand burn pathophysiology and perform a wound assessment. 3. Summarize the initial emergency management of a burn patient. 4. Calculate the anticipated fluid resuscitation requirements for a burn injury, and diagnose the complications of overresuscitation. 5. Describe the diagnosis and management of inhalation injury. 6. List the goals of wound care for superficial and deep burns, and describe the closed dressing technique. 7. Perform excision of a burn wound. 8. Compare various wound closure techniques using autografts and skin substitutes. SUMMARY: Plastic surgeons are essential members of the multidisciplinary burn team. Burn injuries remain common, and plastic surgeons have an opportunity to develop and innovate the field of acute burn care in light of workforce shortages. Burn pathophysiology is complex and dynamic, which informs the challenges encountered during the perioperative phase. Accurate burn wound assessment remains difficult, with implications for diagnosis and management. A systematic approach is required when stabilizing a major burn and/or inhalation injury with newly updated fluid resuscitation and triage guidelines. Wound care continues to evolve, with an emphasis on a closed dressing technique. For deeper burns, new surgical techniques are emerging for surgical débridement, along with improvements to traditional methods of tangential excision. Following excision, a number of established and novel techniques are available to close the wound with either autografts or skin substitutes.

Topical Hemostatic Agents in Burn Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Acute burn surgery has long been associated with significant intra-operative bleeding. Several techniques were introduced to limit hemorrhage, including tourniquets, tumescent infiltration, and topical agents. To date, no study has comprehensively investigated the available data regarding topical hemostatic agents in burn surgery. A systematic review was performed by two independent reviewers using electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) from first available to September 10, 2021. Articles were included if they were published in English and described or evaluated topical hemostatic agents used in burn excision and/or grafting. Data were extracted on the agent(s) used, their dosage, mode of delivery, hemostasis outcomes, and complications. The search identified 1982 nonduplicate citations, of which 134 underwent full-text review, and 49 met inclusion criteria. In total, 32 studies incorporated a vasoconstrictor agent, and 28 studies incorporated a procoagulant agent. Four studies incorporated other agents (hydrogen peroxide, tranexamic acid, collagen sheets, and TT-173). The most common vasoconstrictor used was epinephrine, with doses ranging from 1:1000 to 1:1,000,000. The most common procoagulant used was thrombin, with doses ranging from 10 to 1000 IU/ml. Among the comparative studies, outcomes of blood loss were not reported in a consistent manner, therefore meta-analysis could not be performed. The majority of studies (94%) were level of evidence III-V. Determining the optimal topical hemostatic agent is limited by low-quality data and challenges with consistent reporting of intra-operative blood loss. Given the routine use of topical hemostatic agents in burn surgery, high-quality research is essential to determine the optimal agent, dosage, and mode of delivery.

Free Tissue Transfer in Sickle Cell Disease: A Case Report and Systematic Review.

Hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease (SCD) are traditionally considered a relative contraindication to free tissue transfer, due to concerns that erythrocyte sickling will increase the risk of microvascular thrombosis and flap failure. This article describes a case report with the successful use of free tissue transfer in a patient with SCD and provides a systematic literature review on free tissue transfer in SCD. A retrospective chart review was performed of a patient with SCD who underwent free tissue transfer at the authors' institution. A systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed using the keywords "free tissue transfer," "free flap," or "microsurgery" and "sickle cell" on PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Scopus. A 29-year-old male with delayed presentation of an electrical burn to the face and scalp underwent wound closure with a free anterolateral thigh flap. Key management principles included red blood cell transfusion to keep hemoglobin S under 30% and hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL, maintenance of hydration, normothermia, adequate analgesia, and postoperative anticoagulation. Systematic literature review identified 7 articles describing 13 cases of free tissue transfer in 10 patients with SCD, with combined complete free flap success in 10 of the 13 flaps. Free tissue transfer can be successfully performed in patients with SCD. However, evidence on the optimal management of this unique patient population in the perioperative period after free tissue transfer is limited to case reports in the literature.

Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in a Burned Child Treated with an Antimicrobial Foam Dressing: A Case Report.

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a severe systemic disease characterized by fever, hypotension, desquamating rash, and multiorgan dysfunction. Attributed to bacterial exotoxins, TSS has been a known, though rare, complication in the field of pediatric burns for decades. The adoption of new antimicrobial burn dressings has allowed for the management of small to medium sized burns with minimal discomfort or inconvenience to the patient. In this report, we discuss a 3-year-old male with burns wounds dressed using a silver-impregnated foam who went on to develop TSS.

Pediatric instant noodle burns: A ten-year single center retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Children are particularly vulnerable to scald injuries, and hot beverages/foods are often implicated in this subset of pediatric burns. Burns from instant noodles are common and thus an attractive target for burn prevention. The purpose of this study is to characterize the frequency, demographics, outcomes, and circumstances of pediatric instant noodle burns to guide future educational and prevention efforts. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all pediatric patients (<18 years) admitted to the University of Chicago Burn Center with a diagnosis of scald injury between 2010 and 2020. Burns caused by instant noodles were identified and compared to all other scald burns over this period. RESULTS: Among 790 pediatric scald burns, 245 (31.0 %) were attributed to instant noodles. Compared to other scalds, patients with instant noodle burns were older (5.4 vs. 3.8 years, p < 0.001), equally likely to be male (51 % vs. 54 %, p = 0.488), and more likely to be Black/African American (90.6 % vs. 75.2 %, p < 0.001). Patients with instant noodle burns lived in zip codes with a lower average childhood opportunity index score (9.9 vs. 14.6, p < 0.001). In terms of circumstances, children with instant noodle burns were more likely to be unsupervised at the time of injury (37 % vs 21 %, p < 0.001). Instant noodle burns were smaller (3.6 % total body surface area (TBSA) vs. 5.8 % TBSA, p < 0.001) and less likely to require operative intervention (29 % vs. 41 %, p < 0.001). Instant noodle burns had a shorter length of stay (4.2 days vs. 6.4 days, p < 0.001), but similar adjusted length of stay (1.7 days/%TBSA vs. 1.5 days/%TBSA, p = 0.18) and experienced similar complication rates (10 % vs. 15 %, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Instant noodle burns comprised nearly one-third of all pediatric scald burn admissions at our institution, a higher proportion than previously reported. While less severe than other scald burns in this series, instant noodles injuries still demonstrated a need for hospitalization and operative intervention. Instant noodle burns disproportionately affected Black/African American patients, as well as from neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status. These findings suggest that focused burn prevention efforts may be successful at reducing the incidence of these common, but serious injuries.

A prospective randomized trial comparing subatmospheric wound therapy with a sealed gauze dressing and the standard vacuum-assisted closure device.

OBJECTIVE: Two methods of subatmospheric pressure wound therapy--wall suction applied to a sealed gauze dressing (GSUC) and the vacuum-assisted closure device (VAC)--were compared in hospitalized patients at University of Chicago Medical Center. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: VAC therapy is widely used, but can be expensive and difficult to apply; it also fails in some patients. METHODS: A randomized prospective study of 87 patients (N = 45 in the GSUC arm and N = 42 in the VAC arm) was undertaken between October 2006 and May 2008. The study comprised patients with acute wounds resulting from trauma, dehiscence, or surgery. RESULTS: Demographics and wound characteristics were similar in both groups. There were significant reductions in wound surface area and volume in each group. In the GSUC group, the reductions in wound surface area and volume were 4.5%/day and 8.4%/day, respectively (P < 0.001 for both), and in the VAC group, this was 4.9%/day and 9.8%/day, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). The reductions in wound surface area and volume were similar in both groups (P = 0.60 and 0.19, respectively, for the group-by-time interaction). The estimated difference (VAC - GSUC) was 0.4% (95% confidence interval: -1.0, 1.7) for wound surface area and 1.4% (95% confidence interval: -0.7, 3.5) for volume. The mean cost per day for GSUC therapy was $4.22 versus $96.51 for VAC therapy (P < 0.01) and the average time required for a GSUC dressing change was 19 minutes versus 31 minutes for a VAC dressing change (P < 0.01). The sum of pain intensity differences was 0.50 in the GSUC group compared with 1.73 for the VAC group (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: GSUC is noninferior to VAC with respect to changes in wound volume and surface area in an acute care setting. In addition, GSUC dressings were easier to apply, less expensive, and less painful.

Microsurgery in the hypercoagulable patient: review of the literature.

Improved techniques in microvascular surgery over the last several decades have led to the increased use of free tissue transfers as a mode of reconstructing difficult problems with a high success rate. However, undiagnosed thrombophilias have been associated with microsurgery free flap failures. We present a case of successful free tissue transfer in a patient with lupus anticoagulant and review the literature.

Different standards are not double standards: all elective surgical patients are not alike.

Testa and colleagues argue that evaluation for suitability for living donor surgery is rooted in paternalism in contrast with the evaluation for most operative interventions, which is rooted in the autonomy of patients. We examine two key ethical concepts that Testa and colleagues use: paternalism and autonomy, and two related ethical concepts: moral agency and shared decision making. We show that by moving the conversation from paternalism, negative autonomy, and informed consent to moral agency, relational autonomy, and shared decision making, one better understands why the arguments given by Testa and colleagues fail. We argue (1) why the hurdles that one must overcome to become a living donor are appropriate; and (2) that the similarities between living donor transplant surgery and cosmetic plastic surgery that the authors describe are inaccurate. Finally, we consider the recommendation to treat plastic surgery patients and living donors more similarly. We argue that any change should not be in the direction of becoming less protective of living donors, but more protective of cosmetic plastic surgery candidates.

Four-Quadrant Approach Squared: Ethical Analysis of Living Donation in Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation.

SUMMARY: Vascularized composite allotransplantation has become a widely accepted method for reconstruction or restoration of body parts, and the various ethical dilemmas that accompany vascularized composite allotransplantation have been widely discussed. As advancements in immunosuppression and tolerance continue to be made, the concept of living donor vascularized composite allotransplantation will likely become a popular option of the "reconstructive elevator." In this article, the authors discuss the various ethical implications of living donor vascularized composite allotransplantation.

Prognostic Factors for In-Hospital Mortality of Geriatric Burns From the US National Inpatient Sample 2016 to 2018.

Older adults with an acute burn experience a high frequency of in-hospital mortality. However, traditional burn mortality prediction models are less accurate for older adults likely because they do not account for geriatric specific factors, such as frailty. This study aims to investigate the impact of frailty on in-hospital mortality in older adult burn patients. Patients ≥50 years of age with an acute burn diagnosis in the National Inpatient Sample (2016-2018) were included in the cohort. Three multivariable logistic regression models to predict in-hospital mortality were generated and compared. The models were 1) age and percent total body surface area, 2) age, percent total body surface area and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, and 3) age, percent total body surface area, and Hospital Frailty Risk Score. A total of 60,515 weighted discharges were included in the cohort. In-hospital mortality increased with age, as 3.3% of 50- to 64-year-olds, 5.3% of 65- to 74-year-olds, 6.6% of 75- to 84-year-olds, and 9.9% of ≥85-year-olds died during the acute burn admission (P < .001). The multivariable model that included Hospital Frailty Risk Score had a higher area under the receiver operating characteristics curve than the model with age and percent total body surface area (0.84 vs 0.79; P < .001) and the model with Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (0.84 vs 0.83; P = .013). Frailty improved prediction of in-hospital mortality for older adult acute burn patients and burn specialists should consider implementing a frailty instrument to evaluate older adults with an acute burn injury.

Burn Injuries Associated with At-Home Hair Braiding.

Hair braiding that incorporates synthetic extensions has increased in popularity across all age groups. As part of the styling process, the ends of the braid are commonly dipped in scalding water; an increasing number of patients have presented to our center after containers of recently boiled water are accidentally tipped over and spilled onto patients. A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who sustained burn injuries related to at-home hair braiding presenting to an ABA-verified burn center between January 1, 2006 and July 31, 2020. A total of 41 patients presented over the study period, and the frequency of this type of burn increased over time, with 54% of injuries occurring in the past 3 years (2018-2020). The mean patient age was 7.5 years, and the majority of patients were under 18 years of age (97%), female (95%), and African-American (98%). Seventy-three percent of injuries occurred in the home and 88% involved another person in the hair braiding process. The mean TBSA burned was 5% (range 1-20%). The most commonly involved areas were the back (54%), thigh/leg (37%), and neck (24%). Ninety percent were partial-thickness injuries only, with 10% having some degree of full-thickness injury. Ninety percent of patients required inpatient admission, and 34% of patients required at least one operative procedure. Hair braiding, with the use of scalding water to seal and set the ends of braids, can lead to burn injuries that require hospitalization and the need for surgical intervention.