Perioperative protocols in ambulatory breast reconstruction: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have successfully employed perioperative protocols and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols to promote and increase the range of breast reconstruction procedures performed in ambulatory settings. This systematic review aims to identify the common perioperative protocol items associated with successful ambulatory breast reconstruction. METHODS: A systematic review of electronic databases (Ovid Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane) was conducted. Studies that described the perioperative care protocol for postmastectomy breast reconstruction in ambulatory settings (discharge within 24 h) were included. Two reviewers independently screened the literature and extracted the data. Risk of bias was assessed with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality tool. The perioperative protocol details, type of reconstruction, information regarding patient selection criteria, successful discharge rates, and complication rates were extracted. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in the systematic review, with 1484 patients undergoing ambulatory breast reconstruction with a well-defined perioperative protocol. Sixteen perioperative items were identified. The most discussed items were preoperative counseling (11/12), preoperative and intraoperative multimodal analgesia (11/12), and postoperative analgesia (10/12). Our recommendation includes two new items and seven modified items compared to previous ERAS guidelines. Overall, the mean number of items was 9.22 in same-day discharge and 6.75 in 24-h discharge (P = 0.169). 78.4% of the patients (1123 of 1433) were successfully discharged within 24 h. No studies identified an increase in readmission or complications with ambulatory discharge. CONCLUSION: Sixteen core items were defined for a successful perioperative ERAS protocol for 24-h discharge breast reconstruction. Implementing perioperative protocols can facilitate under-24-h discharge for alloplastic and autologous surgery.

Gender Equality in Plastic Surgery Training: A Canadian Nationwide Cross-sectional Analysis.

Introduction: One of the important factors in achieving gender equity is ensuring equitable surgical training for all. Previous studies have shown that females get significantly lower surgical exposure than males in certain surgical specialties. Gender gap in surgical exposure has never been assessed in plastic surgery. To that end, the goal of this study was to assess if there are any differences in plastic surgery training between male and female residents. Methods: A survey was sent to all plastic surgery residency programs in Canada to assess the No. of surgeries residents operated on as a co-surgeon or primary assistant during their training. The survey also assessed career goals, level of interest in the specialty, and subjective perception of gender bias. Results: A total of 89 plastic surgery residents (59.3% participation rate) completed the survey and were included in the study. The average No. of reconstructive cases residents operated on as a co-surgeon or primary assistant was 245 ± 312 cases. There was no difference in either reconstructive or aesthetic surgery case logs between male and female residents (p > .05). However, a significantly larger proportion of females (39%) compared to males (4%) felt that their gender limited their exposure to surgical cases and led to a worsening of their overall surgical training (p < .001). Finally, a larger proportion of male residents were interested in academic careers while a larger proportion of female residents were interested in a community practice (p = .024). Conclusion: While there is no evidence of differences in the volume of logged cases between genders, female surgical residents still feel that their respective gender limits their overall surgical training. Gender inequalities in training should be addressed by residency programs.

Introduction: L'un des facteurs importants pour atteindre l'égalité des genres est d'assurer une formation chirurgicale équitable pour tous. Des études antérieures ont montré que les femmes ont une exposition significativement moindre à la chirurgie que les hommes dans certaines spécialités chirurgicales. L'écart entre genres pour l'exposition à la chirurgie n'a jamais été évalué en chirurgie plastique. À cette fin, la présente étude a eu pour objectif d'évaluer s'il y avait des différences dans la formation à la chirurgie plastique entre les résidents masculins et féminins. Méthodes: Une enquête a été envoyée à tous les programmes canadiens de résidence en chirurgie plastique pour évaluer le nombre d'interventions auxquelles les résidents ont participé en tant que co-chirurgien ou assistant principal au cours de leur formation. L'enquête a également évalué les objectifs de carrière, le niveau d'intérêt dans la spécialité et la perception subjective d'un biais lié au genre. Résultats: En tout, 89 résidents en chirurgie plastique (taux de participation de 59,3 %) ont répondu à l'enquête et ont été inclus dans l'étude. Le nombre moyen de cas de chirurgie reconstructrice au cours desquelles les résidents sont intervenus en tant que co-chirurgien ou principal assistant était de 245 ± 312 cas. Il n'y a pas eu de différence entre les journaux de cas, qu'il s'agisse de chirurgie reconstructrice ou de chirurgie esthétique entre résidents masculins et féminins (P > 0,05). Cependant, un nettement plus grand pourcentage de femmes (39 %) que d'hommes (4 %) estimait que leur genre limitait leur exposition à des cas chirurgicaux et résultait dans une aggravation de leur formation globale à la chirurgie (P < 0,001). Enfin, un plus grand pourcentage de résidents masculins était intéressé par une carrière universitaire alors qu'un plus grand pourcentage de résidentes était intéressé par une pratique dans la communauté (P = 0,024). Conclusion: Bien qu'il n'y ait pas de données probantes étayant des différences de volume des cas consignés entre les genres, les résidentes féminines en chirurgie pensent encore que leur genre limite leur formation chirurgicale. Les inégalités entre genres devraient être abordées par les programmes de résidence.

Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy of bilateral inguinal herniae and an incidental Spigelian hernia with intra corporeal suturing of the Spigelian hernia neck: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: A Spigelian hernia is a rare type of abdominal wall hernia occurring in an area of congenital or acquired defect. These hernias occur in an area called the Spigelian zone and are interparietal making for a difficult diagnosis on clinical exam. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 74-year-old female presenting with bilateral inguinal herniae and a left sided Spigelian hernia. The repair was done laparoscopically with an intra-corporeal suture closing the Spigelian hernia neck. Her recovery was uneventful. DISCUSSION: The aetiology of Spigelian herniae remains nebulous. Due to their rarity and evasive nature on clinical exam, ultrasound imaging has become the first line in diagnosis. Open herniorrhaphy is still the most common technique, but laparoscopic repair is becoming more commonplace in the surgical armamentarium. CONCLUSION: Spigelian herniae are rare with non specific symptoms. We present the first case report of a laparoscopic repair of bilateral inguinal herniae and a left sided Spigelian hernia with intra-corporeal suturing of the Spigelian hernia neck.