Meta-Analysis Comparing Outcomes of Two Different Closed Incision Negative Pressure Systems in Breast Surgery and Implications to Cost of Care.

Background: Surgical site complication (SSC) rates in breast surgery have been reported between 2.25% and 53%. Use of incision management may help reduce the risk of SSCs. The potential of 2 closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) systems to mitigate surgical site complications (SSC) and surgical site infections (SSI) in breast surgery were assessed. Methods: A systematic literature review for breast surgery studies was conducted comparing ciNPT use against standard of care (SOC). SSC, SSI, and dehiscence rates were examined. SSCs were defined as all surgical site complications including SSI, dehiscence, seroma, hematoma, and necrosis. Risk ratios and random effects models were used to assess the effect of ciNPT with multilayer absorbent dressing (ciNPT-MLA) and ciNPT with foam dressing (ciNPT-F) compared with SOC. Results: Eight articles were included in the meta-analysis. No significant differences in SSC rates (P = .307) or SSI rates (P = .453) between ciNPT-MLA and SOC were observed. ciNPT-MLA use was associated with a reduction in dehiscence compared with SOC (RR = 0.499, 95% CI = 0.303, 0.822; P = .006). A significant reduction in SSC rates (RR = 0.498, 95% CI = 0.271, 0.917; P = .025) was observed with ciNPT-F use. Similarly, dehiscence rate reduction was associated with ciNPT-F use (RR = 0.349, 95% CI= 0.168, 0.725; P = .005). A trend towards reduction of SSI rates with ciNPT-F use compared with SOC was also noted (P = .053). Conclusions: Compared with SOC, ciNPT-MLA significantly reduced rates of dehiscence, while ciNPT-F use resulted in significantly reduced SSC and dehiscence rates with a trend toward reducing SSI.

Prevalence, clinical characteristics, and management of silicone lymphadenopathy: A systematic review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Implant-based breast augmentations and reconstructions are one of the most common surgical procedures performed by plastic surgeons in the United States, which has rapidly increased in popularity since the 2000s. Silicone lymphadenopathy (SL) is a complication of breast implants that involves migration of silicone to nearby soft tissue/lymph nodes. Data on its clinical features and management is scarce. METHODS: SL-related search terms were used to find articles in 3 databases. Of 598 articles, 101 studies met the inclusion criteria. Demographics, clinical presentation, workup, and management data were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 279 cases of SL and 107 with information on initial diagnosis, 35 (33%) were incidental. The most common symptom was painless lymphadenopathy, followed by painful lymphadenopathy. 251 (95%) and 13 (5%) patients had silicone and saline implants, respectively. 149 (68%) patients had implant rupture. Axillary lymphadenopathy was the most affected region (136 cases, 72%), followed by internal mammary (40 cases, 21%), cervical/supraclavicular (36 cases, 19%), and mediastinal (24 cases, 13%) regions. 25% of patients underwent fine-needle aspiration, 12% core needle biopsy, and 59% excisional biopsy. 32% of cases underwent explantation and/or implant exchange. The most common indication for surgery was implant rupture. Histology showed multinucleated giant cells, large histiocytes, and silicone accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: SL is a complication associated with breast implants. The majority of patients are asymptomatic, and most cases are managed conservatively. Minority need a biopsy and surgical interventions due to abnormal imaging, persistent symptoms, and/or implant rupture. Workup and management should be tailored to the patient.

Correlation Between Altmetric Scores and Citation Count in 4 High-Impact Plastic Surgery Journals.

BACKGROUND: The Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) aims to determine the impact of research articles throughout the internet and social media outlets. The AAS is a weighted average of the interaction on platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and more. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the AAS and traditional bibliometrics across plastic surgery journals. METHODS: Articles, number of citations (NOC), and H-index information in Annals of Plastic Surgery (APS), Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS), Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open (PRS GO), and Aesthetic Surgery Journal (ASJ) from 2017, 2018, and 2019 were queried with the Scopus Online Tool. AAS metrics were collected with the Altmetric Score Calculator Bookmarklet. Descriptive statistics, Spearman rank-correlation analyses, and analyses of variance were performed to measure associations between NOC and AAS. RESULTS: A total of 3612 articles were analyzed. NOC was weakly correlated with AAS in APS, PRS GO, and ASJ, and moderately correlated with AAS in PRS. NOC was weakly correlated with Twitter mentions in APS, PRS GO, and ASJ, and moderately correlated in PRS. NOC was weakly correlated with news outlet reporting. The H-index of the first author showed more significant correlations with the AAS than the H-index of the last author. CONCLUSIONS: NOC and H-index of the first author correlated with AAS in the plastic surgery literature, suggesting AAS may be a useful adjunct to traditional bibliometrics when evaluating the impact and reach of peer-reviewed articles.

Closed Incision Negative Pressure Therapy versus Standard of Care in Reduction of Surgical Site Complications: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) has been utilized to help manage closed incisions across many surgical specialties. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effect of ciNPT on postsurgical and health economic outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, and QUOSA was performed for publications written in English, comparing ciNPT to standard-of-care dressings between January 2005 and August 2021. Study participant characteristics, surgical procedure, dressings used, treatment duration, postsurgical outcomes, and follow-up data were extracted. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models. Risk ratios summarized dichotomous outcomes. Difference in means or standardized difference in means was used to assess continuous variables reported on the same scale or outcomes reported on different scales/measurement instruments. Results: The literature search identified 84 studies for analysis. Significant reductions in surgical site complication (SSC), surgical site infection (SSI), superficial SSI, deep SSI, seroma, dehiscence, skin necrosis, and prolonged incisional drainage were associated with ciNPT use (P < 0.05). Reduced readmissions and reoperations were significant in favor of ciNPT (P < 0.05). Patients receiving ciNPT had a 0.9-day shorter hospital stay (P < 0.0001). Differences in postoperative pain scores and reported amounts of opioid usage were significant in favor of ciNPT use (P < 0.05). Scar evaluations demonstrated improved scarring in favor of ciNPT (P < 0.05). Discussion: For these meta-analyses, ciNPT use was associated with statistically significant reduction in SSCs, SSIs, seroma, dehiscence, and skin necrosis incidence. Reduced readmissions, reoperation, length of hospital stay, decreased pain scores and opioid use, and improved scarring were also observed in ciNPT patients.

Rinse But Don't Repeat: Single Application V.A.C. VERAFLO Salvages Infected Breast Prostheses.

INTRODUCTION: Existing salvage protocols for infected breast prostheses using negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell (NPWTi-d) require multiple returns to the operating room and prolonged length of stay. We present our expedited salvage protocol and discuss outcomes and associated costs savings. METHODS: Using a retrospective review, we identified 25 consecutive patients (27 breasts) with peri-prosthetic breast infection. Nine patients (10 breasts) underwent removal of infected breast prostheses followed by autologous or staged implant-based reconstruction. Sixteen patients (17 breasts) underwent our single application salvage protocol. A cost analysis was performed comparing the two groups, and an economic model was used to project the cost savings associated with using single application NPWTi-d protocol. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 16 patients (94%) who underwent single application NPWTi-d had successful implant salvage. Average duration of NPWTi-d was 2 days, 7 hours, and average length of stay was 4.43 days. Compared to control, patients who received the single application protocol required significantly fewer hospitalizations and office visits. A total savings of $58,275 could have been achieved by using the single application NPWTi-d protocol in the patients who did not undergo NPWTi-d. CONCLUSIONS: Single application of NPWTi-d is a simple, safe, and cost-effective technique for salvage of breast prostheses, with 94% success rate, even in immunocompromised patients and severe infection. Compared to previous protocols, ours requires fewer trips to the operating room, shorter length of stay, and more permanent implants placed during salvage. Our protocol is also associated with fewer office visits and fewer returns to the operating room.

Cost Utility of Breast Tissue Expansion using Carbon Dioxide versus Saline: An Analysis of Infection Risk.

BACKGROUND: The AeroForm System, a needle-free, patient-controlled carbon dioxide-filled tissue expander, represents a novel option for tissue expansion in 2-stage breast reconstruction. This technology has previously been found to decrease time to expansion, health-care utilization, and infection rates. The purpose of this study was to determine the economic impact of the reduced infection rate observed with the AeroForm tissue expander as compared with saline tissue expansion. METHODS: A decision model incorporating costs, quality-adjusted life years, and clinical outcomes of infection was designed to evaluate the cost-efficacy of AeroForm tissue expanders versus conventional saline expanders. All statistical calculations were performed in the R statistical computing environment. RESULTS: Pooled infection rates from the published literature following saline and AeroForm tissue expander placement were 5.83% and 2.62%, respectively. Cost-utility analysis resulted in a baseline expected savings of $253.29 and an expected gain of 0.00122 quality-adjusted life years with AeroForm tissue expanders. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that AeroForm tissue expanders were dominant when the surgical site infection rate was greater than 4.56% with traditional saline expanders. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical benefits of an innovation are no longer sufficient to justify its acquisition costs. Novel technologies must also demonstrate favorable economic outcomes. This cost-utility analysis demonstrates that the use of AeroForm expanders is likely a cost-saving technology for 2-stage breast reconstruction.

Meta-analysis Comparing Outcomes of Two Different Negative Pressure Therapy Systems in Closed Incision Management.

BACKGROUND: Closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) is an emerging approach to managing closed incisions of patients at risk of postoperative complications. There are primarily 2 different commercially available ciNPT systems. Both systems consist of a single-use, battery-powered device and foam- or gauze-based peel-and-place dressing designed for closed incisions. These systems vary in design, and there are no data comparing outcomes between the 2 systems. METHODS: We performed 2 separate meta-analyses to compare surgical site infection (SSI) rates postuse of (1) ciNPT with foam dressing (FOAM) versus conventional dressings and (2) ciNPT with multilayer absorbent dressing (MLA) versus conventional dressings. RESULTS: Seven articles and 2 abstracts met inclusion criteria in the FOAM group (n = 489) versus the control group (n = 489) in meta-analysis 1; 7 articles and 1 abstract met inclusion criteria in the MLA group (n = 532) versus the control group (n = 540) in meta-analysis 2. Meta-analysis 1 showed that patients in the control group were 3.17 times more likely to develop an SSI compared with patients in the FOAM group [weighted mean odds ratios of FOAM group versus control group was 3.17 (P < 0.0001) with the 95% confidence intervals of 2.17-4.65]. Meta-analysis 2 showed no significant difference in SSI rates between patients in the MLA group and patients in the control group [weighted mean odds ratios of MLA group versus control group was 1.70 (P = 0.08) with the 95% confidence intervals of 0.94-3.08]. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing outcomes of two different ciNPT systems with a common comparator (conventional dressings) may provide an interim basis for comparing ciNPT systems until further comparative evidence is available. More comparative research is required to determine outcomes in clinical practice.

Meta-Analysis of Comparative Trials Evaluating a Single-Use Closed-Incision Negative-Pressure Therapy System.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a significant surgical complication. Application of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy (ciNPT) has been associated with reduced SSI rates in published literature. This meta-analysis examines the effect of ciNPT use over closed incisions in reducing SSIs versus traditional dressings. METHODS: A systematic literature search using PubMed, The Cochrane Library, OVID, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and QUOSA was performed focusing on publications between January 1, 2005, and April 30, 2018. Characteristics of study participants, surgical procedure, type of dressing used, duration of treatment, incidence of SSI, and length of follow-up were extracted. Weighted odds ratios and 95% CIs were calculated to pool study and control groups in each publication for analysis. Treatment effects were combined using Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios as the summary statistics, and a fixed-effects model was used for each analysis performed. The chi-square test was used to statistically assess heterogeneity. For each meta-analysis performed, the more conservative random-effects models were conducted as sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: For all meta-analyses (randomized controlled trial only, observational studies only, colorectal/abdominal, obstetrics, lower extremity, groin/vascular, cardiac), heterogeneity tests were nonsignificant (P > 0.05). All fixed-effects meta-analyses were significant in favor of ciNPT use over traditional dressings (P < 0.05). When the random-effects analyses were performed, all analyses except obstetrics remained significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For all meta-analyses performed using the fixed-effects approach, ciNPT usage demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in incidence of SSI relative to traditional dressings.

The Effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Antiseptic Instillation on Biofilm Formation in a Porcine Model of Infected Spinal Instrumentation.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effect of negative pressure wound therapy with antiseptic instillation (NPWTi) in the clearance of infection and biofilm formation in an in vivo model of infected spinal implants compared to traditional treatment modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five pigs underwent titanium rod implantation of their spinous processes followed by injection of 1 x 106 CFUs/100µL of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus through the fascia at each site. At 1 week postoperatively, an experimental arm of 3 pigs received NPWTi, and a control arm of 2 pigs received wet-to-dry dressings. The persistence of local infection in the experimental group was compared to the control group using tissue cultures. Biofilm development on spinal implants was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Mean bacterial count showed a statistical difference between the experimental and the control groups (P < .05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of uniform biofilm formation across the surface of control group instrumentation, whereas the experimental group showed interrupted areas between biofilm formations. CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that NPWTi is associated with decreased bacterial load and biofilm formation compared to wet-to-dry dressings in an in vivo porcine model of infected spinal instrumentation.

Closed incision negative pressure therapy: international multidisciplinary consensus recommendations.

Surgical site occurrences (SSOs) affect up to or over 25% of patients undergoing operative procedures, with the subset of surgical site infections (SSIs) being the most common. Commercially available closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) may offer surgeons an additional option to manage clean, closed surgical incisions. We conducted an extensive literature search for studies describing ciNPT use and assembled a diverse panel of experts to create consensus recommendations for when using ciNPT may be appropriate. A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using key words 'prevention', 'negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)', 'active incisional management', 'incisional vacuum therapy', 'incisional NPWT', 'incisional wound VAC', 'closed incisional NPWT', 'wound infection', and 'SSIs' identified peer-reviewed studies published from 2000 to 2015. During a multidisciplinary consensus meeting, the 12 experts reviewed the literature, presented their own ciNPT experiences, identified risk factors for SSOs and developed comprehensive consensus recommendations. A total of 100 publications satisfied the search requirements for ciNPT use. A majority presented data supporting ciNPT use. Numerous publications reported SSI risk factors, with the most common including obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 ); diabetes mellitus; tobacco use; or prolonged surgical time. We recommend that the surgeon assess the individual patient's risk factors and surgical risks. Surgeons should consider using ciNPT for patients at high risk for developing SSOs or who are undergoing a high-risk procedure or a procedure that would have highly morbid consequences if an SSI occurred.

Transverse Infraclavicular Approach to the Thoracoacromial Pedicle for Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: In microvascular breast reconstruction, the internal mammary and thoracodorsal vessels are commonly used recipients. However, these vessels are sometimes compromised or unavailable. We hypothesize that a transverse infraclavicular (TIC) incision may provide efficient and reliable exposure to perform free flap anastomosis to the thoracoacromial (TAC) vessels for breast reconstruction. METHODS: The authors present their results from a cadaveric feasibility study and a retrospective case series of 4 consecutive breast reconstruction patients in which the TIC-TAC approach was used. RESULTS: The cadaveric dissection demonstrated a 5.5-cm pedicle length and a 3.75-mm diameter on the left side. On the right, the pedicle measured 5 cm in length and 4 mm in diameter. The dissection time was 10 minutes on the left side and 13 minutes on the right side. Five free flap breast reconstructions were performed in 4 patients using the TIC approach to the TAC artery which served as the primary recipient. The average pedicle length was 6.25 cm with a diameter of 3.55 mm. The pedicle was isolated and delivered through the infraclavicular incision in an average of 16.3 minutes on the left (n = 2) and 12.6 minutes on the right (n = 3). There were no complications, such as flap compromise or reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: The TIC-TAC approach is feasible for microvascular breast reconstruction and can be considered for use by microvascular breast surgeons.

Acellular dermal matrix reduces capsule formation in two-stage breast reconstruction.

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is commonly employed to create an inferior pocket for the tissue expander in two-stage breast reconstruction. The authors sought to determine whether placement of ADM during the first stage of reconstruction decreases the amount of capsule formation at implant exchange. Patients who underwent mastectomy and tissue expander reconstruction were included in this study. Two biopsies were obtained at the time of implant exchange, one from the pocket adjacent to the ADM and the other from the area adjacent to the pectoralis muscle. Pathology analysis was performed on each sample. Ten patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction with Alloderm during the 3-month study period. Capsule thickness was significantly greater in the areas where the expander was in direct contact with the pectoralis muscle (782 ± 194 µm) compared to those in contact with human acellular dermal matrix (hADM) (47·91 ± 110·82 µm; P < 0·05). Analysis of the sub-pectoral capsule demonstrated diffuse deposition of collagen, neutrophils, contractile myofibroblasts and synovia-like metaplasia, characteristic of a foreign body response. Conversely, within the inferior pocket where the hADM was in direct contact with the expander, we noted migration of host epithelial cells, fibroblasts, mesenchymal cells and angiogenesis, indicating host tissue regeneration. Acellular dermal matrix, when placed at the first stage of breast reconstruction, significantly reduces thickness and inflammatory character of the capsule in comparison to the patient's native tissue.

Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix for Hernia Repair in Transplant Patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes of incisional hernia repair in solid organ transplant patients using non-cross-linked porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM), human derived acellular dermal matrix (HADM) and synthetic mesh. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent hernia repair with PADM after pancreas and/or renal transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center from 2008 to 2012 was conducted. Repair type, postoperative infection, hernia recurrence, mesh removal, and length of follow-up were recorded. Results were compared with our previously published data evaluating HADM and synthetic mesh used in transplant patients between 2000 and 2005. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients underwent ventral hernia repair with PADM, 34 patients were repaired with HADM and 26 were repaired with synthetic mesh. The rate of wound infection in those repaired with PADM, HADM, and synthetic mesh were 14.8%, 14.7%, and 65.4%, respectively. Rates of recurrence were 13.3%, 23.5%, and 76.9%, respectively. Rate of mesh removal was found to be 7.4%, 11.8%, and 69.2%, respectively. These complication rates were significantly lower in patients who received HADM or PADM compared with patients repaired with synthetic mesh (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the outcomes between the groups repaired with HADM or PADM. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PADM for incisional hernia repair after kidney and/or pancreas transplant significantly reduces the incidence of hernia recurrence, wound infection, and need for mesh removal compared to synthetic mesh. No difference in morbidity between HADM and PADM was observed in the study population; however, longer follow-up in the PADM group is warranted.

NSQIP Analysis: Increased Immediate Reconstruction in the Treatment of Breast Cancer.

Immediate reconstruction after the surgical treatment of breast cancer has increased in the last decade. The purpose of this study is to use the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to analyze long-term trends in breast reconstruction. Women who underwent mastectomy for invasive or in situ breast cancer or prophylaxis between 2005 and 2011 were selected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Trends and predictors for reconstruction were explored. In 44,410 women identified, immediate reconstruction increased from 30.0 to 39.6 per cent from 2005 to 2011 (P < 0.001). This trend persisted after adjustment for patient characteristics using multivariate logistic regression [odds ratio (OR) 1.09/year, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.10]. Reconstruction type was 77.9 per cent implant, 13.3 per cent pedicle flap, 5.5 per cent free flap, and 3.3 per cent other. Pedicle flaps decreased from 27.1 to 9.2 per cent (P < 0.001), implant-based reconstruction increased from 66.3 to 81.3 per cent (P < 0.001), and free flaps remained stable between 4 and 7 per cent. Independent predictors for reconstruction were young age (stepwise decrease in OR from 1 to 0.02 by decade as age increased from 40 to 80, all P < 0.001), carcinoma in situ (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.42-1.61), prophylaxis (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.63-2.19), bilateral resection (OR 2.55, 95% CI 2.42-2.69), and non-Hispanic white race (OR 0.67 for other races, 95% CI 0.64-0.70). Immediate breast reconstruction has steadily increased since 2005 with an associated rise in implant-based reconstruction. Based on these trends, discussion with a reconstructive surgeon should be an early part of the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient's treatment algorithm.

The Economic Impact of Closed-Incision Negative-Pressure Therapy in High-Risk Abdominal Incisions: A Cost-Utility Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Complex abdominal wall reconstruction is beset by postoperative complications. A recent meta-analysis comparing the use of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy to standard dressings found a statistically significant reduction in surgical-site infection. The use of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy is gaining acceptance in this population; however, the economic impact of this innovative dressing remains unknown. In this study, a cost-utility analysis was performed assessing closed-incision negative-pressure therapy and standard dressings following closure of abdominal incisions in high-risk patients. METHODS: Cost-utility methodology involved reviewing literature related to closed-incision negative-pressure therapy in abdominal wall surgery, obtaining utility estimates to calculate quality-adjusted life-year scores for successful surgery and surgery complicated by surgical-site infection, summing costs using Medicare Current Procedural Terminology codes, and creating a decision tree illuminating the most cost-effective dressing strategy. One-way sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS: The aforementioned meta-analysis comparing closed-incision negative-pressure therapy to standard dressings included a subset of five studies assessing abdominal wall surgery in 829 patients (260 closed-incision negative-pressure therapy and 569 standard dressings). Decision tree analysis revealed an estimated savings of $1546.52 and a gain of 0.0024 quality-adjusted life-year with closed-incision negative-pressure therapy compared with standard dressings; therefore, closed-incision negative-pressure therapy is a dominant treatment strategy. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that closed-incision negative-pressure therapy is a cost-effective option when the surgical-site infection rate is greater than 16.39 percent. CONCLUSION: The use of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy is cost-saving following closure of abdominal incisions in high-risk patients.

The 'French Fry' VAC technique: hybridisation of traditional open wound NPWT with closed incision NPWT.

Surgical site occurrences (SSO), specifically surgical site infections represent a significant burden in the US health care system. It has been hypothesised that postoperative dressing can help drive down SSO. We describe the successful use of a novel technique combining both closed incision and open negative pressure wound therapy in the management of a high-risk wound associated with lymphoedema of obesity.

A Comparison of Research Productivity Across Plastic Surgery Fellowship Directors.

BACKGROUND: Objective measures of research productivity depend on how frequently a publication is cited. Metrics such as the Hirsch index (h-index; total number of publications h that have at least h citations) allow for an objective measurement of the scientific impact of an author's publications. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the h-index among aesthetic plastic surgery fellowship directors to that of fellowship directors in craniofacial surgery and microsurgery. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of all fellowship directors in aesthetic surgery, craniofacial surgery, and microsurgery in the United States and Canada. The gathered data were categorized as bibliometric (h-index, i10-index, total number of publications, total number of citations, maximum citations for a single work, and number of self-citations) and demographic (gender, training background). Descriptive statistics were computed. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 30 aesthetic surgeons (93% male), 33 craniofacial surgeons (97% male), and 32 microsurgeons (94% male). The mean h-index was 13.7 for aesthetics, 16.9 for craniofacial, and 12.4 for microsurgery. There were no significant differences for any of the bibliometric measures between the three subspecialties, despite the fact that academic rank and years in practice were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: As measured by the h-index, there is a high level of academic productivity among fellowship directors, regardless of subspecialty area. Unlike other plastic surgery subspecialties however, the h-index of aesthetic plastic surgeons is not correlated to academic rank, revealing a discrepancy between perceptions of aesthetic plastic surgery and its actual academic impact.

Porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM) vascularises after exposure in open necrotic wounds seen after complex hernia repair.

Biological alternatives to synthetic meshes are increasingly utilised in complex abdominal wall reconstruction. There is a lack of evidence demonstrating that non-cross-linked porcine acellular dermal matrix vascularizes and integrates with human tissue in suboptimal wound conditions. We aimed to evaluate these properties in Strattice™ (Life Cell Inc., Branchburg, NJ) following ventral hernia repair. A retrospective review of patients with high-risk ventral hernia repair utilising Strattice™ as an onlay after open component separation was conducted. Patients with postoperative wound exploration and exposure of the onlay were included in this review. One patient underwent punch biopsy for histological analysis. Eleven patients with wound complications necessitating postoperative debridement and exposure of Strattice™ onlay were identified. The onlay was partially debrided in two cases, and one case required complete excision. Vascularisation was clinically evident in 10 of 11 cases (91%) as demonstrated by the presence of granulation tissue and/or the ability to support a skin graft. Histological analysis of one onlay 3 months postoperatively showed neovascularisation and collagen remodelling with minimal inflammatory response. Strattice™ demonstrated resistance to rejection, ability to undergo vascularisation and incorporation into host tissues in sub-optimal wound conditions following ventral hernia repair.