Trends in Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship Training: An Analysis of Supply and Demand.

BACKGROUND: Aesthetic surgery fellowship applications were consolidated under the San Francisco Match in 2018. The impact of these changes on aesthetic program and applicant numbers had not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVES: In this study we sought to evaluate changes in programs, positions, applications, match rates, and fill rates since aesthetic surgery joined the San Francisco Match. We also aimed to compare these trends to craniofacial surgery, microsurgery, and hand surgery fellowships over this same time period. METHODS: San Francisco and National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) match data for aesthetic, craniofacial, microsurgery, and hand fellowships were obtained from 2018 to 2022, and the number of applications, positions, programs, and successful matches were evaluated. RESULTS: The number of aesthetic fellowship positions increased from 17 to 41 (141%) over the period studied. This resulted in increased match rates and more unfilled positions. Over the same period, fellowship positions for craniofacial, hand, and microsurgery increased by 3.4%, 6%, and 2.5% respectively. There was no increase in applications to any postgraduate subspecialty, nor was there any change in the number of residents pursuing fellowship. Similarly, there was no change in the percentage of fellowship-bound residents applying to any given discipline. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in aesthetic fellowship programs and positions did not generate an increase in applications. Applications to other plastic surgery subspecialties also failed to increase. Unlike aesthetic fellowships, their program numbers have remained stable. Given the limited fellowship applicant pool, our focus should be on enhancing the quality of existing aesthetic programs rather than continuing to increase the number of aesthetic positions.

Happiness in Plastic Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 595 Practicing Plastic Surgeons, Fellows, Residents, and Medical Students.

BACKGROUND: Despite a heightened appreciation for wellness in medicine, there exists little information specific to plastic surgery. The purpose of this research was to assess happiness within the field of plastic surgery. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in July of 2017 by distributing an American Society of Plastic Surgeons sponsored survey to a random cohort of current practicing American Society of Plastic Surgeons members, residents and fellows. In addition, the same survey was sent to medical students applying to integrated plastic surgery residency. Total happiness scores (Subjective Happiness Scale) were averaged and compared between and within surveyed groups. RESULTS: A total of 595 individuals completed surveys, including 287 practicing surgeons, 116 residents, 12 fellows, and 180 medical students. Differences in happiness scores between the groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01). For practicing physicians, happiness scores were significantly greater for those more than 20 years out from training (P < 0.01). Furthermore, a significantly positive correlation was found between practice expectations coming out of residency and happiness scores (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.2; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the prevalence of burnout and mental health disorders associated with a career in medicine, plastic surgeons and trainees report high levels of happiness. Practicing plastic surgeons report increased happiness further out from training and when meeting practice expectations coming out of training. Otherwise, there were no significant differences in happiness between groups. Regarding sex, it is encouraging to report no significant sex discrepancies with happiness in a field where women still face significant adversity.

Parameters for Ordering Blood Cultures in Major Burn Injury Patients: Improving Clinical Assessment.

Hypermetabolic and catabolic states in large TBSA burns lead to higher basal body temperature and tachycardia. These metabolic changes complicate the diagnosis of bacteremia and sepsis. Current indications for obtaining blood cultures (BCs) in this population are poorly described and nonstandardized. Fever, leukocytosis, and lactic acidosis are common during sepsis. This study aims to identify limits of these parameters with the highest rates of bacteremia. A retrospective review was performed for burn patients with > 20% TBSA between January 2009 and June 2011. BCs were collected with corresponding body temperature, white blood cell (WBC) count, and serum lactate levels. Positive culture rates were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis. Seventy-one patients met inclusion criteria and 360 BCs were included in data analysis. Cultures taken with temperature > 38.9°C were significantly more positive (P = .01) than temperatures between 38 and 38.9°C. There were significantly more positive cultures when the WBC count was < 4.5 compared with those ≥ 4.5 × 103/µl (P = .04). Lactate was an independent predictor of bacteremia (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.21-12.71). Cultures were significantly more positive when the lactate level was ≥ 2.5 compared with < 2.5 mg/dL (P = .02). A temperature ≥ 38.5°C and a lactate ≥ 2.5 mg/dL corresponded to a 28.6% positive culture rate compared with 4.8% for all other scenarios (P = .001). This study demonstrates that body temperature > 38.9°C, WBC < 4.5 × 103/µl, and serum lactate ≥ 2.5 mg/dL have the highest rate for positive BCs in severe burn patients. A combination of leukopenia and pyrexia as well as lactic acidosis and pyrexia represent even higher specificity for positive BC in these patients.

Alternatives to Acellular Dermal Matrix: Utilization of a Gore DualMesh Sling as a Cost-Conscious Adjunct for Breast Reconstruction.

Objective: This study seeks an alternative to acellular dermal matrix in 2-staged breast reconstruction while minimizing cost. It was hypothesized that use of a Gore DualMesh would allow for similar intraoperative tissue expander fill volumes, time to second-stage reconstruction, and number of postoperative fills compared with acellular dermal matrix at only a fraction of the expense. Methods: Retrospective analysis comparing Gore DualMesh (59 breasts, 34 patients), acellular dermal matrix (13 breasts, 8 patients), and total muscle coverage (25 breasts, 14 patients) for postmastectomy breast reconstruction was performed. Time to second-stage reconstruction, number of expansions, and relative initial fill volumes were compared between the 3 groups. Secondarily, complication rates were also considered, including seroma, infection, expander/implant explantation, removal of mesh, and capsular contracture. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing the Fisher exact test and the χ2 test for categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. Results: Relative initial fill volumes, number of expansions, and time to second-stage reconstruction showed no statistical difference between the acellular dermal matrix and Gore DualMesh groups (P = .494, P = .146, and P = .539, respectively). Furthermore, the Gore DualMesh group underwent significantly fewer fills (P < .001) and had a higher relative initial fill volume (P < .001) than the total muscle coverage group. The additional cost per breast as a result of including DualMesh was on average $385 versus $4287 for acellular dermal matrix. Complication rates were similar between all 3 groups without statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Gore DualMesh represents a safe alternative to acellular dermal matrix for breast reconstruction with similar aesthetic results in certain patients at a fraction of the cost.

Repair of a pediatric bilateral condylar and symphyseal fracture using a transfacial Steinman pin.

The proper management of complex pediatric mandibular fractures remains a topic of debate because of the relatively uncommon presentation of these fractures, combined with concerns related with deciduous teeth, tooth buds, and growth inhibition. In this current study, we present a novel approach to the repair of bilateral condylar fractures with concomitant symphyseal fracture in a 4-year-old girl. Manual closed reduction was first obtained, followed by placement of a transfacial Steinman pin through the angles of the mandible and placement of circummandibular wires. Maxillomandibular fixation remained for 2 weeks and the Steinman pin was removed after 11 weeks. At 3 months of postsurgical follow-up, the patient displayed class I occlusion, facial symmetry, full range of jaw motion, and absence of deviation or pain on full oral excursion. Radiographic findings also revealed complete resolution of the symphyseal fracture with appropriate condylar healing and alignment.