Gender-Affirming Vaginoplasty: A Comparison of Algorithms, Surgical Techniques and Management Practices across 17 High-volume Centers in North America and Europe.

Penile inversion vaginoplasty is the most common gender-affirming genital surgery performed around the world. Although individual centers have published their experiences, expert consensus is generally lacking. Methods: Semistructured interviews were performed with 17 experienced gender surgeons representing a diverse mix of specialties, experience, and countries regarding their patient selection, preoperative management, vaginoplasty techniques, complication management, and postoperative protocols. Results: There is significant consistency in practices across some aspects of vaginoplasty. However, key areas of clinical heterogeneity are also present and include use of extragenital tissue for vaginal canal/apex creation, creation of the clitoral hood and inner labia minora, elevation of the neoclitoral neurovascular bundle, and perioperative hormone management. Pathway length of stay is highly variable (1-9 days). Lastly, some surgeons are moving toward continuation or partial reduction of estrogen in the perioperative period instead of cessation. Conclusions: With a broad study of surgeon practices, and encompassing most of the high-volume vaginoplasty centers in Europe and North America, we found key areas of practice variation that represent areas of priority for future research to address. Further multi-institutional and prospective studies that incorporate patient-reported outcomes are necessary to further our understanding of these procedures.

Principles and outcomes of gender-affirming vaginoplasty.

Vaginoplasty is the most frequently performed gender-affirming genital surgery for gender-diverse people with genital gender incongruence. The procedure is performed to create an aesthetic and functional vulva and vaginal canal that enables receptive intercourse, erogenous clitoral sensation and a downward-directed urine stream. Penile inversion vaginoplasty (PIV) is a single surgical procedure involving anatomical component rearrangement of the penis and scrotum that enables many patients to meet these anatomical goals. Other options include minimal-depth, peritoneal and intestinal vaginoplasty. Patient quality of life has been shown to improve drastically after vaginoplasty, but complication rates have been documented to be as high as 70%. Fortunately, most complications do not alter long-term postoperative clinical outcomes and can be managed without surgical intervention in the acute perioperative phase. However, major complications, such as rectal injury, rectovaginal fistula, and urethral or introital stenosis can substantially affect the patient experience. Innovations in surgical approaches and techniques have demonstrated promising early results for reducing complications and augmenting vaginal depth, but long-term data are scarce.

The Impact of Breast Cancer Type, Staging, and Treatment on Vascular Complications of Immediate Free-Flap Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced cancer staging have a greater risk of developing venous thromboembolism than noncancer patients. The impact of breast cancer stage and treatment on outcomes after autologous free-flap breast reconstruction (ABR) is not well-established. The objective of this retrospective study is to determine the impact of breast cancer characteristics, such as cancer stage, hormone receptor status, and neoadjuvant treatments, on vascular complications of ABR. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted examining patients who underwent ABR from 2009 to 2018. Breast cancer stage, cancer types, hormone receptor status, and treatments were collected in addition to demographic data. Intraoperative vascular concerns, postoperative vascular concerns, and flap loss were analyzed. Univariate analysis and fixed-effects models were used to associate breast cancer characteristics with outcomes. RESULTS: Neoadjuvant hormone therapy was associated with increased risk for intraoperative vascular concern (odds ratio, 1.059 [ P = 0.0441]). Neoadjuvant trastuzumab was associated with decreased risk of postoperative vascular concern (odds ratio, 0.941 [ P = 0.018]). Breast cancer stage, somatic genetic mutation, receptor types, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and neoadjuvant radiation had no effect on any vascular complications of ABR. CONCLUSION: Autologous free-flap breast reconstruction is a reliable reconstructive option for patients with all stages and types of breast cancer. There is potentially increased risk of intraoperative microvascular compromise in patients who have neoadjuvant hormone therapy. Trastuzumab is potentially protective against postoperative microvascular compromise. Patients should feel confident that, despite higher stage cancer, they can pursue their desired reconstructive option without fear of vascular compromise.

Rectal Injury during Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty: An Algorithmic Approach to Prevention and Management.

BACKGROUND: Penile inversion vaginoplasty (PIV) is a common procedure for transfeminine patients, with the goal of creating a functional vaginal canal and clitoris and a natural-appearing vulva. Creation of the neovagina requires opening of the prerectal space, most commonly from a perineal approach, and the reported rates of rectal perforation during this dissection range from 3% to 5%. METHODS: Adult patients who underwent PIV at the authors' institution were identified retrospectively. Demographics, operative information, and postoperative clinical outcomes were extracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: Ten of 146 patients (6.8%) experienced a rectal injury. All patients underwent an immediate repair (two-layer repair in eight patients, and three-layer repair in two), with two patients subsequently requiring temporary fecal diversion and two requiring muscle flaps (1.4% each). Literature review identified 18 relevant publications, with scarce in-depth analysis of management of initial rectal injuries. CONCLUSION: The authors' algorithmic approach to rectal injury during PIV is designed to facilitate decision-making based on preoperative preparation, consistent intraoperative monitoring, feasibility of primary repair of the rectum, and a multidisciplinary approach to longitudinal postoperative care. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Longitudinal Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Transversus Abdominis Release for Complex Hernia Repair With a Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE: Posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release (TAR) enables medial myofascial flap advancement in complex abdominal wall reconstruction. Here, we add to a growing body of literature on TAR by assessing longitudinal clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after complex ventral hernia repair (VHR) with TAR. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing VHR with TAR between 10/15/2015 and 1/15/2020 were retrospectively identified. Patients with parastomal hernias and <12 months of follow-up were excluded. Clinical outcomes and PROs were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included with a median age and body mass index of 60 and 30.8 kg/m2, respectively. The average hernia defect was 384 cm2 [IQR 205-471], and all patients had retromuscular mesh placed. The most common complications were delayed healing (19.6%) and seroma (14.3%). There were no cases of mesh infection or explantation. Previous hernia repair and concurrent panniculectomy were risk factors for developing complications (P < .05). One patient (1.8%) recurred at a median follow-up of 25.2 months [IQR 18.2-42.4]. Significant improvement in disease-specific PROs was maintained throughout the follow-up period (before to after P < .05). CONCLUSION: Transversus abdominis release is a safe and efficacious technique to achieve fascial closure and retromuscular mesh in the repair of complex hernia defects.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy After Abdominal Body Contouring: A Comparative Matched Analysis of Outcomes and Cost.

Background: Studies that have previously validated the use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) after body contouring procedures (BCP) have provided limited data regarding associated health care utilization and cost. We matched 2 cohorts of patients after BCP with and without iNPWT and compared utilization of health care resources and post-operative clinical outcomes. Methods: Adult patients who underwent abdominoplasty and/or panniculectomy between 2015 and 2020 by a single surgeon were identified. Patients were propensity score matched by body mass index (BMI), gender, smoking history, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and incision type. Primary outcomes included time to final drain removal, outpatient visits, homecare visits, emergency department visits, and cost. Secondary outcomes included surgical site occurrences (SSO), surgical site infections, reoperations, and revisions. Results: One hundred sixty-six patients were eligible, and 40 were matched (20 with iNPWT and 20 without iNPWT) with a median age of 47 years and BMI of 32 kg/m2. There were no differences in demographics or intraoperative details (all P > .05). No significant differences were found between the cohorts in terms of health care utilization measures or clinical outcomes (all P > .05). Direct cost was significantly greater in the iNPWT cohort (P = .0498). Inpatient length of stay and procedure time were independently associated with increased cost on multivariate analysis (all P < .0001). Conclusion: Consensus guidelines recommend the use of iNPWT in high-risk patients, including abdominal BCP. Our results show that iNPWT is associated with equivalent health care utilization and clinical outcomes, with increased cost. Additional randomized controlled trials are needed to further elucidate the cost utility of this technique in this patient population.

Contexte: Les études qui ont validé antérieurement l'utilisation de la thérapie par pression négative des incisions chirurgicales (iNPWT) après une procédure de remodelage corporel (BCP) n'ont fourni que des données limitées sur l'utilisation et le coût des soins de santé associés. Nous avons apparié deux cohortes de patients après BCP avec ou sans iNPWT et nous avons comparé l'utilisation des ressources de soins de santé ainsi que les résultats cliniques postopératoires. Méthodes: Les patients adultes qui ont subi une abdominoplastie et/ou une panniculectomie effectuée(s) par un seul chirurgien entre 2015 et 2020 ont été identifiés. Les patients ont été appariés avec un score de propension par indice de masse corporelle (IMC), sexe, antécédent de tabagisme, diabète, hypertension et type d'incision. Les critères d'évaluation principaux étaient, notamment, le délai de retrait du dernier drain, les visites au service de consultations externes, les visites au département des urgences et le coût. Les critères de jugement secondaires ont inclus les survenues du site opératoire (SSO), les infections du site opératoire (SSI), les réinterventions et les révisions. Résultats: Il y a eu un total de 166 patients admissibles et 40 ont été appariés (20 avec iNPWT et 20 sans); leur âge médian était de 47 ans et leur IMC de 32 kg/m2. Il n'y a pas eu de différence entre les groupes pour les données démographiques ou les détails peropératoires (P > 0,05 pour tous). Aucune différence significative n'a été trouvée entre les cohortes pour ce qui concerne les mesures d'utilisation des ressources de santé ou les résultats cliniques (P > 0,05 pour tous). Le coût direct a été significativement plus élevé dans la cohorte iNPWT (P = 0,0498). La durée de séjour des patients hospitalisés et la durée de la procédure ont été associées de manière indépendante à une augmentation du coût dans une analyse multifactorielle (P < 0,0001 pour toutes). Conclusion: Les lignes directrices de consensus préconisent l'utilisation de l'iNPWT pour les patients à risque élevé, y compris en cas de remodelage corporel abdominal. Nos résultats montrent que l'iNPWT est associée à un recours équivalent aux soins de santé et à des résultats cliniques identiques, pour un coût plus élevé. Des essais contrôlés à répartition aléatoire supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour préciser le rapport coût/utilité de cette technique dans cette population de patients.

Impact of Panniculectomy and/or Abdominoplasty on Quality of Life: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Panniculectomy and abdominoplasty are uptrending procedures to address excess skin after weight loss which affects patient-reported quality of life. The authors aimed to identify factors associated with low preoperative quality of life, quantify the benefit of these procedures, and evaluate benefits across grades of obesity. METHODS: Patients seeking panniculectomy and abdominoplasty between 2018 and 2019 with a completed preoperative BODY-Q questionnaire were identified. Stratification by quality of life in tertiles for each BODY-Q domain allowed identification of characteristics associated with low quality of life using chi-square tests. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare preoperative to postoperative change in quality of life. Differences in quality of life by obesity class (1-2 vs. 3) were ascertained using chi-square tests. RESULTS: A total of 183 patients completed preoperative quality-of-life questionnaires. Preoperative factors associated with low quality of life included age older than 40 years, Black race, public insurance, hypertension, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class (all p < 0.05). Of patients who completed a preoperative BODY-Q and underwent surgery, 46 (63 percent) completed both surveys. Quality of life improved postoperatively across all domains ( p < 0.01). The presence of a surgical site occurrence (e.g., infection, delayed healing, hematoma, seroma) did not impact postoperative quality of life in any domain ( p > 0.05). Obesity classification did not affect change in quality of life preoperatively to postoperatively ( p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Quality of life is significantly lower at baseline in older, Black, publicly insured patients, and multimorbid patients, but improves dramatically after panniculectomy and abdominoplasty regardless of incidence of complications or degree of obesity. . CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma: Updated Systematic Review and Analysis of Treatment Strategies.

BACKGROUND: Although guidelines have been published on treatment of breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), there has been no comprehensive analysis of BIA-ALCL treatment variation based on the available literature. The authors sought to assess current treatment strategies of BIA-ALCL relative to current guidelines. METHODS: Database searches were conducted in June of 2020. Included articles were case reports and case series with patient-level data. Collected variables included clinicopathologic features, implant characteristics, diagnostic tests, ALCL characteristics, treatment, and details of follow-up and outcome. Treatment data from before and after 2017 were compared with National Cancer Center Network guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 89 publications were included and 178 cases of BIA-ALCL were identified. Most patients presented with seroma ( n = 114, 70.4 percent), followed by a mass ( n = 14, 8.6 percent), or both ( n = 23, 14.2 percent). Treatment included en bloc capsulectomy of the affected implant in 122 out of 126 cases with treatment details provided (96.8 percent). Radiation therapy was given in 38 cases (30.2 percent) and chemotherapy was given in 71 cases (56.3 percent). Practitioners used less chemotherapy for local disease after treatment guideline publication in 2017 ( p < 0.001), whereas treatment for advanced disease remained unchanged ( p = 0.3). There were 10 recurrences and eight fatalities attributable to BIA-ALCL, which were associated with advanced presentation (29 versus 2.1 percent; OR, 19.4; 95 percent CI, 3.9 to 96.3; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: BIA-ALCL remains a morbid but treatable condition. Current guidelines focus treatment for local disease and reduce nonsurgical interventions with radiation or chemotherapy. Patients presenting with advanced BIA-ALCL experience higher rates of recurrence and mortality.

Leadership Roles, Academic Appointments, and Scholarly Activity-Does a Fellowship after Plastic Surgery Training Make a Difference?

Background Fellowship training is becoming more popular in plastic surgery, with over half of residents pursuing advanced training. Here, we investigate how clinical and research fellowship training impacts career trajectory and scholastic achievement in academic plastic surgery. Methods Plastic surgery faculty members, from programs recognized by the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons, were identified using institutional Web sites. Data extracted included faculty demographics, training history, academic positions, and research productivity. Continuous and categorical variables were compared using t -tests and chi-square, respectively. Results In total, 949 faculty members were included, with 657 (69%) having completed fellowship training. Integrated program residents were more likely to complete a fellowship when compared with independent residents ( p < 0.0001). Fellowship trained faculty were more likely to have graduated from a higher ranked residency program, in terms of both overall and research reputation ( p = 0.005 and p = 0.016, respectively). When controlling for years in practice, there was no difference found in number of publications, Hirsch index (h-index), or National Institutes of Health funding between faculty between the two cohorts ( p > 0.05). In a subanalysis comparing hand, craniofacial, microsurgery, and research fellowships, those who completed a research fellowship had higher h-indices and were more likely to reach full professor status ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Fellowship training had no effect on being promoted to Chief/Chair of departments ( p = 0.16). Conclusion Fellowship training is common among academic plastic surgeons. In this study, both clinical and research fellowships were associated with various aspects of academic success. However, fellowship training alone did not affect attainment of leadership positions.

Disparities in Research during Plastic Surgery Training: How Can We Level the Playing Field?

Background: Lack of female and ethnically underrepresented in medicine (UIM) surgeons remains concerning in academic plastic surgery. One barrier to inclusion may be unequal opportunity to publish research. This study evaluates the extent of this challenge for plastic surgery trainees and identifies potential solutions. Methods: Data were collected on academic plastic surgeons' research productivity during training. Bivariate analysis compared publication measures between genders and race/ethnicities at different training stages (pre-residency/residency/clinical fellowship). Multivariate analysis determined training experiences independently associated with increased research productivity. Results: Overall, women had fewer total publications than men during training (8.89 versus 12.46, P = 0.0394). Total publications were similar between genders before and during residency (P > 0.05 for both) but lower for women during fellowship (1.32 versus 2.48, P = 0.0042). Women had a similar number of first-author publications during training (3.97 versus 5.24, P = 0.1030) but fewer middle-author publications (4.70 versus 6.81, P = 0.0405). UIM and non-UIM individuals had similar productivity at all training stages and authorship positions (P > 0.05 for all). Research fellowship completion was associated with increased total, first-, and middle-author training publications (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusions: Less research productivity for female plastic surgery trainees may reflect a disparity in opportunity to publish. Fewer middle-author publications could indicate challenges with network-building in a predominately male field. Despite comparable research productivity during training relative to non- UIM individuals, UIM individuals remain underrepresented in academic plastic surgery. Creating research fellowships for targeting underrepresented groups could help overcome these challenges.

Closing the Gap: Training Experiences and Career Outcomes for Underrepresented Minorities in Plastic Surgery.

Background: The present study assesses training characteristics, scholastic achievements, and traditional career accomplishments of ethnically underrepresented in medicine (UIM) plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) faculty relative to non-UIM PRS faculty. Method: A cross-sectional analysis of core PRS faculty appointed to accredited United States residency training programs (n = 99) was performed. Results: Of the 949 US PRS faculty, a total of 51 (5.4%) were identified as UIM. Compared with non-UIM faculty, there were few differences when evaluating medical education, residency training, pursuit of advanced degrees, and attainment of subspecialty fellowship training. UIM faculty were more likely than non-UIM faculty to have graduated from a medical school outside the United States (25% versus 13%, P = 0.014). In addition, UIM faculty did not differ from non-UIM counterparts in traditional career accomplishments, including promotion to full professor, obtaining NIH funding, serving as program director, receiving an endowed professorship, appointment to a peer-reviewed editorial board, scholarly contributions (H-index and number of publications), and appointment to chief/chair of their division/department. Conclusions: The historical lack of ethnic diversity that comprise US academic PRS faculty persists. This study reveals that those UIM faculty who are able to obtain faculty appointments are equally successful in achieving scholastic success and traditional career accomplishments as their non-UIM counterparts. As we strive toward increasing representation of UIM physicians in academic plastic surgery, the field will benefit from efforts that promote a pipeline for underrepresented groups who traditionally face barriers to entry.

Identifying US Plastic Surgery Training Programs that Effectively Establish Gender and Ethnically Diverse Faculty.

Background: Successful strategies to improve the representation of female and ethnically underrepresented in medicine (UIM) physicians among US plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) faculty have not been adequately explored. Accordingly, we aimed to identify programs that have had success, and in parallel gather PRS program directors' and chiefs/chairs' perspectives on diversity recruitment intentionality and strategies. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the demographic composition of female and UIM faculty of PRS residency training programs. Separate lists of programs in the top quartile for female and UIM faculty representation were collated. Additionally, a 14-question survey was administered to program directors and chiefs/chairs of all 99 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited PRS residency programs. The questions comprised three domains: (1) demographic information; (2) perceptions about diversity; and (3) recruitment strategies utilized to diversify faculty. Results: Female and UIM faculty representation ranged from 0% to 63% and 0% to 50%, respectively. Survey responses were received from program directors and chiefs/chairs of 55 institutions (55% response rate). Twenty-five (43%) respondents felt their program was diverse. Fifty-one (80%) respondents felt diversity was important to the composition of PRS faculty. Active recruitment of diverse faculty and the implementation of a diversity, equity, and inclusion committee were among the most frequently cited strategies to establish a culturally sensitive and inclusive environment. Conclusions: These findings reveal that female and UIM representation among US PRS faculty remains insufficient; however, some programs have had success through deliberate and intentional implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.

Three-Year Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life after Retromuscular Resorbable Mesh Repair Using Fibrin Glue.

BACKGROUND: With 400,000 hernias repaired annually, there is a need for development of efficient and effective repair techniques. Previously, the authors' group compared perioperative outcomes and hospital costs of patients undergoing ventral hernia repair with retromuscular mesh using suture fixation versus fibrin glue. This article reports on 3-year postoperative outcomes, including hernia recurrence, long-term clinical outcomes, and patient-reported quality of life. METHODS: Patients who underwent ventral hernia repair performed by a single surgeon between 2015 to 2017 were identified. Patients with retromuscular resorbable mesh placed were included and matched by propensity score. Primary outcomes included hernia recurrence, surgical-site infection, surgical-site occurrence, and surgical-site occurrence/surgical-site infection requiring procedural interventions. Secondary outcomes included quality of life as assessed by the Hernia-Related Quality of Life Survey. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were eligible, and 46 patients were matched (23 suture fixation and 23 fibrin glue), with a median age of 62 years, a median body mass index of 29 kg/m2, and a median defect size of 300 cm2 (interquartile range, 180 to 378 cm2). Median follow-up was 36 months (interquartile range, 31 to 36 months). There was no difference in the incidence of hernia recurrence (13.0 percent for suture fixation and 8.7 percent for fibrin glue; p = 0.636) or other postoperative outcomes between techniques (all p > 0.05). Five patients required reoperation because of a complication (10.9 percent). Overall quality of life improved preoperatively to postoperatively at all time points (all p < 0.05), and no differences in quality-of-life improvement were seen between techniques (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ventral hernia repair with atraumatic resorbable retromuscular mesh fixation using fibrin glue demonstrates equivalent postoperative clinical and quality-of-life outcomes when compared to mechanical suture fixation. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Common Revisions after Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty: Techniques and Clinical Outcomes.

SUMMARY: Up to one-third of patients are reported to undergo secondary surgical revision to address functional and aesthetic concerns after penile inversion vaginoplasty. The most commonly performed revisions are posterior introital web release, clitoroplasty, labiaplasty, and urethroplasty. To illustrate effective strategies for each of these revisions, this Video Plus article reviews the case of a 32-year-old transgender woman undergoing revision surgery to correct functionally limiting posterior introital webbing and to improve clitoral and labial appearance. Intraoperative steps and postoperative considerations are detailed in the accompanying videos.

Systematic variable reduction for simplification of incisional hernia risk prediction instruments.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia (IH) is a complex, costly and difficult to manage surgical complication. We aim to create an accurate and parsimonious model to assess IH risk, pared down for practicality and translation in the clinical environment. METHODS: Institutional abdominal surgical patients from 2002 to 2019 were identified (N = 102,281); primary outcome of IH, demographic factors, and comorbidities were extracted. A 32-variable Cox proportional hazards model was generated. Reduced-variable models were created by systematic removal of variables 1-4 and 23-25 at a time. RESULTS: The c-statistic of the full 32-variable model was 0.7232. Four comorbidities decreased accuracy of the model: COPD, paralysis, cancer and combined autoimmune/hereditary collagenopathy or AAA diagnosis. The model with those 4 comorbidities removed had the highest c-statistic (0.7291). The most reduced model included 7 variables and had a c-statistic of 0.7127. CONCLUSION: Accuracy of an IH predictive model is only marginally affected by a vast reduction in end-user inputs.

Law of Diminishing Returns in Ventral Hernia Repair: Fact or Fiction?

BACKGROUND: Repeated ventral hernia repair is associated with increased risk of complications and recurrence. The authors present the first study looking at how repeated ventral hernia repair affects quality of life, and whether there is a relationship between the number of prior repairs and quality-of-life improvement after surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients undergoing ventral hernia repair between August of 2017 and August of 2019, who completed at least one preoperative and postoperative Abdominal Hernia-Q. Patients were split into four cohorts based on number of prior repairs (zero, one, two, or three or more). Categorical data were compared using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, and continuous data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients met inclusion criteria, with 19 (20 percent), 45 (48 percent), 15 (16 percent), and 14 patients (15 percent) in each cohort, ranging from zero to three or more prior repairs. Patients with more prior repairs were significantly more likely to be readmitted and undergo reoperation (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01, respectively), in addition to significantly higher cost of care (p = 0.004). Patients with three or more prior repairs had significantly lower preoperative quality of life when compared to patients with two or fewer prior repairs (p = 0.04). However, all patients reported a similar absolute level of quality of life postoperatively, irrespective of prior repairs (p = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of recurrent hernia remains a challenge because of poor clinical outcomes and higher risk of recurrence. This study shows that patients with multiple prior ventral hernia repairs report similar postoperative quality of life as patients undergoing primary repair. This information is valuable in determining appropriate surgical candidates and improving preoperative counseling. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Bilateral transversus abdominis release: Complex hernia repair without sacrificing quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Transversus Abdominis Release (TAR) during ventral hernia repair (VHR) allows for further lateral dissection by dividing the transversus abdominis muscles (TAM). The implications of division of the TAM on clinical and patient-reported outcomes has not be extensively studied. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing retrorectus (RR) VHR with biosynthetic mesh with or without bilateral TAR were retrospectively identified. Post-operative and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected. RESULTS: Of 50 patients, 24 underwent TAR and 26 had RR repair alone. Median defect sizes were 449 cm2 and 208 cm2, respectively (p < 0.001). Rates of SSO and SSI were similar (p > 0.05). One TAR patient (4.2%) and four RR patients (15.4%) recurred (p = 0.26), with median follow up of 24 and 38 months. PROs improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite more complex abdominal wall reconstruction on larger defects, TAR has minimal major adverse events, low recurrence rates, and does not negatively affect PROs.

A Systematic Review of Aesthetic Surgery Training Within Plastic Surgery Training Programs in the USA: An In-Depth Analysis and Practical Reference.

BACKGROUND: The importance of aesthetic surgery exposure for plastic and reconstructive trainees has been recently validated by the expansion of case requirements for aesthetic procedures from 50 to 150, as well as resident-driven desire for increased cosmetic exposure throughout training. We aim to systematically review the literature at a national level to report on overall trends in aesthetic surgery training within PRS residencies. METHODS: A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus identified all English articles published in the USA between 2000 and 2020, using a combination of "aesthetic surgery", "cosmetic surgery", "plastic surgery", "residency and internship", "education", and "training." RESULTS: Our initial search resulted in 415 articles. After review of inclusion and exclusion criteria, in addition to cross-referencing, 41 studies remained, including 15 studies discussing resident and/or program director surveys, eight studies discussing teaching methods, sixteen studies discussing dedicated resident clinics, four studies discussing cosmetic/aesthetic fellowships, three studies discussing cosmetic practice patterns, and eleven studies discussing patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Current literature demonstrates that there are gaps in aesthetic surgery training for PRS residents in the USA, including facial and neck surgeries and non-surgical interventions. Resident clinics have clear benefits for resident education, without sacrificing patient outcomes. Residency programs should consider the development of a resident cosmetic clinic and/or dedicated cosmetic center to increase surgical exposure and increase trainee comfort in providing this subset of procedures. Published literature is limited in consistency of methods of evaluation, and further in-depth analysis of case volume and diversity at training programs within the USA and internationally is indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .