Trends of Medicare Reimbursement Rates for Lower Extremity Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Data collected across many surgical specialties suggest that Medicare reimbursement for physicians consistently lags inflation. Studies are needed that describe reimbursement rates for lower extremity procedures. Our goal is to analyze the trends in Medicare reimbursement rates from 2010 to 2021 for both lower extremity amputation and salvage surgeries. METHODS: The Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was assessed and Current Procedural Terminology codes for common lower extremity procedures were collected. Average reimbursement rates from 2010 to 2021 were analyzed and adjusted for inflation. The rates of work-, facility-, and malpractice-related relative value units (RVUs) were also collected. RESULTS: We found an overall increase in Medicare reimbursement of 4.73% over the study period for lower extremity surgery. However, after adjusting for inflation, the average reimbursement decreased by 13.19%. The adjusted relative difference was calculated to be (-)18.31 and (-)11.34% for lower extremity amputation and salvage procedures, respectively. We also found that physician work-related RVUs decreased by 0.27%, while facility-related and malpractice-related RVUs increased. CONCLUSION: Reimbursement for lower extremity amputation and salvage procedures has steadily declined from 2010 to 2021 after adjusting for inflation, with amputation procedures being devaluated at a greater rate than lower extremity salvage procedures. With the recent marked inflation, knowledge of these trends is crucial for surgeons, hospitals, and health care policymakers to ensure appropriate physician reimbursement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV (cross-sectional study).

The Utility of Telemedicine in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Provider and Patient Perspectives.

Background: The use of telemedicine has become increasingly common, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual visits can be beneficial for use in plastic surgery but are not without limitations. The purpose of this study was to better understand the utility of telemedicine in plastic surgery from both patient and provider perspectives. Methods: A survey was distributed to all patients who had a telemedicine visit at the authors' institution from April to October 2020 as well as a representative cohort of providers via the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The survey collected various demographic data and included a Likert scale questionnaire to assess the use and overall quality of telemedicine services. Data collected for the patient and provider groups were compared using t tests, chi-square tests, and Mann-Whitney (U) tests. Results: A total of 67 patients (N = 501; 13.4%) and 160 providers (N = 2701; 5.9%) responded to the survey. Patients were significantly younger than providers (45.8 ± 11.8 vs 55.0 ± 11.6 years; P < .001). Patients responded significantly more favorably than providers in the domains of telemedicine usefulness, ease of use, interaction quality, and reliability. Patients were significantly more comfortable than providers in scheduling surgery without an in-person visit. Patients also rated higher comfort levels than providers with a virtual physical examination, including examination of sensitive body parts, such as breasts and genitals. Conclusions: Plastic surgery patients are generally comfortable and satisfied with the care provided by telemedicine. Telemedicine can provide high-quality health care and can be utilized by plastic surgeons to optimize care in their practice.

Pressure injuries in COVID-19 patients: A tertiary center experience.

Pressure ulcers continue to severely impact patient outcomes and increase health care costs. We aimed to examine the incidence and risk factors related to pressure ulcers among COVID-19 patients. A retrospective was conducted between March 2020-April 2021. Baseline differences were examined using chi-square and Fischer's exact test. Logistic regression was employed to examine the association of the collected variables to development of new pressure ulcers. 4608 patients were included, of which eighty-three acquired new pressure ulcers. Risk factors were increased age, peripheral artery disease, abnormal albumin levels, but not prone position.

Spontaneous Closure of Congenital Cranial Defect: Is Early Surgical Intervention Warranted?

Infantile cranial development typically occurs in a predictable sequence of events; however, less is known about how the development occurs in isolated, nonsyndromic congenital craniofacial anomalies. Furthermore, the timing of pediatric cranioplasty has been extrapolated from adult studies. Thus, the management of nonsyndromic congenital craniofacial anomalies presents with unique challenges to the craniofacial surgeon. The authors describe the case of a baby girl who was born with right Tessier 3 cleft, cleft palate, anophthalmos, and severe left craniofacial microsomia with Pruzansky grade III left mandibular anomaly. By analyzing 3-dimensional chronological models of the patient, the authors found that her abnormal fontanelle initially increased in size until 22 weeks of age, with subsequent spontaneous closure at a rate of 60.53 mm2/y. Although similar cranial anomalies are typically surgically corrected early in life, delaying treatment until after 2 years of age may be appropriate in some patients, obviating surgical morbidity in the newborn period.

Associations between SARS-CoV-2 infections and thrombotic complications necessitating surgical intervention: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Several unique clinical features of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, have been identified and characterized. One such feature, mostly among patients with severe COVID-19 infection, has become known as COVID-19-induced coagulopathy. Surgical patients with a history of or active COVID-19 infection bear a significantly higher risk for postoperative thrombotic complications. These patients may require surgical intervention to treat severe thrombotic complications. Few studies have been carried out to better characterize this association. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on COVID-19 infections that led to thrombotic complications necessitating surgical intervention. We hypothesized that patients with recent or active COVID-19 infection would have high rates of thromboembolic complications both arterial and venous in origin. AIM: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on COVID-19 infections that led to thrombotic complications necessitating surgical intervention. METHODS: The current systematic review implemented an algorithmic approach to review all the currently available English medical literature on surgical interventions necessitated by COVID-19 thrombotic complications using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis principles. A comprehensive search of the medical literature in the "PubMed", "Scopus", "Google Scholar" top 100 results, and archives of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was performed using the key words "COVID-19" AND "surgery" AND "thromboembolism" AND "complication". The search string was generated and the records which were not specific about surgical interventions or thrombotic complications due to COVID-19 infection were excluded. Titles and abstracts were screened by two authors and full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and inclusion. Finally, results were further refined to focus on articles that focused on surgical interventions that were necessitated by COVID-19 thrombotic complications. RESULTS: The database search resulted in the final inclusion of 22 retrospective studies, after application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Of the included studies, 17 were single case reports, 3 were case series and 2 were cross sectional cohort studies. All studies were retrospective in nature. Twelve of the reported studies were conducted in the United States of America, with the remaining studies originating from Italy, Turkey, Pakistan, France, Serbia, and Germany. All cases reported in our study were laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive. A total of 70 cases involving surgical intervention were isolated from the 22 studies included in this review. CONCLUSION: There is paucity of data describing the relationship between COVID-19 infection and thrombotic complications necessitating the need for surgical intervention. Intestinal ischemia and acute limb ischemia are amongst the most common thrombotic events due to COVID-19 that required operative management. An overall postoperative mortality of 30% was found in those who underwent operative procedures for thrombotic complications, with most deaths occurring in those with bowel ischemia. Physicians should be aware that despite thromboprophylaxis, severe thrombotic complications can still occur in this patient population, however, surgical intervention results in relatively low mortality apart from cases of ischemic bowel resection.

Impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy on the development of COVID-19 infections and associated complications: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can produce a wide range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic to life-threatening. Various researchers have worked to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these variable presentations. Differences in individual responses to systemic inflammation and coagulopathy appear to be modulated by several factors, including sex steroid hormones. Transgender men or non-binary individuals who undergo gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) are a unique population of interest for exploring the androgen-mediated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hypothesis. As the search for reliable and effective COVID-19 treatments continues, understanding the risks and benefits of GAHT may mitigate COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality in this patient population. AIM: To investigate the potential role of GAHT in the development of COVID-19 infections and complications. METHODS: This systematic review implemented an algorithmic approach using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar top 100 results, and archives of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was on January 12, 2022 using the key words "gender" AND "hormone" AND "therapy" AND "COVID-19" as well as associated terms. Non-English articles, articles published prior to 2019 (prior to COVID-19), and manuscripts in the form of reviews, commentaries, or letters were excluded. References of the selected publications were screened as well. RESULTS: The database search resulted in the final inclusion of 14 studies related to GAHT COVID-19. Of the included studies, only two studies directly involved and reported on COVID-19 in transgender patients. Several clinical trials looked at the relationship between testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone in COVID-19 infected cis-gender men and women. It has been proposed that androgens may facilitate initial COVID-19 infection, however, once this occurs, testosterone may have a protective effect. Multiple clinical studies have shown that low baseline testosterone levels in men with COVID-19 are associated with worsening outcomes. The role of female sex hormones, including estrogen and progesterone have also been proposed as potential protective factors in COVID-19 infection. This was exemplified in multiple studies investigating different outcomes in pre- and post-menopausal women as well as those taking hormone replacement therapy. Two studies related specifically to transgender patients and GAHT found that estrogen and progesterone could help protect men against COVID-19, and that testosterone hormone therapy may increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Few studies were found related to the role of GAHT in COVID-19 infections. Additional research is necessary to enhance our understanding of this relationship and provide better care for transgender patients.

Is There a Role for Comfort Care in Neonates With Severe Craniofacial Anomalies? Case Report and Review of Quality-of-Life Literature.

This article aims to determine how quality of life (QoL) is defined and assessed in cases of severe craniofacial anomalies, as well as the impact such considerations may have on the treatment of a neonate with these conditions with respect to palliative neonatal care. Our literature review found insufficient evidence to suggest that craniofacial anomalies result in consistently poor QoL. Based on these findings and in line with the current acceptable standards for the ethical care of neonates, with the exception of rare cases, resuscitative efforts should always be performed on patients with isolated craniofacial anomalies, as demonstrated in the management of this reported patient.