Complications in post-bariatric body contouring surgery using a practical treatment regime to optimise the nutritional state.

Background: Post-bariatric body contouring surgery (BCS) treats redundant skin after massive weight loss; however, the complication risk is relatively high (23-70%). Most complications are wound-related, which may be partly due to a poor nutritional status after bariatric surgery. The objective of this observational study was to optimise nutrition preoperatively and assess the prevalence of wound-related complications after BCS. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 140 patients. Patients were treated according to the post-bariatric BCS guideline. Nutritional parameters were collected via pre- and peri-operative blood sampling; any deficiencies were treated. A protein-enriched diet was prescribed by a dietician 4 weeks preoperatively up until closure of all wounds. Complications were recorded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with wound-related complications. Results: The overall wound-related complication rate was 51%. Most complications were minor, with only 4.3% was considered major. No significant differences in patient characteristics were found between patients with and without complications. Variables indicating an optimised nutritional state were not significantly associated with a decreased risk of complications; the most influential factor was a sufficient post-operative protein intake (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.07 - 1.02, p = 0.05). Conclusion: The overall wound-related complication rate was in accordance with previous literature; however, major complications were few. This study showed a weak correlation between optimising nutritional state and better outcome after BCS, especially following a protein-enriched diet post-operatively. Therefore, we recommend continuing research on nutrition and wound-related complications, using homogeneous study populations and well-defined complications.

Sun Protection Behavior Following Skin Cancer Resection and Reconstruction.

Increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is associated with an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Cutaneous surgery can be negatively influenced by UVR, causing delayed wound healing, hyperpigmentation of the scar, and an increased incidence of additional skin cancers. By changing sun protection behavior, these risks can be limited. Therefore, this study evaluates changes in patients' sun protective behavior after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Patients undergoing MMS between December 2017 and November 2019 were included. Patients were asked to complete the FACE-Q Skin Cancer - Sun Protection Behavior checklist before and 3 months and 1 year post-surgery. A total of 125 patients completed the pre-operative and 3-months post-operative checklists, and 89 (71.2%) completed the 1-year post-operative checklist. Reported sun protective behaviors increased post-surgery at all time points (p < 0.001). Patients with a prior history of facial skin cancer demonstrated a larger increase in sun protection behaviors after surgery than patients without a history of facial skin cancer (p = 0.04). Patients with defects located on the ear or scalp demonstrated a lesser increase in sun protection behaviors than patients with defects located in more conspicuous areas as the face (p = 0.02). Our study demonstrates a change in sun protection behavior, with an increase in sun protection behavior over time in patients after MMS. However, more improvement is possible. Targeted counseling can increase sun protection behavior in patients without a history of facial skin cancer and patients with skin cancer located on the ears or scalp.

Towards evidence based plastic surgery; how a national research agenda can unite research.

We describe the development of the Research Agenda of the Dutch Society for Plastic Surgery, supported and democratically created by plastic surgeons, patients, and other stakeholders. The agenda contains the 10 most relevant knowledge gaps encountered in clinical practice, as prioritized by the abovementioned groups. The aim is to stimulate national collaborations and research networks to initiate trials to answer these knowledge gaps. The agenda will be renewed periodically to stay relevant. We encourage other national and international associations to develop a research agenda within their field, and intensify their research network and improve research quality.

The BAPRAS screening tool for reimbursement in a postbariatric population.

INTRODUCTION: Reimbursement of body-contouring surgery (BCS) is a worldwide problem: there is no objective instrument to decide which postbariatric patients should qualify for reimbursement. The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) has developed a screening tool for this purpose. In this study, we used a modified version of this screening tool in a postbariatric population and describe which patients would qualify for reimbursement using this tool. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study postbariatric patients were asked to fill in an online questionnaire based on the BAPRAS screening tool with questions regarding complaints of overhanging skin and medical history. Weight loss data were extracted from a prospective database. The BODY-Q was added to assess patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Patients who wanted to undergo BCS (n = 90) had higher screening tool scores and lower BODY-Q scores compared to patients who did not want BCS (n = 24). In total, 25 patients (26%) qualified for reimbursement, these patients had higher weight loss (33.5% versus 29.2%, p = 0.008), lower BMI (27.3 kg/m2 versus 30.4 kg/m2, p = 0.014) and more medical (4.0 versus 2.0, p = 0.004) and psychological complaints (88% versus 61%, p = 0.009). There was a significant, negative correlation between the screening tool scores and almost all BODY-Q scales. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a desire for BCS have more complaints of excess skin, which negatively impacts their well-being. With the modified BAPRAS screening tool, patients with the best weight (loss) and most medical and psychological complaints of excess skin qualified for referral and reimbursement of BCS.

Subchondral bone mineral density patterns representing the loading history of the wrist joint.

Ten cadaver wrists were examined with CT-Absorptiometry in order to assess bone density in the subchondral bone. In normal wrists the distal radius contained two centroids of bone density, one in the lunate fossa and another in the scaphoid fossa. Pathologically altered wrists showed a shift in bone density towards the scaphoid fossa, with the subchondral bone in the lunate fossa and distal ulna becoming less dense. Bone density patterns in the wrist reflect the long-term force transmission. As bone density alters according to loading conditions, this method can be used to determine force transmission patterns before and after wrist surgery.

The long-term effects of force-transmission in an injured wrist, measured with dual-energy X-ray absorphometry: a case report.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of using a dual-energy X-ray absorphometry (DEXA) scan to predict long-term force-transmission patterns in wrists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Both wrists of a man with morbid Kienböck stage IIIa disease of his left wrist (avascular necrosis of the lunate) were examined by a DEXA scan to determine the differences in bone density in the distal radius. RESULTS: In the distal radius of the injured wrist, a shift in bone density was seen toward the scaphoid fossa, which resembles the shift in force-transmission pattern described in force-transmission studies of the wrist. CONCLUSIONS: These differences can be interpreted as a result of an altered force-transmission pattern in the injured wrist.

Auricular hypermobility due to agenesis of the extrinsic muscles.

A patient is presented with complaints of a hypermobile right ear due to agenesis of the superior and posterior auricularis muscles and a thin concha cartilage. Suturing the concha cartilage to the mastoid bone and temporal fascia gave sufficient support of the external ear without creating a gross difference in appearance of both ears.

[Moderate results of the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children using intramedullary fixation]. / Matig resultaat van de behandeling van femurschachtfracturen bij kinderen door intramedullaire fixatie.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children with intramedullary nailing. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Department of Surgery, University Hospital Utrecht, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht. METHOD: Between 1982 and 1993, 27 femoral shaft fractures in 27 patients under the age of 16 were treated by intramedullary nailing. The charts and radiographs of these patients were reviewed and 24 patients were seen for follow-up examination (mean 7.5 years). Leg length was measured radiographically and anteversion of the affected and normal femora was determined by a standard computed tomography (CT) study. RESULTS: The average hospital stay was 34 days. There were no postoperative complications. At follow-up 10 patients had a leg length discrepancy < 1 cm and a rotational deformity < 10 degrees. Three patients had a shortening of the injured leg > 1 cm (max. 1.7 cm), in 6 patients the injured leg was more than 1 cm longer (max. 3.5 cm). The difference in rotation between fracture side and unaffected side was > 10 degrees in 9 patients. In 6 patients this was due to increased exorotation (max. 22 degrees) and in 3 patients to increased endorotation (max. 27 degrees). Iatrogenic injury of the epiphyseal line was not seen. CONCLUSION: Regarding leg length differences and rotational deformities intramedullary nailing was not superior to the known results of conservative treatment. The indication for operation should be carefully considered and during an operation there should be perfect control of reduction.

Camptodactyly caused by an anomalous origin of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon. Case Report.

A 20 year old man with a progressive flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint of his right ring finger had an anomalous origin of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon. After excision of the aberrant flexor tendon the patient had a normal range of movement of the proximal interphalangeal joint.

A model for monitoring nerve blood flow during expansion by laser Doppler flowmetry in the rabbit.

A new model is described for monitoring nerve blood flow during expansion by laser Doppler flowmetry. Rabbit sciatic nerve is gradually expanded with a custom-made spherical expander, while nerve blood flow is monitored by laser Doppler flow output. This model provides a valid method of controlling nerve blood flow during expansion.

An unusual ulnar nerve-median nerve communicating branch.

Branching of the ulnar nerve distal to the origin of the dorsal cutaneous branch was investigated in 25 hands in one of which an anatomical variation was observed. This finding may be of importance in the evaluation of certain entrapment phenomena of the ulnar nerve or unexplained sensory loss after trauma or surgical intervention in that particular area.

Audit of pressure sores treated in a regional plastic surgery unit (1971-1990).

The results of a previous study of pressure sores over the 10-year period 1971-1980 in this unit were compared with those of the subsequent 10 years, 1981-1990. Factors reviewed included the source of referral, underlying aetiological problems, management and outcome. By combining the two studies a continuous 20-year audit has been obtained.