Google Ranking of Plastic Surgeons Values Social Media Presence Over Academic Pedigree and Experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients increasingly rely on online resources to make healthcare decisions. Google dominates the search engine market; first-page results receive most of the web traffic and therefore serve as an important indicator of consumer reach. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to analyze the respective importance of physician academic pedigree, experience, and social media presence on plastic surgeon Google first-page search result placement. METHODS: A Google.com search was conducted in the top 25 United States metropolitan areas to identify the top 20 websites of board-certified plastic surgeons. Social media presence was quantified by tracking the number of followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for every surgeon as well as medical school and year of graduation. The primary outcome was website ranking in the first page of Google search results. To identify the independent predictors of presence on the front page, we performed a multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Total number of social medial followers was associated with Google front-page placement (P < 0.001), whereas medical school ranking and years in practice were not (P = 0.17 and 0.39, respectively). A total 19.6% of plastic surgeon practices in our study cohort still had no social media accounts whatsoever. CONCLUSIONS: For the past few decades, plastic surgery practices relied on referrals, word of mouth, and the surgeon's reputation and academic pedigree to attract new patients. It is now clear that this practice-building model is being rapidly supplanted by a new paradigm based on social media presence to reach potential patients.

Long-term Outcomes After Pediatric Free Flap Reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Whereas free tissue transfer has evolved to minimize morbidity in adults, less is known about outcomes after free flaps in children. This study sought to assess short- and long-term outcomes after microvascular reconstruction in the pediatric population. METHODS: Short- and long-term outcomes of free tissue transfer were assessed using chart-review and quality-of-life surveys. The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument was used to evaluate overall health, pain, and ability to participate in normal daily and more vigorous activities. Patient or parent responses were compared against normative data. RESULTS: Forty-two patients underwent 48 flap reconstructions at a mean age of 8 years. Median follow-up was 14.9 years. Indications included congenital nevi (n = 19, 42%), lymphatic/vascular malformations (n = 8, 19%), and trauma/burns (n = 6, 14%). There were 21 fasciocutaneous (44%), 19 muscle/myocutaneous (40%), 6 fascial/peritoneal (13%), and 2 osteocutaneous flaps (4%). Major flap complications were observed in 4 patients (9%), whereas major donor-site complications occurred in 2% (1 patient). Valid contact information was available for 25 patients; 16 of these completed surveys (64%). Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument scores for mobility (median, 52), sports/physical functioning (median, 56), happiness (median, 50), and pain/comfort (median, 56) were not significantly different from normative population score of 50. Similarly, median global functioning score was 99 (maximum, 100) and did not differ between flap types. DISCUSSION: Free tissue transfer in the pediatric population is reliable and well-tolerated over time. Surgeons should not hesitate to use free flaps when clinically indicated for pediatric patients.

Plastic Surgery-Related Hashtag Utilization on Instagram: Implications for Education and Marketing.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest patients are seeking aesthetic surgery to improve their appearance on Instagram and other social media. Despite the rising influence of Instagram in plastic surgery, few academic publications address Instagram, let alone evaluate its utilization in plastic surgery. OBJECTIVES: We set out to answer the following three questions: 1) what plastic surgery-related content is being posted to Instagram; 2) who is posting this content; and 3) what specific hashtags are they using? METHODS: Our study queried 21 Instagram plastic surgery-related hashtags. Content analysis was used to qualitatively evaluate each of the nine "top" posts associated with each hashtag (189 posts). Duplicate posts and those not relevant to plastic surgery were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 1,789,270 posts utilized the 21 hashtags sampled in this study. Of the top 189 posts for these 21 queried hashtags, 163 posts met inclusion criteria. Plastic surgeons eligible for membership in American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) accounted for only 17.8% of top posts, whereas noneligible physicians accounted for 26.4%. All nonplastic surgery trained physicians marketed themselves as "cosmetic surgeons." Nine top posts (5.5%) were by nonphysicians, including dentists, spas with no associated physician, and a hair salon. The majority of these posts were self-promotional (67.1%) as opposed to educational (32.9%). Board-certified plastic surgeons were significantly more likely to post educational content to Instagram as compared to nonplastic surgeons (62.1% vs 38.1%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: ASAPS eligible board-certified plastic surgeons are underrepresented amongst physicians posting top plastic surgery-related content to Instagram.

Outcomes After Elevation of Serratus Anterior Fascia During Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Achieving optimal inferolateral coverage is critical to successful prosthetic breast reconstruction. Serratus anterior fascia (SF) elevation, a promising alternative to muscle flaps and acellular dermis (ADM), has not been rigorously studied. This study evaluates complication rates after mastectomy and immediate tissue expander (TE) coverage using SF, relative to other existing methods of reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate TE reconstruction over 10 years at 1 institution was performed. Patients with serratus muscle (SM) or SF elevation were analyzed. ADM reconstructions were used for comparative analysis only. Relevant demographic and clinical data were recorded. Complications were categorized by type and end outcome, including nonoperative (no further surgery), operative (surgery except explantation), and explantation. RESULTS: The SM and SF elevation was performed in 375 (487 breasts) and 177 (255 breasts) patients, respectively. Mean follow-up was 43.8 months. The SM and SF patients were demographically similar, but SF had higher intraoperative fill volumes (P < 0.0001) and required fewer postoperative expansions (P < 0.0001). There were no differences in complications between SM and SF patients. Regression analysis, adjusted for several variables, revealed that SF was not an independent risk factor for complications. The ADM- and SF-assisted reconstruction also showed no differences in outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our review demonstrates that SF elevation is a safe, feasible alternative for achieving inferolateral coverage during prosthetic breast reconstruction. Furthermore, this technique allows for greater fill volumes and less expansions than SM. As a readily available alternative to muscle flaps and ADM, SF elevation should be considered integral to any prosthetic breast reconstruction algorithm.

Impact of Postoperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Duration on Surgical Site Infections in Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Although some surgeons prescribe prolonged postoperative antibiotics after autologous breast reconstruction, evidence is lacking to support this practice. We used the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons database to evaluate the association between postoperative antibiotic duration and the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) in autologous breast reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: The intervention of interest for this study was postoperative duration of antibiotic prophylaxis: either discontinued 24 hours after surgery or continued beyond 24 hours. The primary outcome variable of interest for this study was the presence of SSI within 30 days of autologous breast reconstruction. Cohort characteristics and 30-day outcomes were compared using χ² and Fischer exact tests for categorical variables and Student t tests for continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to control for confounders. RESULTS: A total of 1036 patients met inclusion criteria for our study. Six hundred fifty-nine patients (63.6%) received antibiotics for 24 hours postoperatively, and 377 patients (36.4%) received antibiotics for greater than 24 hours. The rate of SSI did not differ significantly between patients given antibiotics for only 24 hours and those continued on antibiotics beyond the 24-hour postoperative time period (5.01% vs 2.92%, P = 0.109). Furthermore, antibiotic duration was not predictive of SSI in multivariate regression modeling. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a statistically significant difference in the rate of SSI in patients who received 24 hours of postoperative antibiotics compared to those that received antibiotics for greater than 24 hours. These findings held for both purely autologous reconstruction as well as latissimus dorsi reconstruction in conjunction with an implant. Thus, our study does not support continuation of postoperative antibiotics beyond 24 hours after autologous breast reconstruction.

Comparison of Delayed and Immediate Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction in the Setting of Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Despite the continued demand for immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction, some suggest that delayed reconstruction may reduce complications. However, with limited comparative data available, the extent of this benefit is unclear, particularly in the setting of postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT). This study evaluates outcomes after mastectomy and delayed tissue expander reconstruction (DTER) or immediate tissue expander reconstruction (ITER). METHODS: A retrospective review of 893 consecutive patients (1201 breasts) who underwent mastectomy with DTER or ITER at one institution during a 10-year period was performed. Relevant patient factors, including the use of PMRT and complication rates, were recorded. Complications were categorized by type and end-outcome, including nonoperative (no further surgery), operative (further surgery except explantation), and explantation. Statistics were done using Student t test and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: There were no differences in clinical risk factors between ITER (n = 1127 breasts) and DTER (n = 74 breasts) patients. Delayed tissue expander reconstruction breasts had lower rates of mastectomy flap necrosis (P = 0.003), and nonoperative (P = 0.01) and operative (P = 0.001) complications relative to ITER. In ITER breasts, PMRT increased operative complications (P = 0.02) and explantation (P = 0.0005), resulting in a decrease in overall, 2-stage success rate (P < 0.0001). In contrast, there were no differences in outcomes between PMRT and non-PMRT DTER breasts. CONCLUSIONS: This comparative study, the largest to date, suggests that DTER is a viable reconstructive alternative that may minimize certain complications over ITER, including in patients needing PMRT. However, unlike with ITER, surgeons can evaluate patients' potential for success with DTER based on skin flap appearance after both mastectomy and PMRT (when present). As a result, the benefits of DTER may also be due to a careful patient selection process preoperatively. The choice of DTER should, therefore, be balanced against both individual patient risk factors and the psychological appeal of immediate reconstruction.

Risk Factors for Complications Differ Between Stages of Tissue-Expander Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Tissue-expander (TE) placement followed by implant exchange is currently the most popular method of breast reconstruction. There is a relative paucity of data demonstrating patient factors that predict complications specifically by stage of surgery. The present study attempts to determine what complications are most likely to occur at each stage and how the risk factors for complications vary by stage of reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all 1275 patients who had TEs placed by the 2 senior authors between 2004 and 2013. Complication rates were determined at each stage of reconstruction, and these rates were further compared between patients who had pre-stage I radiation, post-stage I radiation, and no radiation exposure. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of complications at each stage of reconstruction. RESULTS: A total of 1639 consecutive TEs were placed by the senior authors during the study period. The overall rate for experiencing a complication at any stage of surgery was 17%. Complications occurred at uniformly higher rates during stage I for all complications (92% stage I vs 7% stage II vs 1% stage III, P < 0.001). Predictors of stage I complications included increased body mass index [odds ratio (OR), 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.07], current smoking status (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.7-4.8), and higher intraoperative percent fill (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.7-6.3). Post-stage I radiation was the only independent risk factor for a stage II complication (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.4-15.2). CONCLUSIONS: Complications occur at higher rates after stage I than after stage II, and as expected, stage III complications are exceedingly rare. Risk factors for stage I complications are different from risk factors for stage II complications. Body mass index and smoking are associated with complications at stage I, but do not predict complications at stage II surgery. The stratification of risk factors by stage of surgery will help surgeons and patients better manage both risk and expectations.

Tumescent technique does not increase the risk of complication following mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing interest in the advantages of tumescent mastectomy technique, there remain concerns that tumescent solution may increase postoperative complication rates. This study evaluates patient outcomes following tumescent mastectomy in the setting of immediate prosthetic reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective review of 1,491 breasts (1,030 patients) treated by 4 oncologic and 2 reconstructive surgeons between 2004 and 2012 at a single institution. The primary outcomes of interest included seroma, hematoma, infection, and mastectomy flap necrosis, as well as conversion to autologous reconstruction. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted influence of tumescence on outcomes. RESULTS: The tumescent cohort (n = 890 breasts) was younger and experienced lower rates of preoperative radiation than the nontumescent cohort (n = 601 breasts). Mean follow-up was 21.2 months. While tumescent procedures were on average 20 min faster, postoperative complication rates did not significantly differ between cohorts. Regression analysis controlling for potential confounders, including differences in surgeon technique, failed to identify tumescent mastectomy as an independent risk factor for complication [odds ratio (OR) = 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-1.8, p = 0.385]. Individually, neither seroma, hematoma, infection, nor flap necrosis was affected significantly by the use of tumescence (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 0.73-3.78, p = 0.229; OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.42-2.95, p = 0.837; OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.4-1.75, p = 0.689; OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.7-2.03, p = 0.67, respectively). DISCUSSION: This longitudinal study is well equipped to assess the influence of tumescent mastectomy technique in the hands of experienced and high-volume oncologic surgeons on postoperative outcomes. Our analysis suggests that in the setting of an immediate prosthetic reconstruction, tumescent mastectomy does not independently affect postoperative complication rates.

Reconstruction of the inframammary fold using barbed suture.

Achieving accurate inframammary fold (IMF) position and definition during breast reconstruction is a critical step toward obtaining optimal aesthetic outcomes. This article presents a simple technique for IMF reconstruction after implant-based breast reconstruction with an internal running, barbed suture. The results of this technique are retrospectively reviewed in 45 patients, with only 2 patients requiring additional procedures to adjust IMF position for a total revision rate of 4.4%. There have been neither instances of permanent contour deformity due to suture placement nor any instances of suture extrusion through the skin. Thus, this technique appears to be safe and effective and should be considered when surgeons are faced with an IMF asymmetry.

Outcomes of immediate tissue expander breast reconstruction followed by reconstruction of choice in the setting of postmastectomy radiation therapy.

A common sequence for performing staged tissue expander breast reconstruction is to immediately insert a tissue expander, complete expansion before radiotherapy, and then perform the definitive reconstruction after radiotherapy is complete. This study evaluates the outcomes of this treatment regimen in 237 patients over a 10-year period at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Overall, 62% of the patients successfully completed tissue expander/implant reconstruction, 22.3% experienced major complications leading to explantations or conversions to flap, and 13.5% completed tissue expander/elective autologous reconstruction. Of the patients who underwent second-stage tissue expander to implant exchange, 87.5% successfully completed reconstruction without experiencing complications leading to explantation or conversion to autologous reconstruction. Thus, this study indicates that immediate tissue expander followed by reconstruction of choice breast reconstruction in the setting of postmastectomy radiation therapy can be successfully performed in most of the patients.

Hematoma after mastectomy with immediate reconstruction: an analysis of risk factors in 883 patients.

BACKGROUND: Mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction presents unique circumstances, such as 2 operating teams, that may affect the likelihood of postoperative bleeding. This study evaluates risk factors for hematoma formation in patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction. METHODS: The charts of 883 patients (1199 breasts) who underwent mastectomy and immediate tissue expander reconstruction between April 1998 and August 2008 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and operative factors and information on hematoma location were recorded. Fisher exact test, Student t test, and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were no differences in preoperative, operative, and oncologic characteristics between hematoma (n = 28 breasts) and nonhematoma (n = 1171 breasts) groups. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no independent risk factors for hematoma formation, except an individual mastectomy and reconstructive surgeon (odds ratio, 3.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-12.37; P = 0.03; odds ratio, 2.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-6.08; P = 0.03, respectively). Most hematomas were diagnosed on postoperative day 0 or 1 (23/28, 82.1%) and found to originate from the pectoralis muscle (14/28, 50.0%) or axillary region (6/28, 21.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of postoperative hematoma after mastectomy with immediate reconstruction is not affected by any measurable preoperative, operative, or oncologic factors. With no definitive risk factor for bleeding, surgeons should remain meticulous and vigilant throughout the operation. In particular, hemostasis should be focused on the chest wall musculature given its propensity for being the primary source of hematoma formation.

A comparative analysis of cryopreserved versus prehydrated human acellular dermal matrices in tissue expander breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The use of human acellular dermal matrices (HADMs) in breast reconstruction has become routine practice for many reconstructive surgeons. Comparative studies between 2 more common iterations of human acellular dermis are scarce. Our study evaluated reconstructive outcomes of cryopreserved and prehydrated HADMs in comparative fashion. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of 369 consecutive tissue expander breast reconstructions performed by 2 board-certified plastic surgeons whose practice focuses on breast reconstruction. Data were collected independently by 2 reviewers, and a comparative analysis for statistical significance of outcomes was performed using the Fisher exact test, 2-tailed independent t tests, and regression analysis where appropriate. RESULTS: Over a 5-year period, 255 patients (369 breasts) underwent breast reconstruction utilizing either cryopreserved or prehydrated HADM. Of the total, 136 breasts received cryopreserved and 233 breasts received prehydrated HADMs. The total complication rates for cryopreserved and prehydrated HADMs were 19.1% and 19.3% (P = 1.0), respectively. Additional complication rates were calculated for flap necrosis (8.1% vs 9.0%, P = 0.849), infection requiring intravenous antibiotics (10.3% vs 5.2%, P = 0.09), hematoma (2.9% vs 1.3%, P = 0.431), seroma (2.2% vs 1.0%, P = 1.0), expander exposure/dehiscence (5.9% vs 6.4%, P = 1.0), and number of breasts requiring autologous reconstruction after a complication (4.4% vs 6.4%, P = 0.491). On regression analysis, HADM type was not an independent risk factor for any complication subtype. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that there are no significant differences in complication rates between cryopreserved and prehydrated HADMs.

The impact of body mass index on reduction mammaplasty: a multicenter analysis of 2492 patients.

BACKGROUND: Reduction mammaplasty is commonly performed in women who are considered obese by the body mass index (BMI) classification of the World Health Organization. OBJECTIVES: The authors compare complication rates among breast reduction patients, stratified by BMI, across multiple institutions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of all reduction mammaplasties in the database of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for 2006 through 2010. Demographic, comorbidity, and BMI data were collected. Data on medical and surgical complications, reoperation, and mortality were collected through 30 days postsurgery. RESULTS: Of 2492 patients, 55% were considered obese (BMI >30). The overall rate of surgical complications was 4.0%, increasing from 2.4% for BMI <25 to 7.1% for BMI >45 (P = .006), with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.97 for BMI >45 versus BMI <25. The most common surgical complication was superficial surgical site infection; it was found in 2.9% of patients, increasing from 2.1% for BMI <25 to 5.1% for BMI >45 (P = .03). The medical complication rate was 0.6%, and the reoperation rate was 2.1%. There were no deaths. A maximal point analysis showed that BMI ≥39 was associated with a significantly higher complication rate, with an odds ratio of 2.38. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction mammaplasty is a safe surgical procedure, even when performed on obese patients. However, patients with higher BMI have a greater risk of surgical site complications. This risk should be discussed preoperatively with obese patients.

A multi-institutional perspective of complication rates for elective nonreconstructive breast surgery: an analysis of NSQIP data from 2006 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: As elective nonreconstructive breast surgery increases in popularity, there is greater demand for accurate multi-institutional data on minor and major postoperative complications. OBJECTIVE: The authors utilized a multi-institutional database to compare 30-day morbidities and reoperation rates among the different types of elective nonreconstructive breast surgery. METHODS: Patients in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) participant use file who underwent elective nonreconstructive breast surgery between 2006 and 2010 were identified. Twenty defined morbidities were compared among mastopexy, reduction mammaplasty, and augmentation mammaplasty patients using analysis of variance and χ(2) tests for continuous variables and categorical variables, respectively. Logistic regression modeling was employed to identify preoperative risk factors for complications. RESULTS: Of the 3612 patients identified, 380 underwent mastopexy, 2507 underwent reduction mammaplasty, and 725 underwent augmentation mammaplasty. Complication rates were low in all cohorts, and patients undergoing augmentation mammaplasty had the lowest overall complication rate compared with mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty (1.24%, 2.37%, and 4.47%). Patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty had a modestly elevated incidence of overall morbidity, superficial surgical site infections, and wound disruptions (P < .05). Moreover, 30-day reoperation rates for mastopexy, reduction mammaplasty, and augmentation mammaplasty were low (1.58%, 2.07%, and 0.97%), as were the rates of life-threatening complications (0%, 0.16%, and 0%). One death was observed for all 3612 procedures (0.03%). CONCLUSIONS: Elective breast surgery is a safe procedure with an extremely low incidence of life-threatening complications and mortality. Comprehensive data collated from the NSQIP initiative add to the literature, and the findings of this multi-institutional study may help further guide patient education and expectations on potentially deleterious outcomes.

Wealth Management and Retirement.

SUMMARY: The purpose of this publication is to introduce basic financial planning concepts and highlight their use in creating a retirement savings plan. These tools may help young surgeons set their financial targets and create a plan to meet them, whereas surgeons later in their careers may reflect on their choices and implement adjustments, or be inspired to pass on the lessons they learned to the next generation. This publication is limited by design and should be thought of as a primer, not a comprehensive treatise. The topic of personal financial management is as vague as it is broad, and there are many concepts and situations that are outside the scope of this publication. Unique goals, income and expense streams, and risk tolerances necessitate individualized solutions, but there are fundamental concepts listed below that are more universally applicable. The discussion is tailored to the high income stream that plastic surgeons can expect, albeit one that starts relatively late in their careers compared to nonphysician colleagues. There are three foundational principles the reader should take away: having a plan is crucial in achieving any financial goal; starting any savings/investment endeavors as early as possible is as or more important than the amount of capital committed to them; and lastly, individual investors (professional and amateur) have consistently demonstrated an inability to consistently do better than the market over the long run.

Additive risk of tumescent technique in patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The potential advantages of tumescent mastectomy technique have been increasingly discussed within the literature. However, there is concern that tumescent solution may also affect postoperative complication rates. This study evaluates patient outcomes following tumescent mastectomy and immediate implant reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective review of 897 consecutive patients (1,217 breasts) undergoing mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction between 4/1998 and 10/2008 at a single institution was performed. Demographic and operative factors, postoperative outcomes, and overall follow-up were recorded. Complications were categorized by type and end-outcome. Fisher's exact test, Student t-test, and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Tumescent (n = 332, 457 breasts) and nontumescent (n = 565, 760 breasts) patients were clinically similar. Mean follow-up was 36.5 months. Regression analysis demonstrated that tumescent technique increased the risk of overall complications [odds ratio (OR) 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.81, p = 0.04]. In particular, nonoperative and operative complications (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.04-2.26, p = 0.04; OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.11-2.23, p = 0.01, respectively), and the rate of major mastectomy flap necrosis (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.05-2.35, p = 0.03) were significantly affected. In patients with other, more significant risk factors, tumescent technique had an additive effect on complication rates. Additionally, the majority of tumescent breast complications (78.6%, 81/103) had at least one other significant risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Our review demonstrates that tumescent mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction, although possessing distinct advantages, can increase postoperative complication rates. This additive effect is particularly apparent in patients with elevated complication risk at baseline. Choice of mastectomy technique should be made with careful consideration of patient comorbidities.

Urethroplasty with abdominal skin grafts for long segment urethral strictures.

PURPOSE: Buccal derived graft tissue has been proven to be useful in urethral reconstruction. However, nonbuccal sources are often needed for long segment strictures or for those with prior buccal harvest. We describe a technique using full-thickness abdominal skin grafts for long segment urethroplasty and present the short-term outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 men underwent urethroplasty for strictures of an average of 11 cm (range 4 to 24) using abdominal wall skin. Prior urethroplasty was performed in 52% of patients and multistage repair was conducted in 48%. RESULTS: The recurrence rate following urethroplasty was 19%, with 9.5% requiring revision after first stage urethroplasty. Complications included hair from the skin graft during the early part of the series (14.5%), glans dehiscence (9.5%), urethrocutaneous fistula (9.5%) and periurethral abscess (1 patient). Histological evaluation at 6 months demonstrated excellent uptake of grafts with minimal keratinization. CONCLUSIONS: In men with significant penile scarring, lichen sclerosis and long segment urethral strictures the use of abdominal skin limits donor site morbidity, and provides a useful alternative graft source for urethroplasty when buccal mucosa or genital skin are not available or sufficient. Grafts should be harvested from nonhair bearing areas to minimize the risk of urethral hair development.

Decreased postoperative pain, narcotic, and antiemetic use after breast reduction using a local anesthetic pain pump.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a prospective trial evaluating the efficacy of a local anesthetic pain pump in breast reduction surgery. Ninety-eight women undergoing bilateral breast reduction were enrolled. Thirty-seven patients received a pain pump containing 0.25% bupivicaine, and 61 patients received no pain pump. Parameters measured included subjective pain, episodes of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and the amount of narcotics and antiemetics used. Patients receiving a pain pump reported significantly lower pain scores on the day of surgery, as well as on the first and second postoperative days when compared with patients who did not (P < 0.01). The amount of intravenous and oral narcotics used paralleled the reduction in pain (P < 0.01), and there were fewer episodes of PONV and antiemetics used in the patients receiving a pain pump (P < 0.01). A postoperative local anesthetic pain pump can reduce pain, narcotic use, and PONV in women undergoing breast reduction.