Assessment of the Educational Environment of Plastic Surgery Training Programs in Iran using the PHEEM Questionnaire: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Clinical educational environments play a substantial role in the teaching of medical residents and fellows. In order to improve the quality of clinical education, its status should be evaluated. Therefore, we aimed to inquire about the educational environment of Plastic Surgery fellows in two teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran using the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM). Method: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, Plastic Surgery fellows studying in two teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran, in 2022 were included. The Persian version of the PHEEM questionnaire was applied for assessing the clinical educational environment. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22. Results: Twenty six Plastic Surgery fellows were studied, 15.4% of whom were women (n=4) and 84.6% were men (n=22). The mean total score of the PHEEM questionnaire was 89.68±26.02. The highest mean score was in the teaching dimension (35.08), while the lowest mean score was in the social support dimension (25.42). Conclusion: Most dissatisfaction among Plastic Surgery fellows were in the field of social support. It is necessary to adopt proper educational policies to improve the supportive resources for Plastic Surgery fellows.

Effect of Amniotic Membrane Nerve Wrapping in Final Results of Traumatic Peripheral Nerve Repair.

BACKGROUND: Preventing perineural adhesions and scars formation in the traumatic peripheral injuries is very important on the recovery process. We aimed to evaluate the effect of using the amniotic membrane wrapping on the results of surgical treatment of damaged peripheral nerves. METHODS: This cohort study included 30 patients with symptoms of acute peripheral nerve injuries due to penetrating trauma in the forearm or wrist in January 2019 to November 2020 referred to the Hand and Microsurgery Department, 15 Khordad Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. In 15 patients, after nerve repair, amniotic membrane coverage was used around the nerve, all patients were followed for 12 months. Ultrasound study for neuroma formation and nerve regeneration was determined based on EMG and NCV findings. The modified Medical Research Councile classification (MRCC) was used to evaluate of motor and sensory recovery. RESULTS: In the amniotic membrane wrapping group, all patients had nerve regeneration and functional nerve recovery occurred after 12 months. In the control group, 5 patients (33.4%) did not have nerve recovery and had functional and sensory impairment. In terms of functional capabilities; there was a significant difference in pinch strength, grip power and MRCC scoring between the two groups. Moreover, the mean volume of neuroma in these patients who used amniotic membrane covering was 2.7 mm3 and in the control group, it was 3.9 mm3 (P=0.001). Five patients who did not have a damaged nerve, the neuroma volume was 4.8 ± 0.9 mm3. CONCLUSION: The use of amniotic membrane covering is effective methods in the improve results of peripheral nerve repair and nerve function recovery.

Management of Symptomatic Lipoma of the Hand: A Case Series and Review of Literature.

Soft tissue lipoma is one of the most common benign tumors rarely forming in hand. In this study, 11 cases of symptomatic hand lipoma were investigated. The chief complaint was a palpable mass in all 11 patients, out of whom 6 (55%) cases presented with neurological symptoms, including paresthesia and numbness in the median, ulnar, and superficial radial nerve pathways. One patient had an intramuscularly painful forearm with a large mass presentation. In the finger, the clinical manifestations were radial anesthesia of the finger. The mass sizes were above 5 cm3 and less than 5 cm3 in seven and four patients, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 25 months. No patient demonstrated a recurrence during the follow-up period. Although lipoma is a benign tumor and often presents itself as a palpable mass in the hand, it can cause neurological symptoms and decreased function. Regardless of the size of the tumor, mass removal can prevent symptoms.

Effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A on the Axial Skin Flap Survival.

BACKGROUND: A suitable pharmacological substitute for the well-established surgical delay technique for axial skin flaps regarding increasing viability is elusive. We aimed to evaluate the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) on the axial skin flap survival in a rat model. METHODS: The present controlled experimental study was performed in Kerman University of Medical Science, Kermanshah, Iran during 2016-2017 on three groups of rats. Group 1 (control group) had no preconditioning while Groups 2 and 3 were preconditioned by the intradermal injection of normal saline (0.5 ml) in the cephalic end of the skin flap and the injection of the BTA (1.6 units Neuronex) reconstituted in normal saline, respectively. Two weeks after this intervention in each group, the flap was raised and kept in situ and a biopsy was simultaneously taken for evaluating neoangiogenesis, followed by evaluating flap necrosis after two weeks of following-up by photography. RESULTS: Although BTA induced angiogenesis significantly, it failed to reduce the area of necrosis compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: BTA was effective in increasing angiogenesis in the axial skin flap although it was unable to reduce necrosis.

Satisfaction and Functional Outcome of Surgical Treatment in Patients with Brachial Plexus Injury: A Decade of Retrospective Comparative Study.

Background: Brachial plexus injury (BPI) is a severe peripheral nerve injury resulting in physical disability. Few studies have investigated the postoperative functional status. We aimed to evaluate the satisfaction with surgical treatment in patients with BPI referred to the Panzdah-e Khordad Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2011 to 2021. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical retrospective comparative study, physical examination, along with BrAT, and DASH questionnaires were used to evaluate the patients' status. Then the collected data on the patients' functional status and movements were collected. To compare the mean of quantitative variables before and after the surgery, the dependent t-student was used. Results: Generally, the patients stated that they still had considerable difficulty doing most of the items of the questionnaires. Nevertheless, there was a significant difference between the following variables before and after surgery; shoulder abduction goniometry (0-150) and force (M0:M5), shoulder external rotation goniometry (0-90) and force (M0:M5)), shoulder forward flexion goniometry (0-180) and force (M0:M5)), elbow flexion goniometry (0- 150), elbow extension force (M0:M5), and wrist and finger muscle force (M0:M5) (P<0.001). Conclusion: Posterior approach in BPI surgery was associated with good outcomes in terms of shoulder external rotation and abduction. However, patients still suffered from difficulties in daily activities.