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Background Perforator dissection and flap elevation are routinely performed for microsurgical reconstruction; however, there is a steep learning curve to mastering these technical skills. Though live porcine models have been utilized as a microsurgical training model, there are significant drawbacks that limit their use, including cost, limited ability for repetition, and obstacles associated with animal care. Here we describe the creation of a novel perforator dissection model using latex augmented non-living porcine abdominal walls. We provide anatomic measurements that demonstrate valuable similarities and differences to human anatomy to maximize microsurgical trainee practice. Methods Six latex-infused porcine abdomens were dissected based on the deep cranial epigastric artery (DCEA). Dissection was centered over the abdominal wall mid-segment between the second and fourth nipple line. Dissection steps included exposure of lateral and medial row perforators, incision of anterior rectus sheath with perforator dissection, and dissection of DCEA pedicle. DCEA pedicle and perforator measurements were compared with deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) data in the literature. Results An average of seven perforators were consistently identified within each flap. Assembly of the model was performed quickly and allowed for two training sessions per specimen. Porcine abdominal walls demonstrate similar DCEA pedicle (2.6 ± 0.21 mm) and perforator (1.0 ± 0.18 mm) size compared with a human's DIEA (2.7 ± 0.27 mm, 1.1 ± 0.85 mm). Conclusion The latex-infused porcine abdominal model is a novel, realistic simulation for perforator dissection practice for microsurgical trainees. Impact on resident comfort and confidence within a microsurgical training course is forthcoming. more...

Background Cosmetic surgery is a large portion of practice revenue for many plastic surgeons, and therefore understanding the economic principles of pricing is critical. Although national averages provide a starting point for price determination, they may not reflect specific economic factors. Over the last decade, publicly reported pricing for cosmetic surgery has increased in prevalence, improving price transparency for patients and surgeons alike. Objectives This study aims to compare publicly reported prices to national cosmetic surgery averages and identify variables that have the greatest impact on price determination. Methods An Internet search was performed with the term “cosmetic surgery, price” for practices that publicly reported cosmetic surgery prices. Publicly reported prices were compared to national averages generated from The Aesthetic Society's Aesthetic Society Plastic Surgery National Databank Statistics. The impact of regional prices, practice type, and surgeon accreditation were analyzed for the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures. Results Sixty-six practices were identified that reported cosmetic surgery pricing information. Publicly reported prices were significantly higher for all surgical procedures except nipple procedures, excision of (excess) skin, fat grafting, fat harvest, and lip enhancement. Facility/operating room fees (n = 38) and anesthesia fees (n = 34) were the most common components included in a price, after surgeons’ fees (n = 66). A significant price difference was appreciated when separating practices by region for all procedures except breast augmentation (P = .074) and liposuction (P = .088). Conclusions Publicly reported prices provide greater insight than national averages into specific pricing factors and strategies that can be employed when setting surgical prices. more...

Background The financial principles of a no-cost revision policy and their implications for revision rates are not well understood. Objectives Therefore, the primary objective of this retrospective study is to report our no-cost revision rates and, secondarily, to survey the cosmetic revision policies of other cosmetic surgery practices and detail the financial principles underpinning no-cost revisions. Methods All aesthetic surgeries and no-cost revisions performed by the plastic surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons at our academic outpatient cosmetic surgery center from January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2022 were identified using procedural codes. Data on the number of surgeries, number of revisions, operative minutes, and time intervals between initial and revision surgeries were collected. A survey was administered to assess the revision policies of similar cosmetic surgery practices. Results A total of 1491 aesthetic surgeries and minimally invasive procedures were included, and 125 revision procedures were performed (8.4%). Thigh lifts (3, 13.6%), rhinoplasties or septoplasties (25, 15.8%), and otoplasties (3, 27.3%) had the highest revision rates. Three practices (15%) offered cosmetic revisions at no cost, 9 (45%) did not apply a surgeon's fee, 5 (25%) evaluated fees on a case-by-case basis, 1 (5%) offered revisions with an insurance policy, and 2 (10%) cosmetic surgery practices did not offer revisions at a reduced rate. Conclusions Despite offering revisions at no cost, our revision rates are reasonable for an academic cosmetic surgery practice. The revision policies offered to patients on the private market are varied, but most surveyed practices offer revisions at either a reduced rate or no cost. Level of Evidence: 4 more...

Medical malpractice lawsuits can be a source of emotional, physical, and financial distress for both providers and patients. A thorough understanding of the medical malpractice process's history and current landscape will help providers navigate malpractice challenges. Given the impact and prevalence of medical malpractice, in this paper, the authors sought to dissect the intricate anatomy of a medical malpractice lawsuit. This includes a comprehensive and detailed report of tort reform, the criteria of a medical malpractice suit, and a description of the court proceedings. In addition, the authors also performed an extensive review of the medicolegal literature and have provided recommendations for healthcare providers to avoid these lawsuits in their practice. Level of Evidence: 5 more...

Patient demand for nonsurgical and minimally invasive cosmetic treatments has increased in recent years, resulting in a growing market that is particularly vulnerable to specialty creep. Despite this growing demand, nonsurgical cosmetic training for plastic surgery residents is often inconsistent and challenging. To ensure the continued safe and effective delivery of nonsurgical cosmetic care by board-certified plastic surgeons, it is critical to implement standardized training models for plastic surgery residents. In this Special Topic article, the authors describe their experience with a resident-run clinic training model that incorporates graduated autonomy, volunteer patient recruitment, and grant-based industry support that has been successfully implemented at their institution for the past 6 years. The article provides a framework for a resident educational model and addresses common obstacles in resident cosmetic training. The authors also provide recommendations for patient recruitment, optimizing clinic workflow, and the management of patient complications. more...

Introduction: Autologous breast reconstruction remains a popular surgical option following mastectomy; however, it is not without complications. Preoperative CT angiograms (CTAs) are often obtained for surgical planning, and morphometric data such as fat and muscle distribution can be measured. This study aimed to assess if CTA morphometric data predicts abdominal donor site complications in patients undergoing abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients who underwent abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction from 2013 to 2018. Along with population and operative characteristics, preoperative morphometric variables were assessed for the following: subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue, skeletal muscle area and index, rectus and psoas cross-sectional area, and bone density. Statistical comparison to abdominal donor site complications was performed using logistic regression analysis for every 100-unit change. Results: A total of 174 patients were included in this study. Visceral adipose tissue was significantly associated with the development of infection ( P = .005), epidermolysis ( P = .031), and seroma ( P = .04). Subcutaneous adipose tissue, skeletal muscle index, cross-sectional muscle area, and bone density were not associated with abdominal donor site complications. Obesity ( P = .024), history of smoking ( P = .049), and the number of perforators harvested ( P = .035) significantly increased the likelihood of delayed abdominal healing. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that increased visceral adipose tissue, as measured by CTA, is significantly associated with an increased risk of abdominal donor site complications. CTA morphometric data and identifying high-risk patient characteristics can help guide preoperative counseling and better inform surgical risks. more...

Palatal fistulae are common complications of cleft palate surgery with a frequency of 5% to 29% and are challenging to repair. Optimal timing to repair palatal fistulae, in a staged fashion before alveolar bone grafting, or at the same time, still remains controversial. The primary aim of this study is to compare outcomes of 2 groups with regard to successful alveolar bone grafting in patients with cleft lip and palate and palatal fistulae. We describe a review of 85 consecutive patients identified as undergoing bone grafting from a single institution craniofacial team during 2003 to 2018. Twenty-eight required palatal fistula repair. All patients had a diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral complete cleft lip and palate. Patients with cleft lip and palate repairs were stratified based on preoperative or simultaneous palatal fistula repair. Panoramic radiographs were reviewed by 2 physicians to evaluate success of bone grafting. Comparison between cohorts was made by statistical analysis. Of the 28 that required palatal fistula repair, 15 (53.6%) patients underwent prebone grafting palatal fistula repair and 13 (46.4%) patients underwent simultaneous bone grafting with palatal fistula repair. Mean age at time of bone grafting and palatal fistula repair were 10.60 years old and 9.39 years old, respectively. Length to follow-up was 54.82 months. The average height of the healed alveolar cleft site for patients in the prebone grafting or simultaneous groups was 10.57 mm and 11.46 mm, respectively. Patients who underwent palatal fistula repair and simultaneous bone grafting had similar outcomes as those with palatal fistula repair preoperatively. more...

Numerous methods for surgical correction of sagittal synostosis have been described in the literature, yielding similar outcomes. At the authors' institution, surgical approaches to correct this condition have evolved over the past few decades, including Π, H-type craniectomies (Renier), endoscopic suturectomy, and our current technique, the FLAG procedure. Our aim is to review the evolution of these surgical techniques at our institution and compare patient outcomes. A retrospective review was performed on consecutive patients undergoing correction for craniosynostosis from 2008 to 2018. All patients with a diagnosis of nonsyndromic isolated sagittal craniosynostosis were included and classified into one of 4 groups by the type of surgical correction performed (H-type, FLAG, endoscopic, other). The authors identified 166 consecutive patients with a mean age at time of surgery of 6.7 ± 4.0 months. 91 (54.8%) carried a diagnosis of nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis. 63 patients underwent H-type procedures, 9 underwent FLAG procedures, 5 underwent endoscopic procedures, and 14 were classified as other (distraction or other implant). Perioperatively, the FLAG group had the shortest ICU stay (1.3 days, P < 0.05), postoperative transfusion requirement (42cc pRBC, P < 0.001), and complication rate (0.0%). The endoscopic group had the shortest surgical time at 2.00 hours (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference in cranial index or revision procedures between the four groups was identified. Overall, the mean length of follow-up was 25.3 months. All procedures had similar results for cranial index with decreased surgical time, transfusion volume, and hospital stay seen in FLAG and endoscopic groups. more...