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Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, such as exenatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide, effectively manage type 2 diabetes by promoting insulin release, suppressing glucagon secretion, and enhancing glucose metabolism. They also aid weight reduction and cardiovascular health, potentially broadening their therapeutic scope. In plastic surgery, they hold promise for perioperative weight management and glycemic control, potentially impacting surgical outcomes., Methods: A comprehensive review was conducted to assess GLP-1 agonists' utilization in plastic surgery. We analyzed relevant studies, meta-analyses, and trials to evaluate their benefits and limitations across surgical contexts, focusing on weight reduction, glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors, and potential complications., Results: Studies demonstrate GLP-1 agonists' versatility, spanning weight management, cardiovascular health, neurological disorders, and metabolic dysfunction-associated liver diseases. Comparative analyses highlight variations in glycemic control, weight loss, and cardiometabolic risk. Meta-analyses reveal significant reductions in hemoglobin A1C levels, especially with high-dose semaglutide (2 mg) and tirzepatide (15 mg). However, increased dosing may lead to gastrointestinal side effects and serious complications like pancreatitis and bowel obstruction. Notably, GLP-1 agonists' efficacy in weight reduction and glycemic control may impact perioperative management in plastic surgery, potentially expanding surgical candidacy for procedures like autologous flap-based breast reconstruction and influencing outcomes related to lymphedema. Concerns persist regarding venous thromboembolism and delayed gastric emptying, necessitating further investigation into bleeding and aspiration risk with anesthesia., Conclusions: GLP-1 agonists offer advantages in perioperative weight management and glycemic control in plastic surgery patients. They may broaden surgical candidacy and mitigate lymphedema risk but require careful consideration of complications, particularly perioperative aspiration risk. Future research should focus on their specific impacts on surgical outcomes to optimize their integration into perioperative protocols effectively. Despite challenges, GLP-1 agonists promise to enhance surgical outcomes and patient care in plastic surgery., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The circumflex scapular artery (CSA) flap system, consisting of scapular, parascapular, and chimeric flaps, is useful for pediatric reconstruction in many anatomical locations. The objectives of this case series are to offer insights into our decision-making process for selecting the CSA flap in particular pediatric reconstructive cases and to establish a framework for choosing a scapular or parascapular skin paddle. We also aim to emphasize important technical considerations of CSA flap utilization in pediatric patients., Methods: Pediatric reconstruction with CSA flaps performed at our institution between 2006-2022 was retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, indications, flap characteristics, complications, and operative data were abstracted. Functional donor site morbidity was assessed through postoperative physical examinations. Unpaired t test analyzed scapular versus parascapular flap size., Results: Eleven CSA flaps were successfully performed in 10 patients (6 scapular and 5 parascapular flaps). Patient ages ranged from 2 to 17 years. Scapular fasciocutaneous free flaps (n = 4) were performed in patients' ages 2-5 years for hand and forearm scar contractures. Two pedicled scapular flaps were performed for a single patient for bilateral axillary hidradenitis suppurativa. The 5 parascapular flaps were performed in patients' ages 2-14 years for calcaneus and forearm avulsion wounds and reconstruction after resection of hidradenitis suppurativa, nevus sebaceous, and Ewing sarcoma. In the sarcoma resection case, a chimeric flap with latissimus dorsi was employed. Average flap size was 101.6 ± 87.3 cm 2 (range: 18-300 cm 2 ). Parascapular flaps were significantly larger than scapular flaps (156.60 ± 105.84 cm 2 vs 55.83 ± 26.97 cm 2 , P = 0.0495). Overall, 3 complications occurred (27.3% of cases) including venous congestion (n = 2) and wound dehiscence (n = 1). There were no reported cases of compromised shoulder function at 1.9 ± 2.5-year follow-up. The successful reconstruction rate for scapular, parascapular, and chimeric flaps was 100%., Conclusions: The CSA flap treated a wide variety of indications demonstrating the flap's attributes: large vessel caliber, wide arc of rotation, reliable vascular anatomy, minimal donor site morbidity, and ability to incorporate bone and muscle. Our cases also highlight important pediatric considerations such as vascular mismatch and limited scapular bone stock. We recommend selection of the parascapular over the scapular flap with reconstruction of larger, complex defects given its ability to be harvested with a large skin paddle., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The reverse sural artery flap (RSAF) is a popular option for patients with distal lower extremity defects who are not ideal candidates for free flap reconstruction. This is the first systematic review and pooled analysis of surgical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of the RSAF., Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted. All studies reporting on patients undergoing RSAF reconstruction and their outcomes were included. Outcomes were pooled and analyzed using Fisher exact or χ test., Results: Forty-three studies (479 patients, 481 flaps) were analyzed. The majority of patients were male (70.3%), and average ± SD age was 46.9 ± 16.7 years. Rates of smoking, diabetes mellitus (DM), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were 34.6%, 35.4%, and 12.3%, respectively. Defect etiologies were largely traumatic (60.4%). The most common defect location was the heel (40.8%). Flap modifications were reported in 123 flaps (25.6%). The most common modification was adipofascial extension (20.3%).Overall, the partial and total flap loss rates were 15.4% and 3.1%, respectively. Partial flap loss was significantly increased in smokers (28.9% vs 12.2% in nonsmokers, P = 0.0195). Technical modifications decreased the odds of partial necrosis by almost 3-fold compared with traditional RSAF reconstruction (7.2% vs 17.9%; odds ratio, 2.8 [1.4-5.8]; P = 0.0035). Patient age, DM, and PVD were not significantly associated with flap loss., Conclusions: The RSAF remains a safe salvage option for patients with DM or PVD but should be used with caution in smokers. Technical modifications to minimize pedicle compression significantly reduce rates of partial necrosis.

Background: As the United States' population diversifies, eliminating disparities in health and healthcare has become increasingly important across all disciplines of medicine, including plastic and reconstructive surgery. This is evidenced by the growing body of literature in recent years focusing on disparities in postmastectomy breast reconstruction. No study to date has evaluated whether this research is progressing appropriately to promote tangible evidence-based interventions to reduce these disparities., Methods: A systematic literature review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines was performed to identify studies focusing on disparities in postmastectomy breast reconstruction. A previously established public health framework for advancing health disparities research was used to inform analysis of the quality and progression of the included studies. This triphasic framework categorizes disparities research as follows: detecting (identifies and measures disparities in vulnerable populations), understanding (establishes determinants of disparities), or reducing (proposes and evaluates interventions for eliminating disparities)., Results: Ninety-five studies were identified between 1979 and 2016, with 61 (64.2%) published after 2010. The majority of studies (51.6%) were retrospective cohort or case-control studies (American Society of Plastic Surgery level III evidence). Fifty-eight (63.7%), 31 (34.1%), and 2 (2.2%) studies provided detecting-, understanding- and reducing-phase disparities research, respectively. Non-plastic and reconstructive surgery journals accounted for 70.5% of all articles and for most higher phase research articles, publishing 83.9% and 100% of second and third phase studies, respectively. Disparity categories investigated included race/ethnicity, age, income, insurance status/type, geography, and education level, with race/ethnicity being the most common (73.7%). The most commonly measured outcome was percent of subpopulation receiving reconstruction (63, 66.3%), followed by reconstruction type (14, 16.7%). Patient-, provider-, system-, and research-level factors were all identified as potential targets for interventions to reduce disparities., Conclusions: Despite a recent increase in literature focusing on postmastectomy breast reconstruction disparities, the majority focuses on identifying vulnerable populations with inadequate progression to second (understanding) and third (reducing) phases. Increasing research funding, availability of language-concordant and culturally concordant educational materials, and advocacy and sociopolitical awareness within the plastic surgery community is necessary to advance research on postmastectomy breast reconstruction and, ultimately, eliminate it.