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Background The aim of our study was to evaluate a new propeller vascularized lymphatic tissue flap (pLNT) combined with aligned nanofibrillar collagen scaffolds (CS) (BioBridge®) in reducing lymphedema in the rat lymphedema model. Methods Unilateral left hind limb lymphedema was created in 15 female Sprague–Dawley rats following inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes (LN) resection and radiation. An inguinal pLNT was elevated from the contralateral groin and transferred through a skin tunnel to the affected groin. Four collagen threads were attached to the flap and inserted in the hind limb at the subcutaneous level in a fan shape. The three study groups consisted of Group A (control), Group B (pLNT), and Group C (pLNT + CS). Volumetric analysis of both hind limbs was performed using micro-CT imaging before the surgery (at initial time point) and then at 1 and 4 months postoperatively, and the relative volume difference (excess volume) was measured for each animal. Lymphatic drainage was assessed by ICG fluoroscopy for number and morphology of new collectors and the time required for ICG to move from injection point to the midline. Results Four months after the surgery an increased relative volume difference remained in group A (5,321% ± 4,74), while there was a significant relative volume reduction in group B (-13,395% ± 8,545) and an even greater reduction in group C (-14,560% ± 5,042). ICG fluoroscopy proved the functional restoration of lymphatic vessels through the CS and the viability of pLNT in both B and C groups. Conclusion The pedicle lymphatic tissue flap combined with collagen scaffolds is an effective procedure for the treatment of lymphedema in rats. It can be easily translated into treatment of humans’ lower and upper limb lymphedema; further clinical studies are required prior to recommend the above method.

The omental fat-augmented free flap (O-FAFF) is a recently developed technique for autologous breast reconstruction. Our aim of the study is to evaluate the outcomes of our early case series. We assess the O-FAFF donor site morbidity in terms of postoperative pain, narcotic, and antiemetic use.A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing O-FAFF from 2019 to 2021 was performed. Patients were evaluated for demographic data, operative time, hospital course, and complications. Mean pain scores (1-10 scale) and narcotic pain medication use in oral morphine equivalents and doses of antiemetic medications during their hospital course were analyzed. We compared outcomes of our O-FAFF group with those of a control group of patients who underwent breast reconstruction with traditional free abdominal tissue transfer.A total of 14 patients underwent O-FAFF breast reconstruction, representing 23 breasts. Patients had an average age of 48.5 years (±2.3 years) and body mass index of 22.6 kg/m2 (±1.09 kg/m2). Average follow-up was 232 days (±51 days). Average mastectomy weight was 245.6 g (±30.2 g) and average O-FAFF weight was 271 g (±31.7 g). Average pain scores on postoperative day 1 (POD1), POD2, and POD3 were 3.1 (±0.28), 2.8 (±0.21), and 2.1 (±0.35), respectively. The average narcotic use by patients in oral morphine equivalents on POD1, POD2, and POD3 are 24.3 (±5.5), 21.9 (±4.6), and 6.2 (±2.4), respectively. Total narcotic use during hospital stay was 79.4 mg (±11.1 mg). Average pain scores and narcotic use are significantly lower when compared with a previously published cohort of patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction with free abdominal tissue transfer (P0.05). Average antiemetic use was lower in the O-FAFF group compared with the control group: 3.5 versus 4.8 doses (P = 0.6). Hospital length of stay was 3.0 days (±0.0 days). No complications were noted (0%). Patients were universally satisfied with their reconstructive outcome (100%).The O-FAFF is proven to be a viable method of autologous breast reconstruction. Early series of patients undergoing O-FAFF reconstruction suggest a lower donor site morbidity as demonstrated by lower postoperative pain scores and lower consumptions of narcotic pain medications.

Autologous fat grafting is a commonly used technique in plastic surgery that can also be applied broadly in hand surgery. We present a case series to demonstrate the diverse indications for fat grafting in hand surgery.We retrospectively reviewed cases of fat grafting in the upper extremity in 2020. Cases representing a unique application of fat grafting were identified. Patient data, including demographics, diagnoses, preoperative and postoperative assessments, complications, patient satisfaction, and surgical operative reports, were recorded.Five patients representing distinct indications for autologous fat grafting in the upper extremity were identified. Indications included hand rejuvenation (20.0%), burn/scar management (20.0%), tenolysis (20.0%), revision nerve decompression (20.0%), and carpometacarpal joint arthritis (20.0%). Average patient age was 60.4 years (range, 42-71). Average volume of fat injected was 15.2 ml (range, 1-37 ml). No major complications were noted (0.0%). All patients expressed satisfaction with their overall result with good functional outcomes (100%).Autologous fat grafting can be applied broadly in hand surgery. Indications for fat grafting in hand surgery include hand rejuvenation, burn/scar management, tenolysis, revision nerve decompression, and thumb carpometacarpal arthritis. Hand surgeons can easily incorporate fat grafting into their daily practice. Current literature supports fat grafting as a viable technique in hand surgery with lower-level studies.

Surgical treatment of advanced lymphedema is challenging and outcomes are suboptimal. Physiologic procedures including lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) improve lymphatic flow but cannot reverse fibrofatty tissue deposition, whereas liposuction removes fibrofatty tissue but cannot prevent disease progression. The adjunctive use of nanofibrillar collagen scaffolds (BioBridgeTM) can promote lymphangiogenesis. We report a treatment algorithm utilizing a multimodality approach to achieve sustained normal limb volumes in patients with stage II-III lymphedema. A retrospective review of late stage II-III lymphedema patients treated with liposuction, physiologic procedures, and BioBridgeTM from 2016 through 2019 was conducted. Treatment outcome in the form of excess volume reduction is reported. Total of 14 patients underwent surgical treatment of late stage II and III lymphedema according to our triple therapy algorithm. Patients had a baseline median volume excess of 29% (19.8, 43.3%). The median volume excess was improved to 0.5% (−4.3, 3.8%) at 14.4 months from the first stage surgery (p < 0.05) and further improved to −1.0% (−3.3, 1.3%) after triple therapy with BB placement at 24.6 months. A triple therapy surgical treatment algorithm can optimize outcomes and achieve sustained normalization of limb volume in late stage II-III lymphedema. The incorporation of nanofibrillar collagen scaffold technology allows for improved and sustained volume reduction.

The development of surgical capacity in the developing world is essential to address the global burden of surgical disease. Training local surgeons in low-income and middle-income countries is critical in this endeavor. The challenges to teaching hand surgery in the developing world include a shortage of local faculty, absence of a defined curriculum, no competency-based evaluation systems, few subspecialty training opportunities, and lack of financial support. To teach hand surgery in the developing world effectively, the authors suggest principles and components of a global training curriculum.

Background While it is evident that a surgeon must master medical knowledge and technical skill, there are other "soft skills" that are essential to a successful surgeon. One of these skills is professionalism . The challenge in surgical education lies in developing an effective professionalism curriculum and a related method of evaluation. Objective Our review updates the literature and provides recommendations for improving instruction and evaluation of professionalism. Design A literature review was conducted using PubMed , Google Scholar , and Web of Knowledge . We restricted our search to documents published from 2009 to 2012 that address methods of teaching and tools for assessing professionalism in surgical education. Results Sixty-three documents were reviewed, with 14 fitting our search criteria for professionalism in surgical education completely. Other articles focused on the topics of professionalism in surgery, medical professionalism, and professionalism education in medical specialties other than surgery. Conclusions Development of a professionalism curriculum for surgical residents might begin with defining professionalism in terms of tangible behaviors. The program might also include a precurriculum preparatory course and simulation-based training. Residency programs must also maintain professionalism among its faculty. Assessment in the form of multisource feedback that is consistent with observable behavioral definitions of professionalism should also be considered in evaluating resident professionalism.