Charlotte E Berry, Alexander Z Fazilat, Christopher Lavin, Hendrik Lintel, Naomi Cole, Cybil S Stingl, Caleb Valencia, Annah G Morgan, Arash Momeni, Derrick C Wan
{"title":"Both Patients and Plastic Surgeons Prefer Artificial Intelligence-Generated Microsurgical Information.","authors":"Charlotte E Berry, Alexander Z Fazilat, Christopher Lavin, Hendrik Lintel, Naomi Cole, Cybil S Stingl, Caleb Valencia, Annah G Morgan, Arash Momeni, Derrick C Wan","doi":"10.1055/a-2273-4163","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2273-4163","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> With the growing relevance of artificial intelligence (AI)-based patient-facing information, microsurgical-specific online information provided by professional organizations was compared with that of ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) and assessed for accuracy, comprehensiveness, clarity, and readability.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Six plastic and reconstructive surgeons blindly assessed responses to 10 microsurgery-related medical questions written either by the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) or ChatGPT based on accuracy, comprehensiveness, and clarity. Surgeons were asked to choose which source provided the overall highest-quality microsurgical patient-facing information. Additionally, 30 individuals with no medical background (ages: 18-81, μ = 49.8) were asked to determine a preference when blindly comparing materials. Readability scores were calculated, and all numerical scores were analyzed using the following six reliability formulas: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch-Kincaid Readability Ease, Gunning Fog Index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index, Coleman-Liau Index, Linsear Write Formula, and Automated Readability Index. Statistical analysis of microsurgical-specific online sources was conducted utilizing paired <i>t</i>-tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Statistically significant differences in comprehensiveness and clarity were seen in favor of ChatGPT. Surgeons, 70.7% of the time, blindly choose ChatGPT as the source that overall provided the highest-quality microsurgical patient-facing information. Nonmedical individuals 55.9% of the time selected AI-generated microsurgical materials as well. Neither ChatGPT nor ASRM-generated materials were found to contain inaccuracies. Readability scores for both ChatGPT and ASRM materials were found to exceed recommended levels for patient proficiency across six readability formulas, with AI-based material scored as more complex.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> AI-generated patient-facing materials were preferred by surgeons in terms of comprehensiveness and clarity when blindly compared with online material provided by ASRM. Studied AI-generated material was not found to contain inaccuracies. Additionally, surgeons and nonmedical individuals consistently indicated an overall preference for AI-generated material. A readability analysis suggested that both materials sourced from ChatGPT and ASRM surpassed recommended reading levels across six readability scores.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":"657-664"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139931669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Austin Lignieres, Doaa F Andejani, Carrie K Chu, Rene D Largo, Alexander F Mericli
{"title":"No Skin Paddle, No Problem: Burying Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Flaps in the Immediate Setting is Safe in Select Patient Populations.","authors":"Austin Lignieres, Doaa F Andejani, Carrie K Chu, Rene D Largo, Alexander F Mericli","doi":"10.1055/a-2320-5665","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2320-5665","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> In appropriately selected patients, it may be possible to fully bury breast free flaps deep to the mastectomy skin flaps. Because this practice forgoes the incorporation of a monitoring skin paddle for the flap, and thus limits the ability for physical exam, it may be associated with an increased risk of flap loss or other perfusion-related complications, such as fat necrosis. We hypothesized that fully de-epithelialized breast free flaps were not associated with an increased complication rate and reduced the need for future revision surgery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A single-institution retrospective review of 206 deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEP) flaps in 142 patients was performed between June 2016 and September 2021. Flaps were grouped into buried or nonburied categories based on the absence or presence of a monitoring paddle. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed postoperatively using the BREAST-Q breast reconstruction module. Electronic medical record data included demographics, comorbidities, flap characteristics, complications, and revision surgery.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The buried flap patients (<i>N</i> = 46) had a lower median body mass index (26.9 vs 30.3, <i>p</i> = 0.04) and a lower rate of hypertension (19.5 vs. 37.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.04) compared with nonburied flap patients (<i>N</i> = 160). Burying flaps was more likely to be adopted in skin-sparing mastectomy or nipple-sparing mastectomy (<i>p</i> = 0.001) and in an immediate or a delayed-immediate fashion (<i>p</i> = 0.009). There was one flap loss in the nonburied group; complication rates were similar. There was a significantly greater revision rate in the nonburied flap patients (92 vs. 70%; <i>p</i> = 0.002). Buried flap patients exhibited a greater satisfaction with breasts (84.5 ± 13.4 vs. 73.9 ± 21.4; <i>p</i> = 0.04) and sexual satisfaction (73.1 ± 22.4 vs. 53.7 ± 29.7; <i>p</i> = 0.01) compared with nonburied flap patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Burying breast free flaps in appropriately selected patients does not appear to have a higher complication rate when compared with flaps with an externalized monitoring paddle. Furthermore, this modification may be associated with a better immediate aesthetic outcome and improved patient satisfaction, as evidenced by a lower rate of revision surgery and superior BREAST-Q scores among buried DIEP flaps.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":"722-729"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140850063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jessica L Marquez, Josh Chow, Whitney Moss, Jessica Luo, Devin Eddington, Jayant P Agarwal, Alvin C Kwok
{"title":"Outpatient Prescription Opioid Use following Discharge after Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Breast Reconstruction with and without an Educational Intervention.","authors":"Jessica L Marquez, Josh Chow, Whitney Moss, Jessica Luo, Devin Eddington, Jayant P Agarwal, Alvin C Kwok","doi":"10.1055/a-2283-4775","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2283-4775","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> There is limited evidence for appropriate postoperative opioid prescribing in autologous breast reconstruction. We sought to describe postoperative outpatient prescription opioid use following discharge after deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) breast reconstruction with and without an educational video.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Patients undergoing DIEP reconstruction were given a 28-day postoperative pain and medication logbook from August 2022 to June 2023. Our practice implemented an educational video upon discharge on proper opioid consumption. Descriptive statistics on patient characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, and outpatient prescription opioid use after discharge were compared between the two cohorts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> A total of 53 logbooks were completed with 20 patients in the no video cohort and 33 in the video cohort. On average, the days to cessation of opiates was longer in the no video cohort (8.2 vs. 5.1 days, <i>p</i> = 0.003). The average number of oxycodone 5 mg equivalents consumed following discharge was 13.8 in the no video cohort and 7.8 in the video cohort, which was statistically significant (<i>p</i> = 0.01). Overall, the percentage of opioids prescribed that were consumed in the video cohort was 28.3% versus 67.1% in the no video cohort.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> For patients discharging home after DIEP reconstruction, we recommend a prescription for 12 oxycodone 5 mg tablets. With the use of an educational video regarding proper opioid consumption, we were able to reduce the total outpatient opioid use to 5 oxycodone 5 mg tablets following hospital discharge.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":"688-693"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140059721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shao Yu Hung, Curtis Hanba, Tommy Nai-Jen Chang, Yan-Lin Chen, Johnny Chuieng-Yi Lu
{"title":"Delayed Commissuroplasty Increases Interincisal Distance in Buccogingival Cancer Patients Treated with Free Flap Reconstruction of the Oral Commissure.","authors":"Shao Yu Hung, Curtis Hanba, Tommy Nai-Jen Chang, Yan-Lin Chen, Johnny Chuieng-Yi Lu","doi":"10.1055/s-0044-1782659","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0044-1782659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Oral cavity cancers requiring excision of the oral commissure and free flap reconstruction often requires commissuroplasty to manage oral incontinence. We aimed to evaluate the implications of primary versus delayed commissuroplasty on drooling, and interincisal distance outcomes in this cohort.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A retrospective query of head and neck cancer patients operated by a single surgeon from 2017 to 2020 was performed. Patients were included if they underwent free flap reconstruction of the oral commissure, had an immediate or delayed commissuroplasty, and had 2 years of follow-up data including Thomas-Stonell and Greenberg drooling rating scales and interincisal distance measurements.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Thirty-five patients were included in the review. Twelve patients received immediate commissuroplasty and 23 patients had delayed commissuroplasty. Interincisal distance was similar at baseline, although significantly varied between immediate and delayed commissuroplasty groups at 1 month and 2 years postoperative. Drooling scores were significantly elevated in the group treated with delayed commissuroplasty, but eventually normalized after staged surgery and follow-up. Patients treated with adjunct radiation therapy had lower interincisal distance than patients who did not have radiation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Delayed commissuroplasty increased interincisal distance and normalize drooling in patients who required full-thickness excision of the buccal mucosa and oral commissure and free tissue reconstruction. The presented data can help to educate patients on expected postoperative outcomes and likely advocates for a second-stage procedure after completion of adjunct radiotherapy to achieve optimal commissural placement and oral competence.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":"707-712"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140158380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"When a Good Flap Turns Bad: A Temporal Predictive Model for Free Flap Complications.","authors":"Dylan K Kim, Seth Z Aschen, Christine H Rohde","doi":"10.1055/s-0044-1782671","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0044-1782671","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Microsurgical cases are complex plastic surgery procedures with a significant risk of acute postoperative complications. In this study, we use a large-scale database to investigate the temporal progression of complications after microsurgical procedures and the risk imparted by acute postoperative complications on subsequent reconstructive outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Microsurgery cases were extracted from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database by Current Procedural Terminology codes. Postoperative complications were collected for 30 days after surgery and stratified into four temporal periods (postoperative days [PODs] 0-6, 7-13, 14-20, 21-30). Postoperative complication occurrences were incorporated into a weighted multivariate logistic regression model to identify significant predictors of adverse outcomes (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Separately, a regression model was calculated for the time between index operation and reoperation and additional complications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The final cohort comprised 19,517 patients, 6,140 (31.5%) of which experienced at least one complication in the first 30 days after surgery. The occurrence of prior complications in the postoperative period was a significant predictor of future adverse outcomes following the initial week after surgery (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Upon predictive analysis, overall model performance was highest in PODs 7 to 13 (71.1% accuracy and the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve 0.684); 2,578 (13.2%) patients underwent at least one reoperation within the first 2 weeks after surgery. The indication for reoperation (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and number of days since surgery (<i>p</i> = 0.0038) were significant predictors of future complications after reoperation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Prior occurrence of complications in an earlier postoperative week, as well as timing and nature of reoperation, were shown to be significant predictors of future complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":"694-706"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140318458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Postparetic Synkinesis: Objective and Subjective Comparisons of Depressor Anguli Oris Myectomies versus Depressor Anguli Oris and Buccinator Myectomies.","authors":"Cristina V Sanchez, Alp Ercan, Shai M Rozen","doi":"10.1055/a-2273-4327","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2273-4327","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Muscles affected by postparetic synkinesis have imbalanced tonicity that limit perioral mimetic movement and inhibit the ability to smile. The depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle has been a common myectomy target for the treatment of perioral synkinesis. While addition of buccinator myectomies to DAO myectomies has risen, no studies have analyzed the effects of buccinator myectomies. The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of a DAO myectomy with and without concomitant buccinator myectomy through objective facial metrics and subjective patient-reported outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> This study is a retrospective review of patients with postparetic synkinesis who underwent DAO myectomy (DAO myectomy group) or DAO myectomy with buccinator myectomy (DAO + Buccinator myectomies group). Outcomes included postoperative differences in objective smile measures (smile angle, excursion, and dental show) using validated software and patient-reported outcomes using the Facial Disability Index (FDI) questionnaire and a myectomy-specific questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> After chart review, 18 patients were included in the DAO myectomy group and 19 in the DAO + Buccinator myectomies group. There were no significant postoperative differences between the groups in (1) smile excursion, angle, or dental show at resting, closed smile, or open smile (<i>p</i> > 0.05), (2) FDI physical and social scores, <i>p</i> = 0.198 and 0.932, respectively, or (3) myectomy-specific questionnaire responses (<i>p</i> > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> The addition of a buccinator myectomy to a DAO myectomy does not provide significant clinical benefit when compared with an isolated DAO myectomy, based on objective measures and subjective patient-reported outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":"665-671"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139931571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katherine J Zhu, Annie M Cho, Joel S Beckett, Luke Macyszyn, David Mathes, Phuong Nguyen, Timothy Irwin, Christodoulos Kaouzanis, Jason W Yu
{"title":"A Systematic Review of the Complications Associated with Free Fibular Flaps in Adult and Pediatric Spinal Reconstruction.","authors":"Katherine J Zhu, Annie M Cho, Joel S Beckett, Luke Macyszyn, David Mathes, Phuong Nguyen, Timothy Irwin, Christodoulos Kaouzanis, Jason W Yu","doi":"10.1055/a-2434-5882","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2434-5882","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Free fibular flaps have been suggested as a modality of reconstruction for complex spinal deformities. However, there is limited data that describes associated postoperative outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review was to characterize outcomes after spinal reconstruction using the free fibular flap for both adults and children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Thirty-nine articles among four databases were identified as having met inclusion criteria. Patient demographics, indications for spinal reconstruction as well as location and anastomosis, history of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and postoperative outcomes including complications were identified. Major complications were defined as complications requiring reoperation, while minor complications were those that did not require reoperation. Systemic complications were defined as complications affecting sites or organ systems beyond the local donor and recipient sites. Statistical analysis was performed using Fischer's exact, chi-squared, and <i>t</i>-tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> We identified 218 adult patients (mean age 47.7 years, 56.4% male) and 27 pediatric patients (mean age 12.7 years, 55.6% male). While there was no significant difference in the rates of bony union between the two groups (adults: 90.8%, children: 90%, <i>p</i> > 0.9), adults had significantly higher rates of major (27% vs. 7.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.026), minor (26.1% vs. 7.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.032), and systemic (14.2% vs. 0%, <i>p</i> = 0.047) complications.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Free fibular flaps are effective for spinal reconstruction for both adults and children, as evidenced by the high rates of bony union. However, adults exhibited significantly higher complication rates. Further research is required to better understand the patient and clinical risk factors associated with increased rate of complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142372132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Madeline C Rocks, Meagan Wu, Victoria Comunale, Nikhil Agrawal, Rebecca S Nicholas, Ali Azad, Jacques H Hacquebord
{"title":"Investigating the Association between Preflap Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy and Surgical Outcomes in Extremity Free Flap Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Madeline C Rocks, Meagan Wu, Victoria Comunale, Nikhil Agrawal, Rebecca S Nicholas, Ali Azad, Jacques H Hacquebord","doi":"10.1055/a-2434-5798","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2434-5798","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> While prior studies have recommended immediate flap coverage within 72 hours of injury for soft tissue reconstruction for traumatic extremity injuries, recent evidence in the setting of advanced wound care techniques de-emphasizes the need for immediate coverage. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been an essential tool for extending the time to definitive soft tissue coverage. This study sought to elucidate the impact of preoperative NPWT use on the success of microsurgical reconstruction.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A literature search was conducted using the following databases from their inception up to February 2023: PubMed, OVID databases (Embase and Cochrane Library), Web of Science, and Scopus. Of 801 identified articles, 648 were assessed and 24 were included. Cases were divided based on whether NPWT was used preoperatively or not. Timing to definitive coverage, injury details, and basic demographics were recorded. Rates of flap failure, infection, bone nonunion, reoperation, and complications were compared between groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> A total of 1,027 patients and 1,047 flaps were included, of which 894 (85.39%) received preflap NPWT. The average time to definitive coverage for the NPWT and non-NPWT groups was 16 and 18 days, respectively. The NPWT group experienced lower postoperative complication rates than the non-NPWT group in all reported complications except for deep infections. Compared with the non-NPWT group, the NPWT group experienced lower rates of any flap failure (3.69 vs. 9.80%) and partial flap failure (2.24 vs. 6.54%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Preoperative NPWT was associated with reduced postoperative complications, most importantly flap failure rates. This merits further investigation into the decision-making process for traumatic extremity reconstruction. Future prospective studies adopting standardized protocols with longer follow-up are required to better understand the potentially beneficial role of preoperative NPWT use in soft tissue reconstruction.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142372135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chioma G Obinero, Jackson C Green, Kylie R Swiekatowski, Chimdindu V Obinero, Arvind Manisundaram, Matthew R Greives, Mohin Bhadkamkar, Yuewei Wu-Fienberg, Erik Marques
{"title":"Surgical Complications after Targeted Muscle Reinnervation at a Safety-Net Hospital.","authors":"Chioma G Obinero, Jackson C Green, Kylie R Swiekatowski, Chimdindu V Obinero, Arvind Manisundaram, Matthew R Greives, Mohin Bhadkamkar, Yuewei Wu-Fienberg, Erik Marques","doi":"10.1055/a-2435-7410","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2435-7410","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) can reduce neuroma formation and phantom limb pain (PLP) after lower extremity (LE) amputation. These techniques have not been studied in safety-net hospitals. This study aims to examine the surgical complication rates after TMR and/or RPNI at an academic safety-net hospital in an urban setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> This was a retrospective review of patients older than 18 years who had prior above-knee guillotine amputation (AKA) or below-knee guillotine amputation (BKA) and underwent stump formalization with TMR and/or RPNI from 2020 to 2022. Demographics, medical history, and operative and postoperative characteristics were collected. The primary outcome was any surgical complication, defined as infection, dehiscence, hematoma, neuroma, or reoperation. Univariate analysis was conducted to identify variables associated with surgical complications and PLP.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Thirty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 52 years, and 75% were males. Indications for amputation included diabetic foot infection (71.9%), necrotizing soft tissue infection (25.0%), and malignancy (3.1%). BKA was the most common indication for formalization (93.8%). Most patients (56.3%) had formalization with TMR and RPNI, 34.4% patients had TMR only, and 9.4% had RPNI alone. The incidence of postoperative complications was 46.9%, with infection being the most common (31.3%). The median follow-up time was 107.5 days. There was no significant difference in demographics, medical history, or operative characteristics between patients who did and did not have surgical complications. However, there was a trend toward higher rates of PLP in patients who had a postoperative wound infection (<i>p</i> = 0.06).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Overall complication rates after LE formalization with TMR and/or RPNI at our academic safety-net hospital were consistent with reported literature. Given the benefits, including reduced chronic pain and lower health care costs, we advocate for the wider adoption of these techniques at other safety-net hospitals.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142391386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jeongmok Cho, Hyunsuk Peter Suh, Changsik Pak, Joon Pio Hong
{"title":"Electrophysiological Signal Validation of Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface at Nerve Ending: A Preliminary Rat Model Experiment.","authors":"Jeongmok Cho, Hyunsuk Peter Suh, Changsik Pak, Joon Pio Hong","doi":"10.1055/a-2434-4605","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2434-4605","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> As the number of extremity amputations continues to rise, so does the demand for prosthetics. Emphasizing the importance of a nerve interface that effectively amplifies and transmits physiological signals through peripheral nerve surgery is crucial for achieving intuitive control. The regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) is recognized for its potential to provide this technical support. Through animal experiment, we aimed to confirm the actual occurrence of signal amplification.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Rats were divided into three experimental groups: control, common peroneal nerve transection, and RPNI. Nerve surgeries were performed for each group, and electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) were conducted at the initial surgery, as well as at 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> All implemented RPNIs exhibited viability and displayed adequate vascularity with the proper color. Clear differences in latency and amplitude were observed before and after 8 weeks of surgery in all groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Notably, the RPNI group demonstrated a significantly increased amplitude compared with the control group after 8 weeks (<i>p</i> = 0.031). Latency increased in all groups 8 weeks after surgery. The RPNI group exhibited relatively clear signs of denervation with abnormal spontaneous activities (ASAs) during EMG.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> This study is one of few preclinical studies that demonstrate the electrophysiological effects of RPNI and validate the neural signals. It serves as a foundational step for future research in human-machine interaction and nerve interfaces.</p>","PeriodicalId":16949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of reconstructive microsurgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142372133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}