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Brett Thomas Phillips

Assistant Professor of Surgery
Surgery, Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery
DUMC 3181, Durham, NC 27710
40 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710

Selected Publications


Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: October 2024

Journal Article Plastic and reconstructive surgery · October 1, 2024 Full text Cite

Assessment of Microsurgery Simulation Course Access in Plastic Surgery Training Programs.

Journal Article J Reconstr Microsurg · July 2024 BACKGROUND:  Microsurgery requires complex skill development with a steep learning curve for plastic surgery trainees. Flap dissection courses and simulation exercises are useful to acquire these skills. This study aims to assess plastic surgery training p ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: July 2024

Journal Article Plastic and reconstructive surgery · July 1, 2024 Full text Cite

A Multi-institutional Analysis of a Textbook Outcome Among Patients Undergoing Microvascular Breast Reconstruction.

Journal Article Ann Plast Surg · June 1, 2024 BACKGROUND: Individual outcomes may not accurately reflect the quality of perioperative care. Textbook outcomes (TOs) are composite metrics that provide a comprehensive evaluation of hospital performance and surgical quality. This study aimed to investigat ... Full text Link to item Cite

Preference Signaling and the Integrated Plastic Surgery Match: A National Survey Study.

Journal Article J Surg Educ · May 2024 OBJECTIVE: Rooted in economics market strategies, preference signaling was introduced to the Plastic Surgery Common Application (PSCA) in 2022 for integrated plastic surgery residency applicants. This study surveyed program and applicant experience with pr ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: April 2024.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · April 1, 2024 Full text Link to item Cite

Efficacy of Prophylactic Postoperative Antibiotics in Tissue Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · March 1, 2024 BACKGROUND: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the utility of prophylactic postoperative antibiotics in tissue expander (TE)-based breast reconstruction. This study evaluated the risk of surgical-site infection between patients receiving 24 hours of per ... Full text Link to item Cite

Machine learning analysis of online patient questions regarding breast reconstruction.

Journal Article J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg · March 2024 BACKGROUND: Social media has become a dominant educational resource for breast reconstruction patients. Rather than passively consuming information, patients interact directly with other users and healthcare professionals. While online information for brea ... Full text Link to item Cite

Flipping Tradition on Its Head: A Single-Institution Study on United States Medical Licensing Examination Step Order

Journal Article Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · February 19, 2024 Summary: Given the recent change in Step 1 grading, medical students are faced with decisions surrounding the optimal Step examination order and timing. There is a current lack of guidance outside commonly used United States Medical Licensing Examination s ... Full text Cite

Educational Podcasts in Plastic Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Content, Metrics, and Target Audiences.

Journal Article J Surg Educ · February 2024 BACKGROUND: Podcasts provide an efficient means for asynchronous learning. However, no study to date has thoroughly assessed the landscape of educational podcasts in plastic surgery. Thus, this study aims to evaluate and characterize current educational pl ... Full text Link to item Cite

Identifying Barriers Faced by Applicants without a Home Residency Program when Matching into Plastic Surgery.

Journal Article Arch Plast Surg · January 2024 Background  Applying into plastic surgery (PS) is competitive. Lacking a home residency program (HRP) is another barrier. Our goal is to characterize challenges faced by PS applicants without HRPs and identify solutions. Methods  Surveys were designed for ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: January 2024.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · January 1, 2024 Full text Link to item Cite

Evidence-Based Medicine: Systemic Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Prevention of Surgical-Site Infections in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · December 1, 2023 BACKGROUND: After nearly a decade of new data, the Evidence-Based Consensus Conference Statement from the American Association of Plastic Surgeons was updated for prophylactic systemic antibiotics to prevent surgical-site infections (SSI). Pharmacotherapeu ... Full text Link to item Cite

Defining Predictors of Future Academic Productivity in Plastic Surgery Residency

Conference Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · October 16, 2023 Background: Research is a valued component of applications to plastic surgery residency. No prior studies have explored factors associated with increased resident research productivity. This study aims to compare the academic productivity levels of plastic ... Full text Cite

Consequences and Predictors of Prolonged Tissue Expander Duration in Breast Reconstruction.

Journal Article J Reconstr Microsurg · October 2023 BACKGROUND:  Tissue expanders (TEs) are temporary devices used in breast reconstruction, which are generally removed within 1 year. There is a paucity of data regarding the potential consequences when TEs have longer indwelling times. Thus, we aim to deter ... Full text Link to item Cite

Air or Saline? A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis on the Effect of Tissue Expander Fill on Complications in Immediate Breast Reconstruction.

Journal Article Ann Surg Oncol · October 2023 BACKGROUND: Tissue expander fill medium and volume have implications for the pressure exerted on mastectomy skin flaps. This study evaluated the influence of initial fill medium (air vs. saline) on complications in immediate breast reconstruction within a ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: October 2023.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · October 1, 2023 Full text Link to item Cite

Long-term Surgical and Patient-Reported Outcomes Comparing Skin-Preserving, Staged Versus Delayed Microvascular Breast Reconstruction.

Journal Article Annals of surgical oncology · September 2023 BackgroundSkin-preserving, staged, microvascular, breast reconstruction often is preferred in patients requiring postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) but may lead to complications. We compared the long-term surgical and patient-reported outcomes bet ... Full text Cite

Prevalence of International Medical Graduates in Integrated Plastic Surgery Programs

Journal Article Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · August 11, 2023 Background: International medical graduates (IMGs) are physicians who did not attend medical school in the USA or Canada. IMGs comprise nearly one-quarter of the physician workforce and play a vital role in health care. Here, we aimed to identify the preva ... Full text Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: July 2023.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · July 1, 2023 Full text Link to item Cite

Social Media Usage by United States Plastic Surgery Subspecialty Fellowship Programs.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · July 2023 UNLABELLED: Social media can be a powerful tool for plastic surgery training programs. Previous studies have shown the value social media may have in integrated residency program recruitment and program reputation. These findings may generalize to fellowsh ... Full text Link to item Cite

Defining Our Terms: Are Postoperative Complications Adequately Defined in the Rhinoplasty Literature?

Journal Article Aesthetic plastic surgery · June 2023 BackgroundRhinoplasty is one of the most common aesthetic surgical procedures, and yet its postoperative complication profile remains somewhat ill-defined and underreported. The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of complication repo ... Full text Cite

Tracking Complications and Unplanned Healthcare Utilization in Aesthetic Surgery: An Analysis of 214,504 Patients Using the TOPS Database.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · June 1, 2023 BACKGROUND: Tracking surgical complications and unplanned healthcare utilization is essential to inform quality initiatives in aesthetic surgery. This study used the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons database to characterize rates and p ... Full text Link to item Cite

Trends in Patient-Reported Outcomes Reporting in Breast Reconstruction: A Scoping Literature Review.

Journal Article Ann Plast Surg · May 1, 2023 INTRODUCTION: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) provide essential information in reconstructive surgery, where interventions center on patients' functional and aesthetic goals. Although multiple patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been validated ... Full text Link to item Cite

Complications, Costs, and Healthcare Resource Utilization After Staged, Delayed, and Immediate Free-Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Longitudinal, Claims-Based Analysis.

Journal Article Ann Surg Oncol · April 2023 BACKGROUND: There is a lack of consensus detailing the optimal approach to free-flap breast reconstruction when considering immediate, delayed, or staged techniques. This study compared costs, complications, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) acros ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: April 2023.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · April 1, 2023 Full text Link to item Cite

Virtual Subinternships in the COVID Era: Lessons Learned from Three Institutional Experiences

Journal Article Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · March 24, 2023 After the cessation of all in-person visiting rotations during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, many programs developed virtual rotations as an alternative for the recruitment and education of prospective applicants. In this study, we developed a consortium ... Full text Cite

Early Simultaneous Cross Facial Nerve Graft and Masseteric Nerve Transfer for Facial Paralysis after Tumor Resection.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · March 2023 UNLABELLED: We describe a new approach for facial reanimation after skull base tumor resection with known facial nerve sacrifice, involving simultaneous masseter nerve transfer with selective cross facial nerve grafting (CFNG) within days after tumor surge ... Full text Link to item Cite

Textbook outcomes in DIEP flap breast reconstruction: a Delphi study to establish consensus.

Journal Article Breast Cancer Res Treat · February 2023 PURPOSE: Composite measures, like textbook outcomes, may be superior to individual metrics when assessing hospital performance and quality of care. This study utilized a Delphi process to define a textbook outcome in DIEP flap breast reconstruction. METHOD ... Full text Link to item Cite

New Frontiers of Natural Language Processing in Surgery.

Journal Article Am Surg · January 2023 The vast and ever-growing volume of electronic health records (EHR) have generated a wealth of information-rich data. Traditional, non-machine learning data extraction techniques are error-prone and laborious, hindering the analytical potential of these ma ... Full text Link to item Cite

Ethical, Legal, and Financial Considerations of Artificial Intelligence in Surgery.

Journal Article Am Surg · January 2023 Machine learning systems have become integrated into some of the most vital decision-making aspects of humanity, including hiring decisions, loan applications, and automobile safety, to name just a few. As applications increase in both gravity and complexi ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: January 2023.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · January 1, 2023 Full text Link to item Cite

Predicting Final Implant Volume in Two-stage Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · January 2023 UNLABELLED: Two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction remains the most commonly performed reconstructive modality following mastectomy. Although prior studies have explored the relationship between tissue expander (TE) features and permanent implant (P ... Full text Link to item Cite

Down with the Bean Bag: A Multi-institutional Experience with Total Latissimus Muscle Free Flap Harvest in the Supine Position.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · January 2023 The latissimus muscle continues to be a head to toe workhorse in free tissue transfer for coverage of large defects. Traditional full muscle harvest is performed in the lateral decubitus position which is frequently suboptimal or requires position change b ... Full text Link to item Cite

The evolution of facial reanimation techniques.

Journal Article Am J Otolaryngol · 2023 This review article provides an updated discussion on evidence-based practices related to the evaluation and management of facial paralysis. Ultimately, the goals of facial reanimation include obtaining facial symmetry at rest, providing corneal protection ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Delphi survey of intercontinental experts to identify areas of consensus on the use of indocyanine green angiography for tissue perfusion assessment during plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Journal Article Surgery · December 2022 BACKGROUND: In recent years, indocyanine green angiography (ICG-A) has been used increasingly to assist tissue perfusion assessments during plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures, but no guidelines exist regarding its use. We sought to identify area ... Full text Link to item Cite

Defining the Value of Breast Reconstruction Surgeons: Quantifying Clinical Encounter and Operative Volume at an Academic Center.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · December 2022 UNLABELLED: Despite growing rates of postmastectomy breast reconstruction, the time contribution of breast reconstruction surgeons in comprehensive breast cancer care is often poorly accounted for by hospital and healthcare systems. This study models encou ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: October 2022.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · October 1, 2022 Full text Link to item Cite

What Does It Take to Become an Academic Plastic Surgeon in Canada: Hiring Trends Over the Last 50 Years.

Journal Article Plast Surg (Oakv) · August 2022 Objective: Academic plastic surgery positions have become highly competitive secondary to delayed retirement, stagnant hospital funding, and an increasing number of plastic surgery graduates. Little information is available to help residents navigate this ... Full text Link to item Cite

Guideline Awareness Disparities in Plastic Surgery: A Survey of American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · August 2022 UNLABELLED: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) clinical practice guidelines were constructed to help direct evidence-based surgical management in plastic surgery. Societal member awareness of the recommendations for breast reconstruction has y ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: August 2022

Journal Article Plastic and reconstructive surgery · August 1, 2022 Full text Cite

Assessing the Influence of Failed Implant Reconstruction on Patient Satisfaction and Decision Regret after Salvage Free-Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Journal Article J Reconstr Microsurg · July 2022 BACKGROUND:  Free-flap breast reconstruction after failed implant reconstruction is associated with improved patient outcomes. How the level of satisfaction achieved compares between patients with and without previously failed implant reconstruction remain ... Full text Link to item Cite

Which Factors Are Important to Women When Choosing a Breast Reconstruction Surgeon?

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · July 1, 2022 BACKGROUND: Women undergoing breast reconstruction often research their health care provider options. The authors studied which factors may influence how a woman selects a plastic surgeon for breast reconstruction surgery. METHODS: An online survey was dis ... Full text Link to item Cite

A Comparison of Complications in Therapeutic versus Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Reconstruction: A Paired Analysis.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · May 1, 2022 BACKGROUND: Although breast reconstruction after bilateral mastectomies including a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy is known to have a higher overall complication profile, whether reconstructive complication rates differ between the therapeutic maste ... Full text Link to item Cite

Defining Mastectomy Skin Flap Necrosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature and a Call for Standardization.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · May 1, 2022 BACKGROUND: Mastectomy skin flap necrosis following breast reconstruction may lead to wound dehiscence, infection, implant exposure, and reconstructive failure. The absence of a standardized definition for it has led to variation in estimated incidence, fr ... Full text Link to item Cite

An Ounce of Prediction is Worth a Pound of Cure: Risk Calculators in Breast Reconstruction.

Conference Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · May 2022 UNLABELLED: Preoperative risk calculators provide individualized risk assessment and stratification for surgical patients. Recently, several general surgery-derived models have been applied to the plastic surgery patient population, and several plastic sur ... Full text Link to item Cite

Who's Auditioning Who? Applicant-Reported Elements of the Best and Worst Plastic Surgery Subinternships.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · April 1, 2022 BACKGROUND: Many integrated plastic surgery applicants choose to complete one or more visiting subinternships or "away rotations" at programs outside of their home institution. As these rotations are so critical on both sides of the application process, th ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: April 2022.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · April 1, 2022 Full text Link to item Cite

The Influence of Topical Vasodilator-Induced Pharmacologic Delay on Cutaneous Flap Viability and Vascular Remodeling.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · March 1, 2022 BACKGROUND: Surgical delay is a well-described technique to improve survival of random and pedicled cutaneous flaps. The aim of this study was to test the topical agents minoxidil and iloprost as agents of pharmacologic delay to induce vascular remodeling ... Full text Link to item Cite

Vein Grafts in Free Flap Reconstruction: Review of Indications and Institutional Pearls.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · March 1, 2022 Vein grafts enable soft-tissue reconstruction in cases of insufficient pedicle length, a lack of nearby recipient vessels, and a wide zone of injury caused by trauma or radiation therapy. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of ... Full text Link to item Cite

Plastic Surgery Diversity through the Decade: Where We Stand and How We Can Improve

Journal Article Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · February 22, 2022 Background: Several studies over the past decade have investigated diversity within the field of plastic surgery, yet it remains unclear if an increase has resulted. This study sought to review the status of diversity within plastic surgery over the last d ... Full text Cite

Dissatisfaction After Post-Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Journal Article Ann Surg Oncol · February 2022 BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction is associated with improved patient well-being after mastectomy; however, factors that contribute to post-surgical dissatisfaction remain poorly characterized. METHODS: Adult women who underwent post-mastectomy implant-bas ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: January 2022.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · January 1, 2022 Full text Link to item Cite

Predicting Academic Performance during Plastic Surgery Residency: Can Step 2 Scores Reliably Replace Step 1?

Journal Article J Surg Educ · 2022 OBJECTIVE: Step 1 will transition to a pass/fail system in 2022. This study aimed to characterize the effects of this change on integrated plastic surgery program directors' selection criteria and assess whether Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) can replace S ... Full text Link to item Cite

Leadership and Advanced Degrees: Evaluating the Association Between Dual Degrees and Leadership Roles in Academic Plastic Surgery.

Journal Article Ann Plast Surg · January 1, 2022 BACKGROUND: There are increasingly prevalent formal educational programs for physicians who seek to be better trained to advance their fields. Although higher education and advanced degrees are not necessarily linked to leadership, we hypothesize that lead ... Full text Link to item Cite

A Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Bipedicled Total Abdominal versus Unipedicled Hemiabdominal Free Flaps for Unilateral Breast Reconstruction.

Journal Article J Reconstr Microsurg · November 2021 BACKGROUND:  While bipedicled free flaps enable increased soft tissue volume and potential for contralateral symmetry in unilateral breast reconstruction, the influence of bipedicled flap reconstruction on patient-reported outcomes remains unclear. METHODS ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: October 2021.

Journal Article Plastic and reconstructive surgery · October 2021 Full text Cite

Disparities between Operative Time and Relative Value Units for Plastic Surgery Procedures.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · September 1, 2021 BACKGROUND: Plastic surgeons are evaluated not only by the number of patients served but also by relative value, quantified by the Medicare relative value unit system, which can affect advancement and compensation. Procedures that demand a high operative t ... Full text Link to item Cite

Staying Close to Home: The Effects of COVID-19 on the Plastic Surgery Residency Match.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · September 2021 UNLABELLED: The 2019 novel coronavirus created unique challenges for the integrated plastic surgery match. The goal of this study was to evaluate the trends of the 2020 and 2021 integrated plastic surgery match specifically related to the 2019 novel corona ... Full text Link to item Cite

The Effect of Lavender Oil on Perioperative Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep after Microvascular Breast Reconstruction: A Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Journal Article J Reconstr Microsurg · July 2021 BACKGROUND:  Psychosocial distress, depression, or anxiety can occur in up to 50% of women after a breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential benefit of lavender oil as a perioperative adjunct to improve a ... Full text Link to item Cite

Assessment of Plastic Surgery Residency Applications without United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 Scores.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · July 1, 2021 The United States Medical Licensing Examination announced the changing of Step 1 score reporting from a three-digit number to pass/fail beginning on January 1, 2022. Plastic surgery residency programs have traditionally used United States Medical Licensing ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: July 2021.

Journal Article Plastic and reconstructive surgery · July 2021 Full text Cite

The Association between Away Rotations and Rank Order in the Integrated Plastic Surgery Match.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · June 1, 2021 BACKGROUND: Given the competition in the integrated plastic surgery Match, away rotations are ubiquitous among plastic surgery applicants to differentiate their applications. This study aimed to characterize how performing an away rotation affects rank ord ... Full text Link to item Cite

Microsurgery Fellowship Website and Social Media Presence: Are Programs Optimizing Recruitment Strategy?

Journal Article J Reconstr Microsurg · May 2021 BACKGROUND:  Microsurgery fellowship applicants make decisions for future training based on information obtained from colleagues, mentors, and microsurgery fellowship program Websites (MFWs). In this study, we sought to evaluate the accessibility and quali ... Full text Link to item Cite

Location, Location, Location: The Geographic Impact of Medical School on the Plastic Surgery Match.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · April 2021 BACKGROUND: This resident application cycle posed academic leadership and applicants with an unprecedented challenge: how to virtually match applicants to mutually beneficial programs. The authors sought to refer to previous years' data, specifically geogr ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: April 2021.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · April 1, 2021 Full text Link to item Cite

The Association of Overall Annual Hospital Volume and Perioperative Outcomes following Free Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · February 1, 2021 BACKGROUND: Hospital volume has been correlated with improved outcomes in oncologic care and complex surgical procedures. The authors sought to determine the relationship between overall annual hospital volume and perioperative outcomes following free flap ... Full text Link to item Cite

Where advocacy meets patient-centered care-cost considerations in breast reconstruction decision-making.

Journal Article Gland Surg · January 2021 Cancer care in the United States is unquestionably expensive. In 2017, annual costs related to cancer-related treatment reached $180 billion. There is clear evidence that the increased cost of cancer care translates to financial hardship. This hardship is ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: January 2021.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · January 1, 2021 Full text Link to item Cite

Implications of Training Pathways on Future Academic Plastic Surgeon Employment.

Journal Article Ann Plast Surg · December 2020 BACKGROUND: The limited supply of academic plastic surgery positions has led to increased demand and strong competition for these desired positions. Residents and students now seek out academic opportunities earlier in their training to account for this em ... Full text Link to item Cite

A National Characterization of Integrated Plastic Surgery Resident Educational Curricula.

Journal Article Plastic and reconstructive surgery · December 2020 Full text Cite

The effect of sarcopenia on perioperative complications in abdominally based free-flap breast reconstruction.

Journal Article J Surg Oncol · November 2020 PURPOSE: The identification of patient-specific risk factors, which predict morbidity following abdominally based microvascular breast reconstruction is difficult. Sarcopenia is a proxy for patient frailty and is an independent predictor of complications i ... Full text Link to item Cite

Is Tissue Expansion Worth It? Comparative Outcomes of Skin-preserving versus Delayed Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · November 2020 UNLABELLED: The requirement for postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) at the time of mastectomy is often unknown. Autologous reconstruction is preferred in the setting of radiotherapy by providing healthy vascularized tissue to the chest. To maximize mas ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: October 2020.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · October 1, 2020 Full text Link to item Cite

Surgical Techniques for Revascularization in Abdominal Wall Transplantation.

Journal Article J Reconstr Microsurg · September 2020 BACKGROUND:  Abdominal wall vascularized composite allotransplantation (AW-VCA) can be considered as a technically feasible option for abdominal wall reconstruction in patients whose abdomen cannot be closed using traditional methods. However, successful i ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Patient demand for plastic surgeons for every US state based on Google searches.

Journal Article JPRAS Open · September 2020 INTRODUCTION: As a profession, plastic surgeons must meet the public demand for esthetic and reconstructive procedures. Patients search for physicians using Google, which offers insights into patient needs through their search history. METHODS: The Google ... Full text Link to item Cite

Spotlight in Plastic Surgery: July 2020.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · July 1, 2020 Full text Link to item Cite

The MARBLE Study Protocol: Modulating ApoE Signaling to Reduce Brain Inflammation, DeLirium, and PostopErative Cognitive Dysfunction.

Journal Article J Alzheimers Dis · 2020 BACKGROUND: Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) are common complications in older adults associated with increased 1-year mortality and long-term cognitive decline. One risk factor for worsened long-term postoperative cognitive trajectory is the A ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Small bowel and abdominal wall transplantation: A novel technique for synchronous revascularization.

Journal Article Am J Transplant · July 2019 Abdominal wall transplantation (AWT) was introduced in 1999 in the context of reconstruction of complex abdominal wall defects in conjunction with visceral organ transplantation. As of recently, 38 cases of total AWT have been performed worldwide, about ha ... Full text Link to item Cite

Modified V-Y Fasciocutaneous Flap Reconstruction After Abdominoperineal Resection in Irradiated Patients Prevents Wound Dehiscence and Associated Complications: A Retrospective Analysis and Benchtop Confirmation.

Journal Article Ann Plast Surg · February 2019 BACKGROUND: Primary perineal closure following abdominal perineal resection (APR) is reported to have a wound complication rate as high as 66%, whereas flap reconstruction reduces wound complications to 15% to 35%. A modified de-epithelialized V-Y fasciocu ... Full text Link to item Cite

Check the Record: Remote CT Scans for Breast Flap Perforator Mapping.

Journal Article J Reconstr Microsurg · September 2018 BACKGROUND:  Perforator mapping with computed tomography angiography (CTA) prior to autologous breast reconstruction reduces donor-site morbidity and operative time, but is costly. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pre-existing CT scans could b ... Full text Link to item Cite

Breast Cancer after Augmentation: Oncologic and Reconstructive Considerations among Women Undergoing Mastectomy.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · June 2017 BACKGROUND: Breast augmentation with subglandular versus subpectoral implants may differentially impact the early detection of breast cancer and treatment recommendations. The authors assessed the impact of prior augmentation on the diagnosis and managemen ... Full text Link to item Cite

Infectious Loss of Tissue Expanders in Breast Reconstruction: Are We Treating the Right Organisms?

Journal Article Ann Plast Surg · February 2017 BACKGROUND: Postoperative infections following tissue expander-based breast reconstruction represent a significant threat to the reconstructive process. Studies have found the incidence to be as high as 29%. There has been abundant research into the risk f ... Full text Link to item Cite

Antibiotic Prophylaxis following Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: What Is the Evidence?

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · October 2016 BACKGROUND: Although data from other surgical disciplines do not support the use of prolonged postoperative prophylactic antibiotics, implant-based breast reconstruction is one area of plastic surgery where this may be warranted. The purpose of this study ... Full text Link to item Cite

Are Prophylactic Postoperative Antibiotics Necessary for Immediate Breast Reconstruction? Results of a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

Journal Article J Am Coll Surg · June 2016 BACKGROUND: Closed-suction drains, implants, and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) are routinely used in tissue expander-based immediate breast reconstruction (TE-IBR). Each of these factors is thought to increase the potential for surgical site infection (SSI ... Full text Link to item Cite

Is Sterile Better Than Aseptic? Comparing the Microbiology of Acellular Dermal Matrices.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · June 2016 INTRODUCTION: Postoperative infections are a major complication associated with tissue-expander-based breast reconstruction. The use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in this surgery has been identified as a potential reservoir of infection, prompting the d ... Full text Link to item Cite

The Role of Intraoperative Perfusion Assessment: What Is the Current State and How Can I Use It in My Practice?

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg · February 2016 Evolving intraoperative technology has an increased presence and usefulness in aiding surgeon clinical judgment. Many surgical devices are readily available as an adjunct to this gold standard assessment of adequate tissue perfusion. Intraoperative perfusi ... Full text Link to item Cite

Utilizing Indocyanine Green Dye Angiography to Detect Simulated Flap Venous Congestion in a Novel Experimental Rat Model.

Journal Article J Reconstr Microsurg · October 2015 BACKGROUND: Venous congestion is a leading cause for free flap failure and still relies on clinical observation as the diagnostic gold standard. We sought to characterize blood flow in a variable venous congestion murine hind limb model using indocyanine g ... Full text Link to item Cite

ICG angiography predicts burn scarring within 48 h of injury in a porcine vertical progression burn model.

Journal Article Burns · August 2015 The current standard of care in determining the need to excise and graft a burn remains with the burn surgeon, whose clinical judgment is often variable. Prior work suggests that minimally invasive perfusion technologies are useful in burn prognostication. ... Full text Link to item Cite

AdVEGF-All6A+ Preconditioning of Murine Ischemic Skin Flaps Is Comparable to Surgical Delay.

Journal Article Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open · August 2015 BACKGROUND: Surgical flap delay is commonly used in preconditioning reconstructive flaps to prevent necrosis. However, staged procedures are not ideal. Pharmacologic up-regulation of angiogenic and arteriogenic factors before flap elevation poses a nonsurg ... Full text Link to item Cite

Comparison of Laser Doppler and Laser-Assisted Indocyanine Green Angiography Prediction of Flap Survival in a Novel Modification of the McFarlane Flap.

Journal Article Ann Plast Surg · July 2015 BACKGROUND: The McFarlane rat ischemic dorsal skin flap model has been commonly used for clinical vector studies, as well as the testing of noninvasive diagnostics. However, variability of this model secondary to flap contact with the wound bed has led man ... Full text Link to item Cite

Creation of gastric conduit free-graft with intraoperative perfusion imaging during pancreaticoduodenectomy in a patient post esophagectomy.

Journal Article Int J Surg Case Rep · 2015 As surgery becomes more successful for complicated malignancies, patients survive longer and can unfortunately develop subsequent malignancies. Surgical resection in these settings can be treacherous and manipulations of the patient's anatomy need to be cl ... Full text Link to item Cite

Modeling fade patterns of nipple areola complex tattoos following breast reconstruction.

Journal Article Ann Plast Surg · December 2014 BACKGROUND: Nipple-areolar complex (NAC) tattoos are an effective cosmetic solution for creating a finished look following breast reconstruction procedures. NAC tattoos are prone to significant fading, leading patients to seek revisions. This study was des ... Full text Link to item Cite

Laser-assisted indocyanine green dye angiography accurately predicts the split-thickness graft timing of integra artificial dermis.

Journal Article Ann Plast Surg · August 2014 BACKGROUND: The use of an artificial dermal substitute such as Integra-a bilaminate combination of thin silicone and cross-linked bovine tendon collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate-has become a popular method to address large surface area wounds or smaller, ... Full text Link to item Cite

Indocyanine green dye angiography accurately predicts survival in the zone of ischemia in a burn comb model.

Journal Article Burns · August 2014 INTRODUCTION: Surgical evaluation of burn depth is performed via clinical observation, with only moderate reliability. While perfusion analysis has been proposed to enhance accuracy, no perfusion study has attempted to predict burn extension into the area ... Full text Link to item Cite

Chromium Therapy for Insulin Resistance Associated with HIV-Disease.

Journal Article J AIDS Clin Res · September 7, 2013 OBJECTIVE: With the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy, HIV disease has become a chronic condition, but with a number of metabolic complications including insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension and an increased ... Full text Link to item Cite

An in vivo analysis of the effect and duration of treatment with botulinum toxin type A using digital image speckle correlation.

Journal Article Skin Res Technol · August 2013 BACKGROUND: Use of Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for facial wrinkles is well-documented, but current methods of subjective evaluation by clinicians and patients fail to objectively quantify the magnitude and duration of facial muscle paralysis. OBJECTIVE: ... Full text Link to item Cite

Intraoperative laser angiography using the SPY system: review of the literature and recommendations for use.

Journal Article Ann Surg Innov Res · January 7, 2013 Inadequate tissue perfusion is a key contributor to early complications following reconstructive procedures. Accurate and reliable intraoperative evaluation of tissue perfusion is critical to reduce complications and improve clinical outcomes. Clinical jud ... Full text Link to item Cite

A systematic review of antibiotic use and infection in breast reconstruction: what is the evidence?

Conference Plast Reconstr Surg · January 2013 BACKGROUND: The literature reports overall complication rates in breast reconstruction to be as high as 60 percent. Infection rates can exceed 20 percent, much higher than anticipated in clean elective surgery. There is no consensus among surgeons regardin ... Full text Link to item Cite

Sentinel lymph node detection using laser-assisted indocyanine green dye lymphangiography in patients with melanoma.

Journal Article Int J Surg Oncol · 2013 INTRODUCTION: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a vital component of staging and management of multiple cancers. The current gold standard utilizes technetium 99 (tech99) and a blue dye to detect regional nodes. While the success rate is typically over 9 ... Full text Link to item Cite

Subjective rating of cosmetic treatment with botulinum toxin type A: do existing measures demonstrate interobserver validity?

Conference Ann Plast Surg · October 2012 BACKGROUND: Throughout the literature, investigators have assessed the cosmetic efficacy of botulinum toxin (BT) treatment by using various subjective, qualitative measures, including the Facial Wrinkle Scale (FWS) and Subject Global Assessment (SGA). The ... Full text Link to item Cite

Anesthesia duration as a marker for surgical complications in office-based plastic surgery.

Conference Ann Plast Surg · October 2012 BACKGROUND: Office-based plastic surgery has continued to rise in the past 2 decades with the increased demand for cosmetic surgery. Although several large studies have shown the safety of office-based surgery, current regulations place some restrictions o ... Full text Link to item Cite

Comparison of native porcine skin and a dermal substitute using tensiometry and digital image speckle correlation.

Conference Ann Plast Surg · October 2012 Dermal substitutes are currently used in plastic surgery to cover various soft tissue defects caused by trauma, burns, or ablative cancer surgery. Little information is available on the biomechanical properties of these dermal substitutes after adequate in ... Full text Link to item Cite

Intraoperative perfusion techniques can accurately predict mastectomy skin flap necrosis in breast reconstruction: results of a prospective trial.

Conference Plast Reconstr Surg · May 2012 BACKGROUND: Intraoperative vascular imaging can assist assessment of mastectomy skin flap perfusion to predict areas of necrosis. No head-to-head study has compared modalities such as laser-assisted indocyanine green dye angiography and fluorescein dye ang ... Full text Link to item Cite

Current practice among plastic surgeons of antibiotic prophylaxis and closed-suction drains in breast reconstruction: experience, evidence, and implications for postoperative care.

Conference Ann Plast Surg · May 2011 BACKGROUND: Despite their widespread use, there are no evidence-based guidelines on the management of closed-suction drains or antibiotics in postmastectomy breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to assess consensus and variation in postopera ... Full text Link to item Cite

Splenic vein turndown repair in superior mesenteric vein trauma: a reasonable alternative.

Journal Article Vasc Endovascular Surg · February 2011 OBJECTIVE: To determine previous experience and results of autologous splenic vein graft repairs in traumatic superior mesenteric vein (SMV) avulsions. DESIGN OF STUDY: Systemic review was conducted for SMV trauma and methods of repair between 1897 and 201 ... Full text Link to item Cite

Veins along the course of the sciatic nerve.

Journal Article J Vasc Surg · March 2009 OBJECTIVE: To describe the anatomic variations, symptomatology, and pathophysiology associated with the sciatic nerve (SN), and report the results after treatment of the incompetent veins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively colle ... Full text Link to item Cite

Midterm follow-up after pharmacomechanical thrombolysis for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.

Journal Article Vasc Endovascular Surg · 2009 OBJECTIVE: To provide follow-up in patients treated with pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (PhMT) for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Patients underwent clinical evaluation, duple ... Full text Link to item Cite