Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS
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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg · Jun 2013
Predictors of post-mastectomy reconstruction in an underserved population.
Past studies found insurance status, race, comorbidities and hospital setting influence the likelihood and timing of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction (BR). We evaluated these factors at a public hospital serving a predominantly minority and uninsured population. ⋯ At a public hospital, serving a largely uninsured population, post-mastectomy rates of immediate BR and overall BR within 5 yrs are 22% and 43%, respectively. Overall complication rates were low and a substantial fraction of post-mastectomy patients received microsurgical BR. Contrary to previous studies, race and insurance status were not found to be the primary drivers of post-mastectomy reconstruction.
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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg · Jun 2013
Practice of split-thickness skin graft storage and histological assessment of tissue quality.
Storage of split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) represents a standard procedure in burn surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical routine of STSG preservation. Further, we aimed at investigating the effect of storage on tissue integrity and cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis and vascularization. ⋯ Even though reportedly superior methods for skin grafts storage exist, most study participants applied the simplest method of storage. Our data underscore this practice. However, a reduced cell viability after 3 days of storage may have an influence on graft healing.