Annals of plastic surgery
-
Annals of plastic surgery · Apr 2019
ReviewLymphedema Incidence After Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: Quantifying the Impact of Radiation and the Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventive Healing Approach.
Axillary surgery and radiotherapy are important aspects of breast cancer treatment associated with development of lymphedema. Studies demonstrate that Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventive Healing Approach (LYMPHA) may greatly reduce the incidence of lymphedema in high-risk groups. The objective of this study is to summarize the evidence relating lymphedema incidence to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), regional lymph node radiation (RLNR) therapy, and LYMPHA. ⋯ Axillary lymph node dissection and RLNR are important interventions to obtain regional control for many patients but were found to constitute an increased risk of development of lymphedema. Our findings support that LYMPHA, a preventive surgical technique, may reduce the risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema in high-risk patients.
-
Annals of plastic surgery · Apr 2019
The Incidence of Snow Blower-Related Injuries to the Hand in the United States.
Snow blowers represent a highly preventable and increasingly common mechanism of hand injury. This study examines current safety features and their impact on decreasing the incidence of snow blower-related injuries. ⋯ The incidence of snow blower injuries increased from 2001 to 2016. Unlike with other power tools, Consumer Product Safety Commission-mandated guidelines for safer operation and improvements in equipment have not been successful in producing a decrease in the incidence of snow blower injuries to the upper extremity. Based on this, further equipment modifications are necessary and should be aimed at preventing operators from placing their hand into the exit chute while the machine is still running. Physicians should take an active role in their practice as well as in their professional societies to educate and counsel patients to prevent further injury.