ANDREA LOUISE PUSIC

..Both modern and traditional psychometric methods were used to confirm that this new 10-item scale is a reliable, valid, and responsive measure...

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..Specifically, we consider how systematic measurement and management of patient expectations may improve patient education, shared medical decision-making and patient perception of outcomes...

..We aimed to describe how breast conditions and breast surgery impact on patient satisfaction and quality of life...

..The objective of this study was to develop a new patient-reported outcome measure to assess the unique outcomes of breast surgery patients...

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..This article provides an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of different study designs, the appropriateness of various outcome measures, and the importance of establishing a strong evidence base in breast surgery...

..With appropriate flap choice and a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, rapid wound healing, restoration of the pelvic floor, and re-establishment of sexual function may be most reliably achieved...

..It also aims to provide plastic surgeons with the necessary critical appraisal skills to interpret and apply evidence from patient-reported outcomes research in their own clinical practice...

..To identify, summarize, and evaluate patient-reported outcome questionnaires for use in head and neck cancer surgery with the view to making recommendations for future research...

..The authors evaluated the risks and benefits of nipple- or areola-sparing mastectomy with breast reconstruction...

..Thus, smokers who undergo postmastectomy expander/implant reconstruction should be informed of the increased risk of surgical complications and should be counseled on smoking cessation...

..The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative adverse events and identify significant predictors of complications in acellular human dermis tissue expander breast reconstruction...

..Removal of the entire TRAM flap was only necessary in the setting of multifocal recurrence or involvement of the flap pedicle with disease. The risk of local recurrence was not increased following complete skin-sparing mastectomy...

..These data support the conclusion that immediate, bilateral breast reconstruction using tissue expansion and implants is an acceptable option for the subset of patients who may undergo unilateral, postexchange radiotherapy...

..Acceptable speech and appearance are restored and continue to be a source of patient satisfaction at least a decade after surgery...

..The exact mechanisms of this association are unknown and warrant additional investigation...

..The authors review their experience with intraoperative heparin therapy, specifically addressing the risks of hematoma, pedicle thrombosis, and flap loss rate...

..The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of drains on complications, including infection, seroma, and hematoma formation, in patients undergoing exchange of a temporary expander for a permanent breast implant...

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..The most common local complications are stricture and fistula formation. A history of preoperative radiation therapy increases the risk of local complications...

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..It has a low incidence of complications, low morbidity, and is easy to perform with a high success rate...

..The results of this study have eliminated the routine use of low-molecular-weight dextran prophylaxis at our institution in an effort to reduce morbidity in head and neck microsurgical reconstruction...

..The objective of the current study was to identify predictors of patient satisfaction with breast appearance, including implant type, in a large sample of women who underwent breast reconstruction surgery using implants...

..We sought to explore how researchers currently measure and interpret QOL in surgical trials, using gastric cancer as a case study...

..Microvascular reconstruction of pharyngeal defects is highly successful with few postoperative complications. With appropriate flap selection, functional outcome can be optimized...

..Flap selection is determined on the basis of the type of defect. Using this algorithm, immediate vaginal reconstruction with pedicled regional flaps can be performed with minimal patient morbidity and few surgical complications...

..This article explores the oncologic and reconstructive issues relevant to women desiring cosmetic breast implants and women with breast cancer who have undergone prior cosmetic breast augmentation...

..These efforts will not only afford us the best opportunity to provide optimal care to patients but also allow us to demonstrate the inherent quality of our surgical specialty...

..This study evaluated the impact of clinical risk factors to predict complications following postmastectomy expander/implant reconstruction...

..Given this, reliable and valid patient questionnaires are essential for aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgeons...

..The authors report their experience with thumb reconstruction following wide excision of bone and soft-tissue tumors of the thumb...

..Although studies have compared the costs of implant and transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction, none has considered how quality-of-life data would affect such an analysis...

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..The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of prosthetic reconstruction on the incidence, detection, and management of locoregional recurrence following mastectomy for invasive breast cancer...

..This study evaluates the authors' institutional experience with immediate postoperative complications following DIEP and free/muscle-sparing TRAM flaps...

..The impact of radiation changes on alloplastic and autologous breast reconstruction is unpredictable. This article reviews the pathophysiology of radiation changes and the alterations to the reconstructive process...

..When possible, appropriate prophylaxis against VTE in cancer patients under going head and neck reconstruction is recommended...

..This study examined a single institution's experience with the pedicled latissimus dorsi flap in reconstructing large shoulder defects after oncologic resection...

..Acceptable surgical candidates demonstrate resolution of acute radiation changes, no evidence of late radiation changes, and appropriate thickness of the mastectomy skin flaps...

..The authors' goal was to evaluate long-term patient-reported aesthetic satisfaction with expander/implant and autogenous breast reconstruction...

..In this accelerated protocol, expansion may be completed in less than 7 weeks. The result is decreased patient morbidity and delays in adjuvant therapy at no detriment to the final surgical outcome...

..By engaging a woman in the process of shared medical decision making, however, the plastic surgeon and her or his patients can make a mutually agreeable choice that reflects the patient's individual values and health preferences...

..This study identified patient-reported outcome measures developed and validated for use in patients undergoing surgical and/or nonsurgical cosmetic procedures...

..Reexpansion was successful in patients without prior radiotherapy. Secondary reconstruction with autologous tissue is appropriate when there is a history of radiotherapy...

..Within a broader program of research, this new questionnaire will facilitate future studies to help improve preoperative education and satisfaction with the outcome of reconstruction for breast cancer survivors. ..