While current wound treatment strategies often focus on antimicrobials and topical agents, the role of nutrition in wound healing and aesthetic outcomes is crucial but frequently overlooked. This review assesses the impact of specific nutrients and preoperative nutritional status on surgical outcomes. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, from the inception of the study to October 2023. The study focused on the influence of macronutrients and micronutrients on aesthetic outcomes, the optimization of preoperative nutritional status, and the association between nutritional status and postoperative complications. Inclusion criteria were English language peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials related to the impact of nutrition on skin wound healing and aesthetic outcomes. Exclusion criteria included non-English publications, non-peer-reviewed articles, opinion pieces, and animal studies. Omega-3 fatty acids and specific amino acids were linked to enhanced wound-healing and immune function. Vitamins A, B, and C and zinc positively influenced healing stages, while vitamin E showed variable results. Polyphenolic compounds showed anti-inflammatory effects beneficial for recovery. Malnutrition was associated with increased postoperative complications and infections, whereas preoperative nutritional support correlated with reduced hospital stays and complications. Personalized nutritional plans are essential in surgical care, particularly for enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. Despite the demonstrated benefits of certain nutrients, gaps in research, particularly regarding elements such as iron, necessitate further studies. Nutritional assessments and interventions are vital for optimal preoperative care, underscoring the need for more comprehensive guidelines and research in nutritional management for surgical patients.

Introduction: Combined ventral hernia repair and abdominoplasty treat risk factors such as high body mass index and weak abdominal musculature, providing excellent intraoperative exposure and improved patient outcomes. Unfortunately, a combination of traditional procedures is unfeasible as the umbilical blood supply would be compromised, leading to increased umbilical necrosis risk. This narrative review aimed to identify new techniques and solidify evidence in preserving umbilical blood supply and associated level of evidence. Methods: Two authors conducted a thorough literature search on PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane CENTRAL databases from January 1901 to July 2023, adhering to the methodologies of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Studies were reviewed for their surgical technique and quality of evidence. The primary outcomes of interest consisted of umbilical complications of this combined procedure. Results: Six techniques were identified that included laparoscopic, pre-rectus, unilateral, distal bilateral, proximal bilateral, and inferior midline approaches. All techniques demonstrated as viable options in preserving umbilical blood supply as reported complications were few, minor, and compounded by risk factors. However, all included techniques were limited to low-to-moderate-quality evidence. Conclusion: Despite the lack of high-quality evidence, all techniques remain viable options for combined ventral hernia repair and abdominoplasty. Large-scale high-quality RCTs are required to compare the effectiveness of various approaches with additional outcomes of hernia recurrence rates, intraoperative time, and patient- and surgeon-reported satisfaction. Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Introduction: The Ten Test (TT) is a touch threshold test that quantifies sensory discrimination by comparing an injured area with a contralateral uninjured area. It’s quick, simple, equipment-free and repeatable. However, as a subjective measure, the TT’s reliability and applicability need further investigation. This review aimed to investigate if the TT has superior inter- and intra-examiner reliability compared to the widely accepted Weinstein Enhanced Sensory Test (WEST) in a human population of all ages. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on major databases from January 1997 to September 2023 and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol. Outcomes were assessed with a narrative approach. The included articles were critically appraised according to the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies two tool. Results: This review included five articles. High inter-examiner reliability was demonstrated with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values of 0.91 and 0.95, alongside a kappa statistic of 1, as reported by three distinct studies. Intra-examiner reliability displayed some variance, with one study reporting a significant ICC value in four out of six instances. Two studies corroborated that the TT results corresponded with the findings of WEST, each presenting a Spearman rank coefficient of −0.71. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the TT’s high inter-examiner reliability, though its intra-examiner reliability exhibited some inconsistencies. Interestingly, certain studies claimed its superiority over the WEST. To validate the TT’s use in the clinical setting, more rigorous studies, particularly those comparing pre-operative TT outcomes with intraoperative nerve damage evaluations, are essential.

Burns patients with recorded discharges against medical advice (DAMA) face potential medical and financial consequences associated with future readmissions. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with recorded DAMA from burns services in Australia and New Zealand. In an observational study using data from individuals aged ≥ 16 years captured by the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand with a burn-related admission between July 2009 and June 2022, 325 patients (1.4 %) had recorded DAMA. A greater proportion of patients with recorded DAMA were aged 30-44 years, of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin, from outer regional Australia, had pre-existing mental health conditions, with substance use, and sustained their injury through suspected assault or abuse. Injuries in patients with recorded DAMA were more severe. Compared to patients without DAMA, a greater proportion of patients with DAMA were readmitted within 28 days of discharge (13.8 % versus 4.9 %), with failed discharge processes (45.5 %) and infection (18.2 %) being the most frequently recorded reasons. They required readmission to the intensive care unit (20 % versus 8.6 %) with longer lengths of stay. Outcome findings remained similar in a matched cohort analysis between those with and without recorded DAMA. These findings highlight the consequences of DAMA, necessitating primary measures to address modifiable, cultural, and social factors preemptively to prevent DAMA among disadvantaged individuals, and secondary measures to minimize the impact of DAMA (e.g., adequate pain and wound discharge management, follow-up care, community-based treatments, etc.).

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a multifaceted condition characterized by chronic neuropathic pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. The incidence of CRPS postoperatively is alarmingly high, particularly following carpal tunnel surgeries, Dupuytren’s fasciectomy, and repairs of wrist and hand fractures, with recurrence rates soaring in individuals with a history of CRPS. Despite extensive research, the management of CRPS remains complicated, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention strategies. This scoping review aimed to consolidate current evidence surrounding the efficacy of perioperative anesthetic techniques in preventing new-onset or recurrent CRPS, focusing on the application of various anesthetic interventions. Through a comprehensive literature search, eight articles were identified, discussing a spectrum of techniques, including wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) and various regional blockade methods. This review revealed that the WALANT technique, with its simplicity and lower costs, exhibited promising results in preventing CRPS. Conversely, techniques involving intravenous regional and axillary plexus blocks showed variable efficacy, necessitating further investigation. The scarcity of high-quality evidence underscores the critical need for meticulously designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials to validate these findings and explore the potential of stellate ganglion block in the prevention of recurrent CRPS.

Objective: Burn injuries on farms are under‐recognised in Australia and New Zealand. Previous studies suggested children are at risk of burn injury, focusing on risk factors including unmodified farm work, risk‐taking behaviours, lack of supervision, and limited safety regulations. This study investigated the causes, characteristics, and outcomes of paediatric farm burns.Methods: Registry‐based retrospective cohort study.Design: Observational.Setting: Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand (BRANZ).Participants: Paediatrics aged < 16 years and registered to the BRANZ between 2009 and 2021.Main Outcome Measures: The demographics, causes of burn injuries, pre‐ and in‐hospital management, severity, and outcomes.Results: Out of 10 936 paediatric burns, 186 were farm‐related (1.7%). Children sustaining farm‐related burns were older than those in non‐farm environments, with 78.8% aged ≥ 5 years. Most farm burns occurred during leisure (72.5%). Predominant causes were found to be contact (62.4%), followed by flame (19.9%) and friction (10.8%). Only 56.9% received gold‐standard first aid compared to 74.0% in non‐farm environments. Farm‐related burns were smaller but a greater proportion were full‐thickness injuries, requiring surgical management with skin grafts. The majority of farm‐related burns were discharged home (97.3%) with zero deaths.Conclusion: Farm‐related burns in children are distinct from burns in non‐farm environments. Despite children being well‐recognised participants in farm work, work‐related burns were relatively uncommon, and the occurrence of burns during leisure may explain low rates of recommended first aid. These insights can inform burn prevention and first aid strategies targeted at farm communities.