Background. Numerous studies have evaluated the use of autologous abdominal tissue for breast reconstruction; nevertheless, complications and donor site morbidity rates vary significantly. The study aims to compare the literature regarding morbidity of the donor site and complication rates of breast reconstruction with autologous abdominal flaps. Methods. The databases of MEDLINE, EBSCO, Scopus, Wiley Library, and Web of Sciences were searched for studies that compared different flaps in terms of complications and donor site morbidity. The procedures studied included pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous ap (pTRAM), free TRAM (fTRAM), deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), and supercial inferior epigastric artery perforator (SIEA) flaps. A total of 34 studies were included. Of these, 28 were retrospective studies and 9 were prospective cohort studies. Results. When compared to DIEP, fTRAM flaps were found to have a decreased incidence of flap fat necrosis, hematoma, and total thrombotic events, yet a higher risk of donor site hernia/bulging. pTRAM flaps were also associated with an increased risk of hernia/bulging at the donor site, as well as wound infection, yet flap hematoma was less common. On the other hand, SIEA flaps showed the lowest risk of donor site hernia/bulging while still having a high risk of wound infection. Conclusion. fTRAM procedures comparatively had the least complications. However, regarding flap choice, patients would benefit most from a case-by-case analysis, taking into consideration individual risk factors and preferences.
Background: ChatGPT-4 (Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) has demonstrated remarkable capabilities in natural language processing and understanding, making it a promising tool for various medical domains. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the potential applications of ChatGPT-4, a cutting-edge language model developed by OpenAI, in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Methods: After conducting a thorough literature review, we discovered pertinent articles that explore the application of ChatGPT-4 in plastic surgery. By examining these findings and integrating the information with our personal experience using ChatGPT-4 in the field of plastic surgery, we have produced an all-encompassing narrative review. Results: The narrative review focuses on three main areas: clinical applications, research applications, and medical education. In the clinical realm, ChatGPT-4 has the potential to streamline documentation processes, improve communication, and enhance personalized patient care. It can assist in generating accurate and comprehensive progress notes, operative notes, surgical consent forms, on-call schedules, and consultation reports. However, it is important to note that ChatGPT-4 should be used as a supportive tool and should not replace human doctors. Conclusions: The potential applications of ChatGPT-4 in plastic and reconstructive surgery are vast and promising. This technology has the potential to revolutionize documentation, research, and medical education in the field. However, it is crucial to integrate this tool responsibly, considering its limitations and ensuring that human expertise remains paramount.
28 November 2018 in Interactive Journal of Medical Research