Chung KC

[BACKGROUND] In this systematic review, the authors report on the current state of health disparities research in plastic surgery and consider how equity-oriented interventions are taking shape at the patient, provider, and health care syst…

New developments in artificial intelligence (AI) offer opportunities to enhance plastic surgery practice, research, and education. In this article, we review relevant AI tools and applications, including machine learning, reinforcement lear…

[BACKGROUND] A 2009 systematic review demonstrated that ethical discourse was underrepresented in the plastic surgery literature; approximately one in 1000 articles contained ethical discussions. In the decade since, advances in plastic sur…

Evidence-based medicine, as described by Dr. Sackett, is defined as the "conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence, combined with individual clinical expertise and patient preferences and values, in making decision…

In the wake of the death toll resulting from coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), in addition to the economic turmoil and strain on our health care systems, plastic surgeons are taking a hard look at their role in crisis preparedness and…

Virtual education is a promising tool for expanding surgical training and continuing education. The authors present their preferred platforms for virtual surgical education, and discuss security and privacy concerns. Maintaining communicati…

Quality improvement efforts at the federal level have instituted both rewards and penalties as incentives to improve health care quality. However, neither of these methods has shown long-lasting improvements. Furthermore, many programs have…

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has confronted the U.S. health care system with unprecedented challenges amidst a tenuous economic environment. As inpatient hospitals across the country prepare for an overwhelming influx of…

[BACKGROUND] Having posthospital syndrome (PHS) at the time of an elective surgery increases the risk of postoperative adverse outcomes. The purpose of this article was to identify incidence and risk factors for having PHS at the time of ab…

This population-based study assesses the use of preoperative mammography and subsequent rates of diagnostic tests and breast disease among women undergoing evaluation for macromastia.…

[BACKGROUND] This study aimed to measure the use of pathology evaluation of breast specimens among patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty and assess rates of new diagnoses of breast disease and associated cost. [METHODS] We analyzed the…

[BACKGROUND] Historically, the structure of surgical programs discourages women interested in both surgery and motherhood from pursuing a surgical career, and women plastic surgeons have been more likely than men to have no children or to h…

Maintaining a competitive edge is increasingly imperative for surgical research teams. To publish as efficiently and effectively as possible, research teams should apply business strategies and theories in everyday practice. Drawing from co…

[IMPORTANCE] Stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger) affects approximately 2% of the population. Given the prevalence of trigger finger and rising health care costs, adherence to the cost-effective and evidence-based treatment algorithm wi…

[BACKGROUND] Surveys are a fundamental research tool used in the field of plastic surgery. Although inherent biases within surveys have been recognized, the extent to which this problem exists in the plastic surgery literature remains unkno…

[BACKGROUND] Posthospital syndrome (PHS) is a transient condition after acute hospitalizations when patients are physiologically deconditioned. The objective of this study was to determine if having PHS at the time of abdominal contouring s…

[BACKGROUND] Both autologous costal cartilage (ACC) and alloplastic materials are widely used in rhinoplasty. However, there is controversy regarding which material can offer the ideal outcome and fewer complications. [OBJECTIVE] The autho…

[BACKGROUND] Although the number of women becoming plastic surgeons has increased during the past six decades, in comparison with the current gender parity in medical schools, plastic surgery still attracts disproportionately more men. Prev…

In 2015, the U.S. Congress passed the Medicare Access and Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, which effectively repealed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sustainable growth rate formula and established the…

[BACKGROUND] The authors investigated the methodological validity of plastic surgery randomized controlled trials that compared surgical interventions. [METHODS] An electronic search identified randomized controlled trials published betwee…

[BACKGROUND] The authors examined industry support, conflict of interest, and sample size in plastic surgery randomized controlled trials that compared surgical interventions. They hypothesized that industry-funded trials demonstrate statis…