The Practices and Attitudes of Saudi Plastic Surgeons in Managing Contaminated Autologous Grafts

Abstract

Background: The use of autologous grafts is a standard reconstructive option in plastic surgery. The absence of a well-established protocol for decontamination after accidental contamination increases the risk of postoperative infection. We aimed to explore the current practice and decontamination methods among Saudi plastic surgeons. This would help develop a well-established, unified method of decontamination intraoperatively. Methods: A validated self-administered questionnaire cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2022. The questionnaire was distributed through social media to all board-certified plastic surgeons in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was designed to obtain data on incidents, treatment preferences, and management of autograft contamination. Results: A total sample size of 61 participants was included, with an overall response rate of 64.58%. Out of the 61 respondents, 73.8% (n = 45) had previously experienced graft contamination. Regarding the methods of graft contamination, the most common way was accidentally dropping the graft on the floor (39.7%, n = 25). The majority of the surgeons answered that they decontaminated the graft using povidone-iodine (44.6%, n = 29) and then used it (45.9%, n = 28). The lower extremity area was the most common anatomical location having surgery at the time of the graft contamination, accounting for 32.5% of the cases (n = 25). Conclusions: Our study indicates that graft contamination is a common occurrence among our population, but we lack national guidelines on dealing with these situations. Although most responders used adequate decontamination methods, the lack of standardization could pose a risk to patients.

Use and Influence of Social Media on the Private Practice of Plastic Surgeons in Saudi Arabia

“…7 It is believed that the current investigation adds considerable value to the current literature in Saudi Arabia with the largest sample size among Saudi plastic surgeons when compared to previously published articles on a similar targeted population. [11][12][13] There is a need for further research to identify all of the factors that influence the use of social media and to identify any demographic tendencies.…”

Evaluating the Efficacy of a Novel Side-Support Surgical Tray Stand for Endoscopic Transnasal Skull Base Surgery: A Prospective Study

“…Protecting the harvested autologous tissue from contamination is crucial for reducing the risk of intracranial infections and improving tissue survival, as free autologous tissues inherently have limited infection resistance [ 18 - 19 ]. Compared to conventional tray stands, the new side-support tray stand significantly reduces the occurrence of postoperative intracranial infections in patients undergoing endoscopic transnasal skull base surgery.…”

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“…1). 2,3 In the preproduction phase, ChatGPT serves as a valuable companion, assisting in brainstorming research topics, outlining manuscripts, explaining complex concepts, and summarizing extensive information from multiple sources. 4,5 However, dedicated platforms such as R-Discovery and ResearchRabbit can be explored for more refined outputs and accurate citations.…”