The Best Surgical Loupes, Nerve Nerds, & 3 Trending Articles

Surgical loupes are like a trusted companion—they need to be just right for each of us. What’s your ideal magnification level? Do you prefer a wide field of view or something more focused? And how about the weight? Do you like them featherlight or a bit more substantial? Lets find out 👇

A Few Consistent Themes

Throughout the years there has always been some consistent "issues" with surgical loupes.

• Price Tag: We all know that high-quality loupes can be quite an investment. One of the future goals of thePlasticsFella is to make resources, like surgical loupes, more accessible to the wider community.
• FOMO: Even if you love your current loupes, do you ever catch yourself thinking they could be just a bit better? Maybe lighter, with clearer lenses, or even more comfortable.
• Sticking to What We Know: Once we’ve found a pair we like, it can be tough to switch. The thought of adjusting to new loupes can be daunting.

Here's a fun Fact, Loupes is just one aspect of thePlasticsFella Logo.

Lots of love,
P'Fella ❤️

We're excited for your feedback on "Behind the Fella," Episode 01, now live on Spotify or Apple.

These episodes explore behind-the-scenes of our practice, featuring exclusive insights from team meetings and trending discussions on plastic surgery with our fellows.

Here's a sneak peak from the K-wires debate! 🩹

Tune into the full episode to find out which side won: Should K-wires be buried or left unburied?

Our team has been hard at work creating fantastic new content for our community, including fresh articles, clinical cases, and surgical techniques focused on nerve compressions.

• Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome
• AIN Syndrome
• Pronator Syndrome

Here's an overview of our article on Pronator Syndrome.

Pronator Syndrome

Definition
Rare median nerve compression in the proximal forearm, mostly in middle-aged females​​.

Anatomy
Median nerve compression at five distinct locations causes pronator syndrome​​.

Clinical Features
Typically presents with forearm pain, positive Tinel sign at the elbow, and no night symptoms​​.

Management
Primarily conservative treatment with rest and splinting. Surgical decompression is reserved for cases that f​​ail to resolve with conservative measures.

Read the Article

Nerve Graft or Vein Graft for Nerve Repair?

A range of studies have explored the use of nerve grafts and vein conduits for nerve repair, with varying outcomes. Katz (2011) and Ahmad (2014) both found positive results for vein grafts, with the latter reporting better sensory and motor recovery compared to isolated nerve grafts. However, Suematsu (1988) found that nerve grafts led to higher re-innervation and shorter delay in myoelectrical response, while Zabbia (2024) found no significant difference in functional recovery between fibrin glue and microsurgical repair. Hasegawa (2003) reported successful outcomes for vascularized nerve grafts in large nerve gaps, and Chiu (1990) found that autogenous vein grafts were effective for small nerve gaps. However, Papalia (2013) found that vein conduits filled with adipose tissue hindered nerve regeneration. Terzis (2010) suggested that vascularized nerve grafts could be beneficial for complex upper extremity nerve reconstruction.