Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

10-year experience with transcatheter aortic valve explants in a high-volume center.

Cardiovascular revascularization medicine : including molecular interventions·2026
Same author

Precision-Oriented Reconstruction After Spinal Sarcoma Resection: Integrating Surgical Strategy, Biologic Risk, and Emerging Technologies.

Cancers·2026
Same author

An evaluation of the efficacy of single-echo and multi-echo fMRI denoising strategies.

Network neuroscience (Cambridge, Mass.)·2026
Same author

Spinoplastic surgical intervention for the treatment of complex spinal disorders and cancer: An initial cohort of 30 vascularized bone grafts.

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS·2026
Same author

Diaphragm resuspension to titanium neo-ribs: A technique for chest-wall reconstruction involving the costal margin.

JTCVS techniques·2025
Same author

Hiatal Hernia Recurrence Following Abdominoplasty: A Proposed Algorithm for Screening and Management.

Obesity surgery·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2025

A Pre-clinical Rat Model for the Study of Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Reconstructive Microsurgery
08:05

A Pre-clinical Rat Model for the Study of Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Reconstructive Microsurgery

Published on: November 8, 2019

7.4K

Correlation between Relative Value Units and Operative Time for Flap-Based Reconstruction Procedures.

Rami P Dibbs1,2, Anna Skochdopole1,2, Ross M Reul1

  • 1From the Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|January 25, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Plastic surgeons face lower compensation per operative minute for complex flap reconstructions, despite higher overall work relative value units (RVUs). This study highlights reimbursement inequalities for these procedures.

More Related Videos

In situ Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap: A Rat Model of Myocutaneous Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
11:12

In situ Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap: A Rat Model of Myocutaneous Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

Published on: June 8, 2013

13.8K
Donor Posterior Atrial Flap Rotation for Left Atrial Cuff Reconstruction in Lung Transplantation
07:28

Donor Posterior Atrial Flap Rotation for Left Atrial Cuff Reconstruction in Lung Transplantation

Published on: October 11, 2024

402

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 12, 2025

A Pre-clinical Rat Model for the Study of Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Reconstructive Microsurgery
08:05

A Pre-clinical Rat Model for the Study of Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Reconstructive Microsurgery

Published on: November 8, 2019

7.4K
In situ Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap: A Rat Model of Myocutaneous Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
11:12

In situ Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap: A Rat Model of Myocutaneous Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

Published on: June 8, 2013

13.8K
Donor Posterior Atrial Flap Rotation for Left Atrial Cuff Reconstruction in Lung Transplantation
07:28

Donor Posterior Atrial Flap Rotation for Left Atrial Cuff Reconstruction in Lung Transplantation

Published on: October 11, 2024

402

Area of Science:

  • Plastic Surgery
  • Health Economics
  • Surgical Outcomes

Background:

  • Plastic surgery procedures generate lower work relative value units (RVUs) compared to other specialties.
  • Despite significant hospital revenue contributions, plastic surgeons experience compensation disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare work RVUs for free flap and pedicled flap reconstruction procedures.
  • To analyze the relationship between operative time and RVUs.
  • To discuss implications of reimbursement inequalities in plastic surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of deidentified patient data (2011-2018) from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.
  • Identification of CPT codes for flap-based reconstruction.
  • Assessment of RVU data using the 2020 National Physician Fee Schedule.
  • Calculation of work RVU per minute based on median operative times.

Main Results:

  • Analysis included 3991 flap reconstruction procedures.
  • Work RVU per minute decreased with increased operative time and complexity.
  • Free-fascial flaps with microvascular anastomosis had the highest work RVU per minute (0.114).
  • Free-muscle/myocutaneous flaps had the lowest work RVU per minute (0.0877).

Conclusions:

  • Longer, more complex flap reconstructions receive higher total RVUs but lower reimbursement per minute.
  • Free flaps generally yield lower per-minute compensation than pedicled flaps, with exceptions in breast reconstruction.
  • Reimbursement inequalities exist within and between surgical specialties, necessitating surgeon advocacy.