The Diagnostic Utility of Ultrasound and Electrodiagnostic Studies in The Young and Old.

Purpose: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compressive neuropathy. The diagnostic parameters currently used for the general adult population may not be valid in elderly or younger cohorts. The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of nerve conduction studies (NCS) and ultrasound (US) in different age groups utilizing the 6-item Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms scale (CTS-6) as the reference standard. Methods: A retrospective database of patients who underwent US and NCS as part of the diagnostic work-up for suspected peripheral nerve compression was reviewed. Subjects were separated into three groups based on the median age of carpal tunnel syndrome patients (55 years of age) and two standard deviations (standard deviation 13.5 years) above and below the median. The young group was 28 years of age or less, the middle group was 29-71 years of age, and the old group was 72 years of age or greater. CTS-6 and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire scores were recorded. Using CTS-6 as a reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity were calculated for NCS and US. Results: A total of 295 hands were included in the analysis with 23 hands in the young group and 24 hands in the old group. NCS showed 31% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the young group compared to 54% sensitivity and 90% specificity for US. NCS showed 94% sensitivity and 25% specificity in the old group compared to 81% sensitivity and 38% specificity for US. Overall accuracy for US and NCS was 66% for both tests when looking at all age groups. The accuracy in the young group was 70% for US and 61% for NCS, whereas the accuracy in the old group was 67% for US and 71% for NCS. Conclusions: US has comparable sensitivity and specificity to NCS in patients two or more standard deviations above or below the mean age for presentation of CTS. US may be more accurate in younger patients, although NCS limits the number of false positive tests. There remains a substantial amount of inaccuracy for both tests when using a validated clinical diagnostic tool (CTS-6) as the reference standard. Type of study/level of Evidence: Diagnostic IV.

The Impact of Combined Risk-Reducing Gynecological Surgeries on Outcomes in DIEP Flap and Tissue-Expander Breast Reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: In addition to prophylactic mastectomies, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers are increasingly choosing to undergo risk-reducing procedures such as hysterectomies and salpingo-oophorectomies. Sometimes these surgeries are performed in the same visit as a mastectomy or a revisionary reconstruction procedure. Literature lacks descriptions of complications and trends for these combined surgeries. METHODS: Group 1 patients (n = 10, flaps = 20) had abdominal gynecologic procedures at the time of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP flap) reconstruction. Group 2 patients (n = 29, breasts = 58) had gynecologic procedures at the time of mastectomy and tissue-expander placement. Group 3 patients (n = 141, breasts = 257) had mastectomy and tissue-expander reconstruction without gynecologic procedures and were used as a control group for group 2. Group 4 patients (n = 357, flaps = 673) had autologous breast reconstruction without gynecologic procedures and were used as a control for group 1. Categorical variables such as complications and flap loss were analyzed using χ2 tests. Continuous variables such as age, body mass index (BMI), operative time, length of stay were analyzed with 2-tailed t tests. Multivariate analyses were run to control for group differences. RESULTS: Groups 1 and 4 were equivalent in age and comorbidities, except group 1 (32.8 kg/m2) had significantly higher BMI than group 4 (31.4 kg/m2), P = .028. Average operating time was statistically equivalent for group 1 patients (610 minutes) and group 4 patients (503 minutes), P = .289. Average hospital stay was equivalent as well (group 1 = 4.4 days, group 4 = 4.1 days, P = .676). Operative times for group 2 patients (457 minutes) were significantly longer than for group 3 patients (288 minutes), P < .01. Group 2 patients (3 nights) had significantly longer hospital stays than group 3 patients (2 nights), P < .01. Group 1 patients (2/20 flaps, 10%) had a significantly higher rate of flap loss than group 4 patients (8/673 flaps, 1%), P < .01. There were no differences in other flap complications. Additionally, there were no significant differences in postoperative tissue-expander complications between group 2 and group 3. DISCUSSION: Both flap losses in Group 1 patients occurred in a single patient with BMI = 39.3 kg/m2 and a personal history of recurrent DVTs. Additionally, the rates of complications across other measures were equivalent between groups. Thus, despite the increased rate of flap loss in Group 1 (10%) vs Group 4 (1.3%), along with the increased operative times and hospital stays, certain patients can be advised that a prophylactic gynecological procedure is safe to combine with breast reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: En plus d'opter pour des mastectomies prophylactiques, les porteuses des mutations BRCA1 et BRCA2 choisissent de plus en plus de subir des interventions de réduction des risques, telles que l'hystérectomie et la salpingo-ovariectomie. Il arrive que ces opérations soient exécutées conjointement avec une mastectomie ou une reconstruction. Peu de publications, sinon aucune, décrivent les complications et les tendances relatives à ces interventions combinées. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les patientes du groupe 1 (n = 10, lambeaux = 20) ont subi une intervention gynécologique abdominale au moment de la reconstruction des lambeaux perforants de l'artère épigastrique inférieure profonde. Celles du groupe 2 (n = 29, seins = 58) ont subi une intervention gynécologique au moment de la mastectomie et de l'expansion tissulaire. Celles du groupe 3 (n = 141, seins = 257), qui ont subi une mastectomie et une expansion tissulaire sans intervention gynécologique, ont fait office de groupe témoin du groupe 2. Enfin, les patientes du groupe 4 (n = 357, lambeaux = 673) ont subi une reconstruction mammaire autologue sans intervention gynécologique et ont joué le rôle de groupe témoin du groupe 1. Les chercheurs ont analysé des variables nominales, comme les complications et la perte des lambeaux, au moyen des tests du chi carré. Ils ont analysé des variables continues, telles que l'âge, l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC), la durée de l'opération et la durée de l'hospitalisation, à l'aide de tests de Student bilatéraux. Ils ont procédé à des analyses multivariées pour déterminer les différences par rapport aux groupes témoins. RÉSULTATS: Les groupes 1 et 4 avaient des âges et des morbidités associées équivalentes, sauf que l'IMC du groupe 1 (32,8 kg/m2) était significativement plus élevé que celui du groupe 4 (31,4 kg/m2), p = 0,028. La durée d'opération moyenne était statistiquement équivalente dans les groupes 1 (610 min) et 4 (503 min), p = 0,289. La durée d'hospitalisation était également équivalente (groupe 1 = 4,4 jours, groupe 4 = 4,1 jours, p = 0,676). La durée d'opération des patientes du groupe 2 (457 min) était significativement plus longue que celle des patients du groupe 3 (288 min), p < 0,01, et les patientes du groupe 2 étaient hospitalisées significativement plus longtemps (trois nuits) que celles du groupe 3 (deux nuits), p < 0,01. Les patientes du groupe 1 (deux lambeaux sur 20, 10 %) présentaient une perte de lambeau significativement plus élevée que celles du groupe 4 (huit lambeaux sur 673, 1 %), p < 0,01. Il n'y avait pas de différence dans les autres complications des lambeaux ni de différence significative entre les groupes 2 et 3 pour ce qui est des complications des expansions tissulaires après l'opération. EXPOSÉ: Dans le groupe 1, les deux pertes de lambeau se sont produites chez une même patiente ayant un IMC = 39,3 kg/m2 et des antécédents de caillots récurrents. Le taux de complications relatives aux autres mesures était équivalent entre les groupes. Ainsi, malgré le nombre plus élevé de pertes de lambeau dans le groupe 1 (10 %) par rapport au groupe 4 (1,3 %), ainsi que la durée plus longue de l'opération et de l'hospitalisation, il est possible d'indiquer à certaines patientes qu'il est sécuritaire de combiner une intervention gynécologique prophylactique avec une reconstruction mammaire.

Bioengineered Approach to the Design of a Fat Graft Based on Mathematical Modeling that Predicts Oxygen Delivery.

BACKGROUND: Fat grafting is a common procedure in plastic surgery. A major limitation is unpredictable graft retention, in part caused by inadequate oxygen delivery during the early posttransfer period. METHODS: The authors present a bioengineered approach to the design of a fat graft based on mathematical theory, which can estimate the limitations of oxygen delivery. To simplify the problem, four variables were defined: (1) recipient-site oxygen partial pressure; (2) adipose tissue oxygen permeability; (3) adipose tissue oxygen consumption rate; and (4) fat graft size. Recipient-site oxygen partial pressure and adipose tissue oxygen permeability were estimated from literature, whereas adipose tissue oxygen consumption rate was measured using stirred microchamber technology. Calculations were performed in both spherical and planar geometry to calculate the maximum allowable fat graft size from an oxygen delivery standpoint. RESULTS: As expected, planar geometry is less favorable for oxygenation but represents a realistic configuration for a fat graft. Maximum allowable fat graft thickness is only approximately 1 to 2 mm at external oxygen partial pressures of 10 to 40 mm Hg; any thicker and an anoxic or necrotic core likely develops. Given a reasonably large surface area and assuming several planes of injection, the maximum allowable fat graft volume is tens of milliliters. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic bioengineered approach may help better design a fat graft. Applying principles of mass transfer theory can predict whether a fat graft has a favorable chance of surviving from an oxygen delivery standpoint and can direct the development of strategies for improved fat graft oxygenation.

Robotic-assisted microvascular surgery: skill acquisition in a rat model.

Microsurgery is a technically demanding field with long learning curves. Robotic-assisted microsurgery has the ability to decrease these learning curves. We, therefore, sought to assess the feasibility of robotic-assisted microvascular surgery in a rat model, and whether this could be translated into a worthwhile skills acquisition exercise for residents. Twenty-eight rats underwent microvascular anastomosis. Procedures were performed by a trained microvascular surgeon with no robotic experience (n = 14), or a trained robotic surgeon with no microvascular experience (n = 14). Anesthetized rats were subjected to complete transection and end-to-end anastomosis of the abdominal aorta using 10-0 prolene. Manually (n = 6) and robotic-assisted (n = 8) procedures were performed by both surgeons. A successful procedure required a patent anastomosis and no bleeding. After approximately 35 days, angiography and histopathological studies of the anastomoses were performed. Median times for robotic-assisted anastomoses were 37.5 (34.2-42.7) min for the microsurgeon and 38.5 (32.7-52) min for robotic surgeon. In the manual group, it took 17 (13.5-23) min for microsurgeon and 44 (34.5-60) min for robotic surgeon. Within the robotic-assisted group, there was a trend toward improvement in both surgeons, but greater in the microsurgeon. Robotic-assisted microvascular anastomosis in a rat model is a feasible skill acquisition exercise. By eliminating the need for a skilled microsurgical assistant, as well as, improved microsurgical technology, the robotic system may prove to be a crucial player in future microsurgical skill training.

Continuous Postoperative Antibiotic Irrigation via Catheter System Following Immediate Breast Reconstruction.

Breast reconstruction with implantable devices is now the most common type of technique utilized following mastectomy. Because infections are one of the most common complications for the procedure and currently no one method has been proven to stand above the rest, we designed and implemented a novel technique that employed 24 hours continuous triple-antibiotic irrigation via a catheter-based system. From August 2009 to March 2012, 79 patients underwent tissue expander-based reconstruction from a single plastic surgeon. Forty-five consecutive patients underwent breast reconstructive surgery with implant-based reconstruction alone; the remaining 34 patients underwent breast reconstructive surgery with tissue expansion and closed continuous postoperative antibiotic irrigation. Incidences of infection, seroma, hematoma, and premature explantation were recorded. Both the rate of premature explant (20% vs 2.9%; P = 0.037) and surgical site infections (22.2% vs 5.8%, P = 0.060) decreased. Twenty-four hour continuous antibiotic irrigation is a useful adjunct to tissue expander breast reconstruction.

Scalp reconstruction: a review of the literature and a unique case of total craniectomy in an adult with osteomyelitis of the skull.

OBJECTIVE: Osteomyelitis of the skull is a rare condition that can lead to systemic illness, bone loss, intracranial complications, and mortality. Osteomyelitis of the skull typically presents as the boney invasion of an overlying infection of the scalp or sinuses, and it is typically treated with antibiotics and proper wound care. Surgical debridement of the affected bone in the form of a craniectomy may be initiated to stop the progression of the infection when antibiotics fail and the underlying bone becomes grossly eroded. METHOD: The authors present the case of a 54-year-old woman who required a total craniectomy after developing full-thickness osteomyelitis. A free omental flap along with dermal grafts and split-thickness skin grafts were utilized for soft tissue coverage. A semi-rigid helmet was used to provide durable protection to the brain. RESULTS: Omental free flap with skin graft coverage provided this patient with durable and long-term soft tissue coverage for a total craniectomy defect, as well as the ability to regain mental status. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors must be analyzed when approaching composite defects of the scalp. Modality of treatment must be customized to the individual, and the decisions should be based on whether the defect is composed of soft tissue, bone or both, its size, etiology, and presence of a cerebral spinal fluid leak. The goals of treatment are restoration of durable soft tissue coverage, protection of vital underlying structures and control of cerebral spinal fluid leaks.

CASE REPORT Removal of Exposed Titanium Reconstruction Plate After Mandibular Reconstruction With a Free Fibula Osteocutaneous Flap With Large Surgical Pin Cutters: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Locking reconstruction plates have led to significant improvement in osteosynthesis and graft anchorage in mandibular reconstruction following the free fibula osteocutaneous flap. Plate extrusion is the most common complication associated with mandibular reconstruction, occurring in approximately 20% to 48% of cases; often necessitating plate removal once the bone flap has united to the mandible. Radiation therapy is a known risk factor to the development of such a complication and it presents further challenges to the successful removal of the reconstruction plate. Several reports have been published regarding plate removal in the setting of orthopedics that describe the management of jammed or stripped locking screws, but few in the setting of mandibular reconstruction. In this case, we report the successful removal of an exposed titanium mandibular reconstruction plate from a 41-year-old woman 12 months after her initial reconstruction with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap and radiation therapy. The approach was selected because the chin and neck skin could not be expected to be raised for full plate exposure secondary to radiation-induced skin changes (thinning and friability). We also discuss the use of previously employed methods of plate removal in various settings as well as their inherent strengths and weaknesses.

CASE REPORT Simultaneous Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap Transfer and Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty With Allograft Extensor Mechanism Reconstruction: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: We present the case of a patient undergoing simultaneous reconstruction of a massive soft tissue deficit of the right knee along with total knee arthroplasty and allograft reconstruction of the extensor mechanism after multiple failed attempts to repair and revise the affected joint. METHODS: A latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was transferred to fill the soft-tissue deficit of the right knee. During the same procedure, a previously placed antibiotic-cement spacer was removed and a new total knee prosthesis was implanted. What remained of the damaged extensor mechanism was excised and replaced with a cadaveric allograft. RESULTS: The latissimus dorsi flap provided the necessary soft-tissue coverage of the revision. The new knee components and allograft extensor mechanism were satisfactorily implanted. One year after simultaneous reconstruction, the knee remains functional and free of infection. DISCUSSION: Although current literature may have indicated conversion to arthrodesis or prophylactic soft-tissue repair prior to revision, simultaneous soft-tissue and extensor mechanism repair along with revision total knee arthroplasty have yielded promising results in this patient.

Implications of anomalous pectoralis muscle in reconstructive breast surgery: the oblique pectoralis anterior.

INTRODUCTION: Many case reports have described anatomical variants of the pectoralis muscles. However, there is a paucity of published literature on the consequence of such presentations in reconstructive breast surgery. METHODS: A 45-year-old female patient with breast cancer presented for left mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with tissue expander. During mastectomy, she was noted to have an extra muscle anterior to her pectoralis major muscle. This variant had not previously been described in the literature and was therefore named the oblique pectoralis anterior. After inspection of the aberrant musculature, the decision was made to release the inferolateral insertion of the accessory muscle with the inferior edge of pectoralis major. An adequate pocket for the expander was created. RESULTS: After routine expansion and implant exchange, muscular coverage of the implant from pectoralis major and the oblique pectoralis anterior muscle approximated 70%. The patient was left with good symmetry and a cosmetic result, despite the challenges presented by her anomalous chest wall musculature. DISCUSSION: Prior knowledge of the various anatomic aberrations described in the literature can prepare a surgeon to properly incorporate and utilize the variant anatomy, should it be encountered, to benefit the outcome of the operation.