Anterior intercostal artery perforator flap for immediate reconstruction following breast conservation surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Oncoplastic breast surgery following breast conservation surgery (BCS) utilizes aesthetic breast reduction techniques, and these reconstructions entail either volume displacement or volume replacement depending on the size and location of the excised tumor. The anterior Intercostal flap (AICAP) for immediate reconstruction after BCS is scarcely described in the literature. In this study, we present our experience with the Anterior Intercoastal Artery Perforator flap in 16 patients with small breast sizes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients underwent lumpectomy followed by immediate reconstruction with Anterior ICAP flap between 2019 and 2021 at Hadassah University Hospital. Median age was 49 (range 28-67). Breast cup size, lumpectomy to breast size ration, defect measurements and location are provided. Flap design and flap in-setting was planned and executed according to the size and location of the defect determined at the time of surgery. Surgical technique is described. Diagram of proposed reconstruction according to defect location is proposed. RESULTS: Flap dimensions clinically matched the defect size or were slightly larger due to anticipated shrinkage of tissue post radiation with mean of 5.4 × 3.9 × 3.75 cm (range of 2.5-13 × 2-13.2 × 0.8-4.5 cm). Complications, namely one seroma and one mild infection, were seen in two patients. Median follow up was 3 months after completion of radiation. All reconstructions were satisfactory by both surgeon and patient at last post-operative follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: The anterior ICAP flap is an important addition to the armamentarium of immediate reconstruction options after BCS, particularly in patients smaller size breast sizes.

Objective and quantifiable measuring mechanism for assessing flap pliability: Our experience with 92 patients.

BACKGROUND: Pliability describes a flaps' ability to bend under spatial limitations, yet a quantifiable measurement for this flexibility does not exist. METHODS: Between January 2015 and January 2017, we applied a novel measuring mechanism to two free flaps for head and neck reconstruction. We allocated a flap pliability score (FPS) to these flaps and observed correlations to common variables. RESULTS: Forty profunda artery perforator (PAP) and 52 anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps were allotted a score depending on how pliable they performed on our test. Proximal PAP and distal ALT were more pliable than their respective opposite ends. Other interesting conclusions regarding these flaps were also made. CONCLUSIONS: With our technique, pliability of the proximal and distal ends of PAP and ALT flaps was ascertained. Herein, we describe an innovative measuring mechanism via which we can allocate a FPS to any flap and thus obtain information regarding how suitable they are for a given recipient site.

Anterior Skull Base Reconstruction following Ablative Surgery for Osteoradionecrosis: Case Report and Review of Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoradionecrosis is one of many potentially severe complications of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Osteoradionecrosis of the skull base is life-threatening due to the critical proximity of the pathological process to vital structures, for example, the intracranial cavity, the upper spine, and major blood vessels. Reconstructive options following surgical debridement of the anterior skull base and upper spine osteonecrosis have been scarcely described in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION AND MANAGEMENT: We present a rare case of osteoradionecrosis of the clivus and cervical vertebrae C1-C2 in a patient previously treated with chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, presenting as severe soft tissue infection of the neck. Aggressive surgical debridement and reconstruction with a two-paddle free anterolateral thigh flap was performed using a combination of transcervical and transnasal endoscopic approaches. A novel endoscopic procedure in the sphenoid sinus enabled flap anchoring in this complex area. DISCUSSION: Surgical modalities for osteoradionecrosis of the skull base and upper spine are discussed and review of the literature is presented. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of the anterior skull base with a well-vascularized free flap following ablative surgery should be considered in management of life-threatening osteoradionecrosis of the area. Endoscopic opening of the sphenoid sinus and creating a funnel-shaped stem is a newly described technique that guarantees precise placement of the flap and is a valuable adjunct to the reconstructive armamentarium.

Surgical Technique for Nasal Cleft Repair.

BACKGROUND: Congenital nasal cleft is a very rare yet challenging deformity to reconstruct. Atypical craniofacial clefts that involve the nasal ala are designated as number 1 and number 2 under the Tessier classification system. These clefts typically present as notches in the medial one-third of either nasal ala and may be accompanied by a malpositioned cartilaginous framework. Nasal clefts are smaller and far less common than familiar clefts of the lip and palate, but they pose equally challenging reconstructive planning. METHODS: Our described technique relies on usage of existing nasal tissue near the cleft. Local tissue rearrangement using a laterally based rotational alar flap, a medially based triangular flap, and a nasal wall advancement flap restores normal anatomy and provides an aesthetically pleasing result. RESULTS: Five children with isolated nasal cleft were treated by the senior author (A.M.) between 2010 and 2017. All patients presented with clefts of the soft tissue with no underlying cartilaginous involvement. There were no postoperative complications. Excellent aesthetic outcome was achieved in all patients. CONCLUSION: Isolated nasal cleft can be properly corrected with the described procedure in a single stage and with optimal result.

Long-term outcomes of sigmoid diverticulitis: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, guidelines for the treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis have dramatically changed. The aim of this study is to report the long-term outcomes of patients treated for diverticulitis at a nonspecialized single center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining institutional review board approval, medical records of all patients admitted to our institution with the diagnosis of sigmoid diverticulitis between 1998 and 2008 were reviewed. A follow-up of at least 5 years was required. RESULTS: During the study period, 266 patients were admitted to our hospital due to sigmoid diverticulitis with a mean follow-up period of 120 ± 2 months. Of the entire cohort, 249 patients (93.5%) were treated conservatively and 17 (6.5%) patients required emergent surgery on initial presentation. Patients treated conservatively (n = 249) encountered a median of two recurrent episodes (range 0-4). During follow-up, none of these patients required emergent surgery, and 27 patients (11%) underwent elective surgery for recurrent episodes (n = 24), chronic smoldering disease (n = 2), and fistula (n = 1). Minor and major complication rates after elective surgery were 18.5% and 30%, respectively. Specifically, four patients (15%) suffered an anastomotic leak (AL). Late complications after elective surgery occurred in 33% of patients including incisional hernias (11%), bowel obstruction (3.7%), anastomotic stenosis (3.7%), and recurrent diverticulitis (15%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated conservatively during their index admission for sigmoid diverticulitis do not require emergent surgery during long-term follow-up and the majority of patients (89%) do not require elective surgery. Elective sigmoidectomy at nonspecialized centers may result in high rates of recurrent diverticulitis (15%) and anastomotic leak (15%).

Expanded bi-pedicled "sleeve" flap for reconstruction of the upper extremity after large circumferential nevus excision in children.

BACKGROUND: Large congenital melanocytic nevi entail significant medical and cosmetic ramifications for patients and families. Reconstruction is a challenging endeavor, especially when the lesion is present on the limbs. The literature describes various methods by which a plastic surgeon can address reconstruction; yet, to date, there has been no series describing a method that provides consistent results with low complication rates. In this study, we describe our surgical technique for reconstruction of the upper extremity after excision of large circumferential CNM with a pre-expanded bi-pedicled flap, namely the "sleeve" flap. METHODS: A systematic review of our database of pediatric patients treated for large and giant nevi was performed. Patients with large and giant circumferential upper extremity nevi were retrieved, and their charts reviewed for demographics, number of procedures performed, duration of follow-up, and complications. RESULTS: Over a course of 12 years, eight patients with large or giant circumferential nevi of the upper extremity were treated at our institution with "sleeve" flap reconstruction. Mean follow-up time was 36 months. A single complication was seen. All reconstructions achieved satisfactory results, both functionally and cosmetically. DISCUSSION: We describe our surgical approach for treating upper extremity large and giant circumferential nevi with pre-expanded bi-pedicled "sleeve" flaps. When properly planned and executed, this technique enables successful treatment of large and giant nevi of the arm and the forearm. Although arduous and complex, the process yields excellent aesthetic results with low complication rates. This technique is promising as the reconstructive option of choice for these difficult lesions.

Ultrasound evaluation of visceral and subcutaneous fat reduction in morbidly obese subjects undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a prospective comparison study.

BACKGROUND: Visceral fat (VF) plays a major role in the development of metabolic syndrome associated with obesity. The aim of our study is to compare VF and subcutaneous fat (SCF) reduction measured by ultrasonography (US) after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), and laparoscopic Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). METHODS: Thirty-nine morbidly obese patients were prospectively evaluated by US before surgery and 3, 6, and 12 months following surgery to determine VF and SCF thickness. RESULTS: Three statistically comparable groups of morbidly obese patients underwent LRYGB (n = 13), LSG (n = 15), and LAGB (n = 11). The three groups did not differ in initial age, gender, body mass index (BMI), VF, or SCF. Final excess weight loss (EWL%) was highest after LSG and LRYGB followed by LAGB (81 ± 5.8 vs. 69.5 ± 4.5 vs. 43.4 ± 5.2, p < 0.001). LSG and LRYGB were significantly more efficient in VF reduction (ΔVF) compared with LAGB (7.1 ± 0.5 vs. 5.6 ± 0.6 vs. 3.6 ± 0.8, p = 0.004). SCF reduction (ΔSCF) was also highest after LSG followed by LRYGB and LAGB (3 ± 0.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.4 vs. 1.9 ± 0.4, p = 0.08). The change in fat distribution, determined as Δ(VF/SCF), showed a preferential VF reduction in the LSG and LRYGB patients compared with patients that underwent LAGB (0.59 ± 0.1 vs. 0.52 ± 0.2 vs. 0.19 ± 0.2, p = 0.42). In a subgroup analysis comparing only LSG to LRYGB, no statistically significant difference was seen in EWL%, ΔVF, ΔSCF, or in fat distribution Δ(VF/SCF). CONCLUSION: LSG and LRYGB show better preferential and overall VF reduction than LAGB. US may serve as a simple tool of evaluating postoperative fat distribution.

Laparoscopic resection of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are a rare heterogeneous group of endocrine neoplasms. Surgery remains the best curative option for this type of tumor. Over the past two decades, with the development of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery, an increasingly larger number of PNET resections are being performed by these minimally-invasive techniques. In this review article, the various laparoscopic surgical options for the excision of PNETs are discussed. In addition, a summary of the literature describing the outcome of these treatment modalities is presented.

Parathyroid surgery in the elderly: should minimally invasive surgery be abandoned?

BACKGROUND: Single adenoma is the cause of 80 % of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) resulting in wide acceptance of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP). The incidence of PHPT increases with age. Little information is available regarding the prevalence of multiglandular disease (MGD) in older patients. METHODS: The records of 537 patients that underwent parathyroid surgery between January 2005 and October 2012 at two endocrine surgery referral centers were retrospectively reviewed. Comparison was performed between patients younger than 65 and older than 65 years of age. Clinical variables included preoperative laboratories and imaging, extent of neck exploration, number of glands excised, and intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels during surgery. RESULTS: There were 374 (70 %) patients in the younger age group (YG) and 163 (30 %) patients in the older age group (OG). The mean age was 50 ± 0.5 and 71 ± 0.4 years, respectively. There was no difference between the groups in terms of gender or laboratory results. MGD was significantly more common in the OG (24 % vs. 12 %; p = 0.001) and similarly MIP was less commonly completed in the OG (49 % vs. 68 %; p < 0.001). Cure rates were comparable between the OG and YG (93 % vs. 95 %; p = 0.27). In the OG, patients with MGD had significantly smaller glands as compared to patients with single adenomas in this group (331 ± 67 vs. 920 ± 97 mg; p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MGD in PHPT was found to be more prevalent in older patients. Planning a bilateral neck exploration should be considered in older patients, especially when a relatively small gland is suggested by imaging or encountered during surgery.