The monsplasty: Surgical and functional outcomes using an effective and reproducible surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: The available literature on monsplasty remains sparse and most of the reports are limited to the description of one surgical technique, with limited to no post-operative data. This study aims to describe a reproducible monsplasty surgical technique and to analyze the post-operative functional and esthetic outcomes. METHODS: Patients with at least grade 2 mons pubis ptosis were included in the study and observed for 3 months. Pre- versus post-operative analysis included body image, psychological function, sexual function, urinary function, hygiene maintenance of the pubic area, and post-operative complications. An additional retrospective analysis of a larger group of patients was also performed. RESULTS: Between April 2021 and January 2022, a total of 25 patients were included in the prospective study. They reported a significant improvement in body image (p < 0.001), satisfaction with the abdomen (p < 0.001), and sexual functioning (p = 0.009). Functionally, improvements were recorded with regard to visualization of the genitalia (36%), hygiene maintenance of the pubic area (32%), sex life (48%), genital sensitivity (24%), and urinary continence (4%). Patient satisfaction was very high. There were no major complications. The retrospective study included 80 patients between 2010 and 2021, with a mean follow-up time of 18 months. No major complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Monsplasty is a simple and fast procedure that can truly bring an added value to the patient's satisfaction and functional outcomes. It can be incorporated in both esthetic and reconstructive abdominoplasties and should be a standard component of the procedure for cases with mons ptosis grade 2 or higher. EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE LEVEL: Level II.

Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Quality of Life after Lymph Node Transfer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer-related lymphedema affects multiple aspects of patients' daily lives. The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of vascularized lymph node transfer on the quality of life in patients with lymphedema. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2012, 25 female patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema underwent vascularized lymph node transfer. In 22 cases, the patients underwent a simultaneous deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction based on the superficial circumflex iliac artery. The influence on quality of life was evaluated using the Upper Limb Lymphedema-27 questionnaire, which includes physical, psychological, and social dimensions. The authors also investigated risk factors for lymphedema, such as body mass index, smoking, age, and time between start of lymphedema and vascularized lymph node transfer, and their impact on quality of life. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (84 percent) had an improvement of quality of life after vascularized lymph node transfer. The mean physical, psychological, and social scores were significantly improved postoperatively (p < 0.001). Risk factors for the development of lymphedema did not influence quality of life among patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Skin infections disappeared in 50 percent of the cases. Eleven patients (44 percent) discontinued compression therapy at a mean postoperative time interval of 29 months (range, 8 to 64 months). In the other patients (56 percent), the average frequency of compression therapy decreased from three sessions to one session per week. CONCLUSION: Vascularized lymph node transfer significantly improves quality of life among patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.