Buried Autologous Breast Reconstruction: Outcomes and Technical Considerations.

The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes in patients undergoing buried and non-buried free flaps for breast reconstruction, in addition to evaluating the safety and reliability of venous flow couplers. A retrospective review was performed of all patients undergoing free flap breast reconstruction between 2013 and 2023. The primary outcomes were free flap failure, complications and the number of procedures required to complete the reconstructive journey. A total of 322 flaps were performed in 254 consecutive patients, with 47.5% (n = 153) being buried and 52.0% (n = 169) being non-buried reconstructions. The most common flap of choice being deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps (81.9%) followed by profunda artery perforator flaps (14.3%). There was no significant difference between the two groups in complications, including flap failure (buried 2.0% vs. non-buried 1.8% p = 0.902). There was a significant reduction in the number of procedures required to complete the reconstructive journey, with 52.2% (n = 59) of patients undergoing single-stage breast reconstruction in the buried group compared with only 25.5% (n = 36) in the non-buried group (p < 0.001). Two (0.6%) patients experienced a false negative in which the signal of the flow coupler was lost but the flap was perfused during re-exploration. No flap losses occurred without being identified in advance by a loss of audible venous flow signal. Buried free flap breast reconstruction is safe and requires fewer operations to complete patients' reconstructive journey. Flow couplers are a safe and effective method of monitoring buried free flaps in breast reconstruction.

Stack, PAP and Bury: Technical refinements from a case series of 56 profunda artery perforator flaps for breast reconstruction.

AIMS: To share experiences and learning curve of the introduction of profunda artery perforator (PAP) flaps in breast reconstruction. The secondary aim was to share techniques to improve outcomes. METHODS: Case series reviewing outcomes of 56 consecutive PAP flaps performed by a single surgeon across five institutions between March 2021 and May 2023 were reported. The senior author's preference is to routinely stack and bury the flaps to optimise cosmetic outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-six PAP flaps were performed in 30 patients. The majority of the PAPs were stacked (n = 43, 77%). The mean age at surgery was 46 years (SD 8.44 years) and mean body mass index was 23.86 (SD 3.59). The mean flap weight was 198.83 g (SD 82.86 g) and the mean combined weight for stacked flaps was 369.57 g (SD 98.65 g). Mean ischaemia time was 56.59 min (SD 17.83 min). There was one flap loss (2%). Of the immediate flaps, 90% were buried and monitored using flow couplers. CONCLUSION: The routine use of PAPs, in particular stacked PAPs, allows for adequate volume and height for breast reconstruction in patients who may have otherwise been deemed unsuitable for autologous breast reconstruction. The PAP flap has replaced the transverse upper gracilis and superior gluteal artery perforator flaps as the second line flap choice in our practice.

The multi-ligament ankle fracture: Epidemiology, key anatomical findings and fixation strategies in unstable open injuries.

Background: Ankle fracture surgery has traditionally focussed on restoration of bony anatomy, with fixation of the malleoli and syndesmotic stabilisation where applicable. However, high energy open fracture-dislocations can also result in periosteal stripping of the stabilising capsuloligamentous attachments. As such, restoration of osseous anatomy alone may not result in sufficient articular stability. Objectives: In this series from a level 1 trauma centre, we report a subset of highly unstable open ankle fractures with combined capsuloligamentous injuries, in which restoration of osseous anatomy did not result in a stable joint. Supplementary soft tissue reconstruction and other stabilisation techniques were required. Methods: Retrospective case series of eligible patients from a level 1 trauma centre. Inclusion criteria were open ankle fractures with tibial extrusion (AO 44) and persistent instability post-bony fixation, age over 18 years and non-diabetic. Analysis of injury pattern, mechanism, pathological anatomy, soft tissue and orthopaedic reconstruction methods was performed. Results: 16 patients were identified during the study period who met the eligibility criteria, out of 95 open ankle fractures treated between January 2017-December 2020. Most patients were under 65 (n = 13; 81.3%) and sustained combined or isolated injuries of the deltoid ligament, anterior capsule, lateral ligament complex (ATFL±CFL) and tibialis posterior retinaculum. The commonest injury pattern was tibial extrusion via a medial soft tissue defect with deltoid ligament and anteromedial capsule rupture. Associated syndesmotic instability and fixation was common (n = 10; 62.5%). Supplementary stabilisation methods to standard bony fixation included capsuloligamentous reconstruction or repair, "ORIF+" external fixation, or conversion to primary fusion or hindfoot nail. Six patients required either local or free flap soft tissue coverage. Conclusions: A subset of up to 20% of open ankle fractures require supplementary fixation beyond anatomical restoration of the bony anatomy due to persistent ligamentous instability. They are associated with capsuloligamentous and syndesmotic disruption, more commonly affecting the medial structures. These rare injuries can be defined as multi-ligament ankle fractures. Surgeons should be aware of this subset and be able to recognise where supplementary stabilisation strategies are required.

The e-scooter pandemic at a UK Major Trauma Centre: A cost-based cohort analysis of injury presentation and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe injuries related to electric scooter at a Major-Trauma-Centre in the UK, We reviewed data from January 2020-December 2020. METHODS: All patient-records mentioning electric-scooter at a major-MTC. Records were reviewed, and data were stratified according to two groups: electric scooter riders and other road users. A predefined survey was completed in all cases where 'e-scooter or electric scooter' was present. This contained variables such as patient demographics, mechanism of injury (including head and body protection), acuity, intoxication, treatment facility and clinical utilisation. Among incidents involving electric scooters, summary statistics on continuous and categorical variables of interest were reported. Healthcare modelling utilising time driven activity-based costing and Patient-Level-Activity-Costing used to conduct a post hoc analysis of health provider costs. RESULTS: 202 e-scooter injuries were identified. Riders were more likely to be young males aged 18-35, a minority of reported cases being associated with the influence of alcohol or drugs (7.4%). They fall independently involving no other party (87%); sustaining both minor and major injuries; with a significant proportion requiring urgent and emergent surgery 23.7% (n = 40) with 60.1% (n = 121) requiring further secondary care follow-up; whilst 16% require immediate admission with a mean LOS of 5.9 days, including 8-ITU admissions. The overall mortality rate was 0.5% (n = 1), and cost per patient was £1482.46/patient, reducing to £927.25/patient if immediate surgery (<12 h s) was not required. CONCLUSION: Due to an emphasis on social distancing, changes in UK law, e-scooters injuries have increased. Most injuries are reported in riders, and are minor, however the mean health episode cost was over £1000.00/patient due to the minority of serious injuries. Research on interventions to prevent e-scooter injuries including protective clothing like helmet wearing is needed to address this growing area of concern, and unnecessary costly healthcare utilisation.

Single-stage buried autologous breast reconstruction (BABR).

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstructive standards are increasingly high oncologically, aesthetically, and practically. Autologous breast reconstruction remains the gold standard which, buried, after nipple-sparing mastectomy (where oncologically safe) or wise pattern reduction for large or ptotic patients, with contralateral symmetrisation where required, enables single-stage reconstruction. However, previous series report prohibitively high revision rates. This series prospectively compares a series of buried and non-buried free flaps for breast reconstruction. METHODS: All breast reconstructions with free autologous tissue transfer, buried or with a cutaneous paddle, conducted over 8 years by a single surgeon were included. Demographic, oncologic and reconstructive details, immediate complications and revision surgeries were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 182 free flaps were performed on 156 patients, 69 buried and 113 with cutaneous paddles. There were no significant demographic or complication differences between the two groups. Of the buried group, 51% did not require further surgery compared to 29% of the paddle group. CONCLUSIONS: Buried autologous breast reconstruction is a safe and aesthetic option for breast reconstruction, and potentially single stage. This is particularly true where it is combined with nipple-sparing mastectomy (where oncologically safe) or breast reduction mastectomy, and contralateral symmetrisation, where required. Further research could include patient reported outcome measures and cost analysis.

Trainee and trainer experiences and recommendations for plastic surgery training: A qualitative pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded existing training issues for plastic surgeons. The issues that exist result from a complex interplay of system, generational and individual factors, and can be hard to tease out by quantitative means. This pilot study aimed to investigate the perceptions of trainees and trainers of plastic surgical training in the UK. METHODS: Ten semi-structured interviews were performed using purposive sampling in a central London plastic surgical unit. These were coded into and discussed in four themes: Medical directives and service demands; Sociocultural norms within plastic surgical training; Equity and access; and Plastic surgery training methods. RESULTS: This study showed that current plastic surgery training is not optimised for learning or well-being, and that inequities are fostered, to the detriment of the specialty. Investment and planning are required to support our trainers and protect the diversity of our trainee group, with efficient and monitored learning essential to maintain our breadth and competence of practice. CONCLUSION: Expanding this work through a broader study could provide valuable information to contribute to the development of future training schemes and curricula within British plastic surgery.

Augmented Reality and Plastic Surgery Training: A Qualitative Study.

Background and objective The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to many challenges in face-to-face teaching and training in plastic surgery. However, it has also proved to be an incubator for many technological solutions. Augmented reality (AR) platforms may offer a safe, equitable, and efficient means to provide training in plastic surgery. This study aimed to explore the user's experience of AR as an educational intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom (UK). Materials and methods The Proximie® AR platform (Proximie Limited, London, UK) has been in use in a UK plastic surgical department for facilitating webinars, visual libraries, and streamed procedures. The experience of a range of trainers and trainees was qualitatively explored through 10 individual interviews. Data-emergent theme analysis was also performed. Results AR was well-received in the context of COVID-19 and training in general as a means to enable theatre access, and visual revision, remotely. The potential for its use in remote coaching and telementoring was also discussed. Recommendations were made by the users to optimise the experience both from the trainer and learner perspectives. Data were presented pertaining to the following themes: surgical AR as a substitute for hands-on learning; surgical AR and theoretical learning; considerations specific to streamed procedures using Proximie®; considerations in the use of technology in general. Conclusion Harnessing novel technologies in surgical education offers an exciting opportunity, fast-tracked by COVID-19, but applicable beyond it. Though this study includes a small sample size, its findings suggest that AR platforms may offer a uniquely interactive remote educational experience in surgical training. Strategies and suggestions for its use are discussed, as well as broader considerations in using technology in surgical education.

The Use of a Tetraminos Chimeric Free Flap in Lower Limb Trauma.

Major trauma care has improved in the UK since the evolution and acceptance of specialist centers . A mission statement for major trauma care is "reduction in mortality and disability following trauma." The care for extremity trauma has benefited from this specialization. Traumatic loss of skin integument in the extremities, especially over mobile joints, may lead to a compromised functional outcome. Modern reconstructive plastic surgery aims to provide flaps with minimal donor site morbidity. In this case report, we present the use of two chimeric flaps undertaken sequentially (one acutely and the second delayed) around the knee joint to allow a greater range of motion and function after a severe traumatic event. In this clinical case, the original tissue defects had meant that a free flap was used to reconstruct an open fractured bone, and split skin grafting was undertaken on the anterior aspect of the knee. The latter was then replaced after some months of recovery.

The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap: A versatile flap for lower extremity reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap provides a thin, pliable and durable soft tissue reconstruction with adequate pedicle length and low donor morbidity. It is an ideal choice for small-to-moderate defects of the lower extremity, although it does have limitations. We report our experience of the flap in a three-pronged anatomical, clinical and patient reported outcome-based study. METHODS: Cadaveric fresh frozen lower limbs (n = 10) were used for anatomical dissections to assess pertinent and clinically relevant findings. Data relating to MSAP flaps was collected from a prospectively maintained database over a 2-year period. Both clinical data and modified Enneking scores were analysed. RESULTS: Anatomical study: A mean of 2.1 ± 0.99 perforators arose from the medial sural artery, located 11.9 cm ± 2.07 along the line between the popliteal fossa and medial malleolus. The largest perforator was located 13.58 cm ± 2.01 from the popliteal artery. The distance from the dominant perforator to the first branching point within the gastrocnemius was 7.39 ± 1.50 (range 5-9.2 cm). The short saphenous vein was located on average 3.08 cm ± 0.77 from the dominant perforator. Clinical study: Twenty free and nine pedicled MSAPs were included (n = 29). Open lower limb fractures (n = 18, 62%) and infection (n = 10, 35%) were the most common aetiologies. Defects sites included: foot-and-ankle (n = 12, 55%), knee (n = 9, 31%) and anterior leg (n = 4, 14%). Four patients (14%) required SSG to for donor site coverage. Venous congestion was responsible for partial flap necrosis in 6.9%(n = 2) of patients. All wounds were healed at discharge. At 14 months, the mean Enneking score was 72.5%. All patients were ambulant, 96% returned to work and 87% were using pre-operative footwear. CONCLUSIONS: The MSAP provides robust foot-and-ankle reconstruction, whilst permitting glide when over the knee. Patient satisfaction and functional outcomes are excellent with careful patient selection. Care should be taken to avoid compression or kinking of the large, thin walled veins as the most commonly observed complication was venous congestion. We advocate MSAP as a first choice flap for small-to-moderate foot, ankle or knee defects.

The Ideal Nipple Reconstruction Shield.

Reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex is the culmination of a long road for patients who have suffered breast cancer. The postoperative dressing of the reconstructive nipple must protect it from mechanical forces, trauma, and infection. A broad array of dressings has been used for the reconstructed nipple. The authors propose the use of a readily available adhesive eye protector as a simple and cost-effective dressing for the reconstructed nipple-areola complex.

The utility of microalbuminuria measurements in pediatric burn injuries in critical care.

PURPOSE: Microalbuminuria, as measured by urinary albumin-creatinine ratios (ACRs), has been shown to be a marker of systemic inflammation and an indicator of the potential severity of trauma and critical illness. Severe pediatric burns represent the best model in which to investigate the clinical utility of microalbuminuria. This study aims to ascertain whether ACR measurements have any role in predicting the severity or the intensive care requirements in the critically unwell pediatric burn population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was undertaken within a regional burn center with a dedicated 8-bed burn intensive care unit (ICU). This looked at 8 years of consecutive pediatric burns requiring intensive care support-a total of 63 patients after exclusions. Daily urinary ACR measurements were acquired from all patients. RESULTS: All patients had greater than or equal to 1 ACR measurement out with the reference range, and only 8% (5/63) presented to the ICU with a normal ACR. The median day for the peak ACR measurement was day 4. The relative lack of mortalities (3/63) precluded adequate correlations between ACR and outcomes. Peak and mean ACR values correlate well with length of ICU stay, and the peak ACR also correlates with total length of hospital stay and severity of burn injury as measured by total body surface area burnt and number of organ systems requiring support. No significant differences were found when the patients were stratified by age. The peak ACR measurement was found to be independently predictive of the length of the ICU stay. As such, we have created a predictive model to prove that an ACR that remains less than 12 mg/mmol is predicative of an ICU stay of less than or equal to 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical utilities of ACR measurements are demonstrated by their correlation with the severity of injury, length of ICU stay, and requirements for multiple organ support. Albumin-creatinine ratios raised over certain thresholds highlight to the clinician the need for closer observation and the potential deterioration of patients.

Burns ITU admissions: length of stay in specific levels of care for adult and paediatric patients.

Prediction of total length of stay (LOS) for burns patients based on the total burn surface area (TBSA) is well accepted. Total LOS is a poor measure of resource consumption. Our aim was to determine the LOS in specific levels of care to better inform resource allocation. We performed a retrospective review of LOS in intensive treatment unit (ITU), burns high dependency unit (HDU) and burns low dependency unit (LDU) for all patients requiring ITU admission in a regional burns service from 2003 to 2011. During this period, our unit has admitted 1312 paediatric and 1445 adult patients to our Burns ITU. In both groups, ITU comprised 20% of the total LOS (mean 0.23±0.02 [adult] and 0.22±0.02 [paediatric] days per %burn). In adults, 33% of LOS was in HDU (0.52±0.06 days per %burn) and 48% (0.68±0.06 days per %burn) in LDU, while in children, 15% of LOS was in HDU (0.19±0.03 days per %burn) and 65% in LDU (0.70±0.06 days per %burn). When considering Burns ITU admissions, resource allocation ought to be planned according to expected LOS in specific levels of care rather than total LOS. The largest proportion of stay is in low dependency, likely due to social issues.

Cutaneous endometriosis: a plastic surgery perspective.

Cutaneous endometriosis is a rare skin pathology that may present to the gynaecologist, general surgeon, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon. It is often misdiagnosed due to its rarity and variable appearance. In the current literature recommendations for its management vary greatly. We present a case of cutaneous endometriosis presenting to a plastic surgery service, as well as a review of the literature. Cutaneous endometriosis should be considered as a differential in any female presenting with an umbilical lesion, and should be diagnosed histiologically following an excision biopsy with 2 mm margins.