Erratum to propeller thoracodorsal artery perforator flap for breast reconstruction.

[This corrects the article on p. 174 in vol. 3, PMID: 25207210.].

Antegrade Peroneal Flap through the Interosseous Membrane for Knee and Distal Femur Coverage.

BACKGROUND: Antegrade peroneal flaps can be rotated around the fibula to cover defects in the lower leg and lateral knee. However, these flaps cannot reliably cover the distal femur and anterior and medial knee. In the present article, the authors describe a novel technical modification that involves creating a tunnel through the interosseous membrane, through which the flap can be passed, circumventing the need to rotate around the fibula, allowing it to reach the entire knee and distal femur. METHODS: An anatomical study was performed in five cadaveric specimens to measure the gain in pedicle reaching distance when the flap is tunneled compared to transferred around the fibula. A clinical study in 12 patients was also performed to measure the gain in pedicle reaching distance and the long-term viability of the tunneled interosseous flap. RESULTS: In the anatomical study, the mean reaching distance was 7.4 ± 0.9 cm for the flaps rotated around the fibula and 17.0 ± 1.6 for the tunneled interosseous flaps (p < 0.001). In the clinical study, the mean reaching distance was 2.6 ± 1.4 cm for the flaps rotated around the fibula and 11.4 ± 2.4 for the tunneled interosseous flaps (p < 0.0000000001). Patients were followed for up to 4 years (mean, 2.5 years). All flaps survived completely, and there were no complications. CONCLUSION: By passing the antegrade peroneal flap through the interosseous membrane, instead of around the fibula, the flap reaching distance can be increased by approximately 8 cm, allowing for effective coverage of distal femur and knee defects. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

TDAP: Island versus propeller.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) island flap is a safe and reliable method for breast reconstruction. TDAP propeller flap has been described as a modification of the conventional island technique that saves time and does not require microsurgical skills. However, a substantial portion of the propeller flap remains under the axilla and is not used for breast augmentation. The aim of this study is to identify the differences in the reaching distances between the propeller and island TDAP flaps. METHODS: In five cadaveric specimens and 10 breast reconstruction patients, an initial propeller flap was harvested and rotated to the anterior thorax; the distance from the tip of the flap to the anterior midline was recorded as the "midline-reaching deficit;" the flap was then converted into a conventional island flap, and the new midline-reaching deficit was recorded. Differences between groups were compared with paired two-tailed t-tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: In the cadaveric specimens, the mean midline-reaching deficit was 4.8 ± 2.4 cm with the propeller TDAP and -0.6 ± 2.0 cm with the conventional island TDAP (P < 0.001). In the clinical cases, the mean midline-reaching deficit was 8.1 ± 1.0 cm with the propeller TDAP and -0.3 ± 1.1 cm with the island TDAP (P < 0.000000001). DISCUSSION: We observed that the midline-reaching deficit could be reduced by 7-9 cm with the conventional island TDAP in comparison to the propeller TDAP. This should be considered when reconstructing the medial inner part of the breast.

Extended thoracodorsal artery perforator flap for breast reconstruction.

A total of 45 patients underwent partial or total autologous breast reconstruction after skin-sparing mastectomy, skin-reducing mastectomy, and quadrantectomy using a thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap. The detailed surgical technique with its variations is explained in this report. The propeller, flip-over, conventional perforator, and muscle-sparing flaps have been described and evaluated. The flaps were partially or completely de-epithelialized. The conventional TDAP can be enlarged or "extended" as the traditional latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous (LD-MC) flap by incorporating the superior and inferior fat compartments. It can be referred to as the "extended TDAP flap". This technique augments the flap volume. In addition, this flap can serve as a scaffold for lipofilling to obtain autologous breast reconstruction in medium to large cases. There were two complete failures due to technical errors during flap elevation. Distal partial tissue suffering was observed in four flaps. These flaps were longer than usual; they reached the midline of the back. It is advisable to discard the distal medial quarter of the flap when it is designed up to the midline to avoid steatonecrosis or fibrosis. A retrospective analysis of the 39 flaps that survived completely revealed a satisfactory result in 82% of the cases. The main disadvantage of this procedure is the final scar. The TDAP flap is a reliable and safe method for partial or total breast autologous reconstruction.

Propeller thoracodorsal artery perforator flap for breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap has been described for breast reconstruction. This flap requires intramuscular dissection of the pedicle. A modification of the conventional TDAP surgical technique for breast reconstruction is described, utilizing instead a propeller TDAP flap. The authors present their clinical experience with the propeller TDAP flap in breast reconstruction alone or in combination with expanders or permanent implants. METHODS: From January 2009 to February 2013, sixteen patients had breast reconstruction utilizing a propeller TDAP flap. Retrospective analysis of patient characteristics, clinical indications, procedure and outcomes were performed. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 48 months. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had breast reconstruction using a TDAP flap with or without simultaneous insertion of an expander or implant. All flaps survived, while two cases required minimal resection due to distal flap necrosis, healing by second intention. There were not donor-site seromas, while minimal wound dehiscence was detected in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: The propeller TDAP flap appears to be safe and effective for breast reconstruction, resulting in minimal donor site morbidity. The use of this propeller flap emerges as a true alternative to the traditional TDAP flap.

Morbimortalidad del traumatismo de recto extraperitoneal / Morbimortalidade do traumatismo do reto extraperitoneal / Morbidity and mortality of extraperitoneal rectal trauma

INTRODUCCION: Los traumatismos del recto extraperitoneal representan el 3 por ciento al 5 por ciento de todos los traumatismos y heridas abdominales y se destacan por la elevada morbimortalidad que presentan si no son diagnosticados y tratados precoz y adecuadamente. En la actualidad existe falta de consenso con respecto al óptimo manejo quirúrgico en el medio civil. OBJETIVO: Relatar la experiencia en el tratamiento evaluando aquellos factores que influyeron en la morbimortalidad. METODOS: Estudo retrospectivo descriptivo onde se revisaron los prontuarios de todos los pacientes operados por traumatismo recto extraperitoneal, entre enero de 1998 y diciembre de 2007. Las variables índice de trauma abdominal, intervalo entre trauma y cirugía y tipo de cirugía inicial fueron relacionadas con las complicaciones infecciosas y mortalidad. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 13 pacientes, 5 por herida de arma de fuego, 5 por autoempalamiento y 3 por trauma cerrado. El índice de trauma abdominal promedio en infectados y fallecidos fue superior a 25. El 61 por ciento de los pacientes(8) fueron operados antes de las 8 horas. La tasa de infección fue del 61,5 por ciento y el 90 por ciento de los pacientes infectados requirieron nuevas cirugías. La mortalidad de la serie fue de 38,5 por ciento (5 pacientes). En los pacientes intervenidos después de las 8 horas se registró un 80 por ciento de infección perirrectal y un 80 por ciento de mortalidad independientemente del tipo de cirugía realizada. CONCLUSIONES: El retraso en el tratamiento mayor 8hs y el índice de trauma abdominal mayor 25 fueron los principales factores asociados a infección perirrectal y mortalidad en esta serie. La ausencia de drenaje presacro y de lavado rectal distal se asoció a mayor incidencia de infección perirrectal.

BACKGROUND: Extraperitoneal rectal injuries represent 3 to 5 percent of all traumatisms and abdominal injuries, and they are highlighted by their high morbidity/mortality presented if not early and appropriately diagnosed and treated. Nowadays there is not a consensus related to an optimal surgical management. AIM: To relate the experience in treating this disease, evaluating factors that influence mortality and morbidity. METHODS: It consisted in a descriptive retrospective study where it was reviewed handbooks of all extraperitoneal rectal trauma patients operated between January 1998 and December 2007. The abdominal trauma rate, the interval between trauma and surgery and the initial surgery's type were related to infectious complications and mortality. RESULTS: There were evaluated 13 patients: 5 injured by firearms, 5 autoimpalament and 3 by closed trauma. The abdominal trauma mean rate of infected and dead was more than 25. 61 percent of patients (n=8) underwent surgery before 8 hours. The infection rate was 61.5 percent and 90 percent of infected patients required additional surgeries. The series' mortality was 38.5 percent (5 patients). In patients operated after 8 hours there was perirectal infection in 80 percent of them, and 80 percent of mortality regardless of surgery performed type. CONCLUSIONS: The delay over 8 hours in treating and the abdominal trauma rate over 25 were the main factors associated with perirectal infection and mortality in this series. Absence of presacral drainage and distal rectal wash were correlated with increased incidence of perirectal infection.