Efficacy of Povidone Iodine Against Microbial Biofilms in Breast Implants With Different Textures: Results From an in vitro Study.

Background: In the practice of breast augmentation and reconstruction, implant irrigation with various solutions has been widely used to prevent infection and capsular contracture, but to date, there is no consensus on the optimal protocol to use. Recently, application of povidone iodine (PI) for 30 min has shown in vitro to be the most effective irrigating formula in reducing contamination in smooth breast implants. However, as 30 min is not feasible intraoperatively, it is necessary to determine whether shorter times could be equally effective as well as to test it in both smooth and textured implants. Methods: We tested the efficacy of 10% PI at 1', 3', and 5' against biofilms of 8 strains (2 ATCC and 6 clinical) of Staphylococcus spp. on silicone disks obtained from Mentor® and Polytech® implants of different textures. We analyzed the percentage reduction of cfu counts, cell viability and bacterial density between treatment (PI) and control (sterile saline, SS) groups for each time of application. We consider clinical significance when > 25% reduction was observed in cell viability or bacterial density. Results: All textured implants treated with PI at any of the 3 exposure times reduced 100% bacterial load by culture. However, none of the implants reached enough clinical significance in percentage reduction of living cells. Regarding bacterial density, only 25-50 µm Polytxt® Polytech® implants showed significant reduction at the three PI exposure times. Conclusion: PI is able to inhibit bacterial growth applied on the surface of breast implants regardless of the exposure time. However, no significant reduction on living cells or bacterial density was observed. This lack of correlation may be caused by differences in texture that directly affect PI absorption.

Punctual Breast Implant Rupture following Lipofilling: Only a Myth?

BACKGROUND: Lipofilling techniques are widespread in clinical practice as a complement to breast reconstruction, despite posing some risk. Punctual implant rupture following a fat transfer is one of the possible complications, which has not been properly reported yet and is probably being underdiagnosed. The aim of this paper is to report key facts for appropriate diagnosis of this clinical chart. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 47-year-old woman with a bilateral prosthetic breast reconstruction who was treated with autologous fat graft for upper pole enhancing and scar improvement. The patient developed an early unilateral breast capsular contracture after the fat graft procedure, with normal radiological exploration. Surgical findings showed intraprosthetic fat deposits and a punctual implant rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Punctual breast implant rupture is a possible complication of lipofilling that is usually not suspected at first consultation and might be underdiagnosed based on radiological findings, so investigating clinical signs should necessarily be a prerequisite to diagnosis.

Sarcoidosis Presenting as Late Seroma Mimicking Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.

ABSTRACT: Late seroma related to breast silicone implants is a rare complication. Interest for its characterization has grown after its association with the recently described breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The differential diagnosis includes infectious diseases, mechanical and traumatic causes, tumors, postpartum seroma, and inflammatory, allergic, or idiopathic causes.Sarcoidosis has been associated with breast silicone implants over the last decades, but it has never been reported as a cause of breast effusion. We describe a rare presentation of sarcoidosis as a late breast implant seroma simulating the clinical features and radiologic findings of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma and highlight that sarcoidosis can be suspected by the presence of nonnecrotizing epithelioid granulomas in the cytology, with a characteristic inverted ratio of CD4/CD8 T cells.The aims of this article are to review the current evidence about sarcoidosis related to silicone implants and breast cancer, provide a new alternative in the differential diagnosis of late seroma, and advise the scientific community how early implant removal can improve the disease.

Reverse Dermis Flap for Coverage of Distal Leg and Ankle Defects.

Soft tissue defects of the distal third of the leg and ankle, which frequently expose tendon, bone or osteosynthesis material, are difficult to cover and pose a major challenge to the plastic surgeon. Traditional reconstructive options for this region usually require complex flaps which made them unsuitable for elderly patients or those with multiple comorbidities. We hereby present the reverse dermis flap as an easy and reliable choice to cover this type of wounds and refer our experience in 9 cases in which clinical, operative, and follow-up data were recorded. Of the 9 flaps performed, 8 survived completely and 1 presented a partial flap necrosis, requiring additional surgery. No other operative procedure was required. In conclusion, the reversed dermis flap is a simple, quick, noninvasive, and safe technique for coverage of noble structures such as tendon or bone in the distal third of the leg that every plastic surgeon should incorporate in his surgical armamentary.

Prone position pressure sores in the COVID-19 pandemic: The Madrid experience.

BACKGROUND: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, prone position (PP) has been frequently used in the intensive care units to improve the prognosis in patients with respiratory distress. However, turning patients to prone imply important complications such as pressure ulcers. The aim of this paper is to describe the prevalence and characteristics of prone-positioning pressure sores (PPPS) and analyze the related risk factors. METHODS: A case-control study was performed in Gregorio Maranon hospital in Madrid during the COVID-19 pandemic between April and May 2020. We enrolled 74 confirmed COVID-19 patients in critical care units with invasive mechanical ventilation who were treated with pronation therapy. There were 57 cases and 17 controls. Demographic data, pronation maneuver characteristics and PPPS features were analyzed. RESULTS: In the case group, a total number of 136 PPPS were recorded. The face was the most affected region (69%). Regarding the severity, stage II was the most frequent. The main variables associated with an increased risk of PPPS were the total number of days under pronation cycles, and PP maintained for more than 24 h. The prealbumin level at admission was significantly lower in the case group. All of the ulcers were treated with dressings. The most frequent acute complication was bleeding (5%). CONCLUSIONS: According to our study, PPPS are related to the characteristics of the maneuver and the previous nutritional state. The implementation of improved positioning protocols may enhance results in critical patient caring, to avoid the scars and social stigma that these injuries entail.

Comparing Efficacy and Costs of Four Facial Fillers in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Lipodystrophy: A Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the safety and effectiveness of four different dermal fillers in the treatment of facial lipoatrophy secondary to human immunodeficiency virus. METHODS: The authors conducted a clinical trial including 147 patients suffering from human immunodeficiency virus-induced lipoatrophy treated with Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid), Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite), Aquamid (polyacrylamide), or autologous fat. Objective and subjective changes were evaluated during a 24-month follow-up. Number of sessions, total volume injected, and overall costs of treatment were also analyzed. A comparative cost-effectiveness analysis of the treatment options was performed. RESULTS: Objective improvement in facial lipoatrophy, assessed by the surgeon in terms of changes from baseline using the published classification of Fontdevila, was reported in 53 percent of the cases. Patient self-evaluation showed a general improvement after the use of facial fillers. Patients reported being satisfied with the treatment and with the reduced impact of lipodystrophy on their quality of life. Despite the nonsignificant differences observed in the number of sessions and volume, autologous fat showed significantly lower costs than all synthetic fillers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-associated facial lipoatrophy using dermal fillers is a safe and effective procedure that improves the aesthetic appearance and the quality of life of patients. Permanent fillers and autologous fat achieve the most consistent results over time, with lipofilling being the most cost-effective procedure.

VAC-instillation therapy in abdominal mesh exposure: a novel indication.

BACKGROUND: Defects of the abdominal wall pose a problem for general surgeons that negatively affects patient prognosis. In cases of abdominal wall wound dehiscence and exposed abdominal mesh, conservative treatment has not been proven effective to date. We aimed to study patient outcomes in cases of abdominal wall wound dehiscence with mesh exposure treated with vacuum-assisted closure system with intermittent instillation (VAC-instillation) as a temporary cover to achieve wound closure. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate and compare the outcomes of 45 patients with postoperative abdominal wall wound dehiscence and exposed mesh: 34 were treated with conventional dressings and 11 with the VAC-instillation device. Clinical records were reviewed, and patient demographics, indication for abdominal surgery, and existing risk factors were noted. Patient outcome was evaluated in terms of number of reoperations, length of hospital stay, and total time of treatment. RESULTS: Demographic features did not differ significantly between the two groups. Patients treated with conventional dressings required a significantly higher number of surgeries to achieve wound closure. We did not find statistical differences between the two groups regarding length of hospital stay, but the VAC-instillation group showed a significantly shorter total time of treatment. The incidence of complications was lower in the VAC-instillation group, though hernia recurrence rate was slightly higher in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: VAC-instillation is a valid option for the conservative treatment of critical patients with abdominal wall wound dehiscence and exposed infected mesh that allows recovery with fewer surgeries and complications and avoids the need of mesh removal.

First Report of Pyoderma Gangrenosum after Surgery of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema with Transfer of Vascularized Free Lymph Nodes of the Groin and Simultaneous DIEP Flap.

BACKGROUND: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare cutaneous ulcerative disease that does not respond to antibiotics and worsens with surgical manipulation. This is the first report in the literature revealing that this disease complicates total microsurgical breast reconstruction associated with the transfer of free lymph nodes. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a female patient who underwent left-breast microsurgical reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and simultaneous transfer of vascularized free lymph nodes for the surgical treatment of secondary left upper-limb lymphedema, and who developed a severe PG of both the skin of the flap and the donor zone on postoperative day 7. After exclusion of other etiologies, treatment with high-dose corticosteroids and topical zinc sulfate was initiated. The flap was salvaged and breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) surgery was definitively effective despite the PG. CONCLUSIONS: PG should be considered in the differential diagnosis of progressive cutaneous ulcers following surgical interventions, once infectious and ischemic etiologies have been excluded. Early initiation of immunosuppressive treatment can lead to preservation of the initial flap and function of the transferred lymph nodes in the case of microsurgical breast reconstruction with associated lymph node transfer.

Terapia por presión negativa en el manejo de heridas complejas en traumatología. Innovación e indicación / Negative Pressure Therapy for treatment of complex wounds in Orthopaedic Surgery. Innovation and Indication

La terapia por presión negativa (TPN) es una modalidad terapéutica complementaria ampliamente difundida en la actualidad para el manejo de heridas complejas en el ámbito de la Traumatología y Ortopedia. Los dispositivos más modernos permiten adicionar a esta terapia la instilación intermitente de soluciones (Terapia por Presión Negativa con Instilación Intermitente, TPNII) para una mayor efi cacia del tratamiento. En el presente trabajo se revisarán los fundamentos de la terapia, así como sus principales indicaciones, recomendaciones de uso y nuestra experiencia clínica con el mismo

Negative Pressure Therapy (NPT) is an adjuvant method of treatment broadly widespread for management of complex wounds in the fi eld of Orthopaedic Surgery. Modern devices also allow intermitent instillation of different types of lavage solutions (Negative Pressure Therapy with Intermitent Instillation, NPTII), increasing the effi cacy of treatment. The present article reviews the basis of the described therapy as well as its main indications, recommendations of use and our personal clinical experience with the device