Burn trauma from a space heater requiring paraspinal muscle flap back reconstruction with skin grafting: A case report.

Full-thickness burns damage all layers of skin and may also damage underlying tissue including bones, muscles, and tendons. Full-thickness burns almost always require immediate medical and surgical management. Some may require extensive bone, muscular, and other reconstructive surgery depending on the depth of involvement of surrounding tissues. Bone exposure in burn patients can lead to unique complications including osteomyelitis. We present the case of an elderly patient with a history of dementia who presented with full-thickness burns to the back with exposed spinal elements who later developed osteomyelitis requiring lumbar spine reconstruction with bilateral paraspinous muscle flap for back reconstruction, adjacent tissue transfer, and split thickness skin grafting. This case represents the severity of full-thickness burns with underlying bone exposure and the importance of aggressive wound care and multidisciplinary team approach.

The Use of Arteriovenous Bundle Interposition Grafts in Microsurgical Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Microvascular reconstruction frequently requires anastomosis outside of the zone of injury for successful reconstruction. Multiple options exist for pedicle lengthening including vein grafts, arteriovenous loops, and arteriovenous bundle interposition grafts. The authors performed a systematic review of arteriovenous bundle interposition grafts to elucidate indications and outcomes of arteriovenous grafts in microvascular reconstruction. A systematic review of the literature was performed using targeted keywords. Data extraction was performed by two independent authors, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze pooled data. Forty-four patients underwent pedicle lengthening with an arteriovenous graft from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Most common indications for flap reconstruction were malignancy ( n = 12), trauma ( n = 7), and diabetic ulceration ( n = 4). The most commonly used free flap was the anterolateral thigh flap ( n = 18). There were five complications, with one resulting in flap loss. Arteriovenous bundle interposition grafts are a viable option for pedicle lengthening when free flap distant anastomosis is required. The descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery may be used for a variety of defects and can be used in conjunction with fasciocutaneous, osteocutaneous, muscle, and chimeric free flaps.

Preliminary Outcomes of Hypochlorous Acid as an Adjunct for Pocket Irrigation in Revision Aesthetic Breast Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Capsular contracture is a challenging problem for plastic surgeons despite advances in surgical technique. Breast pocket irrigation decreases bacterial bioburden. Studies have shown that hypochlorous acid (HOCl; PhaseOne Health, Nashville, TN) effectively penetrates and disrupts biofilms; however, there are limited clinical data regarding this irrigation in breast augmentation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HOCl pocket irrigation in revision breast augmentation by evaluating rates of capsular contracture recurrence, infection, and allergic reactions. METHODS: We performed an institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review of revision breast augmentation cases for Baker grade III/IV capsular contractures in which pockets were irrigated with HOCl. Data were obtained from 3 board-certified plastic surgeons. RESULTS: The study included 135 breasts in 71 patients, who ranged in age from 27 to 77 years (mean, 53.7 years). Follow-up ranged from 12 to 41 months (mean, 20.2 months). Postoperatively, there were 2 unilateral Baker grade III/IV recurrences at 13 months and 1 bilateral Baker grade II recurrence at 3 months. There were no infections or allergic reactions. The overall Baker grade III/IV capsular contracture recurrence rate was 0% at 12 months and 1.5% at 15 months. CONCLUSIONS: Breast pocket irrigation decreases bioburden, which may influence capsular contracture recurrence. We evaluated 3 varied applications of HOCl in revision aesthetic breast surgery and found a low capsular contracture recurrence rate and no adverse reactions. We plan to report our findings with HOCl in primary breast augmentation in the future, and other studies are being conducted on the efficacy of HOCl in aesthetic surgery.

Fondaparinux Significantly Reduces Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism After Body Contouring Procedures Without an Increase in Bleeding Complications.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that abdominoplasty confers a uniquely high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) complications. However, chemoprophylaxis is not routinely utilized due to the risk of bleeding complications. Fondaparinux, a factor Xa inhibitor FDA approved in 2001 for postoperative VTE prophylaxis, has emerged as a safe option for preventing VTE complications after high-risk surgeries. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of fondaparinux for VTE chemoprophylaxis in patients undergoing abdominoplasty. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective chart review from January 2008 to December 2014 of 492 patients who underwent abdominoplasty with or without an additional body procedure. Prior to 2011, no VTE chemoprophylaxis was utilized (n = 233). In 2011, the routine employment of postoperative chemoprophylaxis with fondaparinux was implemented (n = 259). Patient demographics and 2005 Caprini scores were evaluated. Primary outcomes included postoperative VTE and bleeding complications. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in patient demographics or median Caprini score. The treatment group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the rate of VTE compared with the nontreatment group (0% vs 2.1%, respectively, P = 0.02). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of hematoma requiring reoperation between the nontreatment and treatment groups (1.7% vs 2.3%, P = 0.76) or blood loss requiring transfusion (0% vs 0.8%, P = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Fondaparinux for VTE chemoprophylaxis after abdominoplasty is efficacious in decreasing the risk of VTE in this susceptible patient population without increasing the risk of postoperative bleeding complications.

Facelift Performed Safely With Local Anesthesia and Oral Sedation: Analysis of 174 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia for elective ambulatory procedures must provide appropriate pain control while minimizing perioperative risk. Local anesthesia in combination with oral sedation provides a safe office-based method of anesthesia for rhytidectomy. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this analysis was to identify the incidence of traditional outcome parameters in ambulatory rhytidectomy performed with local anesthesia and oral sedation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent office-based rhytidectomy under local anesthesia with oral sedation from February 2011 to May 2017. A total of 174 patients were included. The data collected included patient medical and surgical history, medications, body mass index, tobacco use history, operative time, technique, and concurrent procedures. All intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-five patients were female (94.8%) and 9 were male (5.2%) a mean age of 57.6 years (SD ± 7.90). There were 46 complications, including 23 hematomas (13.2%), 6 seromas, 6 episodes of emesis, 5 infections, 4 scar deformities, and 2 ear deformities. Of the 23 hematomas, only 2 required operative evacuation with local anesthesia in the office procedure room. Twenty-one hematomas were small and managed with percutaneous needle aspiration, followed by surveillance. The 5 infections resolved after oral antibiotics only. There were no thromboembolic events or hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: The use of only local anesthesia in combination with oral sedation safely permits the performance of rhytidectomy with similar incidence of rhytidectomy-related complications without the risk related to general anesthesia.

Full body photography in the massive weight loss population: an inquiry to optimize patient-centered care.

Medical photography of body contouring patients often requires complete nudity, placing patients in a vulnerable situation. We investigated patient perspectives on full body photography in an effort to better protect the patients and enhance comfort with the photography process. Sixty-five massive weight loss patients were identified who underwent body contouring surgery with full body photography. Photographs were taken at the time of initial consult, time of marking, and postoperatively. A retrospective chart review was performed to assess body mass indices and comorbidities, and a telephone survey inquired about several aspects of the photographic process. Fifty-six (86%) patients participated. Patients were more comfortable at the time of markings (P = 0.0004) and at the postoperative session (P = 0.0009). Patients' perception of positive body image increased after body contouring surgery (P < 0.0001). Patients who reported being comfortable at their initial session had a higher body mass index (P = 0.0027). Professionalism of the staff was rated as the most important aspect of the photographic process. Patients preferring a chaperone of the same sex tended to be less comfortable with the process (P = 0.015). Most patients preferred the surgeon as the photographer (P = 0.03). Patient comfort with full body photography improves quickly as they move through the surgical process. Maintaining professionalism is the most important factor in achieving patient trust and comfort. Limiting the number of observers in the room, providing explicit details of the photography process, and having at least 1 person of the same sex in the room can optimize patient safety and comfort.

The safety of rhytidectomy in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of face-lift surgery in an elderly population. Specifically, is chronologic age an independent risk factor leading to a higher complication rate in the elderly patient undergoing rhytidectomy surgery? METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed consecutive face lifts (216 patients) performed by a single surgeon over a 3-year period. Patients were divided into two groups, younger than 65 years (148 patients) and 65 years and older (68 patients). Comorbidities, operative details, and complications were compared using statistical analysis. RESULTS: The average age was 70.0 years in the elderly group and 57.6 years in the younger group. When compared with the patients younger than 65 years, elderly patients were more likely to have a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score and to have had a prior face lift (41.2 percent versus 17.6 percent, p < 0.001). The elderly had complication rates comparable to those of younger patients (2.9 percent versus 2.0 percent major, p = 0.65; and 5.9 percent versus 6.1 percent minor, p = 0.99). There were no deaths in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In the authors' series of carefully selected elderly patients, face-lift complication rates were not statistically different when compared with those of a younger control group. The authors' data suggest that chronologic age alone was not an independent risk factor for face-lift surgery. Further studies are needed to define whether a chronologic age limit for safe face-lift surgery beyond age 65 exists.

The effect of resident duty hour restriction on trauma center outcomes in teaching hospitals in the state of Pennsylvania.

BACKGROUND: Resident duty hour restriction was instituted to improve patient safety, but actual impact on patient care is unclear. We sought to determine the effect of duty hour restriction on trauma outcomes in Level I trauma centers (TCs; surgery residency programs) versus Level II TCs (those with no surgery residency programs) within the state of Pennsylvania, using noninferiority as our hypothesis testing. METHODS: Outcomes (mortality and length of stay [LOS]) were compared in Level II TCs without surgery residencies (n = 7) with Level I TCs (with surgery residencies; n = 14) PRE80 (2001-2003) and POST80 (2004-2007). The subcategories of critically injured patients, Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15, ISS >25, Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) ≤ 50, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) head/chest/abdomen score >3, age >65 years, mechanism, and shock, functioned as outcome predictors. RESULTS: There was a decrease in mortality overall PRE80 to POST80 for Level I and II TCs. There was a decrease in mortality in Level I TCs POST80 in ISS >15 (16.5% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.0001), AIS (head) score >3 (20.8% vs. 17.8%, p < 0.0001), age >65 years (12.2% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.0013), and blunt mechanism (5.2% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.0004). LOS was reduced in ISS >15, AIS (head) score >3, age >65 years, and penetrating mechanism in Level I TCs POST80. A similar but more profound decrease was also seen in Level II TCs PRE80 and POST80 (ISS >15, 25; AIS (head) score; shock; blunt mechanism; and TRISS ≤ 50). Testing for inhomogeneity identified less-severely injured patients at Level II TCs POST80 compared with Level I TCs in certain subcategories (ISS >15, 25; AIS (head) score; shock; blunt mechanism; and TRISS ≤ 50) regarding mortality and LOS (TRISS >50%). CONCLUSIONS: Decreases in mortality and LOS during the study periods were likely not related to resident work hour restriction but rather to overall improvement in outcomes seen at Level II (no residents) and Level I (residents) TCs. Resident work hour restrictions had no discernible effect on patient care (noninferiority).

Practice patterns in the use of retrievable inferior vena cava filters in a trauma population: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The use of permanent inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) offers protection against pulmonary embolism (PE) but increases the long-term risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and does not affect long-term mortality. The use of retrievable IVCFs in trauma patients offers the dual advantage of protection against PE during the risk period and the option of filter removal thus avoiding complications of DVT. Despite the safety of removal, it is likely that many of these retrievable filters are not removed. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study at a rural level I trauma center. We sought to investigate the number of patients and the circumstances under which retrievable IVCFs were placed and removed. RESULTS: During a 4-year period, 3,455 trauma patients were admitted and 125 patients had retrievable IVCFs placed (71 therapeutic and 54 prophylactic). The most common indications were traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries (66%). During in-hospital filter use, there were 36 new incidences (29%) of PE (1) and DVT (35). Nine patients died before removal. In 40 patients (32%), removal was attempted, and 32 (26%) retrievable IVCFs were successfully removed and in most patients (76%) within 180 days of insertion. Seventeen patients were transferred out of the area for extended care and lost to follow-up. In 55 patients, the filters were not removed. In 20 patients, the surgeon decided against removal. Thirty patients were transferred to extended care or rehabilitation within the community, but they did not return for removal. Thus, of 108/125 patients with follow-up, 76 patients (70%) did not have their IVCFs removed, and 50 patients did not have their IVCFs removed because of the choice of the surgeon, extended care, or rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of retrievable IVCFs, when necessary, produced predictable protection against PE and DVT complications. Despite the opportunity for removal, most patients, in fact, did not have their filters removed, even when posthospital care could be tracked. The practices of the surgeon, the transfer to extended-care facilities, near or far, and the reluctance to remove long-standing IVCFs contributed to the high-retention rate.