Assessment of three-dimensional high-definition visualization technology to perform microvascular anastomosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Traditional visualization techniques in microsurgery require strict positioning in order to maintain the field of visualization. However, static posturing over time may lead to musculoskeletal strain and injury. Three-dimensional high-definition (3DHD) visualization technology may be a useful adjunct to limiting static posturing and improving ergonomics in microsurgery. In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefits of using the 3DHD technology over traditional techniques. METHODS: A total of 14 volunteers consisting of novice and experienced microsurgeons performed femoral anastomoses on male Sprague-Dawley retired breeder rats using traditional techniques as well as the 3DHD technology and compared the two techniques. Participants subsequently completed a questionnaire regarding their preference in terms of operational parameters, ergonomics, overall quality, and educational benefits. Efficiency was also evaluated by mean times to complete the anastomosis with each technique. RESULTS: A total of 27 anastomoses were performed, 14 of 14 using the traditional microscope and 13 of 14 using the 3DHD technology. Preference toward the traditional modality was noted with respect to the parameters of precision, field adjustments, zoom and focus, depth perception, and overall quality. The 3DHD technique was preferred for improved stamina and less back and eye strain. Participants believed that the 3DHD technique was the better method for learning microsurgery. Longer mean time of anastomosis completion was noted in participants utilizing the 3DHD technique. CONCLUSIONS: The 3DHD technology may prove to be valuable in improving proper ergonomics in microsurgery. In addition, it may be useful in medical education when applied to the learning of new microsurgical skills. More studies are warranted to determine its efficacy and safety in a clinical setting.

Incidence of surgical-site infection is not affected by method of immediate breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: To date, few large-scale studies have reported the incidence of surgical-site infection in women undergoing mastectomy with respect to the various methods of immediate breast reconstruction. This study assessed whether the reconstruction method was associated with the risk of surgical-site infection in these patients. METHODS: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, 9230 female patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction from 2005 to 2009 were identified. Reconstruction was classified as autologous, prosthetic, or hybrid. The primary outcome was the incidence of surgical-site infection within 30 days of operation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to derive the unadjusted and adjusted risk of surgical-site infection according to reconstruction method. RESULTS: The overall rate of surgical-site infection was 3.53 percent (95 percent CI, 3.15 to 3.94 percent), with individual rates of 3.33 percent (95 percent CI, 2.93 to 3.76 percent) for prosthetic reconstruction, 4.88 percent (95 percent CI, 3.48 to 6.11 percent) for autologous reconstruction, and 2.19 percent (95 percent CI, 0.88 to 4.45 percent) for hybrid reconstruction. The adjusted odds ratio of surgical-site infection was 1.14 (95 percent CI, 0.83 to 1.58; p = 0.42) for autologous versus prosthetic methods and 0.59 (95 percent CI, 0.27 to 1.27; p = 0.18) for hybrid versus prosthetic methods. CONCLUSIONS: Although the risk of surgical-site infection in patients undergoing immediate reconstruction is highest with autologous and lowest with hybrid methods of reconstruction, the difference in infection risk was not statistically significant after adjustment for confounding factors. Thus, all methods of reconstruction are viable options with regard to risk for surgical-site infection. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Risk factors associated with venous thromboembolism in 49,028 mastectomy patients.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potentially preventable disease that carries significant morbidity and mortality. Although malignancy is associated with increased risk for VTE, it varies according to cancer type. Despite the fact that breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, the incidence and risk factors associated with VTE in patients undergoing mastectomy have not been well characterized. To address this we utilized the ACS-NSQIP database to identify and characterize independent risk factors for VTE in 49,028 mastectomy patients. We identified 116 cases of VTE in the 49,028 cases analyzed (0.23%). Obesity (BMI > 30, OR = 1.91, p < 0.001), inpatient status (OR = 3.75, p < 0.001), venous catheterization (OR = 2.67, p = 0.012), prolonged operative time >3 h (OR = 4.36, p < 0.001), and immediate reconstruction (OR = 3.23, p < 0.001) were found to be independent risk factors for VTE. While the incidence of VTE is rare in mastectomy patients, the heightened awareness and increased VTE prophylaxis should be considered in high risk groups.

Effect of immediate reconstruction on postmastectomy surgical site infection.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections (SSI) are a source of significant postoperative morbidity and cost. Although immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy has become routine, the data regarding the incidence of SSI in immediate breast reconstruction is highly variable and series dependent. METHODS: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, all female patients undergoing mastectomy, with or without immediate reconstruction, from 2005 to 2009 were identified. Only "clean" procedures were included. The primary outcome was incidence of SSI within 30 days of operation. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with SSI. RESULTS: A total of 48,393 mastectomies were performed during the study period, of which 9315 (19.2%) had immediate breast reconstruction. The incidence of SSI was 3.5% (330/9315) (95% CI [confidence interval]: 3.2%-4%) in patients undergoing mastectomy with reconstruction and 2.5% (966/39,078) (95% CI: 2.3%-2.6%) in patients undergoing mastectomy without reconstruction (P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for SSI include increased preoperative body mass index (BMI), heavy alcohol use, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score greater than 2, flap failure, and operative time of 6 hours or longer. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate breast reconstruction is associated with a statistically significant increase in risk of SSI in patients undergoing mastectomy (3.5% vs 2.5%). However, this difference was not considered to be clinically significant. In this large series, increased BMI, alcohol use, ASA class greater than 2, flap failure, and prolonged operative time were associated with increased risk of SSI.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of complications associated with acellular dermal matrix-assisted breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Multiple outcome studies have been published on the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in breast reconstruction with disparate results. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine an aggregate estimate of risks associated with ADM-assisted breast reconstruction. METHODS: The MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were queried, and relevant articles published up to September 2010 were analyzed based on specific inclusion criteria. Seven complications were studied including seroma, cellulitis, infection, hematoma, skin flap necrosis, capsular contracture, and reconstructive failure. A pooled random effects estimate for each complication and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived. For comparisons of ADM and non-ADM, the pooled random effects odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were derived. Heterogeneity was measured using the I2 statistic. RESULTS: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled complication rates were seroma (6.9%; 95% CI, 5.3%-8.8%), cellulitis (2.0%; 95% CI, 1.2%-3.1%), infection (5.7%; 95% CI, 4.3%-7.3%), skin flap necrosis (10.9%; 95% CI, 8.7%-13.5%), hematoma (1.3%; 95% CI, 0.6%-2.4%), capsular contracture (0.6%; 95% CI, 0.1%-1.7%), and reconstructive failure (5.1%; 95% CI, 3.8%-6.7%). Five studies reported findings for both the ADM and non-ADM patients and were used in the meta-analysis to calculate pooled OR. ADM-assisted breast reconstructions had a higher likelihood of seroma (pooled OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.4-6.2), infection (pooled OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-6.4), and reconstructive failure (pooled OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3-6.8) than breast reconstructions without the use of ADM. The relation of ADM use to hematoma (pooled OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 0.8-5.2), cellulitis (pooled OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 0.9-4.3), and skin flap necrosis (pooled OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 0.6-5.4) was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: In the studies evaluated, ADM-assisted breast reconstructions exhibited a higher likelihood of seroma, infection, and reconstructive failure than prosthetic-based breast reconstructions using traditional musculofascial flaps. ADM is associated with a lower rate of capsular contracture. A careful risk/benefit analysis should be performed when choosing to use ADM in implant-based breast reconstruction.

Breast implants and minimally invasive cardiac surgery: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: The number of women affected by valvular heart disease and the number of women with breast implants are both on the rise. Minimally invasive heart surgery using a limited thoracotomy offers many potential benefits including reduction in blood loss, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, decreased pain, and improved cosmesis. Minimally invasive heart surgery often requires access to the second, third, or fourth intercostal space of the anterior chest wall. The presence of a breast implant may interfere with the surgeon's ability to gain adequate exposure for entry to the appropriate intercostal space. We present a case series of 5 women with breast implants who successfully underwent minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients with breast implants who underwent minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery at the University of Southern California University Hospital. In each patient, an inframammary incision was performed, facilitating removal of the implant, performance of the cardiac operation, and reimplantation of the implant. RESULTS: Five women with breast implants who underwent minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery were identified; of these, 4 (80%) patients underwent repair of the mitral valve for mitral regurgitation, whereas 1 (20%) underwent an aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. Two patients underwent a concomitant maze procedure for atrial fibrillation during the same operation. The median follow-up time was 7.4 months, and the follow-up period ranged from 2 to 12 months. There were no significant postoperative complications such as infection, hematoma, or need for reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Our series of 5 patients demonstrates that minimally invasive heart surgery performed through an inframammary incision can be safely performed in those with breast implants.

Cleft lip and palate: review.

The most common craniofacial malformation in the newborn is the orofacial cleft, consisting of cleft lip with or without cleft palate and isolated cleft palate. Given its prevalence it is important to understand the etiology of the deformity, medical management prior to surgical correction, surgical techniques and timing.

Psychological rehabilitation of pediatric burn patients.

Pediatric burns are devastating injuries, physically and emotionally; however, with progressive medical treatment even with the most severe burns, more burn patients are surviving. This leads to the introduction of a new area of medicine including the psychologic rehabilitation requiring the attention of reconstructive surgeons. Successful psychologic rehabilitation depends on a coordinated interdisciplinary burn care team, family, and the school environment, as well as the child.