Closed Incisional Negative Pressure Therapy Significantly Reduces Early Wound Dehiscence after Reduction Mammaplasty.

BACKGROUND: Closed incisional negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) has been shown to improve surgical outcomes. Functional reduction mammaplasty has a wound dehiscence rate of 25% and higher in most series, requiring extra care and delayed secondary healing. We aimed to determine if shifting from standard care dressings to ciNPT reduced early dehiscence after breast reduction. METHODS: This multisurgeon retrospective study compared consecutive patients undergoing primary breast reduction dressed with ciNPT to similar patients with standard dressing materials. Perioperative management was otherwise unchanged. Early dehiscence was defined as incisional disruption requiring wound care within the first 30 postoperative days. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: We analyzed 79 patients with 158 breasts (114 standard and 44 ciNPT). Both groups were similar. Mean ages were 35 and 34 years; body mass index, 28.5 and 27.4 kg/m2; and reduction volumes, 565 and 610 g, respectively. None were active smokers, and 9.5% were former smokers. Wise pattern skin incisions were used in all, and parenchymal resections mostly utilized superomedial pedicles. Median ciNPT treatment was 6 days. Early dehiscence was significantly lower with ciNPT, occurring in only 1 of 44 (2%) breasts, compared to 16 of 114 in the standard group (14%), P = 0.003, a relative risk reduction of 84%. Two control patients required debridement, whereas none of the ciNPT patients did. CONCLUSION: Application of ciNPT markedly decreased early dehiscence requiring wound care, compared to using standard dressings, in otherwise similarly risk-stratified breast reduction patients.

Cartilage Framework Fixation with 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate in a Prelaminated Radial Forearm Free Flap Total Auricular Reconstruction.

Autologous total auricular reconstruction requires an intricately sculpted, curved, and stacked cartilaginous framework implanted under healthy vascularized tissue. The ideal fixation technique would be readily available, easy to deploy, and free of complications. Commonly used sutures can fracture fragile pieces, inadequately maintain shape, or migrate. Steel wire can erode through soft tissues, extrude, fracture, or become infected. We successfully used 2-octyl cyanoacrylate alone to fixate an autologous costal cartilage framework designed for a total auricular reconstruction in an adult trauma patient. We had no sutures or wires in the final construct. The key aspects of our technique included the following: use of small aliquots, application only at cartilage-to-cartilage interfaces, use of temporary shaping (needles and lasso sutures), and avoidance of excess spillage of adhesive on any portion that would directly contact soft tissue. The framework was implanted into a prelaminated radial forearm free flap, which was then transferred to the head and neck region at a second stage. At two-year follow-up, the framework held satisfactory shape without any complications such as resorption, exposure, or infection.

Sleeve Gastrectomy for Obesity in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: a Pilot Study Evaluating Weight Loss and Fertility Outcomes.

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with obesity and infertility. Gastric bypass has been shown to be effective in treating these symptoms. However, the efficacy of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) has not been studied in the PCOS population. This study analyzed weight loss and fertility outcomes of VSG in this population. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with PCOS and without PCOS (CON) undergoing VSG from 2008 to 2016 was performed at two bariatric centers. BMI and percent excess weight loss (%EWL) were collected at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Patient characteristics and postoperative pregnancy status were compared between the two cohorts. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen PCOS patients were compared to 119 CON patients. Similar attrition rates were seen between cohorts at 3-month (5 vs 8%), 6-month (13 vs. 14%), and 12-month (18 vs. 13%) evaluation. PCOS patients had greater ΔBMI at 3 months (- 7.64 vs. - 6.82; p = 0.05), 6 months (- 10.56 vs. - 9.49; p = 0.02), and 12 months (- 12.43 vs. - 11.49; p = 0.04). PCOS patients also had greater %EWL at 12 months compared to CON (66 vs 60%; p = 0.05). Twenty-two percent of PCOS patients became pregnant within 12 months, 69% of which were previously nulliparous. CONCLUSION: Compared to non-PCOS patients, PCOS patients had greater postoperative ΔBMI and %EWL at 1 year. The majority of patients becoming pregnant after VSG were previously nulliparous. This study shows that VSG is effective for weight loss in PCOS patients with obesity and may positively augment effect fertility rates.

A large drawing of a nephron for teaching medical students renal physiology, histology, and pharmacology.

The purpose of this study is to see whether a large drawing of a nephron helped medical students in self-directed learning groups learn renal physiology, histology, and pharmacology before discussing clinical cases. The end points were the grades on the renal examination and a student survey. The classes in the fall of 2014 and 2015 used the drawing, but not those of 2012 and 2013. The Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University is a newly formed Florida medical school, which enrolled its first class in the fall of 2011. The school relies on self-directed problem-based learning in year 1 and changes over to a case inquiry method in the latter part of year 1 and throughout year 2. At the start of the renal course, each student group received a poster of a nephron with the objective of learning the cell functions of the different nephron parts. During the first year of using the drawing, there was no improvement in grades. After a student suggested adjustment to the drawing, there was a statistically significant difference in the total test score in the second year ( P < 0.001). An unexpected finding was lower grades in all 4 yr in the area of acid-base balance and electrolytes compared with the other four areas tested. In the survey, the students found the drawing useful.