Total nasal reconstruction with 3D custom made porous titanium prosthesis and free thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: A case report.

Total nasal reconstruction is a challenging surgical procedure which usually involves a free flap, forehead flap, and cartilage grafts. In certain failure situations where patients do not accept the idea of anaplastology, possibilities become very limited. We report the case of a patient who underwent several reconstruction steps with multiple failures including free and local flaps and cartilage harvests which showed recurrent episodes of necrosis and infection leading to melting and collapse of reconstructed structures. Furthermore, the patient did not want any anaplastological rehabilitation. We proposed to the patient an innovative method that consists to print a three-dimensional custom-made porous titanium prosthesis, based on the original shape of his nose, to replace the cartilage support. This implant was first inserted in a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap for primary integration before the free transfer of the complete structure, two months later. The free transfer was successful without any complication. A stable reconstruction and satisfying result was obtained. The patient did not want additional surgical improvement 24 months post-operatively, and resumed his professional activities. The possibility of using three-dimensional custom titanium prostheses to replace the bone and cartilage support seems to be an interesting alternative for patients in the failure situation of nasal reconstruction.

Prevalence and factors associated with persistent pain following body contouring surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Persistent postsurgical pain (PPP) has been reported by patients following various surgeries. Body contouring procedures are being performed more frequently, but no data are available regarding the effects of these procedures. Long-term disability occurring after performing "functional" procedures on healthy subjects is a particular concern. The aim of this study was to describe the risk factors, prevalence, characteristics, and effects of persistent pain after body contouring procedures. METHODS: Patients who underwent body contouring surgery (e.g., abdominoplasty, lower body lift, medial thigh lift, brachioplasty, and abdominal liposuction) between January 1 2009 and December 31 2013 were included in this retrospective, monocentric cohort study. Pain evaluation was performed using a visual analog pain scale (VAS) and the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire. Major risk factors previously identified in the literature were evaluated. RESULTS: The study included 199 patients. Pain was reported by 42 patients (21%). Seventy-one percent (n = 30) of these 42 patients presented with neuropathic pain. Risk factors that were significantly associated with PPP were acute postoperative pain (p = 0.0003), medical history of bariatric surgery (p = 0.002), longer period of hospitalization (p = 0.04), depressive status during the operative period (p = 0.03), substantial stress before surgery (p = 0.03), and major complications after surgery (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Persistent chronic pain is frequent after body contouring procedures. Preemptive approaches and early postoperative diagnosis are important measures that can be used to limit the effects of this complication on the patient's quality of life.