Patient satisfaction with breast reconstructionusing musculocutaneous flap from latissimus dorsiversus from rectus abdominis: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second most frequent type of cancer worldwide and the most common type among women. The treatment for this condition has evolved over recent decades with therapeutic and technological advances. Breast reconstruction techniques using musculocutaneous flaps from the latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis have aroused interest regarding patients' quality of life. Our goal here was to compare patients' satisfaction scores after they underwent breast reconstruction using musculocutaneous flaps from either the latissimus dorsi or the rectus abdominis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Primary, clinical, analytical, observational and cross-sectional study conducted in a federal university and a public hospital. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were collected. The Mini-Mental State Examination was then applied, with testing for specificity and sensitivity. Lastly, a breast evaluation questionnaire was applied to evaluate breast satisfaction among 90 women, who were divided into three groups: mastectomy (control; n = 30); breast reconstruction using flap from the latissimus dorsi (n = 30); and reconstruction using flap from the rectus abdominis (n = 30). RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous regarding the main demographic data and the questionnaire responses (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the reconstruction groups showed significant improvement in satisfaction (P < 0.0002) after one year. CONCLUSION: Within our sample, women who underwent breast reconstruction with flaps from either the latissimus dorsi or the rectus abdominis had similar satisfaction scores.

Patient satisfaction with breast reconstructionusing musculocutaneous flap from latissimus dorsiversus from rectus abdominis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second most frequent type of cancer worldwide and the most common type among women. The treatment for this condition has evolved over recent decades with therapeutic and technological advances. Breast reconstruction techniques using musculocutaneous flaps from the latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis have aroused interest regarding patients' quality of life. Our goal here was to compare patients' satisfaction scores after they underwent breast reconstruction using musculocutaneous flaps from either the latissimus dorsi or the rectus abdominis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Primary, clinical, analytical, observational and cross-sectional study conducted in a federal university and a public hospital. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were collected. The Mini-Mental State Examination was then applied, with testing for specificity and sensitivity. Lastly, a breast evaluation questionnaire was applied to evaluate breast satisfaction among 90 women, who were divided into three groups: mastectomy (control; n = 30); breast reconstruction using flap from the latissimus dorsi (n = 30); and reconstruction using flap from the rectus abdominis (n = 30). RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous regarding the main demographic data and the questionnaire responses (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the reconstruction groups showed significant improvement in satisfaction (P < 0.0002) after one year. CONCLUSION: Within our sample, women who underwent breast reconstruction with flaps from either the latissimus dorsi or the rectus abdominis had similar satisfaction scores.

Avaliação precoce da qualidade de vida e autoestima de pacientes mastectomizadas submetidas ou não à reconstrução mamária / Assessment of the quality of life and self-esteem of mastectomized patients submitted or not to breast reconstruction

Introdução: Após o diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama, algumas mulheres passam por alterações físicas, sociais e emocionais que repercutem muitas vezes na qualidade de vida e na autoestima. O objetivo é avaliar a qualidade de vida e autoestima de pacientes mastectomizadas submetidas ou não à reconstrução mamária após um mês de cirurgia. Métodos: A casuística foi composta por 89 pacientes, com idade igual ou superior a 30 anos, submetidas ou não à reconstrução mamária, e oriundas dos ambulatórios de Cirurgia Plástica e Mastologia do Hospital São Paulo e do Hospital Pérola Byington. O grupo 1 (n = 30) composto pelas pacientes mastectomizadas sem reconstrução mamária; o grupo 2 (n = 29) mastectomizadas com reconstrução mamária; e o grupo 3 (n = 30) pacientes sem alterações nas mamas. Para a avaliação da qualidade de vida, foram aplicados os instrumentos validados para uso no Brasil EORTC QLQ-C30 e Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg UNIFESP/EPM. Resultados: Não foram observadas repercussões na qualidade de vida e autoestima das pacientes submetidas à mastectomia com ou sem a reconstrução mamária após um mês de cirurgia. Conclusão: Mulheres mastectomizadas com ou sem reconstrução mamária após um mês da cirurgia não apresentaram repercussões na qualidade de vida e na autoestima, quando comparadas entre si, bem como comparadas às mulheres sem história de câncer. É necessário que este tipo de avaliação, por meio dos questionários EORTC QLQ-C30 e QLQ-BR23, seja realizado no momento do diagnóstico do câncer de mama até o momento da pós-reconstrução mamária, com a finalidade de identificar em que fase se instalam as repercussões na qualidade de vida e autoestima.

Introduction: After diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, some women go through physical, social, and emotional changes that often have an impact on their quality of life and self-esteem. This study aimed to assess the quality of life and self-esteem of mastectomized patients with or without breast reconstruction a month after surgery. Methods: The study consisted of 89 patients aged ≥ 30 years with or without breast reconstruction. They were recruited from the Plastic Surgery and Mastology clinic of São Paulo Hospital and Pérola Byington Hospital. Group 1 (n = 30) consisted of mastectomized patients without breast reconstruction; group 2 (n = 29) consisted of mastectomized patients with breast reconstruction; and group 3 (n = 30) consisted of patients without changes in the breasts. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale UNIFESP/EPM instruments, which are validated in Brazil, were used to assess their quality of life. Results: There were no observed effects in the quality of life and self-esteem of the patients who underwent mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction a month after surgery. Conclusion: The women with mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction a month after surgery showed no changes in their quality of life and self-esteem when compared among themselves and to women with no cancer history. It is necessary that this assessment, employing the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires, be performed from the time of breast cancer diagnosis until after breast reconstruction to identify the stage when the quality of life and self-esteem are affected.

Segurança e viabilidade de um novo formato de retalho toracoepigástrico na reconstrução da parede torácica em câncer de mama localmente avançado: um estudo transversal / Safety and viability of a new format of thoracoepigastric flap for reconstruction of the chest wall in locally advanced breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUÇÃO: Pacientes submetidas à mastectomia radical, com extensa perda tecidual, necessitam de procedimento cirúrgico de fechamento rápido e simples da lesão, com boa cobertura cutânea e mínima morbidade, para que possam receber precocemente tratamentos complementares. Estudamos a eficácia e a segurança de um novo formato do retalho toracoepigástrico com o posicionamento semissentado (Fowler) da paciente durante a cirurgia. A hipótese é de que o procedimento, além de obter adequado fechamento de grandes lesões, permita garantir a sobrevivência do retalho. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas todas as pacientes consecutivamente operadas com mastectomias radicais entre 2009 e 2014 submetidas a reconstruções torácicas. Os principais desfechos analisados foram a viabilidade do retalho e a eficácia no fechamento cirúrgico. RESULTADOS: No período do estudo, foram operadas 29 pacientes com tumor localmente avançado (90%) ou recidivado (10%), uma operada bilateralmente (30 retalhos); vinte e três (79%) com estadiamento III e seis (21%), estadiamento IV. A extensão das áreas ressecadas variou de 20 x 15 cm a 13 x 9 cm (média 15,5 x 11,6 cm). Retalho toracoepigástrico foi utilizado com dimensões variando de 25 x 12 cm a 18 x 8 cm (média de 21,3 x 10,4 cm). Houve apenas duas deiscências (7%), que cicatrizaram sem necessidade de intervenção cirúrgica, e um hematoma, drenado cirurgicamente. Uma paciente faleceu no 11º dia pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: O retalho toracoepigástrico foi eficaz e seguro, sem necessidade do uso de outros retalhos ou enxertos cutâneos, fechando a área doadora adequadamente em todos os casos. Todas as pacientes, excluindo o óbito, estavam aptas para o tratamento complementar após um mês.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who undergo radical mastectomy with extensive tissue loss require a surgical procedure for rapid and simple closure of the lesion, with good skin coverage and minimal morbidity, to make them eligible for early complementary treatments. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a new format of thoracoepigastric flap with patients in the Semi-Fowler position during surgery. We hypothesized that this procedure would achieve proper closure of large lesions and ensure the survival of the flap. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent radical mastectomy between 2009 and 2014 and had chest wall reconstruction were evaluated. The main outcomes evaluated were the viability of the flap and effectiveness of the surgical closure. RESULTS: During the study period, we operated on 29 patients with locally advanced (90%) or recurrent tumor (10%), and one patient was operated on bilaterally (total of 30 flaps). Of the study sample, 23 patients (79%) were at stage III and 6 (21%), at stage IV. The dimensions of the resected areas varied from 20 x 15 cm to 13 x 9 cm (average 15.5 x 11.6 cm). The dimensions of the thoracoepigastric flaps varied from 25 x 12 to 18 x 8 cm (average 21.3 x 10.4 cm). There were only 2 cases of dehiscence (7%), which resolved without surgical intervention, and one case of hematoma, which was drained surgically. One patient died on the eleventh postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Thoracoepigastric flaps were effective and safe, did not require the use of other flaps or skin grafting, and adequately closed the donor areas in all cases. All patients, except the patient who died, were eligible for complementary treatment one month after surgery.

Mastoplastia redutora com implante submuscular para simetrização mamária em pacientes submetidas à mastectomia / Reduction mastoplasty with submuscular implants for breast symmetrization in patients undergoing mastectomy

INTRODUÇÃO: A reconstrução mamária com uso de expansores/implantes é uma das técnicas mais empregadas para tratamento das sequelas de mastectomia devido ao menor tempo cirúrgico e menor morbidade. No entanto, a manutenção da simetria com a mama contralateral a longo prazo continua a ser um grande desafio. É proposta, então, técnica de mastoplastia redutora com colocação de implante submuscular na mama contralateral de pacientes com reconstrução mamária. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídas 31 pacientes submetidas a esta técnica, cujas características principais são ressecção glandular associada à inclusão de prótese em plano subpeitoral total. Foram avaliadas as complicações e simetria de forma e volume obtida. RESULTADOS: Observou-se baixa incidência de complicações e revisões cirúrgicas, nenhum caso de perda do implante e bons resultados de simetria. CONCLUSÃO: A mastoplastia redutora com implante submuscular mostrou-se técnica segura, com bons resultados de simetria em pacientes mastectomizadas.

INTRODUCTION: Breast reconstruction with expanders/implants is one of the most common techniques used for the treatment of mastectomy-induced sequelae, due to the reduced surgical time and morbidity. However, the maintenance of long-term symmetrization in the contralateral breast remains a major challenge. The procedure of reduction mastoplasty has been developed, and is performed by positioning a submuscular implant in the contralateral breast of patients undergoing breast reconstruction. METHODS: A total of 31 patients were included in the study. Their primary characteristics were glandular resection, combined with implant insertion in the subpectoral plane. Complications, shape, symmetry, and volume were subsequently evaluated. RESULTS: A low incidence of complications and surgical revisions was observed, with no cases of implant loss. Good breast symmetry was achieved. CONCLUSION: Reduction mastoplasty with submuscular implants proved to be a safe procedure, and resulted in good breast symmetry in patients who underwent mastectomy.

Sexualidade após mamoplastia de aumento / Sexuality after breast augmentation

Introdução: A mama é símbolo de feminilidade, maternidade e sexualidade. Mamoplastia de aumento é a segunda cirurgia estética mais realizada no Brasil, e está relacionada à melhora da imagem corporal, autoestima e qualidade de vida. Sexualidade é importante componente da qualidade de vida. O quociente sexual feminino (QS-F) é questionário desenvolvido e validado que avalia sexualidade, aplicado para avaliar o impacto do tratamento na saúde sexual. Consiste em 10 questões, que avaliam quatro domínios: desejo, excitação, conforto e satisfação sexual. O objetivo é avaliar a sexualidade após mamoplastia de aumento. Métodos: 47 candidatas a aumento das mamas foram selecionadas, tratadas cirurgicamente, e responderam ao questionário QS-F no pré e no pós-operatório de 2, 4 e 18 meses. A técnica adotada foi semelhante para todas pacientes: incisão no sulco mamário, loja subglandular, implante redondo entre 260 e 325 mL. Foram formados os grupos: com ou sem relacionamento estável; e com ou sem estrias. Resultados: 45 pacientes concluíram o estudo, com idade média de 26 anos. As complicações observadas foram: simastia (1), galactorreia (1), e estrias (10). Houve melhora significante entre o escore total do QS-F no pré e no pós-operatório de 4 (p = 0,001) e 18 meses (p = 0,001), relacionado ao significante aumento da pontuação dos domínios excitação (p < 0,001) e satisfação sexual (p = 0,001). Nas pacientes que apresentaram estrias não houve melhora significante da sexualidade (p = 0,627), ao contrário das que não apresentaram (p < 0,001). Não houve diferença significante na sexualidade entre o grupo com ou sem relacionamento estável. Conclusão: A sexualidade aumentou significantemente após mamoplastia de aumento.

Introduction: The breasts are symbol of femininity, motherhood and sexuality. Breast augmentation is the second most performed cosmetic surgery in Brazil, and it is related to improvement of body image, self-esteem and quality of life. Sexuality is a significant component of quality of life. The female sexual quotient questionnaire (FS-Q) was validated as an evaluation tool for sexuality, and it is used to evaluate the impact of many treatments for sexual health. The questionnaire entails 10 questions, which assess four domains of sexuality: sexual desire, sexual arousal, comfort and sexual satisfaction. To evaluate sexuality after breast augmentation. Methods: We selected 47 patients with interest in breast enlargement. During treatment patients completed the FSQ questionnaire before and after 2, 4 and 18 months of the surgery. The surgical technique used was the same for all patients: inframammary incision, subglandular pocket, round implant, volume 260 to 325 mL. There were four groups: with or without stable relationship, and with or without striae. Results: A total of 45 patients were considered for the study. Patients' mean age was 26 years. Complications observed were: symmastia (1), galactorrhea (1), and striae distensae(10). Significant improvement was observed between the total FSQ score at preoperative, 4 months (p = 0.001), and postoperative, 18 months (p = 0.001), and also related with the significant increase in arousal scores (p < 0.001), and sexual satisfaction (p = 0.001). Patients with striae did not show significant improvement in sexuality (p=0.627), differently of patients without striae (p < 0.001). No significant difference in sexuality was seen between the group with or without stable relationship. Conclusion: Sexuality increases significantly after breast augmentation.

Sexuality in Aesthetic Breast Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The breasts are important for a woman's psychological well-being, which may be negatively affected by distortions of breast size and shape. Improvements in self-esteem and sexuality are important psychological factors associated with motivation for cosmetic surgery. Mammaplasty is among the most sought-after and performed cosmetic procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aesthetic breast surgery on a woman's sexuality. METHODS: This study was conducted in a plastic surgery clinic of a hospital university in Brazil, between 2009 and 2012. Forty-six patients with hypomastia and 30 patients with breast hypertrophy, who expressed the desire for aesthetic breast surgery, were selected for the study. The patients were assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively using the sexual quotient-Female version scale (QS-F). The QS-F is a validated Brazilian questionnaire to assess sexual function. It contains ten items covering five domains of female sexual function: desire and interest, foreplay, excitement and harmony, comfort, and orgasm and satisfaction. Higher QS-F scores indicate better sexual functioning. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the mean total QS-F score after surgery in both groups (p < 0.001). No significant improvement in desire and comfort was reported by patients who underwent breast augmentation and in comfort by patients who underwent breast reduction. Improvement in sexuality after surgery was observed in both groups, which is consistent with the literature. CONCLUSION: Aesthetic breast surgery has a positive impact on the sexuality of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Elderly Patients With Pressure Ulcers in Different Care Settings.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure and compare health-related quality of life in elderly patients with pressure ulcers in different health care settings (home care acute care facility, and long-term care facility [LTCF]). DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: One hundred ten elderly patients with (n = 36) and without (n = 74) pressure ulcers living in LTCFs, hospitals, or at home. The research setting included 1 tertiary and 2 community-based hospitals, 10 LTCFs, and 18 community health centers in Brazil. METHODS: The Mini-Mental State Examination, Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk, and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to assess cognitive status, pressure ulcer risk, and health-related quality of life, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with those without pressure ulcers, elderly patients with pressure ulcers reported significantly lower (worse) SF-36 scores on physical functioning (P < .001) and role physical (P < .05) in all settings, and on social functioning (P = .045) and role emotional (P = .036) in LTCFs. Subjects in hospitals with pressure ulcers scored significantly higher (better) SF-36 scores on mental health (P = .046) and vitality (P = .009). Hospitalized patients without pressure ulcers had lower SF-36 scores on bodily pain (P = .007) and general health (P = .026) than those living in LTCFs or at home. Patients without pressure ulcers in LTCFs had significantly lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores (lower cognitive status) than those living in other settings (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with pressure ulcers who were hospitalized and living at home or in LTCFs reported low scores on physical functioning and role physical, and LTCF residents also reported low scores on social functioning and role emotional. This shows the need for an environment that includes health care professionals prepared to implement strategies for pressure ulcer prevention.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief after liposuction: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Liposuction is a common cosmetic surgical procedure, which requires analgesia for postoperative pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used for postoperative pain relief; however, there is no evidence of its effectiveness in liposuction patients and this is the focus of this paper. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted with 42 adult patients who underwent liposuction. Patients were randomly allocated to either the TENS group (active TENS) or control group (sham TENS). All patients received morphine (0.1 mg/kg) and dipyrone 1 g immediately after surgery; TENS was delivered 2 h later. The primary outcome was pain intensity. Secondary outcomes were analgesic requirement, number and types of adverse effects of TENS, quality of pain, treatment success, and patient satisfaction. Postoperative pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Brazilian version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (Br-MPQ). RESULTS: Patients in the TENS group reported significantly lower pain intensity (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.92) compared with those in the control group. TENS significantly decreased the consumption of analgesics in the postoperative period (P < 0.001). No withdrawals or adverse effects were observed in the TENS group, but 33.3% of patients in the control group reported drowsiness and nausea. About 95 and 38% of patients in the TENS and control groups, respectively, were satisfied with the analgesic treatment. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that TENS is effective as an adjunct to analgesics for pain relief after liposuction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Cost-utility of reduction mammaplasty assessed for the Brazilian public health system.

BACKGROUND: Economic evaluation is important for making decisions about resource allocation. Few cost-utility or cost-effectiveness studies on breast hypertrophy have been reported in the medical literature. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to determine the cost-utility of reduction mammaplasty in the Brazilian national health care system. METHODS: This randomized controlled study was conducted in a university-affiliated hospital. Sixty patients with breast hypertrophy were enrolled prospectively and were assigned randomly to either the control group (n = 30 patients who received follow-up for 6 months) or the treatment group (n = 30 patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty). Direct costs were recorded, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was administered to both groups at the beginning of the study (preoperatively for the treatment group) and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Utility was determined with Instrument 6D of the Brazilian version of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-6D), from the SF-36 data. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up, the treatment group showed an improvement in utility, with an average direct cost of approximately £104. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction mammaplasty performed in the Brazilian national health care system provides a cost-utility ratio equivalent to approximately £142 per 1 quality-adjusted life year.

Health economics and health preference concepts to orthopedics practitioners.

The aim of this study was to describe concepts of health economics in order to update and provide the orthopedic practitioner decision making parameters based on preferences. Four basic types of studies of economical evaluation were presented (cost minimization analysis, cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility), as well as the origin, the concept, advantages and disadvantages of using QALY and utility. It was discussed the importance of costs and of SF-6D, an instrument able to get through the utility data from the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Physicians, especially orthopedic practitioners, are increasingly using technologies which are progressively expensive, thus, they should be able to understand health economics concepts, the importance of utility in clinical decision making process and economic analysis in health.09+

Qualidade de vida em pacientes submetidas à reconstrução de mama com retalho miocutâneo transverso do reto abdominal / Quality of life in patients undergoing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap breast reconstruction

Introdução: A reconstrução de mama visa melhorar a qualidade de vida das pacientes que se submeteram à mastectomia, e o uso do retalho miocutâneo transverso do abdome (TRAM) é uma opção valiosa. Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da reconstrução mamária tardia com o retalho TRAM na qualidade de vida das pacientes. Método: 30 pacientes com câncer de mama, mastectomizadas foram incluídas neste estudo transversal. 15 delas (Grupo Estudo - GE) foram submetidas à reconstrução mamária com retalho TRAM seis meses antes, e as outras 15 (Grupo Controle - GC) foram programadas para a operação. Para avaliar a qualidade de vida, foi utilizado a versão brasileira do Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-form Health SurveyQuestionnaire (SF-36). Os dados foram comparados estatisticamente. Resultados: Em comparação com o GC, as pacientes do GE apresentaram melhores escores do SF-36 nos domínios: aspecto social (p<0.001), saúde mental (p=0.002) e estado geral de saúde (p=0.008). Nenhuma significância estatística foi alcançada para os outros domínios do SF-36. Conclusão: A reconstrução mamária tardia com retalho TRAM tem influência positiva na qualidade de vida das pacientes.

Introduction: Breast reconstruction is intended to improve the quality of life of patients who underwent mastectomy, and the use of the Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is a valuable option. Objective: To assess the influence of delayed TRAM flap breast reconstruction on patient's quality of life. Methods: 30 breast cancer patients who had undergone mastectomy were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Fifty of them (Study Group - SG) had undergone delayed TRAM flap breast reconstruction six months before, and the other 15 (Control Group) were scheduled for the operation. To assess quality of life, the Brazilian version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) was used. Data were statistically compared. Results: Compared to CG, patients in SG had better quality of life scores for the SF-36 domains social aspect (p<0.001), mental health (p=0.002) and general health (p=0.008). No statistical significances were reached for the other SF-36 domains. Conclusion: The delayed TRAM flap breast reconstruction had a positive influence on patient's quality of life.

Seroma and quilting suture at the donor site of the TRAM flap in breast reconstruction: a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial.

Seroma formation at the donor site of the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was evaluated in 48 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with either quilting sutures and suction drains (QS+DN group) or quilting sutures alone (QS group) or suction drains alone (DN group). Clinical and ultrasound examinations were performed to assess seroma formation in 5 regions of the abdominal wall on postoperative days 7 and 14. The incidence of seroma detected by ultrasound examination was significantly higher in the DN group (P = 0.008) than that in the other 2 groups. No difference in seroma volume (puncture) was found between the QS+DN and QS groups (P = 1.00). Seroma formation was observed in the iliac region in the DN group but not in the QS+DN and QS groups (P = 0.028). Quilting sutures at the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap donor site were efficient in reducing seroma formation.

Health economics and health preference concepts to orthopedics practitioners

The aim of this study was to describe concepts of health economics in order to update and provide the orthopedic practitioner decision making parameters based on preferences. Four basic types of studies of economical evaluation were presented (cost minimization analysis, cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility), as well as the origin, the concept, advantages and disadvantages of using QALY and utility. It was discussed the importance of costs and of SF-6D, an instrument able to get through the utility data from the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Physicians, especially orthopedic practitioners, are increasingly using technologies which are progressively expensive, thus, they should be able to understand health economics concepts, the importance of utility in clinical decision making process and economic analysis in health.09+.

Qualidade de vida e autoestima de pacientes mastectomizadas submetidas ou não a reconstrução de mama / Qualite of life and self-esteem after mastectomy in patients who did or did not undergo breast reconstructiont

INTRODUÇÃO: O número de casos de câncer de mama vem crescendo abruptamente na população brasileira. Portanto a qualidade de vida (QV) e a autoestima são pautas importantes quando o assunto é abordado, visto que a retirada da mama pode causar grande impacto tanto psicológico como físico. Entretanto, com o avanço de técnicas cirúrgicas, a reconstrução de mama já é prática constante até mesmo no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo de caráter exploratório, que recrutou 22 voluntárias, divididas em dois grupos, de acordo com a cirurgia realizada. O grupo 1 (n = 11) foi formado por mulheres mastectomizadas e o grupo 2 (n = 11), por mulheres pós-reconstrução da mama. As voluntárias dos dois grupos responderam aos questionários de Rosenberg UNIFESP/EPM, EORTC QLQ-C30 e EVA. RESULTADOS: Os resultados sugerem que, em relação à qualidade de vida, quando se observa a função emocional, as voluntárias do grupo 1 apresentam pior média em relação ao grupo 2. Em relação à autoestima, não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos; porém, quando considerada a idade, os resultados apresentam diferenças estatisticamente significantes. Quanto ao nível de dor, os grupos não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados obtidos revelam que mulheres que ainda não passaram pela reconstrução mamária possuem maior fragilidade emocional, porém novos estudos devem ser realizados para obtenção de valores estatisticamente mais relevantes.

BACKGROUND: The number of breast cancer cases has sharply increased in the Brazilian population. Therefore, quality of life (QOL) and self-esteem (SE) are major causes of concern since removal of the breast can have substantial psychological and physical impacts. With the advancement of surgical techniques, however, breast reconstruction has become a standard procedure, even in the Brazilian Public Health System. METHODS: In this exploratory qualitative study, 22 recruited volunteers were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 11) consisted of women who underwent mastectomy, whereas Group 2 (n = 11) comprised women who underwent mastectomy plus breast reconstruction. All subjects completed the Rosenberg Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, and Visual Analogue Scale questionnaires. RESULTS: Group 1 subjects had a lower average emotional function than Group 2 subjects. No statistically significant difference between the two groups was observed in the SE; however, statistically significant differences were noted according to age. No differences in pain level were seen between groups . CONCLUSIONS: Women who did not undergo breast reconstruction were more emotionally fragile; however, further studies are required in an effort to obtain more statistically relevant values.

Sexuality after breast reconstruction post mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is a medical condition that can lead to relationship issues as well as depression and has a somatoform basis. It is estimated to affect 49 % of Brazilian women. Studies have shown that both cancer diagnosis and its surgical treatment (mastectomy) affect women psychologically and can lead to psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare sexuality in women who underwent mastectomy alone with those who underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy. METHOD: This descriptive transversal study analyzed two groups of patients, one with 17 women after mastectomy alone and another with 19 women who underwent breast reconstruction post mastectomy. The patients ranged in age from 18 to 60 years old. The exclusion criteria were illiteracy; ongoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or psychiatric treatment; or if any surgery had been performed the previous year. All patients were from the Gynecology and Plastic Surgery Department of the Federal University of São Paulo. They voluntarily answered the FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's t test and Pearson's coefficient, and the significance level used was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Data showed a lower FSFI score for the mastectomy-alone group compared to the breast reconstruction group (median = 10.15 ± 2.636 and 22.44 ± 3.055, respectively; p = 0.0057). There was no relationship established between the scores and postoperative time (post, p = 0.9382; pre, p = 0.2142) or between scores and remuneration income (post, p = 0.7699; pre, p = 0.5245), stable relationship (post, p = 0.2613; pre, p = 0.5245), and age (post, p = 0.3951; pre, p = 0.8427) for both groups. Mean age has shown no significant difference (p = 0.4740; median post = 47.71 ± 2.012; medina pre = 46.69 ± 1.809). CONCLUSION: An improvement in sexual function has been observed in patients who underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy, probably as a result of better self-esteem as well as body image, both of which are affected by a mastectomy. The aesthetic results were evaluated using a questionnaire, and all the patients answered positively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The impact of surgical treatment on the self-esteem of patients with breast hypertrophy, hypomastia, or breast asymmetry.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the concept of health includes not only the absence of disease but also a complete state of physical, psychological, and social well-being with increased emphasis on the importance of self-esteem. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of surgical treatment on the self-esteem of patients with breast asymmetry, breast hypertrophy, or hypomastia. METHODS: The Rosenberg Self-Esteem UNIFESP-EPM Scale was administered preoperatively and in the early and late postoperative periods to assess self-esteem. The sample comprised three groups of patients: the breast asymmetry group (n=35), the breast hypertrophy group (n=50), and the hypomastia group (n=40). RESULTS: Surgical treatment had a positive and similar impact on the self-esteem of the patients in the three study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Correction of breast asymmetry, breast hypertrophy, and hypomastia improved the patient's self-esteem. All three groups reported a similar increase in self-esteem (decrease in total scores) after breast reconstruction.

Effect of nasal deviation on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Nasal deviation is a common complaint in otorhinolaryngology and plastic surgery. This condition not only causes impairment of nasal function but also affects quality of life, leading to psychological distress. The subjective assessment of quality of life, as an important aspect of outcomes research, has received increasing attention in recent decades. Quality of life is measured using standardized questionnaires that have been tested for reliability, validity, and sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate health-related quality of life, self-esteem, and depression in patients with nasal deviation. METHODS: Sixty patients were selected for the study. Patients with nasal deviation (n = 32) were assigned to the study group, and patients without nasal deviation (n = 28) were assigned to the control group. The diagnosis of nasal deviation was made by digital photogrammetry. Quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire; the Rosenberg Self-Esteem/Federal University of São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina Scale; and the 20-item Self-Report Questionnaire. RESULTS: There were significant differences between groups in the physical functioning and general health subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (p < 0.05). Depression was detected in 11 patients (34.4 percent) in the study group and in two patients in the control group, with a significant difference between groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nasal deviation is an aspect of rhinoplasty of which the surgeon should be aware so that proper psychological diagnosis can be made and suitable treatment can be planned because psychologically the patients with nasal deviation have significantly worse quality of life and are more prone to depression. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.(Figure is included in full-text article.).

Factors associated with hernia and bulge formation at the donor site of the pedicled TRAM flap.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between risk factors and hernia or bulge formation at the donor site of the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. A retrospective study was conducted between September 2005 and December 2008 in 206 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flap. Eight (3.9%) of these patients had abdominal wall hernia and 26 (12.6%) had abdominal bulging. The incidence of hernia was significantly higher (P < 0.05) among patients with body mass index (BMI) >/= 30 kg/m(2) (hernia incidence, 15.0%) than that among patients with BMI <30 kg/m(2) (hernia incidence, 3.2%), while the incidence of abdominal bulge was significantly lower (P < 0.05) among patients with BMI >/= 30 kg/m(2) (abdominal bulge incidence, 5.0%) than that among patients with BMI >/= 30 kg/m(2) (abdominal bulge incidence, 19.1%). Therefore, obesity was identified as a risk factor for abdominal wall hernia. It was also found that the use of mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall significantly reduced (P < 0.025) the incidence of hernia (use of mesh (hernia incidence, 2.5%) versus non-mesh (hernia incidence, 5.9%)) and abdominal bulge (use of mesh (abdominal bulge incidence, 9.9%) versus non-mesh (abdominal bulge incidence, 17.3%)) among the patients.

Avaliação dos resultados do mini-lifting modificado: estudo prospectivo / Modified minilifting results: prospective study

Introdução: O mini-lifting modificado se baseia em uma técnica padronizada, que consiste em um descolamento mínimo demarcado no pré-operatório. A plicatura do sistema músculo-aponeurótico superficial (SMAS) é realizada tracionando-se todos os tecidos da face, a fim de promover o seu rejuvenescimento com a manutenção de um retalho que apresenta menor risco de necrose por ter menor descolamento e, por isso, uma mínima área para formação de hematomas. Método: Foram operadas 36 pacientes submetidas a ritidoplastia pela técnica do mini-lifting modificado, que preencheram critérios pré-estabelecidos. Foram coletados os dados antropométricos e um interrogatório sobre a história clínica do paciente realizado. Resultados: No período de fevereiro de 2008 a março de 2009, foram operadas consecutivamente 36 pacientes pela técnica de mini-lifting modificado. A idade variou entre 44 e 67 anos, sendo a média de 57 anos. O retorno das pacientes às atividades habituais variou de 7 a 14 dias, período que coincide com a redução em mais de 80% do edema pós-operatório. O dreno a vácuo foi retirado na manhã seguinte em 34 (94,4%) pacientes, no 2º dia pós-operatório em 1 (2,94%) caso e houve 1 (2,94%) caso de hematoma pós-operatório. Não houve caso de necrose do retalho. Houve 1 (2,94%) caso de neuropraxia do facial, que foi resolvida espontaneamente. Conclusão: A técnica de mini-lifting modificado foi considerada satisfatória, por apresentar bons resultados, baixo índice de complicações e retorno precoce das pacientes às suas atividades.

Introduction: The modified mini-face lift is based on a standardized tecnic consisting of a minimum undermining marked preoperatively. The plication of the muscle-aponeurotic superficial (SMAS) is done pulling all the tissues of the face, promoting facial rejuvenation with the maintenance of a flap with a lower risk of necrosis by maintaining smaller undermining area and minimum area for hematomas. Methods: We operated on 36 patients under going rhytidectomy technique of modified mini-lifting as they fulfilled the some criteria. Anthropometric data were collected, a questionnaire about the patient’s history wasper formed. Results: From February 2008 to March 2009, 36 patients were consecutively operated by the modified mini-facelift technique. The age ranged from 44 to 67 years, with a mean 57 anos. The patients return to normal activities ranged from 7 to 14 days, a period that coincides with a reduction in more than 80% of post operative edema. The vacuum drain was removed the next morning (1st day after surgery) in 34 patients (94.4%), the 2nd post operative day in 1 (2.94%) case and in 1 (2.94%) case of post operative hematoma. There were no cases of necrosis of the flap. There was 1 (2.94%) neuropraxia facial which was resolved spontaneously. Conclusion: The technique of modified mini-lifting is satisfactory for presenting good results, low complication rate and early return of patients to their activities.