The Outcome of Primary Subglandular Breast Augmentation Using Tumescent Local Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) technique to obtain regional anesthesia and vasoconstriction of the skin and subcutaneous tissues is routinely adopted for several plastic surgery procedures. Here, we describe the use of TLA in primary subglandular breast augmentation. This series evaluates advantages and disadvantages of TLA in elective augmentation breast surgery as well as patients' response to this procedure. METHODS: Between December 2008 and November 2011, 150 patients underwent bilateral primary subglandular breast augmentation under TLA and conscious sedation in the presence of a board-certified anesthesiologist. Midazolam 0.05 mg/kg IV and ranitidine 100 mg IV were given as premedication. Tumescent local anesthesia was composed of 25 mL of lidocaine 2%, 8 mEq of sodium bicarbonate, and 1 mL of epinephrine (1 mg/1 mL) in 1000 mL of 0.9% NS. The solution was delivered between the pectoral fascia and the mammary gland via a spinal needle. After infiltration, 45 minutes were allowed before surgery for local anesthetic effects to take place. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34.3 years. The average amount of tumescent solution infiltrated was 1150 mL, with a maximal dose of 17 mg/kg of lidocaine used. Operating time was 45 minutes and recovery room time averaged 125 minutes. Minor complications were found in a total of 9 (5.3%) patients, with no main surgery-related complications such as hematoma or seroma formation. CONCLUSIONS: Breast augmentation under TLA and conscious sedation proved to be safe in the presence of a board-certified anesthesiologist and when performed with meticulous surgical technique.

Relationship between cognitive impairment and nutritional assessment on functional status in Calabrian long-term-care.

OBJECTIVE: The interaction between dementia and nutritional state is very complex and not yet fully understood. The aim of the present study was to assess the interaction between cognitive impairment and nutritional state in a cohort of residential elderly in relationship with functional condition of patients and their load of assistance in long-term-care facilities of the National Association of Third Age Structures (ANASTE) Calabria. METHODS: One hundred seventy-four subjects (122 female and 52 male) were admitted to the long-term-care ANASTE Calabria study. All patients underwent multidimensional geriatric assessment. Nutritional state was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), whereas cognitive performance was evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The functional state was assessed by Barthel Index (BI) and Activity Daily Living (ADL). The following nutritional biochemical parameters were also evaluated: albumin, cholesterol, iron, and hemoglobin. All patients were reassessed 180 days later. RESULTS: A severe cognitive impairment in MMSE performance was displayed in 49.7% patients, while 39.8% showed a moderate deficit; 6.9% had a slight deficit; and 3.4% evidenced no cognitive impairment. In MNA, 30% of patients exhibited an impairment of nutritional state; 56% were at risk of malnutrition; and 14% showed no nutritional problems. Malnutrition was present in 42% of patients with severe cognitive impairment, but only 4% of malnourished patients showed moderate cognitive deficit. The statistical analysis displayed a significant correlation between MNA and MMSE (P<0.001), as did MMSE correlated with Activity Daily Living (P<0.001) and BI (P<0.05). MNA correlated with BI (P<0.001) and albumin (P<0.001). The follow-up showed a strong correlation between cognitive deterioration and worsening of nutritional state (P<0.005) as well as with the functional state (P<0.05) and mortality (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The present study clearly shows that malnutrition may play an important role in the progression of cognitive loss.

An adipocitolitic aqueous micro-gelatinous solution for buffalo hump deformity reduction.

Buffalo hump is a manifestation of HIV related lipodistrophy, it is characterized by an enlargment of dorsocervical fat pad and is distressing for patients. Surgical correction until a few years ago was the only option for treatment, however in last years non surgical corrections was carried out with minimally invasive techniques. Authors report this case that describe a longer follow up of an already published study were this deformity was treated with the injection of an adipocitolitic aqueous micro-gelatinous solution and during all the follow up no relapse was observed.

Safety and efficacy of one-step rehabilitation of human immunodeficiency virus-related facial lipoatrophy using an injectable calcium hydroxylapatite dermal filler.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related facial lipoatrophy seems to be the most distressing manifestation for individuals with HIV. It can be stigmatizing, severely affecting quality of life and self-esteem. Ever-increasing numbers of individuals with HIV receiving medication for HIV infection are presenting to plastic surgeons and requesting reconstructive surgery to counteract the unwanted side effects of their treatment protocols, for example facial lipoatrophy. The authors show their results with a one-step rehabilitation in cases of facial lipoatrophy using an injectable calcium hydroxylapatite dermal filler mixed with local anesthetic and adrenaline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted as a clinical prospective study; 26 individuals with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy and with facial lipoatrophy received injections of an injectable calcium hydroxylapatite dermal filler mixed with local anesthetic and adrenaline. RESULTS: No major complications were registered. A stable result was observed in all the cases at the end of follow-up (3 months). High patient satisfaction was achieved in all cases. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of this study confirm that calcium hydroxylapatite dermal filler safely and effectively ameliorates the appearance of patients with HIV-related facial lipoatrophy, and mixing it with local anaesthetic and adrenaline can reduce pain during injection and ecchymosis.

Autologous fat transfer for face rejuvenation with tumescent technique fat harvesting and saline washing: a report of 215 cases.

Various materials have been used for tissue augmentation and for the treatment of rhytids. Autologous fat transfer (AFT) is considered ideal regarding biocompatibility and patient concerns. This study was performed on a series of 215 female patients for face rejuvenation with tumescent technique fat harvesting and saline washing. The study was based on two AFT procedures for each patient. Second treatment was performed at least 1 month after the first operation. Their mean age was 55.5±2.1 years. High-definition photographs in five standard views, front (n=1), side (n=2) and oblique of 3/4 (n=2), were taken for the preoperative morphological study. Aesthetic outcomes were evaluated by the operating surgeon, the patient and an independent dermatologist. Outcomes were evaluated by comparing the preoperative photographs with those taken 1 month after the first procedure and at the end of the 1-year follow-up period. At 12 months all the patients except one noted an improvement. Of these 85.6% (184 patients) were satisfied with the treatment. The operating surgeon and the independent observer noted respectively a sufficient correction in 88.8 and 95.3%. AFT was considered painless by 94.9% and slightly painful by 5.1% of subjects. Fat tissue harvesting by tumescent anesthesia and purification with saline washing enable adipocyte viability to be preserved throughout the procedure and to perform the treatment under local anesthesia.

A facial marker in facial wasting rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Facial lipoatrophy is one of the most distressing manifestation for HIV patients. It can be stigmatizing, severely affecting quality of life and self-esteem, and it may result in reduced antiretroviral adherence. Several filling techniques have been proposed in facial wasting restoration, with different outcomes. The aim of this study is to present a triangular area that is useful to fill in facial wasting rehabilitation. METHODS: Twenty-eight HIV patients rehabilitated for facial wasting were enrolled in this study. Sixteen were rehabilitated with a non-resorbable filler and twelve with structural fat graft harvested from lipohypertrophied areas. A photographic pre-operative and post-operative evaluation was performed by the patients and by two plastic surgeons who were "blinded." The filled area, in both patients rehabilitated with structural fat grafts or non-resorbable filler, was a triangular area of depression identified between the nasolabial fold, the malar arch, and the line that connects these two anatomical landmarks. RESULTS: The cosmetic result was evaluated after three months after the last filling procedure in the non-resorbable filler group and after three months post-surgery in the structural fat graft group. The mean patient satisfaction score was 8.7 as assessed with a visual analogue scale. The mean score for blinded evaluators was 7.6. CONCLUSION: In this study the authors describe a triangular area of the face, between the nasolabial fold, the malar arch, and the line that connects these two anatomical landmarks, where a good aesthetic facial restoration in HIV patients with facial wasting may be achieved regardless of which filling technique is used.

Comparison between lipofilling and a nonabsorbable filler for facial wasting rehabilitation in HIV-positive patients.

BACKGROUND: Several treatments have been described for facial wasting rehabilitation in HIV-positive patients. In this article, we compare lipofilling and a nonabsorbable filler for facial wasting rehabilitation induced by antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients. METHODS: This study was conducted as a clinical prospective study. Twenty-three HIV-positive patients affected by facial wasting were treated for facial rehabilitation, between January 2007 and December 2008, at the Head and Neck Department of the II University of Naples. They were divided into 2 groups; the first group was treated with lipofilling (group A), and the second one with the injection of a nonabsorbable filler, Aquamid reconstruction (Contura International A/S, Soeborg, Denmark) (group B).All the patients were HIV-positive, they had been receiving antiretroviral therapy for several years (1.8-6.7 years, 3.2 years on average) and showed clinical signs of facial lipoatrophy. Group A was composed of 14 patients (9 men, 5 women; mean age, 43.7 years), all presenting facial wasting and lipohypertrophied areas of the body. Group B was composed of 9 male patients, 7 presenting only facial wasting, and 2 presenting lipohypertrophied areas of the body (mean age, 44.8 years). Clinical efficacy was assessed independently by the investigator and the patient, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after baseline. The main assessment was made by the investigator using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) 1 year after baseline; secondary assessment using the GAIS was made by the investigator and the patient 6 months after baseline. RESULTS: There were no major complications. No infections or other complications were observed. According to GAIS ratings, group A (lipofilling) obtained significantly higher ratings than did group B (nonabsorbable filler) after baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We can treat HIV-related lipodistrophy more extensively with lipofilling because, after harvesting the fat graft, other body contouring procedures also can be performed; there is a better aesthetic outcome in facial rehabilitation performed with lipofilling, probably due to the possibility to fill deeper than with nonabsorbable fillers.

Red blood cell transfusion following burn.

A severe burn will significantly alter haematologic parameters, and manifest as anaemia, which is commonly found in patients with greater than 10% total body surface area (TBSA) involvement. Maintaining haemoglobin and haematocrit levels with blood transfusion has been the gold standard for the treatment of anaemia for many years. While there is no consensus on when to transfuse, an increasing number of authors have expressed that less blood products should be transfused. Current transfusion protocols use a specific level of haemoglobin or haematocrit, which dictates when to transfuse packed red blood cells (PRBCs). This level is known as the trigger. There is no one 'common trigger' as values range from 6 g dl(-1) to 8 g dl(-1) of haemoglobin. The aim of this study was to analyse the current status of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in the treatment of burn patients, and address new information regarding burn and blood transfusion management. Analysis of existing transfusion literature confirms that individual burn centres transfuse at a lower trigger than in previous years. The quest for a universal transfusion trigger should be abandoned. All RBC transfusions should be tailored to the patient's blood volume status, acuity of blood loss and ongoing perfusion requirements. We also focus on the prevention of unnecessary transfusion as well as techniques to minimise blood loss, optimise red cell production and determine when transfusion is appropriate.

An alternative alar cinch suture.

Nasal widening is commonly associated to maxillary osteotomies, but it is only partially dependent on the amount of skeletal movement. Techniques for controlling lateralization of the ala, including the alar base cinch technique, originally described by Millard, have been well reported by Collins and Epker and later modified by others. In this article, authors report the effect of a new alar cinch suture technique on a sample of 32 patients.

A modified scalpel in hair restoration.

One limiting factor of hair transplantation is the amount of hair available in the patient donor scalp. Several techniques have been proposed as steel punches, multiblade knives, FUE (follicular unit extract) and single-strip harvesting. The authors introduce a modified surgical scalpel with a No. 10 blade to minimize side effects. This scalpel is folded at 120-degree angle and allows the incision to be parallel to the hair follicles and help the surgeon to avoid resection of the hair during dissection. The authors propose this modified scalpel as a new ideal instrument for removing the donor area in hair transplantation.

Electrical injuries due to theft of copper.

This study shows that the theft of copper, mainly from electrical wires, is becoming a more frequent crime as the value of this metal rises. We have collected all the data from the Burn Centre of the Hospital of Palermo, Italy, from 1992 to 2007. Over the last two decades, we assisted to a dramatic increase of patients admitted to our hospital, reporting burn injuries while attempting to steal it in dangerous conditions. The circumstances of the injury, the clinical management of the case, and the long-term consequences are presented and discussed. We found that the electrical burn related to the theft of copper is often a life-threatening event because of the high-voltage electrical current passing through the patients. Patients, due to the type of activity, often requiring physical effort, were generally young and healthy. From a review of the literature on the subject, we have noticed that theft of copper is not reported as an important risk factor for electrical burns. Our report clearly shows that theft of copper-related electrical injury is becoming more frequent in the community and should be added as a "new" risk factor. The already high incidence reported here may actually be lower than the actual incidence because many patients tend not to come to the hospital because of the risk of being prosecuted by the police.

Easy closure of anterior palatal fistula with local flaps.

BACKGROUND: Anterior palatal fistula is often observed in the treatment of the cleft palate with a push-back palatoplasty. High rate of incomplete closure is reported. We describe a reliable new technique with reverse local flaps to close an anterior palatal fistula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seventeen cleft patients, treated with push-back palatoplasty, underwent repair of an anterior palatal fistula by our group. Fistulas were located in the anterior hard palate, with a variable size between 0.1 cm to more than 0.5 cm. Two reverse local flaps from the nasal mucosa of the lateral palatal edges are used to close the fistula. A third flap is elevated from the premaxilla in bilateral clefts. The flaps are elevated toward the center of the fistula. The closure is made in 2 layers for unilateral cleft and in 3 layers for bilateral cleft, using absorbable sutures. RESULTS: Complete closure of the anterior palatal fistula was achieved in 77 patients (65%) after the first surgery, 27 patients (23%) required a second attempt to close the fistula, and 10 patients (8.5%) required a third surgery. Three patients (2.5%) continued to have a fistula after 5 surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that our method is reliable and easy to perform, and it has a high success rate. The technique is indicated to correct small- to medium-size defects.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide and thermal injury: review of literature.

The aim of this review article is to report about the anti-inflammatory properties of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in burns. CGRP is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide, primarily released from sensory nerves and is well known as the most potent and long-lasting microvascular vasodilator in vitro and hypotensive agents in vivo.A wide range of proinflammatory stimuli can induce the release of neuropeptides from cutaneous sensory nerves, including heat, physical trauma, UV radiation, and irritant chemicals. These proinflammatory stimuli are known to induce the release of CGRP from cutaneous sensory nerves. The anti-inflammatory effects of CGRP in a range of species and in human clinical conditions are detailed, and potential therapeutic applications based on the use of antagonists and gene targeting of agonists are discussed.

Assessment of a new hyaluronic acid filler. double-blind, randomized, comparative study between Puragen and Captique in the treatment of nasolabial folds.

Fillers represent a field of aesthetic medicine under remarkable expansion. Over the past few years, in the USA, there has been a huge increase in the use of fillers, especially for hyaluronic acid (400% in 2004). The causes of this increase have been the greater tolerability of this reabsorbable filler with respect to the others, and its prolonged efficacy in time due to chemical modifications of its molecular structure. In our study, we report the results of a double-blind comparative study between Puragen (latest-generation hyaluronic acid with double cross-linking) and Captique (second generation hyaluronic acid with single cross-linking), in the treatment of nasolabial folds. Each patient received Puragen in one nasolabial fold and Captique in the contralateral fold, at random. Clinical efficacy was assessed independently by the investigator and the patient 2, 4 and 6 months after baseline or when the optimal cosmetic result was obtained. The tolerability assessment was made by the patient (using a daily diary to record any adverse events) for 2 weeks after each treatment, and by the operator 2, 4, and 6 months after baseline. Sixty-eight patients completed follow up at 6 months. From the results obtained in this study, Puragen remained stably in the treated tissues even after 6 months while less satisfactory results were obtained with Captique.

Treatment of muscular contraction deformities with botulinum toxin type A after latissimus dorsi flap and sub-pectoral implant breast reconstruction.

Unusual and probably underestimated complications following breast reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi (LD) flap and sub-pectoral implant are the LD muscle twitching and the breast contour deformities from pectoralis major (PM) muscle contraction. Surgical muscle denervation is usually indicated for these complications. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) infiltration has been described in reducing breast contour deformity in sub-pectoral implant after breast augmentation or reconstruction. Between January 2002 and April 2006, 71 consecutive patients underwent delayed unilateral breast reconstructions with LD flap and sub-pectoral implant after mastectomy. All patients reporting discomforting signs and symptoms from muscle contraction in the reconstructed breast were included in this prospective study. Thirteen patients (18.3%) were selected and treated with BTX-A percutaneous local injections. Signs and symptoms were evaluated, after 4, 8 and 12 months, by the patients and by a panel of three physicians not involved in the study, using a five-point scale. During the study period all patients reported a decrease or disappearance of the signs and symptoms. After 12 months, 11 patients received three BTX-A infiltrations, demonstrating considerable improvements compared to the pre-treatment status. Wilcoxon matched pairs rank sum test showed a statistical difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment scores after 14 days (P<0.01) and 12 months (P<0.001). Our experience shows that muscular contraction deformities after breast reconstruction with a LD flap plus implant are not uncommon complications. The use of BTX-A infiltrations is an effective, not surgical, low cost and low risk procedure to treat these complications. It is an easy procedure to be performed on an outpatient basis with a temporary effect but safely repeatable and reproducible; it avoids hospitalisation or further surgical procedures and demonstrates tolerable latency with satisfactory outcomes.

Microsurgical anastomosis with the 'PCA' technique.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we introduce a new microvascular anastomosis technique called 'PCA' (Posterior wall first--Continuous interrupted--Airborne). The conventional microvascular anastomosis (CI), with single interrupted stitches, requires a long time to be completed, as each suture must be tied before starting the following stitch. Surgeons are often searching to reduce microsurgery time, particularly when there are multiple vessels to be anastomosed or when there is a prerequisite for the ischemia time to be quick. METHODS: The authors conducted a comparative study of PCA and CI on 40 Wistar-albino rats. The femoral arteries and veins of each rat were used, resulting in a total of 160 vessels, with a diameter of 0.8 to 1mm. The rats were divided into two groups. Patency rates were compared between the two groups, using the chi-square test. The times required to perform the anastomosis were compared using the Student's t test. A p value<0.001 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean time required for microvascular anastomosis of the femoral arteries was 22 minutes (mins) and 46 seconds (secs) in the PCA group, and 28 mins and 50 secs in the CI group. The mean time required for microvascular anastomosis of veins was 19 mins and 20 secs in the PCA group, and 23 mins and 36 secs in the CI group. CONCLUSION: The combination of the three different techniques (posterior wall first, continuous-interrupted, and airborne), used for the microvascular anastomosis, is safe, secure, and time-saving. The advantages of this combined method are the benefits of a single stitch, the increased speed of a continuous suture, and the reduced time of tying. The PCA technique may be helpful to selected clinical situations, due to a reduction in microsurgical time, as in such cases of multiple digital replantations, multiple "in chain" free flaps, vein grafts, and high metabolic free flaps, such as the intestine free microvascular transfer.

Nonsurgical tightening of skin laxity: a new radiofrequency approach.

BACKGROUND: Improvement in skin laxity can be difficult to achieve without invasive surgical procedures. Monopolar radiofrequency (RF) treatment is used by physicians to heat skin and promote tissue tightening and contouring. RF technology produces an electric current that generates heat through resistance in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The thermal effect depends on the conductivity features of the treated tissue. When heated, collagen fibrils will denature and contract, which is believed to lead to the observed tissue tightening. METHODS: Ninety-three consecutive patients with mild to moderate laxity were included in the study. The Surgitron Dual Frequency RF (Radiowave technology, Ellman International) was used to treat skin laxity. The application of RF energy took place in an ambulatory setting with no need for skin sterilization or anesthesia. RESULTS: Patients immediately noticed a microlifting retraction in the treated tissues according to the vectors mapped in the area. There were no significant complications and the majority of patients were satisfied with the procedure and able to return to their daily routine after leaving the office, thereby substantiating the popularity of noninvasive rejuvenating procedures.