Analysis of laboratory markers in body contouring procedures after bariatric surgery does not indicate particular risks for perioperative complications.

BACKGROUND: Body contouring surgery after massive weight loss is associated with different risk factors. Wound healing disorders and seromas commonly occur postoperatively. Bariatric interventions lead to massive weight loss with excess skin and soft tissue. In this study, perioperatively collected laboratory markers of this special patient population were analyzed. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients were analyzed retrospectively regarding bariatric surgery, weight loss, body contouring surgery, laboratory markers, and complication rates. RESULTS: Body contouring surgery (n = 117) was performed in 59 patients. Weight loss was achieved after gastric bypass (40.1%), gastric banding (33.9%), or sleeve gastrectomy (26.0%), with an average of 69.2 kg. The most common body contouring procedure included abdominoplasty (n = 50), followed by thigh lift (n = 29), mammaplasty (n = 19), brachioplasty (n = 14), and upper body lift (n = 5). Analysis of laboratory markers revealed no exceptional and clinically relevant variations. Correlation analysis revealed associations between resection weight, amount of drain fluid, and particular laboratory markers. CONCLUSION: Analysis of perioperative laboratory markers in this special patient population after massive weight loss did not indicate clinically relevant risk factors regardless of the type of bariatric or body contouring surgery. Body contouring surgeries after bariatric interventions prove to be safe and low risk concerning perioperative laboratory markers and postoperative hospitalization.

Intraoperative Blood Flow Analysis of Free Flaps with Arteriovenous Loops for Autologous Microsurgical Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous (AV) loops help to overcome absent or poor-quality recipient vessels in highly complex microvascular free flap reconstruction cases. There are no studies on blood flow and perfusion patterns. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare intraoperative hemodynamic characteristics of AV loops followed by free tissue transfer for thoracic wall and lower extremity reconstruction. METHODS: this prospective clinical study combined Transit-Time Flowmetry and microvascular Indocyanine Green Angiography for the assessment of blood flow volume, arterial vascular resistance and intrinsic transit time at the time of AV loop construction and on the day of free flap transfer. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients underwent AV loop creation, of whom five required chest wall reconstruction and six required reconstruction of the lower extremities. In seven of these cases, the latissimus dorsi flap and in four cases the vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap was used as a free flap. At the time of loop construction, the blood flow volume of AV loops was 466 ± 180 mL/min, which increased to 698 ± 464 mL/min on the day of free tissue transfer (p > 0.1). After free flap anastomosis, the blood flow volume significantly decreased to 18.5 ± 8.3 mL/min (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in blood flow volume or arterial vascular resistance between latissimus dorsi and VRAM flaps, nor between thoracic wall and lower extremity reconstruction. However, a significant correlation between the flap weight and the blood flow volume, as well as to the arterial vascular resistance, was found (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to perform intraoperative blood flow and hemodynamic measurements of AV loops followed by free tissue transfer. Our results show hemodynamic differences and contribute to deeper understanding of the properties of AV loops for free flap reconstruction.

Is Instillational Topical Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Peri-Prosthetic Infections of the Breast Effective? A Pilot Study.

Peri-prosthetic breast infections pose a risk of severe complications after breast implant surgery. The need to remove the breast implant, control the infection and perform additional surgical procedures are the consequences. Reimplantation of an alloplastic implant is only appropriate after an infection-free interval. In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the effectiveness of negative pressure wound treatment with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) on peri-prosthetic breast infections in combination with implant removal and antibiotic therapy. Twelve patients treated with NPWTi-d due to breast implant infection were included in the study. The bacterial burden was analyzed using wound swabs before and after NPWTi-d. Additionally, laboratory values were determined before NPWTi-d and immediately before wound closure. A total of 13 peri-prosthetic breast infections in 12 patients were treated using implant removal and NPWTi-d. In 76.9% (n = 10) of the cases, the patients had undergone alloplastic breast reconstruction following cancer-related mastectomy, whereas 23.1% (n = 3) of the patients had undergone breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons. The bacterial burden in the breast pocket decreased statistically significant after implant removal and NPWTi-d. No shift from Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria was observed. Inflammatory markers rapidly decreased following treatment. NPWTi-d had a positive impact on the healing process after peri-prosthetic breast infections, leading to a decrease in bacterial burden within the wounds and contributing to uneventful healing. Therefore, secondary reimplantation of breast prostheses might be positively influenced when compared to conventional implant removal and simple secondary closure. Further studies are required to conclusively establish the beneficial long-term effects of using NPWTi-d for the treatment of peri-prosthetic breast infections.

Intraoperative Blood Flow Analysis of DIEP vs. ms-TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction Combining Transit-Time Flowmetry and Microvascular Indocyanine Green Angiography.

Background: Vascular patency is the key element for high flap survival rates. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the blood flow characteristics of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (ms-TRAM) flaps for autologous breast reconstruction. Methods: This prospective clinical study combined Transit-Time Flowmetry and microvascular Indocyanine Green Angiography for the measurement of blood flow volume, vascular resistance, and intrinsic transit time. Results: Twenty female patients (mean age, 52 years) received 24 free flaps (14 DIEP and 10 ms-TRAM flaps). The mean arterial blood flow of the flap in situ was 7.2 ± 1.9 mL/min in DIEP flaps and 11.5 ± 4.8 mL/min in ms-TRAM flaps (p < 0.05). After anastomosis, the mean arterial blood flow was 9.7 ± 5.6 mL/min in DIEP flaps and 13.5 ± 4.2 mL/min in ms-TRAM flaps (p = 0.07). The arterial vascular resistance of DIEP flaps was significantly higher than that of ms-TRAM flaps. The intrinsic transit time of DIEP flaps was 52 ± 18 s, and that of ms-TRAM flaps was 33 ± 11 s (p < 0.05). The flap survival rate was 100%. One DIEP flap with the highest intrinsic transit time (77 s) required surgical revision due to arterial thrombosis. Conclusion: In this study, we established the blood flow characteristics of free DIEP and ms-TRAM flaps showing different blood flow rates, vascular resistances, and intrinsic transit times. These standard values will help to determine the predictive values for vascular compromise, hence improving the safety of autologous breast reconstruction procedures.

Bilateral free flap breast reconstruction using venous cross-over bypass to contralateral internal mammary artery for salvaging thrombosed arterial anastomosis in unilateral repeated irradiation of the breast: A case report.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in breast cancer patients might enhance complications after autologous breast reconstruction, including thrombosis of the internal mammary artery (IMA) precluding its use as recipient vessel. This case report shows a salvage procedure for thrombosis of the IMA during bilateral autologous breast reconstruction in a 51-year-old patient who had undergone repeated irradiation of the chest wall after Hodgkin's disease and recurrent breast carcinoma of the right side. After mastectomy of the right breast and prophylactic mastectomy of the left breast, the patient desired breast reconstruction with autologous tissue. During simultaneous bilateral breast reconstruction using two deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps anastomosed to the left and right inframammary vessels, arterial anastomosis to the right IMA was not feasible due to arterial thrombosis. A salvage procedure using an interpositional cephalic vein graft as a crossover bypass and a subcutaneous presternal tunnel was used. The inferior epigastric artery of the right DIEP flap was anastomosed to the venous bypass, which was anastomosed to the contralateral IMA. Both flaps healed without any complications during the postoperative course and follow up of 6 months. The presented case shows the feasibility of a cross-over venous bypass procedure during bilateral breast reconstruction as salvage maneuver for the arterial anastomosis after repeated radiation of the unilateral breast.

A Myocutaneous Latissimus Dorsi Propeller Flap Based on a Single Dorsal Intercostal Perforator.

This study presents a novel surgical technique for the reconstruction of highly challenging large lower back defects. In this case, a 72-year-old man initially diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma received nephrectomy followed by the dissection of an iliac crest metastasis and repeated high-dose irradiation therapy. Several years later, an osteocutaneous fistula at the right caudal posterior trunk made the reconstruction of the lower back defect necessary. High-dose irradiation of the lower back and poor vascular conditions at the pelvic region disqualified the patient for previously published local or free flap options. The initial strategy of an arteriovenous loop anastomosed to the femoral vessels and a free latissimus dorsi flap transfer had to be withdrawn due to repeated intraoperative loop thrombosis. For that reason, the entire latissimus dorsi muscle was used as a myocutaneous propeller flap receiving its blood supply solely through a single dorsal intercostal artery perforator. The flap survived completely and no fistulous formation occurred postoperatively. The time to complete wound healing was 4 months. This new technique is considered a valuable addition for the reconstruction of challenging posterior caudal trunk defects.

Limb salvage procedure in immunocompromised patients with therapy-resistant leg ulcers-The value of ultra-radical debridement and instillation negative-pressure wound therapy.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the outcome of our established triple treatment strategy in therapy-resistant deep-thickness chronic lower leg ulcers. This limb salvage approach consists of ultra-radical surgical debridement, negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with or without instillation, and split-thickness skin grafting. Between March 2003 and December 2019, a total of 16 patients and 24 severe cases of lower leg ulcers were eligible for inclusion in this highly selective population. A total of seven patients received immunosuppressive medication. Complete wound closure was achieved in 25% and almost 90% of included lower leg ulcer cases after 3 and 24 months of our triple treatment strategy, respectively. The overall limb salvage rate was 100%. Bacterial colonisation of these wounds was significantly reduced after multiple surgical debridements and NPWT. Fasciotomy and radical removal of devitalised tissue such as deep fascia, tendons, and muscles combined with NPWT showed promising results in terms of the overall graft take rate. This treatment strategy was considered as last resort for limb salvage in such a critically ill and immunocompromised patient population. Surgeons should be aware of its efficacy and consider the triple treatment strategy especially if no other limb salvage option remains.

Topical negative-pressure wound therapy: emerging devices and techniques.

Introduction: The treatment of chronic wounds constitutes a massive financial burden to society and our health-care system. Therefore, efficient wound care is of great importance to all kinds of medical fields. The implementation and modification of negative-pressure wound therapy can be seen as a major improvement in wound healing. Many different NPWT applications evolved trying to address various wound etiologies.Areas covered: This review aims to give an overview of various NPWT applications, show its effects on wound healing, and discuss future modifications.Expert opinion: NPWT as a delivery device for cold plasma, growth factors, or targeted stem cells to the wound bed and the ability to monitor the inflammatory activity, bacterial load and wound healing factors can be seen as possible future steps to individualized wound care. In addition, it requires high-quality experimental studies to develop the ideal foam in terms of microstructure, pore size, and material properties.

Rare Pseudotumor-like Hematoma at the Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap Donor Site: A Treatment Strategy Utilizing Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Instillation and Dwell Time.

INTRODUCTION: In reconstructive surgery, the latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle is known as a workhorse flap and is commonly used as a pedicled or free flap. Postoperative complications of a reconstructive procedure with an LD flap include seroma and hematoma formation at an early stage after LD transfer. Late-onset hematoma at the donor site are considered to be extremely rare postoperative complications; late, expanding pseudotumor-like hematoma can occur months or years after surgery. Shearing forces and poor coagulation are thought to be the primary reasons for these postoperative complications. CASE REPORTS: This report presents 2 cases of pseudotumors 12 and 29 years after LD transfer. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed prior to complete surgical excision. After surgical removal, patients received negative-pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) for several days. After vacuum-assisted wound bed preparation, wound closure was performed with secondary sutures. CONCLUSIONS: The case report presented 2 incidences of rare late-onset pseudotumors many years after the initial LD reconstruction. To the authors' knowledge, this late-onset occurrence (ie, after 3 decades) has not been reported in the literature to date. If solidification of the late hematoma makes aspiration impossible, surgical intervention is required. Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time potentially minimizes the wound size and reduces shear forces at the back donor-site.

Allogeneic Skin Substitutes Versus Human Placental Membrane Products in the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Narrative Comparative Evaluation of the Literature.

Outcomes following standard wound care (SWC) for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) remain suboptimal. Supplementing SWC with tissue engineered allogeneic cellular wound therapies represents an emerging treatment strategy. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of allogeneic skin substitutes and human placental membrane allografts in the management of DFUs. Ovid MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched from inception to October 2017. Any randomized controlled trial (RCT) with an allogeneic skin substitute or placental membrane allograft intervention group was included. Our primary outcome measure was the proportion of completely healed ulcers. Secondary outcome measures included time to complete wound healing and local adverse event rates. Each study was assessed for risk of bias and the quality of evidence was appraised using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Moderate quality evidence from 11 included RCTs demonstrated that both allogeneic cellular approaches improve the proportion of completely healed ulcers at 6 and 12 weeks. One RCT showed that a placental membrane allograft was superior to an allogeneic skin substitute, although this has yet to be repeated in other studies. The addition of allogeneic cellular wound products to SWC improves DFU outcomes. Further studies are required to conclusively establish if placental membrane allografts are superior to allogeneic skin substitutes.

Protocol for a systematic review of venous coupler devices versus hand-sewn anastomosis for microsurgical free flap reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: A patent microvascular anastomosis is of paramount importance in free tissue transfer. Anastomotic coupler devices provide an alternative to technically demanding hand-sewn venous anastomosis. Various advantages of these devices have been discussed but previous systematic reviews had methodological flaws or did not perform a meta-analysis. This review aims to evaluate the quality of the evidence and quantify the efficacy and safety of venous couplers compared to hand-sewn anastomosis. METHODS: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis will be performed. A comprehensive search strategy has been developed and will be applied to the databases MEDLINE and Embase from inception to October 2018. All clinical studies using anastomotic coupler devices for venous anastomoses in free tissue transfer will be eligible for inclusion. Screening of studies and data extraction will be performed independently by two authors. Our primary outcome is anastomotic venous thrombosis. Secondary outcomes will include time to complete the venous anastomosis, tearing of veins, anastomotic leakage, flap loss/failure and fiscal outcomes. The risk of bias for included studies will be assessed by using the ROBINS-I tool, and recommendations based on the evidence will be made using the GRADE approach. Descriptive statistical analyses will be used and if two or more studies report the same outcome, data will be pooled for comparative analysis. A direct comparison meta-analysis will be performed if possible. DISCUSSION: There has been no comparison of coupled and hand-sewn venous anastomoses using a robust and validated methodology preceded by a protocol and performing meta-analysis. Included studies are expected to be mainly observational and prone to bias; however, there is value in summarising the evidence, assessing its risk of bias and performing meta-analysis to guide clinicians. By using a broad approach including all types of flaps, we foresee inherent differences regarding the unit of analysis and different anatomic sites. This will limit the validity of our conclusions but is unavoidable. We will seek unpublished data from authors and perform subgroup analysis where appropriate. Limitations and areas of uncertainty will be discussed to guide future research. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018110111.