Shoulder function after latissimus dorsi transfer in breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Latissimus dorsi (LD) transfer in the case of breast reconstruction remains frequently used because this muscle provides a good size source of tissue in reconstructive surgery. Given that, the consequences of the LD removal on shoulder function and the actual loss of maximal strength developed must be investigated. METHODS: Twenty women (50 ± 7.5 years old) were evaluated before surgery, 3 and 6 months after an unilateral transfer of a pedicle flap of LD muscle used for breast reconstruction. Women performed a bilateral shoulder isokinetic assessment [for the internal rotators (IRs) and external rotators and for the abductor and adductor (ADD) muscles] allowing the establishment of bilateral muscular deficit status and the study of agonist/antagonist muscle ratios. The algofunctional and clinical status of the shoulders was analysed by the means of Constant score and specific shoulder clinical tests. The women did not perform any specific strengthening of muscle shoulder after surgery. RESULTS: The isokinetic assessment showed a muscle weakness 3 and 6 months after LD transfer, mainly on the ADDs (33 ± 9% at 6 months) and on the IRs (16 ± 11% at 6 months). The Constant score significantly decreased after surgery on the operated shoulder. Women with a Constant score impairment showed pain during specific shoulder clinical tests. We also found a correlation between Constant score impairment and internal rotators weakness or rotator muscle imbalance. CONCLUSION: Given those results, we could advocate a specific shoulder strengthening after LD transfer, focused mainly on the IRs and ADDs.

[Sensibility of the abdomen after high superior tension abdominoplasty]. / Sensibilité de la paroi abdominale après abdominoplastie haute tension.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who undergo an abdominoplasty frequently complain about the loss of sensibility of the abdominal wall. In this study, we analyze this sensibility after the high tension abdominoplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of 23 females operated between July 2003 and January 2005. The abdominoplasty technique used in our study combines extensive liposuccion, limited undermining centered on the linea alba and traction sutures. The sensibilty tests are carried out preoperatively, as well as at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The three components of the skin sensibility -tactile, algesic and thermic- are evaluated in four differents areas of the abdomen. RESULTS: In the lateral areas of the abdomen (liposucted only), the thermoalgesic sensibility is diminished at 3 months and completely recovers at 6 months. At 3 months postoperatively, the tactile sensibility is even better than the preoperative one and continues to improve by 6 months. The postoperative hypogastric area is widely undermined during surgery. In this area, the three types of sensibility are heavily altered at 3 months and only partially recover at 6 months. The undermining of the postoperative epigastric area is limited. In this zone, the postoperative thermoalgesic sensibility is diminished at 3 months, but completely recovers at 6 months. At 3 months, the tactile sensibility is less than the preoperative one, but it improves with time to even exceed the preoperative values at 6 months. CONCLUSION: The high tension abdominoplasty only needs a limited undermining and largely preserves the innervation of the abdominal flap. Only the hypogastric area, largely undermined, presents a sensitivity loss. These results are better than those previously reported in the literature.

[How I treat...fibroproliferative scars]. / Comment je traite...les cicatrices fibroprolifératives.

Following a skin injury like burn, surgery or a trauma, fibroproliferatives scars are responsible of cosmetic, psychologic and symptomatic disorders. Keloids are benign and occur secondary to an imbalance between the synthesis of extracellular matrix and its degradation. There is a lot of therapeutic modalities available. Despite this, recurrence and sometimes increasing lesions are the major complications. Surgery with adjuvant therapy like steroids injections, radiotherapy, silicone materials seems today the best therapeutic choice. A best physiopatholgy's comprehension is at the base of new treatments, but their efficacity still need to be demonstrate in larger studies.

Liposuction: review of the techniques, innovations and applications.

Liposuction is currently the most frequently performed aesthetic operation in the world. Despite its wide-spread popularity, it should nevertheless be stated that it is not trivial surgery, not always benign and not as safe as intimated in the glossy office brochures. Since the initial description of liposuction, numerous changes have taken place. Today, surgical indications are well defined and the liposuction procedure is well codified. However, several surgeons and manufacturers have developed new equipment and techniques. We propose to survey all the techniques showing the real place of each of them. Their advantages and disadvantages will be discussed. The various techniques dealt with are: the wetting solution techniques, standard liposuction or Suction-Assisted Lipoplasty (SAL), internal Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (iUAL), VASSER assisted liposuction, external Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (eUAL), Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL), Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL) and Vibroliposuction (VL). On the basis of this review of the literature and of our clinical experience, we conclude that VL is the safest, most effective and precise surgery that can be used in any of the modern indications for liposuction. We concluded that VL seems to have all the advantages and none of the disadvantages associated with iUAL.

[Mondor's disease: a complication after breast surgery]. / La maladie de Mondor: une complication de la chirurgie mammaire.

Mondor's disease is a rare but not uncommon complication of breast surgery. This problem is commonly described as the thrombophlebitis of the superficial thoracoabdominal veins. Symptoms combine painful contracture occurring in the sub-mammary region and/or in the axillary region, rising during arm abduction. The contracture located in the axillary region usually join the epitrochlea. Based on a serie of 8 patients, the fascial hypothesis is developed. All the patients were treated by LPG and myo-fascial techiques with a complete relief of pain in 10 days.