Effect of intravenous lidocaine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in DIEP microsurgical breast reconstruction. A prospective double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury in free flaps is associated with tissue damage and is one of the main factors causing flap failure in reconstructive microsurgery. The aim of this study is to assess whether any ischemia-reperfusion injury takes place during a microsurgical flap reconstruction as seen through the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and to analyze the effect of lidocaine in this process. METHODS: Twenty-four patients operated for immediate breast reconstruction using the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator free flap technique were divided into two groups: one group was treated with a lidocaine intravenous perfusion and the other group with a saline perfusion. MDA and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured at several points before, during, and after surgery. RESULTS: There was an increase in MDA levels in both groups, but the lidocaine group experienced a decrease during reperfusion. On the other hand, we observed a rise in SOD levels in both groups, but a decrease during reperfusion in the placebo group. However, these differences between groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased SOD activity and increased MDA content in our research prove a redox imbalance and high reactive oxygen species levels in flaps, indicating that tissues experience ischemia-reperfusion injury during microsurgical reconstruction. Lidocaine may have a protective effect in free flap surgery, but our results were not statistically significant, so further studies will be required.

Adenopatía pigmentada por tinta de tatuaje como hallazgo accidental en cirugía de mama. Caso clínico / Pigmented adenopathy by tattoo ink as an accidental finding in breast surgery. Case report

Damos a conocer el hallazgo de una adenopatía axilar pigmentada durante la realización de una mastectomía bilateral profiláctica en una paciente de 35 años. El estudio anatomopatológico reveló pigmento compatible con tinta en el interior del ganglio. Esto, junto con la presencia de un tatuaje próximo a la axila de la paciente, permitió identificar el tatuaje como causa de la coloración de la adenopatía. Discutimos el diagnóstico diferencial a realizar en casos similares. Hasta un tercio de la población joven en España se ha realizado algún tatuaje, y las series de autopsias muestran la alta incidencia de presencia de pigmento en ganglios próximos a esos tatuajes. Creemos necesario realizar un correcto diagnóstico diferencial con melanoma y otras etiologías en pacientes tatuados para llevar a cabo una adecuada indicación quirúrgica (AU)

We report the finding of an axillary pigmented adenopathy during a bilateral profilactic mastectomy in a 35- year-old patient. The anatomopathologycal analysis revealed pigmentation compatible with ink inside the lymphatic node. The presence of a tattoo close to the axillary region of the patient made us identify the tattoo as the cause of the adenopathy coloration. We discuss the differential diagnosis to be considered in this cases. Around one third of the spanish population wears a tattoo, and series of autopsies show an elevated incidence of the presence of pigment in nodes adjacent to tattoos. The correct differential diagnosis with melanoma and other etiologies in tattooed patients is necessary to establish an adequate surgical indication (AU)

Reconstrucción mamaria mediante colgajo transverso miocutáneo de gracilis: evaluación de resultados y estudio comparativo / Breast reconstruction with transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap: outcomes evaluation and comparative study

El uso de tejido abdominal representa una de las primeras líneas de actuación en reconstrucción mamaria con tejido autólogo. En aquellas pacientes en las que no está disponible, el colgajo miocutáneo transverso de gracilis (TMG) representa una opción válida para la creación de una nueva mama. Presentamos una serie de 10 casos de reconstrucción mamaria con TMG con el objetivo de evaluar esta opción quirúrgica. Para ello, administramos a las pacientes intervenidas un cuestionario sobre calidad de la reconstrucción y de la zona donante y valoramos además: la duración promedio de la intervención, el periodo promedio de ingreso hospitalario, las complicaciones sufridas en el área donante y en la mama reconstruida. Para poder comparar los resultados obtenidos con esta técnica, recogimos también los mismos datos en las pacientes sometidas a reconstrucción mamaria con colgajo de músculo dorsal ancho, una alternativa a la reconstrucción con tejido abdominal ampliamente extendida. Exponemos los resultados de la comparación, que obtuvieron resultados superiores en los ítems referentes al aspecto de la mama reconstruida con el colgajo TMG (AU)

The use of abdominal tissue is one the first options in breast reconstruction with autologous tissue. In case of contraindication for this technique, the transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap (TMG) is a valid option for breast reconstruction. We present a series of 10 breast reconstructions with TMG flap. In order to evaluate this surgical option, we gave the patients a questionnaire about the quality of the reconstructed breast and of the donor site, and we also evaluated: the mean duration of the intervention, the average hospitalization time, the complications in the donor site and in the reconstructed breast. To compare our outcomes, we repeated the same process with patients reconstructed with a latissimus dorsi flap, another alternative to breast reconstruction with abdominal tissue. We present our comparative results, with better results in the ítems about breast appearance in TMG group (AU)