Management of complex surgical wounds of the back: identifying an evidence-based approach.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative dehiscence and surgical site infection after spinal surgery can carry serious morbidity. Multidisciplinary involvement of plastic surgery is essential to minimizing morbidity and achieving definitive closure. However, a standardized approach is lacking. The aim of this study was to identify effective reconstructive interventions for the basis of an evidence-based management protocol. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at a single tertiary institution for 45 patients who required 53 reconstruction procedures with plastic surgery for wounds secondary to spinal surgery from 2010 to 2019. Statistical analysis was performed for demographics, comorbidities, and treatment methods. Primary outcomes were postoperative complications, including dehiscence, seroma, and infection. The secondary outcome was time to healing. RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 32%, with dehiscence occurring in 17%, seroma in 15% and infection in 11% of cases. Median follow-up was 10 months (interquartile range, 4-23). Use of antibiotic beads did not affect rate of infection occurrence after wound closure (P=0.146). Use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) was significant for reduced time to healing (P=0.001). Patients treated without iNPWT healed at median of 67.5 days while the patients who received iNPWT healed in 33 days. Demographics and comorbidities between these two groups were similar. CONCLUSIONS: This data provides groundwork for an evidence-based approach to soft tissue reconstruction and management of dehiscence after spinal surgery. Timely involvement of plastic surgery in high-risk patients and utilization of evidence-based interventions such as iNPWT are essential for improving outcomes in this population.

Free Silicone Injections to the Breast: Delayed Complications and Surgical Management of Sequelae.

This case describes a healthy 37-year-old woman who presented with bilateral breast pain and nodules years after receiving free silicone injections to her breasts. Mammogram revealed extremely dense breasts with innumerable bilateral masses of various sizes. Ultrasound was non-diagnostic due to poor penetration and artifact from silicone. Histologic examination revealed vacuolated histiocytes and innumerable cystic spaces containing material consistent with silicone. Patient underwent bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using tissue expanders. This case highlights the potential for serious complications developing years after free silicone injections as well as our team's surgical management of these complications.

Chlorhexidine Hypersensitivity: A Case Report of Delayed Reactions Associated with Epidermal Preparations.

Chlorhexidine is a topical antiseptic that is generally well tolerated in patients, making it a common preparatory substance in various surgical settings. Sparse case reports have identified immediate hypersensitivity reactions after exposure to this substance, especially in patients with a history of atopy. The purpose of this case report is to describe 3 unique presentations of delayed hypersensitivity to epidermal chlorhexidine preparation. Patients undergoing breast surgery by a single surgeon between December 2018 and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed for incidence of dermatologic complications. Medical and surgical history of patients as well as dermatologic hypersensitivity course were collected. Three patients presented with a delayed hypersensitivity to the epidermal chlorhexidine surgical preparation, ChloraPrep. Each patient developed an erythematous, pruritic maculopapular rash in the distribution of the chlorhexidine application. This occurred beyond the immediate postoperative period-ranging from postoperative days 5 to 35. Initial treatment included the use of 1% hydrocortisone along with a systemic antihistamine. If there was no improvement in symptoms after 3 days, we transitioned patients to 0.5% triamcinolone ointment. If there was no improvement after 5 days on triamcinolone, the patient was reexamined and systemic steroids were prescribed. In each of our cases, all skin changes had resolved within 7-10 days of initial symptoms. Our findings highlight a series of delayed adverse reactions to epidermal chlorhexidine occurring beyond the intraoperative and immediate postoperative period. This case report serves to recognize a unique presentation pattern to ensure that all patients are accurately diagnosed and promptly treated via a systematic treatment algorithm.

Utility of a modified components separation for abdominal wall reconstruction in the liver and kidney transplant population.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a common complication following visceral organ transplantation. Transplant patients are at increased risk of primary and recurrent hernias due to chronic immune suppression and large incisions. We conducted a retrospective review of patients with a history of liver or kidney transplantation who underwent hernia repair to analyze outcomes and hernia recurrence. METHODS: This is a single center, retrospective review of 19 patients who received kidney and/or liver transplantation prior to presenting with an incisional hernia from 2011 to 2017. All hernias were repaired with open component separation technique (CST) with biologic mesh underlay. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 61.0±8.3 years old, with a mean body mass index of 28.4±4.8 kg/m2, 15 males (78.9%), and four females (21.1%). There were seven kidney, 11 liver, and one combined liver and kidney transplant patients. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (16 patients, 84.2%), diabetes (9 patients, 47.4%), and tobacco use (8 patients, 42.1%). Complications occurred in six patients (31.6%) including hematoma (1/19), abscess (1/19), seroma (2/19), and hernia recurrence (3/19) at mean follow-up of 28.7±22.8 months. With the exception of two patients with incomplete follow-up, all patients healed at a median time of 27 days. CONCLUSIONS: This small, retrospective series of complex open CST in transplant patients shows acceptable rates of long-term hernia recurrence and healing. By using a multidisciplinary approach for abdominal wall reconstruction, we believe that modified open CST with biologic mesh is a safe and effective technique in the transplant population with complex abdominal hernias.

Post-mastectomy radiation arteritis in a patient presenting with upper extremity claudication.

Radiation arteritis is a rare but serious complication following radiation therapy for the treatment of breast cancer. We present the case of a 53-year-old female presenting with right upper extremity claudication 4 months following radiation therapy for the treatment of right breast cancer, stage 3b invasive ductal carcinoma. She was referred to vascular surgery and initial imaging with computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed occlusion from the origin of the subclavian to axillary artery. We discuss the implications that these vascular findings have on potential breast reconstruction options.

Septic Shock following Prostate Biopsy: Aggressive Limb Salvage for Extremities after Pressor-Induced Ischemic Gangrene.

Vasopressors used to treat patients with septic shock can cause ischemic necrosis of appendages such as the ears and nose, as well as the extremities. Cases of quadruple-extremity necrosis have high morbidity and mortality, and a profound negative impact on quality of life. This case report details the successful limb salvage and return to function using free tissue transfer as a means to salvage bilateral lower extremities in a patient who suffered vasopressor-induced ischemia of upper and lower extremities after prostate biopsy-induced septic shock. Septic shock following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy is a rare, yet life-threatening complication. Successful treatment included thorough planning and staging of therapies such as awaiting tissue demarcation and serial surgical debridement to adequately prepare the tissue bed for free tissue transfer. Adjunctive treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative-pressure wound therapy, and meticulous wound care played a crucial role in wound healing. This vigilant planning and coordinated care resulted in the successful lower extremity salvage, consisting of bilateral transmetatarsal amputations and free tissue transfer to both limbs. We present our long-term follow-up of a functional ambulatory patient after catastrophic, life-threatening infection and appropriate multidisciplinary care.

Conjoined Twin Separation: Integration of Three-Dimensional Modeling for Optimization of Surgical Planning.

Conjoined twinning is a rare anomaly, with an incidence of approximately 1 in 100,000 live births. There is a high perinatal mortality rate, but twins who survive pose reconstructive challenges that require meticulous preoperative planning. The authors describe the senior surgeon's career experience with conjoined twin separation, and the evolution of medical modeling and 3-dimensional imaging as a critical component in presurgical planning.The authors performed a retrospective review of all consecutive patients of conjoined twin separation at a single institution from January 2004 to December 2013. Data were collected related to patient demographics, comorbidities, operative technique, perioperative complications, survival, long-term outcomes, and the type of medical modeling system used for preoperative planning.Five sets of conjoined twins underwent separation during the 10-year study period. There were 3 sets of thoraco-omphalopagus twins, 1 set of pyopagus twins, and 1 set of ischiopagus tetrapus twins. The mean age at separation was 70 days, with a mean of 3.5 surgical procedures performed per patient during the first year of life. One set of twins experienced postseparation complications that warranted immediate return to the operating room. The overall survival rate after separation was 70%. The imaging methods used were computed tomography scan with 3-dimensional reconstruction, plaster molds, medical modeling with composite printing, and virtual surgical planning.The use of imaging and medical modeling in presurgical planning has proven to be an important element in optimizing the outcomes for patients with this rare anomaly.

Assessing Patient-Reported Satisfaction with Appearance and Quality of Life following Rhinoplasty Using the FACE-Q Appraisal Scales.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction with appearance and improved quality of life are primary outcomes in cosmetic surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in patient satisfaction with facial and nose appearance, and quality of life following rhinoplasty. METHODS: Patients presenting for rhinoplasty completed the FACE-Q, a new patient-reported outcome instrument composed of scales that measure outcomes in patients undergoing facial cosmetic procedures. The following FACE-Q scales were used: satisfaction with facial appearance overall, satisfaction with nose, psychological well-being, and social function. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients completed the FACE-Q at the time of their preoperative consultation and/or at postoperative follow-up visits. Among all patients presenting for rhinoplasty, FACE-Q scores (range, 0 to 100) increased following the procedure in satisfaction with facial appearance (+26.5; p < 0.01), psychological well-being (+15.7; p < 0.01), and social function (+13.7; p = 0.03). Satisfaction with nose item scores (range, 1 to 4) all increased significantly from before to after rhinoplasty, including in satisfaction with nose appearance in the mirror (+1.4; p < 0.01), size (+1.1; p < 0.01), shape (+1.5; p < 0.01), profile (+1.6; p < 0.01), and in photographs (+1.6; p < 0.01). Similar results were seen among a subgroup of patients who completed the FACE-Q scales both before and after rhinoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: In an objective study using a validated patient-reported outcome instrument, improvements in satisfaction with facial and nose appearance and quality of life were demonstrated among rhinoplasty patients. This model supports the successful outcomes possible in rhinoplasty. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Applications of acellular dermal matrix in revision breast reconstruction surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acellular dermal matrix has been used for over a decade in primary breast reconstruction. Few articles have specifically examined its use in revision breast reconstruction for fold malposition, capsular contracture, rippling, and symmastia. METHODS: One hundred thirty-five revision breast reconstructive procedures using acellular dermal matrix (AlloDerm) in 118 patients (154 breasts) over a 5-year period were reviewed. Most procedures were revisions or part of the second stage of previous mastectomy reconstructions; three were revisions after reconstruction of congenital chest wall deformities. RESULTS: Fifty-seven revisions (37 percent) were for inferior fold malposition, followed by 40 (25.9 percent) for inferior pole support, 42 (27.2 percent) for capsular contracture, 10 (6.4 percent) for rippling, and five (3.2 percent) for symmastia. The overall complication rate was 5 percent. Revisions with acellular dermal matrix were successful in 147 of 154 breasts (95.5 percent). The most common complication was capsular contracture, occurring in five breasts (3.2 percent). There was one infection (0.6 percent), failure to lower the inframammary fold in one breast (0.6 percent), and one persistence of rippling (0.6 percent). The mean follow-up was 207 days. CONCLUSIONS: Acellular dermal matrix has proven to be a reliable tool for managing some of the most common and challenging problems in implant-based breast reconstruction. Although there are few published data on the success of more conventional solutions to fold malposition, lower pole support, and capsular contracture, the addition of acellular dermal matrix to buttress these repairs has been shown to provide a high likelihood of success with a low risk of complications.

Focus on technique: supporting the soft-tissue envelope in breast reconstruction.

Prosthetic-based breast reconstruction commonly involves device placement in either a total submuscular pocket or a partial subpectoral position for just superior pole coverage, with various possible strategies for inferior pole coverage. Historically, the pectoralis major muscle is managed either by suturing the muscle to the inferior flap or with marionette sutures; alternatively, the device is placed under total muscle/fascia coverage (under the pectoralis major, plus the serratus anterior and rectus abdominis muscles or fascia). For many plastic surgeons, acellular dermal matrix is now used instead to function as a sling or "hammock" supporting the periprosthetic pocket and thus covering the inferior pole of the device, attached to the pectoralis major muscle above and to the inframammary fold below. In addition to its added soft-tissue support in the inferior pole, acellular dermal matrix may help to stabilize the pectoralis major muscle along its inferolateral margin, create a well-defined inframammary fold, provide the opportunity to significantly increase intraoperative fill volume of the tissue expander, and reduce the incidence or severity of significant or symptomatic capsular contracture, particularly in a patient whose breast has been treated with radiation. In addition to its indications in primary breast reconstruction, acellular dermal matrix has been increasingly used in secondary revision reconstruction cases. It can be used to buttress capsulorrhapy and capsulotomy sites and it can be used to replace periprosthetic capsule following capsulectomy. While clinical experience is accruing for these indications, acellular dermal matrix continues to be used in primary and secondary breast reconstruction.