Impact of Postoperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Duration on Surgical Site Infections in Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Although some surgeons prescribe prolonged postoperative antibiotics after autologous breast reconstruction, evidence is lacking to support this practice. We used the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons database to evaluate the association between postoperative antibiotic duration and the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) in autologous breast reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: The intervention of interest for this study was postoperative duration of antibiotic prophylaxis: either discontinued 24 hours after surgery or continued beyond 24 hours. The primary outcome variable of interest for this study was the presence of SSI within 30 days of autologous breast reconstruction. Cohort characteristics and 30-day outcomes were compared using χ² and Fischer exact tests for categorical variables and Student t tests for continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to control for confounders. RESULTS: A total of 1036 patients met inclusion criteria for our study. Six hundred fifty-nine patients (63.6%) received antibiotics for 24 hours postoperatively, and 377 patients (36.4%) received antibiotics for greater than 24 hours. The rate of SSI did not differ significantly between patients given antibiotics for only 24 hours and those continued on antibiotics beyond the 24-hour postoperative time period (5.01% vs 2.92%, P = 0.109). Furthermore, antibiotic duration was not predictive of SSI in multivariate regression modeling. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a statistically significant difference in the rate of SSI in patients who received 24 hours of postoperative antibiotics compared to those that received antibiotics for greater than 24 hours. These findings held for both purely autologous reconstruction as well as latissimus dorsi reconstruction in conjunction with an implant. Thus, our study does not support continuation of postoperative antibiotics beyond 24 hours after autologous breast reconstruction.

Skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate tissue expander breast reconstruction in patients with macromastia using the Passot breast reduction pattern.

Skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with immediate tissue expander reconstruction poses a challenge in the patient with macromastia or excessive ptosis. Skin reduction via the Wise pattern has been described but is associated with high rates of skin necrosis. The study group consisted of 43 women with grade 2 or 3 ptosis who underwent SSM and immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders, using the Passot (horizontal) skin reduction pattern. Age ranged from 31 to 67 years (mean, 51 years). The endpoints measured were time to final expansion, mastectomy skin flap necrosis, infectious complications, and total complications. Thirty reconstructions were bilateral and 13 were unilateral (73 breasts total). Follow-up ranged from 6 to 55 months (mean, 20). Common comorbid conditions included hypertension (n = 16), obesity (n = 22), and smoking (n = 9). The mean body mass index was 30.6 (range, 19.4-58.6). Twenty-one patients underwent chemotherapy; 12 received radiation. The mean initial fill was 196 mL (range, 0-420 mL), and the mean time to final expansion was 84 days (range, 28-225 days). Five patients did not complete the reconstruction, 2 because of cancer recurrence and 3 because of infection. There were 3 cases of mastectomy flap necrosis occurring after tissue expander placement (7%). There were 7 infectious complications (16%). The use of a horizontal breast reduction pattern at the time of expander placement produces consistently good esthetic outcomes and a low rate of skin necrosis, and it should be considered as an option in patients with macromastia or ptosis undergoing SSM and immediate reconstruction.

The effect of saliva and oral intake on the tensile properties of sutures: an experimental study.

The plastic surgeon often operates in the oral cavity. Little or no information exists regarding the effect of saliva and oral intake upon the tensile properties of suture. Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) and chromic gut were studied. Five sutures of each type were subjected to saline, saliva, milk, or soy milk over different durations of exposure. Suture breaking strength was tested. A 4-way interaction between suture type, size, liquid, and time was significant (P = 0.0046). Sutures soaked in saliva were significantly weaker. No significant difference was observed between sutures soaked in milk or soy. Saliva appears to enhance degradation rates in both sutures. Suture selection in the oral cavity should be predicated upon the demands of the repair and surgeon's preference. Postoperative feeding instructions should limit tension across mucosal repairs, but the selection of formula should be based upon nutritional requirements and preferences of the child rather than concern over suture degradation.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising from an arteriovenous malformation of the scalp.

We present the case of a 70-year-old man with a congenital scalp lesion consistent with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which over the last 3 years had developed ulcerative changes and bleeding in the central aspect that was a biopsy proven squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). To control hemorrhage during surgery, a radiologist performed selective embolization of major feeding arteries in the lesion three days before the surgery. After total resection of the lesion, a scalp reconstruction was performed by using a free latissimus muscle flap and skin graft. As a result, bleeding was well controlled, the AVM and SCCA were totally resected, and satisfactory aesthetic results were obtained. This appears to be the first description of a SCCA arising from a chronic AVM. This is suggestive of a possible Marjolin's ulcer from a chronic wound bed.

Breast reduction as an alternative treatment option for early breast cancer in women with macromastia.

Macromastia has been considered a relative contraindication to breast conservation therapy because of difficulties with postoperative radiation therapy and cosmesis. This study evaluates the feasibility of the inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty as a component of breast conservation therapy for patients with early breast cancer. A retrospective review identified 6 patients with macromastia receiving oncologic treatment of breast cancer and simultaneous breast reduction. Mean age was 43.5 +/- 8.7 (mean +/- SD) years, and all breast cancers were stage I or II, averaging 2.3 +/- 1.5 cm in size. All patients underwent a Wise-pattern inferior pedicle breast reduction after cancer extirpation and received postoperative radiation as part of their treatment. They were evaluated for postoperative complications, esthetic outcome of the breasts, and local recurrence. Patients in this series were followed for an average of 30.3 months, with no significant postoperative complications and recurrences. Breast reduction incisions healed primarily and adjuvant radiation was completed without a delay. All patients were pleased with the esthetic result and had improvement of their symptoms related to macromastia. Thus, we believe that breast reduction is a reasonable and safe option for early breast cancer patients with macromastia who desire breast conservation therapy. Our combined oncologic and reconstructive approach may improve the outcome of this group of patients with early breast cancers.

The educational value of a resident aesthetic surgery clinic: a 10-year review.

BACKGROUND: Resident experience in aesthetic surgery is often deficient in many training programs around the country. OBJECTIVE: This study is the first to review the 10-year experience of a resident aesthetic clinic and identifies important educational aspects necessary for residency training in aesthetic surgery. METHODS: The operative experience of each chief resident from 1994 through 2004 and the database of the resident aesthetic surgery clinic during the same period were reviewed. A questionnaire was also distributed to all past chief residents regarding their experience with the clinic. RESULTS: Over 1600 new patients were evaluated in the resident aesthetic clinic in the last 10 years, with 482 patients undergoing 805 procedures. Each chief resident performed 104.5 +/- 25.1 (mean +/- SD) procedures as a primary surgeon. The resident clinic contributed 82.4% of the total aesthetic surgery procedures, as recorded by the chief residents' Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education operative logs. For the last 10 years, the reoperative complication rate was 3.1%, and no litigation has been brought against any resident or attending surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Our resident aesthetic surgery clinic emphasizes an intensive exposure to aesthetic surgery with the opportunity to gain "hands-on" operative experience, while reducing the liability for the attending surgeon. The means to obtain adequate resident education in aesthetic surgery and ways to improve such an experience are also discussed.

Reconstruction of limited soft-tissue defect with open tibial fracture in the distal third of the leg: a cost and outcome study.

This study was conducted to analyze the cost and outcome of free-tissue transfers versus local muscle flaps for reconstruction of limited soft-tissue defects associated with tibial fractures in the distal third of the leg. Twelve adult patients underwent either free (n = 6) or local muscle (n = 6) flap reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed. Total operative time for local muscle flap reconstruction was 215 +/- 47 minutes compared with 450 +/- 90 minutes (P < 0.0002) for free-muscle transfer. Median length of hospital stay after reconstruction was 7 days for local muscle flap compared with 9 days for free-muscle transfer. Total cost of the local muscle flap procedure was US dollars 11,729 +/- US dollars 4460 compared with US dollars 19,989 +/- US dollars 3295 (P < 0.0004) for free-flap reconstruction. Five of 6 patients in each group had excellent soft-tissue contours. Fracture healing was evident in all patients of each group. Thus, a local muscle flap for reconstruction of a limited distal tibial wound appears to be more cost-effective than free-tissue transfer because of equivocal outcomes achieved but at approximately half of the cost.

Autogenous orbital reconstruction in a child with congenital abnormalities of the orbital roof and vertical orbital dystopia.

Congenital anomalies of the orbital roof are rare occurrences. The case of a 2-year-old child with vertical orbital dystopia and abnormalities of the right bony orbit is presented. The patient underwent right orbital reconstruction to restore facial symmetry. A coronal approach with a frontal craniotomy was used for intracranial exposure. The abnormal angulation of the roof was corrected, and the defect was reconstructed with a split-calvarial bone graft harvested from the parietal region. The bone graft was secured with resorbable plate fixation. To preserve vision, reconstruction of this type must be done at an early age, preferably before the age of 4 years. In this patient, there is good facial symmetry and normal globe positioning 5 years after surgery.

Two partially embedded rings resulting in chronic erosion of a finger.

Embedded rings in the fingers may cause neurovascular, tendinous, or bony injury. These are very rare injuries usually found in patients with mental illness. To minimize the potentially serious complications, mentally-challenged individuals should have tight rings removed. We present a case of a 41-year-old gentleman with schizophrenia who had two partially embedded rings on his left index finger but consistently refused to have the rings removed. Following appointment of a guardian, the patient was returned for surgery to remove the rings. He recovered without further sequelae.

Pseudoaneurysm of the lateral plantar artery after foot laceration.

Two children with lateral plantar artery pseudoaneurysms are presented. Both cases were associated with a plantar laceration and were successfully treated with ligation. Only one other report of a lateral plantar artery pseudoaneurysm was found in the literature; no reports involving the medial plantar artery have been reported. A cadaver dissection supports the hypothesis that the lateral plantar artery is more superficially located and therefore more vulnerable to injury compared with the medial plantar artery. Clinicians treating patients with lacerations of the foot should be aware that an arterial injury may be present, even in the absence of active bleeding.