Revisiting an Old Place: Single-Surgeon Experience on Post-Mastectomy Subcutaneous Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

Significant advances have been made to the reconstructive tools available to plastic surgeons allowing for the re-exploration of subcutaneous breast reconstruction. The purpose of the current study is to examine the safety, efficacy, and aesthetic results of subcutaneous breast reconstruction by a single-surgeon. A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients undergoing subcutaneous implant-based breast reconstruction between April 2012 and September 2014. All implants were fully wrapped in Alloderm and placed in the subcutaneous (pre-pectoral) plane. Primary outcome was a successful subcutaneous breast reconstruction. All complications were recorded. Aesthetics of the preoperative and postoperative photographs were examined. A total of 135 breasts (79 patients) were reconstructed. Direct-to-implant reconstruction was performed in 8 patients (10%). Successful breast reconstruction was achieved for 130 breasts in 76 patients (96%). Sixty-nine patients (87%) had a course free of any unexpected event or complication. There were no patients with implant extrusion or skin necrosis requiring operative intervention. When comparing pre-mastectomy breasts with post-mastectomy reconstructions, there was an improvement in the overall aesthetic outcome. Subcutaneous post-mastectomy breast reconstruction is safe and effective with comparable complication rates to standard techniques. Yet, this minimally invasive approach does not sacrifice the aesthetic results. Long-term studies will be required to prove the durability of aesthetic results overtime.

Comparison of Ulnar Intrinsic Function following Supercharge End-to-Side Anterior Interosseous-to-Ulnar Motor Nerve Transfer: A Matched Cohort Study of Proximal Ulnar Nerve Injury Patients.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies supporting supercharge end-to-side nerve transfer for high ulnar nerve injury. The current study hypothesized that patients with a supercharge end-to-side anterior interosseous nerve-to-ulnar motor nerve transfer would demonstrate superior return of intrinsic function compared with conventional treatment only. METHODS: A retrospective matched-cohort study matched supercharge end-to-side transfer patients based on age, level of injury, and mechanism to ulnar nerve injury patients who did not have the transfer. The primary outcome was return of ulnar intrinsic function, based on clinical examination and/or electromyography. Dichotomous and continuous variables were compared with Fisher's exact and t tests, respectively. RESULTS: Thirteen supercharge end-to-side patients were identified (>1 year follow-up). The average age of both cohorts was 35 years. Ulnar nerve transection above the proximal third of the forearm represented 54 percent of patients; compressive injuries represented 46 percent. Eleven supercharge end-to-side transfer patients (84 percent) demonstrated intrinsic function recovery compared with five (38 percent) non-supercharge end-to-side patients (p < 0.05). Average time to initial motor recovery was similar between the two groups (supercharge end-to-side, 2.9 months; non-supercharge end-to-side, 3.8 months; p > 0.2). Intrinsic function return was more likely following nerve transection with the supercharge end-to-side procedure (85 percent versus 14 percent; p = 0.03), whereas compression injuries had comparable intrinsic function return regardless of the supercharge end-to-side transfer (67 percent versus 67 percent; p = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: This matched cohort study demonstrates that the supercharge end-to-side transfer results in increased ulnar intrinsic reinnervation following ulnar nerve injury. This finding may be most relevant following transection injuries. Improved outcomes associated with supercharge end-to-side and ulnar nerve repair warrant further investigation. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Management of ulnar nerve injuries.

Injuries to the ulnar nerve result in both sensory and motor deficits within the hand. Functional outcomes following repair of this nerve have not performed as well as outcomes following repair of the median or radial nerves. Advances in imaging modalities may provide earlier means of identifying and diagnosing closed nerve injuries. Early neurorrhaphy of acute nerve injuries provides the best outcome, but consideration should also be given to performing distal motor nerve transfers to preserve hand intrinsic motor function when injuries occur at or above the proximal forearm. This article attempts to summarize the most recent trends within ulnar nerve repair.

Psychosocial impact of Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome.

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant inherited cancer predisposition syndrome and gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyposis syndrome characterized by the presence of distinct perioral freckling. To date, we have not found any tool that specifically assesses the psychosocial impact of PJS on patients. We developed a PJS quality of life questionnaire using expert opinions of 3 cancer genetic counselors and a survey of patients with PJS through recruitment of participants involved in a support group over the internet. We measured and compared our questionnaire results to the widely used Center for Epidemiologic Studies and Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Short Form 36 (SF-36). We recruited 38 patients for our study. Volunteers were mailed a consent form, the self-administered CES-D, SF-36 and our developed PJS questionnaire and were instructed to return the completed questionnaires by mail. Results showed that PJS patients suffer from mild depression even though physically they did not feel impacted by their condition compared to the general population. However, having PJS caused them to alter many important life decisions. The PJS Questionnaire correlated with data obtained from analysis of CES-D, as well as the SF-36. More uniquely, it provided specific information regarding the burden of disease and quality of life in patients affected with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Its ability to do so for other polyposis syndrome populations remains to be studied. These results are important in developing plan of care for these patients regarding genetic counseling and surveillance strategies for PJS patients.

Spinal deformity after combined thoracotomy and sternotomy for congenital heart disease.

UNLABELLED: Patients with congenital heart disease are at an increased risk to develop scoliosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of spinal deformity in patients after thoracotomy and sternotomy for congenital heart disease. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients underwent thoracotomy followed by a sternotomy and met inclusion criteria. The medical records were reviewed to gather demographic data and medical and surgical history. Serial radiographs were reviewed. RESULTS: Scoliosis developed in 26% of the patients (10 boys, 8 girls). The mean Cobb angle was 40 degrees (range, 15-78 degrees). The mean age at diagnosis of scoliosis was 10.7 years (range, 2.9-17 years). The mean follow-up was 14.9 years (range, 5-20 years). Twelve percent (8 patients) required posterior spinal fusion. A kyphotic deformity developed in 21% (14 patients). In patients with scoliosis, the mean kyphosis was 38 degrees (range, 2-88 degrees). Patients with a cyanotic cardiac condition had a 4-fold incidence of scoliosis. There was no correlation between the development of scoliosis or kyphosis and the age at time of procedures, number of surgeries, sex, heart size, or side of the aortic arch. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of developing scoliosis in children with congenital heart disease is more than 10 times that of idiopathic scoliosis. Spinal deformities, including scoliosis and/or hyperkyphosis, were found in 38% of the patients. Curves develop at a younger age, which increases the risk of progression. The sagittal alignment in scoliosis patients tends toward hyperkyphosis. The thoracic spine receives a "double hit" when both procedures are combined.