Autologous tissue reconstruction after mastectomy-A cross-sectional survey of 110 hospitals in China.

BACKGROUND: Autologous reconstruction after mastectomy became more and more popular, so this study aimed to obtain up-to-date and comprehensive data on autologous reconstruction in China. METHODS: An electronic questionnaire was sent to 110 hospitals, which were chosen depending on geographical distribution and hospital types. The questionnaire investigated the demographics, characteristics, breast cancer treatment and reconstruction situation of these hospitals through different modules. We only focused on the autologous breast reconstruction module data. RESULTS: 96 hospitals have performed breast reconstruction surgery. The proportion of the hospital performing latissimus dorsi flap (LDF, N = 91), pedicle transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (pTRAM, N = 62), free abdominal flap (N = 43) and other kinds of flap decreased in sequence. Of the overall reconstruction cases, only 34.3% were autologous reconstruction and LDF was still the most popular option for autologous reconstruction. Related factors of hospital performing different procedures included years of performing breast reconstruction, breast surgical volume, and establishment of an independent plastic surgery department. Compared with LDF, abdominal breast reconstruction was associated with a higher flap necrosis rate. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional survey offers real-life autologous reconstruction information on a large population and covers the national surgical landscape in China. Autologous reconstruction is still an important part of breast reconstruction. Nevertheless, its low proportion and lower proportion of abdominal flap reconstruction in each institution, demonstrates that special training should be developed for breast surgeons and multidisciplinary cooperation would be promoted in the future.

Surgical management of hidradenitis suppurativa: procedural trends and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic debilitating cutaneous disorder. The recalcitrant nature of this disease may require surgery in severe cases. We aimed to delineate the types of operations performed, the risk factors associated with these operations, and the surgical services involved based on a national database. METHODS: Data were collected through the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2011 to 2016. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, (ICD-9) codes were used for data extraction and analysis as type of surgery and complication rates were extracted. RESULTS: There were 2594 patients diagnosed with HS: 1405 (54.2%) incision and drainage, 1017 (39.2%) debridement, 31 (1.2%) skin graft, and 141 (5.4%) flap reconstruction. There were significant differences in transfusion rates and operation time among the four procedures. Skin graft and flap reconstruction had the highest complications and longest operation time. Bleeding requiring preoperative transfusion and a number of comorbidities were significant risk factors for postoperative complications. Flap reconstructions by plastic surgeons compared to general surgeons had significantly shorter operation times (134.89 versus 209.82 min, P = 0.022) and lower transfusion rates (2.2% versus 12.8%, P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The management of HS can be complex and may require a multidisciplinary approach. Bleeding requiring preoperative transfusion and other baseline comorbidities are independent risk factors that should be addressed when definitive surgical treatment of hidradenitis is planned. Appropriate surgical specialty involvement may better optimize the surgical outcomes for HS.

Reconstrucción mamaria posmastectomía con colgajo miocutáneo de dorsal ancho y expansión tisular / Posmastectomy breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and tissue expander

Introducción: El colgajo miocutáneo de dorsal ancho es una excelente opción para reconstruir la mama mutilada por enfermedad oncológica, pero tiene limitaciones en cuanto al volumen del implante a utilizar que garantice el cierre directo de la zona a tratar. De ahí que se consideró realizar este estudio utilizando el colgajo dorsal con un expansor mamario en el primer tiempo quirúrgico y luego la colocación del implante definitivo. Objetivo: caracterizar la experiencia de la reconstrucción mamaria con colgajo miocutáneo de músculo dorsal ancho y expansión tisular. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal prospectivo de aquellas pacientes consultadas en el servicio de reconstructiva del Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología (INOR) de La Habana, por presentar mastectomía por cáncer de mama. Se reconstruyeron a 20 pacientes, utilizando el colgajo miocutáneo de dorsal ancho con la utilización de expansor mamario. Luego de terminada la infiltración del expansor se esperaron 2 meses y se realizó el cambio del expansor por el implante definitivo y la remodelación de la mama contralateral. Resultados: el promedio de edad en el estudio fue de 43 años y el mayor porciento de casos se presentó entre las edades de 40 a 50 años. El tratamiento de la mama contralateral varió según las características de la misma y los deseos de la paciente. Se observaron complicaciones inmediatas como necrosis parcial del colgajo y complicaciones mediatas y tardías como extrusión y rotura del expansor. Se lograron resultados estéticos buenos y la mayoría de las pacientes manifestaron estar satisfechas con el proceder y con los resultados obtenidos. Conclusiones: todas las mujeres pudieron ser reconstruidas con adecuados resultados estéticos y algunas se favorecieron con mayor volumen de sus mamas(AU)

Introduction: the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is an excellent option to reconstruct the breast mutilated for oncologic disease, but it has limitations regarding the volume of the implant to be used that guarantees the direct closure of the area to be treated. Hence, we considered to perform this study using the dorsal flap with a breast expander in the first time and then in a second time the placement of the definitive implant. Objective: to characterize the experience of breast reconstruction with myocutaneous flap of broad dorsal muscle and tissue expansion. Method: aprospective, longitudinal, descriptive study was carried out on patients consulted at the Reconstructive Service of National Institute for Oncology and Radiobiology (INOR) of Havana, for mastectomy due to breast cancer. 20 patients were reconstructed using the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and a breast expander. After expiratory infiltration of the expander, we waited two months, and the expander change was made, using the definitive implant and remodeling of the contralateral breast. Results: the mean age in the study was 43 years and the highest percentage of cases were at ages 40-50 years. Treatment of the contralateral breast varied according to their characteristics and the patients' desires. Immediate complications were observed, such as partial necrosis of the flap and mediating and late complications such as extrusion and rupture of the expander. Good aesthetic results were achieved and most patients stated that they were satisfied with the procedure and the outcomes obtained. Conclusions: all women could be reconstructed with adequate esthetic outcomes and some were favored with greater volume of their breasts(AU)

Perineal pseudocontinent colostomy for ultra-low rectal adenocarcinoma: the muscular graft as a pseudosphincter.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze objectively the role of the muscular graft in the continence using manometric study in the patients who underwent pseudocontinent perineal colostomy after abdominoperineal resection for rectal adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study including all the patients from January 2002 to December 2009 who underwent an abdominoperineal resection followed by perineal pseudocontinent colostomy for ultra-low rectal adenocarcinoma and agreed to perform the manometric evaluation of the muscular graft. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included, six males and nine females, with a mean age of 50 years. According to Kirwan's classification, 2 (13.3%) patients had normal continence (Stage A) had 10 (66.6%) no soiling (stage B) and 3 (20%) patients had minimal soiling (Stage C). The manometric evaluation was performed after a median period of 12 months post-surgery. The mean maximal resting and squeeze pressures were respectively 41 cmH2O and 59 cmH2O and the mean colonic sensory volume was 12 ml. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the musculae graft of Pseudocontinent Perineal colostomy acted as a hypotonic sphincter that pressure can increase during the voluntary squeeze. These data may help to clarify the functional outcomes of this technique after APR for ultra-low rectal adenocarcinoma.

Predictors of Perineal Wound Complications and Prolonged Time to Perineal Wound Healing After Abdominoperineal Resection.

BACKGROUND: Perineal wound following abdominoperineal resection (APR) is associated with high complication rate and delayed healing. We aim to evaluate the risk factors for delayed wound healing and wound complications following APR. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent APR was performed. Non-delayed wound healing occurred within 6 weeks. Major complications included infection, necrosis, and dehiscence that required surgical interventions. Minor complications included drainage and superficial dehiscence that were treated conservatively. Patients were compared for type of wound closure (primary vs. flap reconstruction). Effect of patients' demographic and clinical variables on time to healing, and on major and minor wound complications was examined. RESULTS: 215 patients were identified, of which 175 (81 %) had primary closure and 40 (19 %) had flap reconstruction. Overall, major wound complications occurred in 14 (7 %) of patients and minor wound complications occurred in 48 (22 %). Mean time to wound healing was 6.3 weeks in the primary closure group and 9.3 weeks in the flap reconstruction group (p = 0.02). Delayed wound healing occurred in 44 (25 %) of the primary closure group and in 25 (62 %) of the flap reconstruction group (p < 0.001). Delayed wound healing was associated with smoking (p = 0.005), hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.05), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.02), and flap reconstruction (p = 0.03). Hypoalbuminemia was associated with major wound complications (p = 0.002), while neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with minor wound complications (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Wound complications and delayed healing are related to patients' nutritional status, smoking, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with these risk factors are at risk of delayed wound healing even if they underwent flap reconstruction.

Early and late complications of endoscopic hemostatic techniques following different carotid artery injury characteristics.

BACKGROUND: The most dreaded hemorrhagic complication in endoscopic endonasal surgery is injury to the internal carotid artery (ICA). Although a number of treatment protocols are currently used, none have been formally investigated. This study aims to compare the efficacy of the muscle patch, bipolar diathermy, and aneurysm clip on hemostasis, pseudoaneurysm formation, and long-term vessel patency for different injury types in a sheep model of carotid bleeding. METHODS: Twenty-seven sheep underwent ICA dissection/isolation followed by the artery placement within a modified "sinus model otorhino neuro trainer" (SIMONT) model. Standardized linear, punch, and stellate injuries were made. Randomization of sheep to receive 1 of 3 hemostatic techniques was performed (muscle, bipolar, clip). Specific outcome measures included attainment of primary hemostasis, time to hemostasis, blood loss, pseudoaneurysm formation, and carotid patency on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: Bipolar achieved primary hemostasis in 7 of 9 cases and 2 cases of secondary hemorrhage. It had no associated pseudoaneurysm formation. Carotid patency was variable on follow-up MRI. Muscle patch achieved 100% primary hemostasis with 2 cases of secondary hemorrhage. There were 2 cases of pseudoaneurysm and 100% patency rate on follow-up MRI. Aneurysm clip achieved 100% primary hemostasis with 1 case of secondary hemorrhage. No pseudoaneurysm formation and a 50% rate of carotid insufficiency on MRI. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the crushed muscle patch and aneurysm clip can be viable options in the management of ICA injury with short-term and long-term benefits. Complications associated with these techniques were comparable if not reduced when compared to the published literature.

Closure of defects after resection of tumors of the oral cavity and the pharynx: medium- to long-term oncologic and functional results with the myocutaneous platysma flap.

The aim of this study was to assess the medium- to long-term functional and oncologic results when the myocutaneous platysma flap (MPF) was used for defect reconstruction of the oral cavity and the pharynx in selected patients. The MPF was used in 70 patients for closure of small to medium-sized defects. 37.1 % of the tumors were in the oral cavity, 24.3 % in the oropharynx and 38.6 % in the hypopharynx. Histopathological risk factors, adjuvant therapy, recurrence rates, and survival rates were assessed. Rehabilitation of swallowing and airways function was analyzed. UICC staging was I in 18.6 %, II in 15.7 %, III in 18.6 %, and IV in 47.1 %. Histopathological risk factors were noted in 51.4 and 84.3 % patients received adjuvant treatment. Recurrences were observed in 27.2 %. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 63.1 %, and the disease-specific survival rate was 66.7 %. Permanent tracheostomy closure was achieved in 74.4 %, and complete recovery of swallowing in 57.4 %. Analysis of the functional and oncologic data after defect closure with the MPF showed acceptable results. The MPF should be included in the range of surgical methods for closure of small to medium-sized defects in the head and neck region in selected patients.

Long-term results and costs of muscle flap coverage with Ilizarov bone transport in lower limb salvage.

OBJECTIVES: To determine long-term outcomes and costs of Ilizarov bone transport and flap coverage for lower limb salvage. DESIGN: Case series with retrospective review of outcomes with at least 6-year follow-up. SETTING: Academic tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Thirty-four consecutive patients with traumatic lower extremity wounds and tibial defects who were recommended amputation but instead underwent complex limb salvage from 1993 to 2005. INTERVENTION: Flap reconstruction and Ilizarov bone transport. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes assessed were flap complications, infection, union, malunion, need for chronic narcotics, ambulation status, employment status, and need for reoperations. A cost analysis was performed comparing this treatment modality to amputation. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (mean age: 40 years) were included with 14 acute Gustilo IIIB/C defects and 20 chronic tibial defects (nonunion with osteomyelitis). Thirty-five muscle flaps were performed with 1 flap loss (2.9%). The mean tibial bone defect was 8.7 cm, mean duration of bone transport was 10.8 months, and mean follow-up was 11 years. Primary nonunion rate at the docking site was 8.8% and malunion rate was 5.9%. All patients achieved final union with no cases of recurrent osteomyelitis. No patients underwent future amputations, 29% required reoperations, 97% were ambulating without assistance, 85% were working full time, and only 5.9% required chronic narcotics. Mean lifetime cost per patient per year after limb salvage was significantly less than the published cost for amputation. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term results and costs of bone transport and flap coverage strongly support complex limb salvage in this patient population.