Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Rare Disease With Dire Consequences in Facial Aesthetic Surgery Patients.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, inflammatory dermatologic condition characterized by painful cutaneous ulcerations. Herein, we describe the third documented case of PG arising in an elective plastic surgery patient who had undergone an otherwise uncomplicated facelift. We describe the course of her diagnosis and management of PG, which involved her face and neck and then progressed to her lower extremities. Although the etiology remains unknown, PG often arises in a host with another autoimmune disease. In the case described, the patient was diagnosed with an immunoglobulin A gammopathy shortly after she developed PG. Following the case report, the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategy of PG is briefly reviewed. Level of Evidence: 5.

Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Aesthetic Surgery: A Survey of Plastic Surgeons' Practices.

BACKGROUND: Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, collectively known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), are among the most feared yet preventable surgical complications. Although many recommendations exist to reduce the risk of VTE, the actual VTE prophylaxis practices of aesthetic plastic surgeons remain unknown. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to elucidate plastic surgeons' experiences with VTE, preferred VTE prophylaxis practices, and areas in which VTE prevention may be improved. METHODS: Members of The Aesthetic Society were queried via a 55-question electronic survey regarding their experience with VTE as well as their VTE prophylaxis practices. Anonymous responses were collected and analyzed by the Mayo Clinic Survey Research Center. RESULTS: The survey was sent to 1729 of The Aesthetic Society members, of whom 286 responded. Fifty percent, 38%, and 6% of respondents reported having had a patient develop a deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or death secondary to VTE, respectively. Procedures performed on the back or trunk were associated with the highest rate of VTE. Lower extremity procedures were associated with a significantly higher rate of VTE than expected. Over 90% of respondents reported utilizing a patient risk stratification assessment tool. Although at least one-half of respondents reported that the surgical facility in which they operate maintains some form of VTE prophylaxis protocol, 39% self-reported nonadherence with these protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable variability exists in VTE prophylaxis practices among The Aesthetic Society responders. Future efforts should simplify guidelines and tailor prophylaxis recommendations to the aesthetic surgery population. Furthermore, education of plastic surgeons performing aesthetic surgery and more diligent surgical venue supervision is needed to narrow the gap between current recommendations and actual practices.

Single-Stage Treatment of Osteomyelitis for Digital Salvage by Using an Antibiotic-Eluting, Methylmethacrylate Joint-Spanning Spacer.

Osteomyelitis of the digit is a challenging problem that can result in amputation. We describe 13 cases of osteomyelitis involving bones of the hand managed with a novel technique. We reviewed records of 12 patients (13 digits) who had joint-spanning, antibiotic-eluting (tobramycin or vancomycin), methylmethacrylate spacers placed as definitive, single-stage treatment for digital osteomyelitis. The primary outcome was digit salvage. Secondary outcomes were infection eradication (no recurrence at 3 months) and spacer removal. Patients were followed up until the infection resolved (ie, no cutaneous signs of infection, including pain, erythema, or swelling). At a mean of 24 months, 10 of 13 infections had successful one-stage treatment. One patient required a second operation to revise a soft tissue flap but the spacer remained in place. Two spacers were removed because of malalignment. An antibiotic-eluting methylmethacrylate spacer is an innovative treatment for digital osteomyelitis. In 12 consecutive patients (13 digits), we successfully salvaged the digit.

Expanding the Horizon: Single-port Robotic Vascularized Omentum Lymphatic Transplant.

Vascularized omentum lymphatic transplant is frequently used for the treatment of lymphedema due to demonstrated efficacy, a reduced complication profile, and, in particular, negligible risk of donor site lymphedema. Historically harvested by open laparotomy, more recent techniques involve laparoscopic omental harvest. Although effective and reproducible, laparoscopy may be limited by reduced visualization, minimal tactile feedback, multiple port sites, and imprecise instrumentation. Therefore, we employed the da Vinci Single-Port (SP) surgical robot system for vascularized omentum lymphatic transplant. A 52-year-old man with a 3-year history of progressive left lower extremity swelling and lymphoscintigraphy and magnetic resonance lymphangiogram consistent with lymphedema of unknown etiology underwent vascularized omentum lymphatic transplant to the left groin. A 2.5-cm infraumbilical incision was used for placement of the primary trocar, through which the camera and operating instruments were passed. Following robotic harvest, the omental lymph node flap was transferred to the left groin for microsurgical anastomosis. The procedure was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 1. At 6 weeks, there were no complications. Here, we show for the first time the safety and feasibility of robotic omental lymph node flap harvest for extremity lymphedema using the da Vinci Single-Port robotic system. The benefits of this technology include a minimally-invasive approach that allows for flap dissection and removal through a single 2.5-cm incision. Further investigation is necessary to characterize the indications and limitations of this technique in plastic surgery.

Textured Breast Implants: A Closer Look at the Surface Debris Under the Microscope.

BACKGROUND: Texturing of breast implants is done to decrease the risk of associated complications. Each manufacturer utilizes unique and at times proprietary techniques to texture the surface of their implants. Little is known about the integrity of this surface structure texturing or the propensity for the surfaces to shed particulate matter. This study aimed to determine the extent of surface particulate shedding from 3 textured implants approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which are manufactured by Allergan, Mentor, and Sientra. METHODS: Control images of each of the 3 textured breast implants were obtained with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A liquid adhesive, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer was then applied to the external shell of the implants, allowed to cool, and peeled from the surface. Images of the EVA copolymer were taken with SEM to qualitatively analyze displacement of surface particulate debris. Scanning electron microscopy imaging of the implants was repeated for qualitative comparisons with the control images. RESULTS: The peeled copolymer of the 3 implants exhibited surface shedding. Comparison of the 3 breast implants showed the shedding to be greatest for the Allergan implant. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the dynamic surface material properties of the 3 FDA-approved breast implants. Shedding of particulate matter from the implant surfaces can be precipitated by moderate adhesion. Our qualitative examination of SEM findings showed more debris shed from the Allergan breast implants than from the Mentor or Sientra implants.

HISTORIQUE: La texturation des implants mammaires vise à réduire le risque de complications. Pour ce faire, chaque fabricant utilise des techniques uniques et exclusives. On ne sait pas grand-chose sur l'intégrité de la structure après texturation de la surface ni sur sa propension à excréter des particules. La présente étude vsait à déterminer l'étendue de l'excrétion des particules de surface de trois implants texturés approuvés par la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) des États-Unis, fabriqués par Allergan, Mentor et Sientra. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont obtenu des images témoin de chacun des trois implants mammaires texturés au moyen la microscopie électronique à balayage (MÉB). Ils ont ensuite appliqué un copolymère d'éthylène-acétate de vinyle (EAV) adhésif liquide sur la coquille extérieure des implants, l'ont laissé refroidir, puis l'ont décollé de la surface. Ils ont pris des images du copolymère EAV par MÉB pour procéder à l'analyse qualitative des débris des particules de surface qui s'étaient détachés. Ils ont repris des images des implants par MÉB pour procéder à des comparaisons qualitatives par rapport aux images témoins. RÉSULTATS: La pelure de copolymère des trois implants contenait des particules de surface. La comparaison entre les trois implants a révélé que l'implant Allergan excrétait plus de particules. CONCLUSIONS: La présente étude fait ressortir les propriétés dynamiques des matières de surface des trois implants mammaires approuvés par la FDA. L'excrétion de particules à la surface des implants peut être précipitée par une adhésion modérée. L'examen qualitatif des résultats de la MÉB a démontré que les implants mammaires Allergan excrétaient plus de débris que les implants Mentor ou Sientra.