Unraveling the Enigma: A Rare Case of Recurrent Idiopathic Gynecomastia in an Adolescent.

Gynecomastia presents as abnormal hypertrophy of mammary tissue in males that is typically asymptomatic and usually does not require intervention. Gynecomastia responds well to medical and surgical treatment, when necessary, with low recurrence rates. The authors report an atypical case of recurrent idiopathic unilateral gynecomastia first presenting in an adolescent male. Physical examination, hormonal, and oncologic evaluations were normal. After subcutaneous mastectomy with liposuction and treatment with Tamoxifen at 19 years old, his unilateral gynecomastia recurred over the course of 3 years, requiring a second surgery. Furthermore, we review the literature for recurrent gynecomastia after surgical management to examine prevalence and risk factors.

Non-surgical Treatment of Capsular Contracture by Overfilling a Spectrum™ Saline Implant.

Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications following breast implant use in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery procedures. Furthermore, capsular contracture remains one of the most common causes of reoperation in these patients. Therefore, it is important to identify and explore new treatment options to alleviate the risks associated with surgery as well as the financial burden of reoperation. We present a case of successful nonsurgical treatment of capsular contracture by overfilling a Spectrum™ adjustable saline implant followed by volume reduction. A 53-year-old patient was examined in our clinic post bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction adjustable Spectrum™ saline implants in the subglandular plane. Two years postoperatively, the patient presented with Grade III capsular contracture in her right breast. Treatment was administered by overfilling the 275cc implant with 250cc in the right breast to rupture the capsule. The implant was kept overexpanded for a total of 14 days. The volume was subsequently reduced with optimal patient satisfaction. The patient has not had a reoccurrence of capsular contracture in one year. The treatment of capsular contracture by overfilling and temporarily overexpanding a Spectrum™ adjustable saline is a promising technique that warrants further investigation.

Pain Reduction Using Ropivacaine in Tumescent Solution following Lipoaspiration.

Tumescent solution utilizing dilute epinephrine and a local anesthetic agent injected into a fat compartment has been shown to effectively minimize blood loss and postoperative pain in liposuction. Ropivacaine has a longer duration of action compared to lidocaine and is a potential analgesic in tumescent solution. We sought to explore the effect of using ropivacaine in a tumescent technique with a focus on its efficacy for pain control postoperatively. The formula for the tumescent technique used combined 1 mL of epinephrine with 30 mL of ropivacaine into 500 mL of injectable saline. Tumescent solution was injected manually into fat donor sites of 10 consecutive patients followed by a 20-minute waiting period before beginning fat aspiration with liposuction cannula. Patients were seen immediately following their surgery and on postoperative day 1 and reported their pain using a numerical scale. Data gathered included the amount of ropivacaine used, average pain rating, and the average amount of fat removed. On average, participants reported little to no pain at the donor sites immediately following surgery and on postoperative day 1. Based on the low need for pain medication, we believe that ropivacaine may be successfully used in tumescent solution to reduce postoperative pain.

An Update on Tissue Contraction in Immediate Breast Reconstruction Using an Adjustable Implant Partially Filled With Air.

Background With the use of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) techniques, utilizing a prepectoral underfilled adjustable saline implant allows for tissue contraction and thickening of the flap. This procedure allows for immediate reconstruction using an adjustable implant as a spacer with less risk of skin flap compromise and improves cosmetic outcomes. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients presenting to a single surgeon from September 2013 to September 2021 for breast reconstruction utilizing an underfilled prepectoral adjustable implant following SSM or NSM was performed. Baseline patient demographics, clinical information, postoperative complications, conversion to silicone implant, and contraction distance were recorded and analyzed. Results Fifty-four patients underwent prepectoral breast reconstruction using a Spectrum™ adjustable implant following an NSM or SSM. Tissue contraction and skin flap elevation were observed in all patients. The amount of tissue contraction averaged 4.4 cm (mean). Seven patients (12.96%) developed seromas. Four patients (7.41%) developed hematomas in the early postoperative period. Two patients (3.67%) developed capsular contracture. Two patients (3.67%) had a displaced port. After converting the air to saline, 25 patients (46.29%) opted for a secondary reconstructive procedure to exchange the saline implants for silicone gel implants. Conclusion Tissue contraction reduces the need for skin excision in ptotic breasts undergoing reconstruction procedures following NSM or SSM. The partially filled implant initially functions as a spacer to prevent flap adherence to the pectoral muscle and minimizes tension on the flap to promote flap thickening, elevation around the underfilled implant, and maximizes breast projection and overall aesthetic outcome.

Free Nipple Graft Breast Reduction without a Vertical Incision.

Background: A technique of a free nipple graft with an inframammary incision and no vertical incision offers promising postoperative results as a safe and aesthetic alternative. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who presented to a single surgeon for breast reduction surgery using a free nipple graft with an inframammary incision from June 1999 to March 2021. Baseline patient demographics and clinical information along with postoperative complications were recorded and compared between patients who presented for concomitant reconstruction or just reduction. A narrative literature review on surgical techniques and outcomes was also conducted. Results: From the literature search, there have been minimal prior mentions of breast reductions using a free nipple graft with an inframammary incision and no vertical incision. Fifty-five cases were identified for breast reduction surgery in the author's 22-year study period, of which 46 had adequate clinical documentation and follow-up. An estimated 22 patients had either both or one breast reconstructed with opposite side breast reduction, and 24 patients underwent breast reduction alone with free nipple grafting. No implants were used in any of the patients. Conclusions: The free nipple graft technique with an inframammary incision can be performed on patients with excessively large or ptotic breasts. It is possible to reduce the volume of the breast and obtain good projection with this method. Furthermore, avoidance of the vertical incision reduces breakdown at the T-junction and is aesthetically beneficial.

Alopecia Areata Treated with Advanced Platelet-rich Fibrin Using Micronization.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to release a multitude of growth factors, but its preparation requires the use of anticoagulants. In contrast, advanced platelet-rich fibrin (aPRF) is produced by centrifuging whole blood and allowing it to clot. The clot contains the platelets, growth factors, and neutrophils, and it is composed of a fibrin matrix that continuously releases more growth factors over a longer time period. Advanced PRF is commonly used in dental and bone grafting procedures, but it is rarely used for cosmetic injectables because its high density makes it difficult to inject through smaller gauge needles. A technique is described whereby aPRF is reduced to an injectable form with micronization and used to treat alopecia areata (AA) in a 28-year-old patient who developed it after symptomatic COVID-19 infection a month before presentation. The patient was vaccinated in between infection, and symptoms were limited to headache and sore throat. He had complete resolution of his AA at 6-month follow-up with only two treatments as opposed to monthly intralesional steroids. We report our results using aPRF for AA with promising results as a possible future treatment for patients with this autoimmune disease.

Goldilocks Procedure without a Vertical Incision and a Comprehensive Literature Review.

The Goldilocks technique is a postmastectomy breast reconstruction procedure adopted in 2012, which is performed by preserving and de-epithelializing the residual mastectomy flap to create an autologous tissue breast mound using an anchor, inverted T, or lateral incision. It is utilized in select patients along with the addition of a free nipple graft, fat grafting, and/or tattoo. A novel technique using the Goldilocks procedure offers promising postoperative results as a more aesthetic alternative. The purpose of this study was to perform a literature review on the healing outcomes and patient satisfaction of the Goldilocks procedure along with presenting our approach using a horizontal inframammary incision without a vertical incision. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients presenting to a single surgeon for breast reconstruction surgery using the Goldilocks procedure without a vertical incision from March of 2018 to October of 2020 was performed. A narrative literature review on surgical techniques and outcomes was also conducted. RESULTS: Three cases of breast reduction using the Goldilocks procedure without a vertical incision are described. From the literature search, 13 articles inclusive of 222 patients were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The Goldilocks procedure without a vertical incision can be performed in patients with large breasts for breast reconstruction postmastectomy. It is possible to utilize the superior flap in conjunction with the de-epithelialized inferior flap of the breast and obtain good projection with this method. Furthermore, avoidance of the vertical incision reduces breakdown at the T-junction and is aesthetically beneficial.

Method for Flushing Surgical Drains Using a Butterfly Needle.

Surgical drains placed during breast surgery can become blocked by clots or other debris, which may lead to infection of the prosthetic and seroma or hematoma formation from improper drainage. Current methods involve stripping the drain, which does not clear the pores inside the cavity, or flushing the drain at the opposite end using a syringe with the debris going into the cavity being drained. The authors propose an easily available flushing option using a butterfly needle inserted at an angle that provides a sterile and efficient method for flushing the drain near the body cavity and clearing blockages. This creates a self-sealing valve that can be reinforced with Tegaderm and allows for the use of antibiotics or hemostatic agents through it. The primary author has performed this technique in-office in multiple patients undergoing breast augmentation, mastopexy/mammaplasty, breast reconstruction after mastectomy, and breast revision surgeries requiring implants or expanders with satisfactory results and no complications. This method is limited in that it must be performed by a health care professional, but it is easy to perform.

Cannula Size Effect on Stromal Vascular Fraction Content of Fat Grafts.

BACKGROUND: Fat is an active and dynamic tissue composed of adipocytes supported by a structural framework known as the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). SVF is traditionally isolated by enzymatic processing, but new methods are being investigated to isolate it mechanically. Recent studies propose that fat harvested with larger cannulas has a higher survival rate, most likely due to a higher concentration of SVF. METHODS: Lipoaspirates were obtained from 10 patients who underwent elective liposuction using a 5-mm and a 1-mm cannula attached to a syringe using standard pressure. The fat was aspirated from the same area at adjacent sites. An estimated 5-mm fat particles were also cut down to 1-mm using a micronizer (Marina Medical). A 5-cm3 volume of each sample was compressed through a 0.5-mm opening strainer and rinsed with normal saline to extrude the oil. The resultant SVF left on the strainer was then measured in a 1-cm3 syringe. RESULTS: The volume extracted from a 5-mm cannula (mean, 0.23 cm3; SD, 0.10) versus a 1-mm cannula (mean, 0.11 cm3; SD, 0.06) was statistically significant (P = 0.009). An H&E-stained slide from the SVF was obtained for confirmation. Finally, 5-mm fat particles cut down to 1-mm particles using the micronizer resulted in an average volume of 0.20 cm3, which was higher than the average volume harvested with a 1-mm cannula. CONCLUSIONS: Harvesting with a 5-mm cannula resulted in significantly more SVF than harvesting with a 1-mm cannula. Resizing fat particles harvested with a larger cannula down to 1-mm resulted in higher SVF than SVF obtained with a 1-mm cannula directly.

The Use of Synthetic Mesh in Reconstructive, Revision, and Cosmetic Breast Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that the use of acellular dermal matrices in prosthetic breast reconstruction, revision, or augmentation may be associated with an increased risk of complications. In this article we report our results of a potential alternative, using a new long-term resorbable synthetic matrix in these cases. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed evaluating 11 primary breast reconstructions (19 breasts), 43 secondary reconstructions (77 breasts), 3 augmentation/augmentation mastopexys (6 breasts), and 5 mastopexys (10 breasts) in 62 patients using TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 9.4 to 26.1 months with an average follow-up of 16.5 months. Average age was 54 years. The number of patients who had prior radiation was 9 (14.5 %). Four patients (6.5 %) were smokers. Postoperative breast complications included necrosis of two flaps (1.8 %), two seromas requiring drainage (1.8 %), four infection/extrusions (3.6 %), two relapses of inframammary fold/malposition (1.8 %), and two with rippling (1.8 %). Other complications included six cases of asymmetry that required a corrective procedure. In a variety of breast surgery cases very good aesthetic results were achieved. CONCLUSION: The long-term absorbable synthetic matrix, TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh, shows potential when used as temporary reinforcement in patients undergoing breast reconstruction or breast surgery revisions and in primary aesthetic procedures, and it appears to be a viable alternative to the use of acellular dermal matrices. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

Healing of Bilateral Nipple Areolar Complex Necrosis by Secondary Intention.

Complete necrosis of the nipple, areola, or both is a uncommon complication of reduction mammaplasty, especially if it happens bilaterally. This case involving a young, black female illustrates that, in a large open wound of the breast, it would be ideal to leave it to heal by secondary intention as adding a skin graft would only speed up the healing process and not improve the result with the additional risk of keloid at the donor site. This open wound of the breast was treated with progressive surgical debridement while assessing the affected area in order to preserve as much tissue as possible due to the sensitive nature of the wound along with wet to dry dressing changes and antibiotic solution treatment. Our report suggests an additional approach to the standard of care involving a free flap to improve aesthetic outcomes.

Should breast reconstruction and breast oncoplastic procedures be performed during the coronavirus pandemic?

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the treatment of breast cancer and breast reconstruction globally. Mastectomy with immediate implant-based breast reconstruction was on the rise due to advances in meshes and implants. However, due to the prioritisation of the critically ill and diversion of the work force, breast cancer treatment has drastically changed. This is an opinion paper written by the authors with experience and importance in the scenario of breast reconstructive surgery. The authors are from different countries with the COVID-19 pandemic in different stages.

Fat Graft Size: Relationship Between Cannula and Needle Diameters.

Background It is generally believed that trauma to fat grafts is detrimental and affects the survival of the graft. In addition, it has been shown that smaller fat particle size corresponds to better survival; however, smaller cannula openings correspond to slower and more difficult fat graft harvesting. Objectives This study documents the relationship between cannula size, harvested fat cell size, and injection needle size. A means of reducing fat particle size following aspiration with larger diameter cannulas is also discussed. Methods Fat was harvested from five patients undergoing elective liposuction. Each fat sample was placed in a syringe and injected through progressively smaller needles until obstruction under low pressure was obtained. The minimal needle size was documented for each sample. Results Fat harvested with a liposuction cannula results in different size fat particles ranging up to the size of the cannula. Particles obtained from 3- and 4-mm cannulas can be injected without obstruction through a 16-gauge needle. Particles obtained from a 2-mm cannula can be injected without obstruction through an 18-gauge needle. Particles obtained from a 1-mm cannula can be injected without obstruction through a 20-gauge needle. Particles obtained from a 1-mm cannula could not be injected without obstruction through a 22-gauge needle. Conclusions There is a relationship between cannula opening size and the resultant fat graft size. Fat particles are somewhat compressible but should not be forced through needles or cannulas that are too narrow. It may be beneficial to harvest fat with larger cannulas and cut the particles to smaller sizes for injection.

Immediate Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction in Suboptimal Patients Using an Air-filled Spacer.

INTRODUCTION: Immediate prepectoral breast reconstruction offers excellent aesthetic results with less pain and elimination of animation deformity due to avoidance of pectoralis dissection and subpectoral implant placement. Concerns about the effects of prostheses on flap perfusion have limited use of the technique to highly selected patients. We present a series of "suboptimal" patients that have undergone immediate prepectoral breast reconstruction utilizing an air-filled "spacer" implant. METHODS: A single surgeon's experience with immediate, single-stage prepectoral breast reconstruction using a Spectrum implant was retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, adjuvant therapies, risk factors for threatened flaps, and complications, including those that required subsequent intervention, were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (39 breasts) underwent immediate prepectoral reconstruction with a Spectrum implant. Ten patients had minor complications, 6 of whom required intervention with successful correction. There was a single case of implant loss in the series; this patient had prior radiation. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing the spacer concept, immediate single-stage prepectoral breast reconstruction is a viable alternative to subpectoral implant placement or delay procedures. The technique delivers aesthetic results with less postoperative pain, quicker operative times, and avoidance of animation deformity. It can be considered for any patient, including high-risk patients such as those with radiation exposure, thin/threatened skin flaps, significant ptosis, and obesity.

Rippling Associated with Pre-Pectoral Implant Based Breast Reconstruction: A New Grading System.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of breast cancer and immediate breast reconstruction is on the rise particularly in the US and Western Europe. Over the last decade, implant based breast reconstructions have gained popularity. The prepectoral breast reconstruction has emerged as a novel technique, minimally invasive, preserves the chest wall anatomy while restoring body image. However, implant rippling appears to be an adverse effect associated with this technique. METHODS: We have described a new grading system for rippling following prepectoral implant breast reconstruction and discussed its management. We then evaluated the new grading system in our practice. RESULTS: We looked at the first 50 consecutive patients who underwent prepectoral implant based breast reconstruction. In our experience, 45 patients (90%) had grade 1, 3 patients (6%) had grade 2, 1 patient (2%) had grade 3 and 1 patient (2%) had grade 4 rippling. The observed rippling was seen more often in patients with low BMI<20 and in those who had poor subcutaneous fat preoperatively (pinch test<2 cm). CONCLUSION: Prepectoral implant based breast reconstruction adds a whole new dimension to breast reconstruction. However rippling can be an undesired adverse effect associated with this technique and patients need to be informed.

Prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction: a joint consensus guide from UK, European and USA breast and plastic reconstructive surgeons.

Advances in implantable biologic and synthetic products over the last decade have enabled surgeons to replace traditional submuscular implant-based breast reconstruction techniques with a prepectoral or muscle-sparing technique. Prepectoral breast reconstruction is becoming increasingly popular among surgeons and patients due to the preservation of normal chest wall anatomy, with the restoration of body image with minimal morbidity. In this article, we have described a guide to prepectoral or muscle-sparing breast reconstruction with a particular emphasis on patient selection, technique and postoperative outcomes. Hence, a joint consensus guide from European and USA breast and plastic reconstructive surgeons has been agreed, and a crowd-writing method has been adopted to produce this guide.

Tissue Contraction-A New Paradigm in Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Skin expansion is commonly needed in order to reconstruct the breast following modified radical mastectomy. With the advent of skin-sparing and nipple-sparing techniques, expansion is no longer necessary. The natural ability of healing tissues to contract can be advantageously used to improve the outcomes of immediate prepectoral breast reconstruction. METHODS: A prospective analysis of the results of 20 prepectoral breast reconstructions following skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomies was performed. Reconstruction was performed using the adjustable breast implant initially underfilled with air. No acellular dermal matrix or mesh support was used. Further air was added during the follow-up office visits. Air was replaced with normal saline when the desired breast size was achieved. The adjustable implants were replaced with silicone gel implants when necessary. RESULTS: Contraction of the skin flap over the underfilled implant was noticed in all patients. Five patients (25%) developed a seroma, and 2 patients had hematoma of the breast pocket. Wound-edge necrosis required debridement in 2 patients (10%). Complications were all resolved without implant loss. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue contraction can be successfully utilized in breast reconstruction following skin-sparing and nipple-sparing mastectomy. Contraction results in thickening and elevation of the flap, eliminating the need for skin excision or the use of acellular dermal matrix. The partially filled implant functions as a spacer, preventing the flap from adhering to the underlying muscle and avoiding pressure on the skin flap.