Evaluating Patient-reported Outcomes after Bilateral Reduction Mammoplasty: A Comparison of Reduction Techniques at a University Hospital.

Background: Macromastia, defined as the abnormal enlargement of breasts, burdens individuals physically and psychologically, impacting their daily lives beyond aesthetics. Reduction mammoplasty offers relief by restoring proportional breast volume and appropriate contour. Surgical success relies on choosing a suitable individualized operative technique tailored to the patient's presentation and postoperative goals. This study examines postoperative, patient-reported outcomes across different reduction techniques to gauge the impact of reduction technique on overall patient perspective of aesthetic and functional satisfaction. Methods: A retrospective review identified reduction mammoplasty patients by a single surgeon between 2018 and 2022. Exclusion criteria included augmentation-related or cancer reconstructive procedures. Phone interviews were conducted using a survey adapted from BREAST-Q to assess postoperative outcomes in patients. Data analysis included Pearson chi-square test in STATA 16.1. Results: Among 155 patients identified, 64 completed the survey. Average postsurgical interval was 24 months postoperative. After stratifying patients by operative technique, there was no significant difference in postoperative satisfaction among the cohorts with regard to nipple and breast appearance, sensation, symmetry, or shape. Conclusions: This study highlights no significant disparity in perceived aesthetic or functional outcomes among different reduction mammoplasty techniques. Personalized considerations, such as patient factors, surgical expertise, and anatomical specifics, should guide technique selection, emphasizing individualized approaches over presumed superior methods for optimal results.

Management of Lipedema Beyond Liposuction: A Case Study.

Lipedema is a pathologic accumulation of adipose tissue in the subcutaneous layer of the extremities. This connective tissue disorder, which predominately affects females, is often misdiagnosed despite an incidence of ∼11%. Misdiagnosis often leads to delays in appropriate treatment, further increasing the morbidity of the condition. The authors report their facilities' experience in treating a patient with lipedema, requiring multiple surgical interventions involving liposuction and skin debulking to achieve desired aesthetic outcomes. The patient presented to the plastic surgery clinic with severe lipedema of the bilateral lower extremities. She previously underwent a panniculectomy and bilateral lower extremity liposuction without achieving the desired aesthetic results. Prior conservative management and liposuction alone were both unsuccessful treatment options and she required debulking procedures, along with further liposuction, as definitive management. The patient underwent 2 procedures at the clinic, both consisting of liposuction and panniculectomy of the lower extremities and buttocks. The procedures were conducted 1 year apart but were able to achieve the patient's desired aesthetics goals. Management of lipedema can be challenging, but not impossible. This case report shows that local excision is a viable option for treatment if minimally invasive options yield limited results.

Medial Pedicle Wise-pattern Breast Reduction for Gigantomastia: A Single-center Retrospective Review.

Gigantomastia causes severe back pain, postural imbalance, intertrigo, and psychosocial disablement. Multiple breast reduction techniques exist. Breast reduction with free nipple graft reconstruction is the preferred treatment. We found that the medial pedicle Wise-pattern (MPWP) technique is an equally safe and effective technique. Methods: Review of our institution's electronic medical record between February 2020 and February 2023 identified women with gigantomastia who underwent bilateral reduction with more than 1500 g resected in at least one breast. Multinomial logistical regressions were used to identify associations between comorbidities, operative techniques, postoperative complications, and nipple areolar complex function. Results: Thirty-one patients underwent bilateral reduction mammaplasty. Total bilateral resection weight and average body mass index (BMI) were 3828 g and 40 kg per m2. Common comorbidities were hypertension (38%) and tobacco use (26%). MPWP was used predominantly (65%), followed by inferior pedicle (16%) and superior-medial pedicle (10%). Complications included loss of nipple areolar complex sensation (23%) and wound dehiscence (16%). Reduction technique was not associated with increased surgical complications (odds ratio = 0.75, P = 0.273). Age, excision amount, use of postsurgical drains, and BMI were not associated with increased complications (P = 0.29, P = 0.55, P = 0.74, P = 0.41). Rates of areolar sensation loss were higher in larger BMIs, but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.051). Conclusions: The MPWP reduction technique is an equally safe and effective treatment of gigantomastia when compared with reduction with free nipple graft reconstruction. There is the added benefit of preserved nipple sensation without increased postoperative complications.

Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury (BCVI) Management: Is There a Right Answer?

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) results from blunt trauma causing injury to the carotid and/or vertebral arteries. Its most severe manifestation is stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, management, and outcomes of BCVI at a level one trauma/stroke center. Data on patients diagnosed with BCVI from 2016 to 2021 were extracted from the USA Health trauma registry with associated intervention performed and patient outcomes. Of the 97 patients identified, 16.5% presented with stroke-like symptoms (SS). Medical management was employed for 75%. Intravascular stent alone was utilized for 18.8%. The mean age of symptomatic BCVI patients was 37.6 with a mean injury severity score (ISS) of 38.2. Within the asymptomatic population, 58% received medical management and 3.7% underwent combination therapy. The mean age of asymptomatic BCVI patients was 46.9 with a mean ISS of 20.3. There were 6 mortalities, only one BCVI related.