The ECLiPSE Procedure as an Alternative to Mastopexy following Implant Removal.

With the rise in number of breast implant removals for a variety of indications, strategies to improve aesthetic outcomes, while minimizing scars and operating time, will prove to be of benefit. We present here a novel periareolar sickle skin excision as a good option for women with mild to moderate ptosis and central loss of breast volume following implant removal/capsulectomy. METHODS: The ECLiPSE (Explant, Capsulectomy, Lift using Periareolar Sickle skin Excision) was utilized in 53 patients with a median follow-up of 24 weeks. RESULTS: The majority of these patients had breast implants for cosmetic augmentation and the most common indication for implant removal was capsular contracture (n = 47, 88.7%). Forty-six patients (86.8%) scored a high or very high satisfaction with the outcome of the procedure. CONCLUSION: We believe that the ECLiPSE procedure is a useful option that can produce a reasonable aesthetic outcome following implant removal/capsulectomy while minimizing visible scarring.

The temporalis muscle and its relationship to the accessory attachments and the main pedicle-a cadaveric study.

Lengthening temporalis myoplasty, described by Daniel Labbe in 1997, is a facial reanimation procedure for the treatment of facial nerve palsy. It involves the mobilization of temporalis muscle antero-inferiorly, and the insertion of its tendon at the nasolabial fold-oral commissure region. Knowledge of the temporalis muscle is crucial in performing this procedure; however, previous anatomical studies are limited. This study on cadavers, aimed to describe the anatomical location of the temporalis muscle insertion in relation to the adjacent structures, and its main pedicle to aid surgeons in performing this procedure. Twenty-four temporalis muscles were dissected in 12 fresh frozen cadavers. The anatomical location of the temporalis muscle insertion, accessory attachments, the emergence of the posterior deep temporal artery, and the distance of sliding movements from the coronoid process to the nasolabial fold were recorded. In addition to its origin from the temporalis fossa and its insertion at the coronoid process, the temporalis muscle was found to have multiple accessory attachments to adjacent structures. These findings explain the challenges in performing the sliding action without releasing the accessory attachments to the masseter and pterygoid muscles. The deep posterior temporal artery is located inferoposteriorly in relation to the muscle. Therefore, the muscle elevation maneuver performed without direct vision can be done with minimal risk to the muscle pedicle. The knowledge of temporalis muscle insertion, its accessory attachments, and its main pedicle will facilitate surgeons in performing the lengthening temporalis myoplasty more confidently.

Subcutaneously Placed Breast Implants after a Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Do We Always Need ADM?

Immediate breast reconstruction is an acceptable treatment option after mastectomy for prophylaxis of early breast cancer. Different options exist for implant placement, incision technique, patient suitability, and institutional experience. This article is a case series exploring the feasibility and outcomes of patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction using skin-sparing mastectomy without mesh or acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and with a vertical inframammary incision. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective analysis was performed for all patients who underwent immediate single-stage reconstruction with subcutaneous silicon implants without ADM between 2009 and 2014 inclusive. Patient, operative and treatment variables were extracted. All patients with viable mastectomy skin flaps intraoperatively and at least 5 mm of subcutaneous tissue were eligible except for patients who were deemed too slim by the senior surgeon preoperatively and thus at risk of implant visibility or skin rippling. RESULTS: There were 26 patients (bilateral n = 12 and unilateral n = 14) eligible for analysis, with a median long-term follow-up of 51.5 months. The majority of complications were classified as minor affecting 46.2% of the cohort (n = 12). There were 20 episodes of complications overall. The most frequent episodes were contour defects (x = 5), minor seroma (x = 4), and malrotation and minor infection (x = 3). There was 1 episode of capsular contracture. CONCLUSION: Skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate subcutaneous silicon implant reconstruction with a vertical incision and without the need for mesh or ADM is an acceptable and safe treatment option. Accurate patient selection and skin flap viability is the key to achieving optimal outcomes with this approach.

The Deckled Incision: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Scar visibility is multifactorial and skin closure technique is thought to play an important role. It is an established principle in plastic surgery that Z plasties generally reduce scar contracture by breaking up the lines of tension in a wound. As an extension of this principle, it is postulated that irregular "deckled" skin incisions made during tumor excision would produce aesthetically superior scars. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to assess both the clinician and patient opinion of scar quality using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). Secondary objectives include the proportion of scars judged as good by the both the patient and clinician (less than or equal to 5 on the overall PSOAS scale), the number of adverse events, and the proportion of the scar visible at 1 meter. METHODS: The deckling study will be a patient-blinded, simple randomized controlled trial (RCT) at a single center institution. The two groups will be equally allocated on a 1:1 ratio into the control and treatment arms. All patients greater than 18 years of age undergoing a plastic surgery procedure involving excision of skin lesions will be enrolled. Any patients requiring re-excision through the wound or undergoing injectable corticosteroid therapy will be excluded. A total of 500 patients will be enrolled. The patients will be followed-up at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months post-operatively. RESULTS: The study is expected to begin enrolment in August 2016. We anticipate that the deckling study group will have superior scar outcomes when compared to the straight line incision. From clinical experience this is especially true for lesions involving the face and in those areas of the skin that have undergone radiation therapy. The study will be funded by the Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Department at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Ethics approval has been obtained for the study. CONCLUSION: We believe this will be an important study to assess a novel method to improve the appearance of post-operative scars. The deckling study is simple to master, can be applicable to almost any surgical procedure, and can have good generalizability to a large population cohort. CONCLUSIONS: We believe this will be an important study to assess a novel method to improve the appearance of post-operative scars. The deckling study is simple to master, can be applicable to almost any surgical procedure, and can have good generalizability to a large population cohort. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12616000193471; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12616000193471 (Archived by Webcite at http://www.webcitation.org/6gmG8yf1A).

Protocol for Autologous Fat Grafting for Immediate Reconstruction of Lumpectomy Defects Following Surgery for Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: For women undergoing breast conservative surgery or lumpectomy for early stage breast carcinoma, there are limited options for reconstruction. Options include the use of flap surgery and/or implants, and have a significant associated morbidity and cost. Autologous fat grafting is a new alternative that can achieve a good cosmetic result, while reducing patient morbidity and cost by avoiding more extensive surgery. OBJECTIVE: The primary objectives are to assess patient satisfaction using the Breast-Q questionnaire and to evaluate fat graft volume. The secondary objectives are fat survival and assessment for complication (eg, fat necrosis, cysts), local recurrence, and the number of sessions needed for a satisfactory outcome. METHODS: This study is a case series of 100 patients, at a single-center institute spanning one year. The inclusion criteria include: female sex, age 18 to 75, early state breast cancer (confirmed on ultrasound/ positron emission tomography-computed tomography and cytology), amenable to breast conservative surgery, and at least 6 months post-completion of radiotherapy/ hormone/chemotherapy. Exclusion criteria include patients with more advanced stages of breast cancer necessitating total mastectomy, those unsuitable for surgical excision, and those in whom lumpectomy is not feasible. The patients will have follow-up data collected at 6 months, 12 months and 5 years post-operatively. RESULTS: This study will begin enrolment in January 2017. We anticipate that there will be good patient satisfaction with fat grafting. The risk for long-term breast cancer recurrence hasn't been evaluated extensively in literature, however some clinical studies have shown no increased risk of breast cancer in appropriately selected patients at one year. Although some patients may develop complications from fat grafting (eg, necrosis/cysts) this should not confuse the radiological detection of breast cancer recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Fat grafting is proving to be a viable option for reconstruction of lumpectomy defects with good patient satisfaction. The heterogeneous methods of reporting the harvesting of fat in literature may account for the variable outcomes described, and makes it difficult to compare results with similar studies. The long-term risk of breast cancer recurrence with fat grafting for lumpectomy defects is unknown.

Unusual presentation of left sided acute appendicitis in elderly male with asymptomatic midgut malrotation.

INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis in the setting of midgut malrotation is uncommon. Midgut malrotation commonly presents within the first month of life. A minority remain asymptomatic and may present with concomitant abdominal pathology making diagnosis difficult. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This paper reports a rare case of a 73-year-old male diagnosed with acute appendicitis and asymptomatic MM .The patient underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy, but had an unplanned return to theatre for washout of post-operative intra-abdominal haematoma. DISCUSSION: Midgut malrotation is commonly described by the stringer classification and type 1a is the most common in adults. There have only been a handful of documented cases of acute appendicitis with midgut malrotation occurring in the adult population. Previous delay in diagnosis has led to a delay in definitive management. Both laparoscopic and open surgery has been used in the past. CONCLUSION: Acute appendicitis with malrotation should be considered in elderly patients presenting with atypical signs and symptoms. Imaging offers significant advantage for timely and definitive management.

Seatbelt syndrome with superior mesenteric artery syndrome: leave nothing to chance!

The introduction of seatbelts to legislation has dramatically reduced mortality and morbidity from motor vehicle accidents. However, overtime evidence has emerged of 'seatbelt syndrome' (SBS), particularly in the paediatric population. The report describes the diagnosis and management of this rare injury in a 12-year-old boy who sustained a chance lumbar fracture and mesenteric tear resulting in small bowel obstruction. His stay was subsequently complicated by superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome. This is the first documented case of SBS with SMA syndrome. High index of suspicion and continuity of care, particularly in the setting of a 'seatbelt sign', is paramount to timely diagnosis and management.

External iliac artery occlusion in a paediatric patient following handlebar trauma.

Arterial occlusion following blunt trauma is an uncommon occurrence. We report an unusual case of delayed external iliac artery occlusion in a young male following blunt abdominal injury. He was successfully treated with thromboendarterectomy and saphenous vein patch repair. There have only been a handful of documented cases occurring in the paediatric population. All patients presenting with groin injury from this mechanism should be carefully investigated and monitored for risk of vascular injury.

Acute pancreatitis secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis induced hypertriglyceridemia in a young adult with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

CONTEXT: The triad of acute pancreatitis, hypertriglyceridemia and diabetes is a rare occurrence. CASE REPORT: A previously well 19-year-old male presented to the emergency department with 24-hour history of epigastric pain, associated with polyuria and nausea. Biochemical markers showed the presence of hyperglycemia (blood sugar level 15 mmol/L) and ketonemia (5.3 mmol/L). Further investigation revealed severe hypertriglyceridemia (4,009 mg/dL) and elevated lipase (1,714 U/L). Abdominal ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. He was transferred to intensive care, where he received i.v. hydration, insulin and dextrose infusion. His metabolic derangements gradually resolved. His glycosylated hemoglobin was 13%, indicating the presence of chronically elevated blood sugars. CONCLUSION: The possible pathophysiology and management of this unusual triad: diabetic ketoacidosis, hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis, are explored in this paper.

Rural populations have equal surgical and survival outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Previous Australian studies have suggested poorer survival of patients with colorectal cancer in remote areas. To date no studies have assessed the geographic disparity in patients with metastatic disease. This retrospective cohort study looks at geographic differences in the surgical care and survival of patients with metastatic colorectal disease. The paper utilises data from the South Australian Clinical Registry for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (SACRMCC). DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data on patients' socio-economic status, primary and metastatic tumour characteristics, treatment and survival was extracted from the SACRMCC database. A binomial model analysis was used to identify geographical differences in the surgical treatment of patients and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify any geographic differences in survival. RESULTS: The findings showed no differences in the diagnosis of liver metastases or provision of liver surgery between geographic areas, however there was a reduced likelihood of liver surgery with increasing age. The median overall survival rate, from the date of diagnosis of metastatic disease, was 20.0 months and the distribution by geographic remoteness was 19.1 months, 20.2 months, 22.0 months and 20.4 months in Major Cities, Inner Regional, Outer Regional and Remote areas respectively. This was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Overall, there was no evidence of a geographical disparity in the diagnosis, surgical treatment or survival in metastatic colorectal cancer. This may be due to the shift toward centralising surgical care in South Australia. Nevertheless, there remains a need to improve the uptake of surgical care in the growing elderly population.

A rare case and literature review of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the tongue†.

Neuroendocrine tumours are rare and have been reported to arise in a number of structures within the head and neck. We present the case of a 55-year-old lady who presented a T1-N2-M0 neuroendocrine tumour of the tongue and right level 2A lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent a partial right-sided glossectomy and a modified radical neck dissection. Given the rarity of small cell neuroendocrine tumours of the tongue, there is some ambiguity with respect to classification. Treatment for neuroendocrine tumours is most effective with a multimodality approach and a poor response to chemotherapy is an important prognostic indicator. Radiotherapy, combined with chemotherapy, has shown the most promise with complete resolution of the primary tumour and metastatic disease. Due to the rarity of neuroendocrine tumours and the lack of favourable prognostic indicators, defining optimal treatment remains difficult. As a result, they continue to have a poor overall prognosis.

Analysis of patient survival in a Phase I trial of systemic targeted α-therapy for metastatic melanoma.

Targeted α-therapy is an experimental approach to the management of cancer. Short range α-particle radiation from a radioisotope attached to a targeting monoclonal antibody kills targeted cancer cells. Survival results are analyzed from a previously reported Phase I study of systemic targeted α-therapy for patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma or in-transit metastases. Following intravenous administration of 46-925 MBq of the α-immunoconjugate, (213)Bi-cDTPA-9.2.27, 38 patients were followed to observe response and toxicity. Responses were measured by physical examination, computed tomography at 8 weeks and blood sampling. Toxicity was monitored by blood pathology, urine analysis, glomerular filtration rate and human antimouse antibody response. The maximum tolerance dose was not achieved as there were no adverse events of any type or level. However, an objective partial response rate of 10% was observed, with 40% stable disease at 8 weeks and a median survival of 8.9 months. These results were unexpected because of the short half-life of the (213)Bi and short range of the α-radiation. Survival analysis demonstrated melanoma-inhibitory activity, disease stage, lactate dehydrogenase and treatment effects to be significant prognostic indicators for survival.