Comparison of Immediate Breast Reconstruction Outcomes in Patients With and Without Prior Cosmetic Breast Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Skin-sparing (SSM) and nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) have significantly increased. There is limited information on complications of IBR in patients with prior cosmetic breast surgery (CBS). We compare IBR outcomes in patients undergoing SSM and/or NSM with and without prior CBS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing mastectomy from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 were selected. Patient characteristics, surgical approach, and complications were compared between mastectomy and IBR cases for breasts with and without prior CBS. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of complications and reconstruction loss. RESULTS: 956 mastectomies were performed in 697 patients, with IBR performed for 545 mastectomies in 356 patients. Median age was 51 (range 19-83), 45.8% of patients were age < 50, 62.6% of mastectomies were performed for breast cancer. 95 mastectomies (17.4%) were performed in breasts with prior CBS and 450 (82.6%) without. NSM was more frequently utilized for breasts with prior CBS (P < .001). Complications occurred in 80 mastectomies (14.7%); reconstruction loss in 30 (5.5%). On multivariable analysis, age ≥ 50 (OR 1.76, 95%CI 1.01-3.09, P = .047) and NSM (OR 2.11, 95%CI 1.17-3.79, P = .013) were associated with an increased risk of any complication. Prior CBS was not associated with an increased risk of complications (OR 1.11, 95%CI 0.58-2.14, P = .743) or reconstruction loss (OR 1.32, 95%CI 0.51-3.38, P = .567). CONCLUSION: In this analysis of mastectomy and IBR, prior CBS was not associated with an increased risk of complications or reconstruction loss. In patients with prior CBS undergoing mastectomy, IBR may be safely performed.

The treatment of gustilo grade IIIB tibia fractures with application of antibiotic spacer, flap, and sequential distraction osteogenesis.

Gustilo grade III (GIII) B-C open tibia shaft fractures have a wide spectrum of injury to the bone and soft tissues. At the severe end of the spectrum are GIII B tibia fractures that combine segmental bone loss with soft tissue injuries which require flap reconstruction. These complex injuries can be treated combining circular tensioned wire fixation and distraction histiogenesis with flap reconstruction. GIII B tibia shaft fractures were retrospectively reviewed at an urban Level One Trauma Center from 1992 to 2008 which were treated with the Ilizarov method. Seventy-six patients with 78 fractures were treated. Thirty-eight fractures were treated with flaps. Out of this cohort, a subset of 19 fractures were treated using the protocol of initial multiple debridements, half pin resuscitation external fixation, soft tissue reconstruction over antibiotic spacers and delayed Ilizarov reconstruction after stabilization of the soft tissue envelope. The fractures had multiple aggressive debridements removing nonviable bone. Thirteen free flaps and 6 rotation flaps were applied. Flaps were applied a mean time of 34 days (12-77) after initial injury. Two free flaps failed and had a second successful application. Flap survival was 17 of 19 (89%). There was one partial necrosis and one flap hematoma. There was no flap complication from delayed elevation and spacer removal. Mean tibial bone defect was 9.4 cm (5-17). Reconstruction time was 26.5 months (12-73). Eighteen of 19 fractures were reconstructed with union and no deep infection or osteomyelitis. One fracture had a hypertrophic nonunion in a noncompliant patient. The use of antibiotic spacers and flaps to construct a soft tissue tunnel combined with distraction histiogenesis is an effective technique to salvage complex GIII B tibia fractures with segmental bone loss.

Complete vacuum-assisted sternal closure following neonatal cardiac surgery.

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) has been used with success in the management of adults and children with sternal infections. However, this technique has not been applied previously to neonates requiring delayed sternal closure as the sole modality of therapy. In this article, we describe the management of two newborns with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in whom complete sternal wound healing was accomplished solely by using the VAC system. The implications of this new modality of treatment are discussed.

Constriction ring syndrome.

Constriction ring syndrome is a congenital anomaly with sometimes devastating consequences. Because of the unknown etiology, treatment is aimed at recovery of function and prevention of the sequelae rather than prevention of the syndrome. This paper aimed to review the theories of the etiology, the features and associated defects, and the operative management of constriction ring syndrome.

Postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis for implant-based breast reconstruction with acellular dermal matrix.

BACKGROUND: The use of acellular dermal matrix in implant-based breast reconstruction has been described for improving inferolateral prosthesis coverage and support and inframammary fold reconstruction. Recommended guidelines for infection prophylaxis are the same as for any clean procedure-antibiotic administration only before surgery. Previous studies have demonstrated increased postoperative rates of infection and seroma associated with the use of acellular dermal matrix. The authors evaluated the impact of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis on infection rates in postmastectomy expander-based breast reconstruction with acellular dermal matrix. METHODS: : A retrospective study reviewed data of 96 patients who underwent either immediate or delayed expander-based breast reconstruction using AlloDerm allogenic acellular dermal matrix. Infection rates were analyzed after patients received postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis for at least 48 hours compared with those who received only perioperative antibiotics. RESULTS: Infection rates for breast reconstructions with a postoperative antibiotic course were 7.9 and 3.2 percent. Patients with only perioperative antibiotics had an infection rate of 31.6 percent. Infections were defined by the endpoint of implant removal. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and intraoperative variables were recorded. Uncontrolled variables were time course between mastectomy and reconstruction, nodal dissection, operative history, and whether reconstruction was unilateral or bilateral. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates significant differences in the rate of infection between the groups of patients undergoing the first stage of two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction who received postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis and the group that received only perioperative antibiotics. This study suggests that the optimal duration of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis is at least 48 hours.

Fishing-injury-related flexor tenosynovitis of the hand: a case report and review.

Hand infections occurring after fishing and other marine-related activities may involve uncommon bacteria that are not susceptible to the conventional or empiric antibiotic therapy used to treat soft tissue infections. Therefore appropriate treatment is often delayed and could lead to severe hand damage. An illustrative case of fishing-related injury leading to complicated tenosynovitis and horseshoe abscess caused by Mycobacterium marinum and its treatment course is outlined. Laceration of the skin during boating is fairly common. Because of the rarity of some of the bacteria, referrals to the appropriate specialist including hand surgeons and infectious disease specialists should occur in early stages. M. marinum infections should always be considered in injuries related to seawater and fishing as this may lead to early appropriate treatment and prevent severe damage.

A review of mandibular angle fractures.

AFTER STUDYING THIS ARTICLE, THE READER WILL BE ABLE TO: (1) review the incidence and etiology of mandibular angle fractures; (2) gain an understanding of patient evaluation and general management principles; and (3) discuss indications and available techniques for management of mandibular angle fractures. Angle fractures represent the highest percentage of mandibular fractures. Two of the most common causes of mandibular angle fractures are motor vehicle accidents and assaults or altercations. With any patient who has sustained facial trauma, a thorough history and comprehensive physical examination centering on the head and neck region as well as proper radiological assessment are essential. These elements are fundamental in establishing a diagnosis and developing an appropriate treatment plan for any mandibular fracture.

Nasal deformities associated with orthognathic surgery: analysis, prevention, and correction.

Any surgical procedure undertaken to correct or change facial features will have a resultant effect on nasal aesthetics. Orthognathic surgery is frequently performed to correct congenital and acquired dentofacial anomalies. The resultant changes in the maxillomandibular skeleton have consequences for the overlying soft tissue envelope of the face. This article will review the concepts of nasal analysis and aesthetics. It will then discuss the expected changes to the nasal appearance with orthognathic surgery, primarily LeFort I osteotomies, including a review of the literature that has attempted to quantify and predict these changes. A discussion of surgical techniques to control these changes as well as a discussion of adjunctive rhinoplasty will follow. Surgeons performing these procedures must be aware of the potential changes that can occur to the nasal structure so that they may appropriately plan adjunctive procedures and counsel their patients on both the expected aesthetic outcome and the possible need for subsequent surgeries.

Posttraumatic mandibular deformities.

In covering the Emergency Department, the Plastic Surgeon can be faced with the mandibular fracture patient. Although the timely repair of the fracture usually leads to normal function and appearance, occasionally the surgeon is faced with the untoward sequelae of the mandible fracture. Post-traumatic mandibular deformities include non-union, malunion, malocclusion, TMJ dysfuction, and facial asymmetry. The difficulty in treatment of these deformities can be compounded by edentulous mandibles, substance abuse, and approach controversies such as the timing of the repair and surgical versus non-surgical management. Knowledge of the post-traumatic mandibular deformities by the treating physician not only assists in their management but may also allow for their prevention.