A Prospective Cohort Study Re-examining Tissue Oximetry Monitoring in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The goal of inpatient monitoring after microsurgical breast reconstruction is to detect vascular compromise before flap loss. Near-infrared tissue oximetry (NITO) is commonly used for this purpose, but recent reports challenge its specificity and utility in current practice. Fifteen years after Keller published his initial study using this technology at our institution, we re-evaluate the role and limitations of this popular monitoring device. METHODS: A 1-year prospective study was performed for patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction and monitored postoperatively using NITO. Alerts were evaluated, and clinical endpoints relating to an unplanned return to the operating room or flap loss were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients reconstructed with 225 flaps were included within the study. There were no cases of flap loss at the time of discharge. There were 71 alerts relating to a drop in oximetry saturation. Of these, 68 (95.8%) were deemed to be of no significance. In 3 cases (positive predictive value of 4.2%), the alert was significant, and there were concerning clinical signs apparent at that point. A sensor in an inframammary fold position was associated with nearly twice the average number of alerts as compared with areolar or periareolar positions ( P = 0.01). In 4 patients (3.4%), a breast hematoma required operative evacuation, and these cases were detected by nursing clinical examination. CONCLUSIONS: The monitoring of free flaps after breast reconstruction through tissue oximetry shows a poor positive predictive value for flap compromise and requires clinical corroboration of alerts but missed no pedicle-related adverse events. With a high sensitivity for pedicle-related issues, NITO may be helpful postoperatively, but the exact timeframe for use must be weighed at the institutional level.

Umbilical Ablation During Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Harvest Decreases Donor Site Complications.

BACKGROUND: Donor site complications are a significant source of morbidity for patients undergoing abdominal-based free flap breast reconstruction, but there is a paucity of data regarding minimizing these postoperative complications. We hypothesize that selective ablation of the umbilicus at the time of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) harvest decreases the incidence of umbilical and abdominal wall complications in high-risk patients. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients (n = 117) who underwent DIEP harvest with concomitant umbilical ablation from 2010 to 2015. This cohort was paired with 117 patients who underwent DIEP harvest without umbilical ablation. Preoperative risk factors, intraoperative factors, and postoperative complications were compared. RESULTS: The umbilical ablation group had significantly higher body mass index (30.9 vs 27.4 kg/m, P < 0.001), presence of umbilical scar (20.9% vs 5.3%, P < 0.001), umbilical hernia (82.9% vs 8.5% P < 0.001), ventral hernia (23.9% vs 1.7%, P < 0.001), and rectus diastasis (10.3% vs 2.6%, P = 0.016). There were no significant differences of smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prior abdominal surgery, or midline abdominal scar. The umbilical ablation group had a significantly lower rate of postoperative abdominal wound dehiscence and skin loss (11.1% vs 22.2%, P = 0.023) and overall donor site complications (24.8% vs 39.3%, P = 0.017). There was no significant difference in incidence of cellulitis, seroma, or abscess. Mean follow-up time was 1.8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Selective umbilical ablation in high-risk patients at the time of abdominal flap harvest can result in significantly fewer donor site wound complications, even in the setting of increased risk factors for poor wound healing. This is likely due to avoidance of umbilical incisions and decreased upper abdominal skin undermining. We conclude that umbilical ablation is a viable option to minimize donor site complications, especially in high-risk patients.

Lower extremity soft tissue defect reconstruction with the serratus anterior flap.

Reconstruction of limb-threatening lower extremity defects presents unique challenges. The selected method must provide adequate coverage of exposed bone, joints, and tendons while maximizing function of the limb. The traditional workhorse flaps, the free latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis flaps, have been associated with donor site morbidity and bulkiness that can impair rehabilitation. We report a case series (n = 18) in which the free serratus anterior muscle flap and split thickness skin graft (STSG) was used for lower limb soft tissue coverage. Injuries were due to diabetes (9/18), trauma (7/18), and chronic venous stasis (2/18). A 94% flap survival rate was observed and all but one patient was ambulatory. No donor site morbidity was reported. Our series demonstrates that serratus anterior is an advantageous, reliable free flap with minimal donor site morbidity.

Branding a Plastic Surgery Group Practice: A Case Study.

BACKGROUND: You only get one opportunity to make a first impression. In today's era, that first impression is frequently a digital one. The authors' old digital brand "face" was stale and not a true representation of how they view themselves as a practice. In an evolving arena of competition and surgical scope, the authors felt compelled to engage in rebranding their practice. METHODS: This article details the steps the authors took to launch a new website, generate collateral branded material, and execute a social media marketing plan. The authors attempt to keep the outline general enough to be applicable to the range of practice types of the Journal 's readership, and present relevant results of the process. RESULTS: Samples of "creative" products are shown. Quantifiable outcomes were direct website traffic (91% increase), website sessions (82% increase), unique users (55% increase), page views (118% increase), and time spent browsing (100% increase). The authors experienced a 21% increase in new patient volume and a similar increase in total cases performed. CONCLUSIONS: This article outlines steps the authors took to rebrand their practice in the face of current challenges in the plastic surgery landscape and how prospective patients seek surgeons. Benchmarking the steps of a successful branding process is crucial and informative to developing and executing a plan. Although there are many potential contributors to the growth of a practice, the impact of our branding appears to be a significant factor.

Acellular dermal matrix in breast reconstruction in the setting of radiotherapy.

Acellular dermal matrices (ADM) are becoming an integral component of immediate implant-based breast reconstruction, providing inferolateral coverage and support of the implant. Currently, five ADM products are available on the market for this purpose. Although their application has resulted in improved aesthetic results with low complication rates, the clinical performance of ADM when radiotherapy is a component of breast cancer treatment has yet to be defined. In this article, we present a thorough review of the current literature on the performance of ADM in the setting of radiotherapy from both animal and human studies, including our own experience with two proprietary ADM products. The other three products have little literature documenting their application for this type of reconstruction, and further studies specifically evaluating the performance of all ADM formulations in the setting of radiotherapy are still needed.

Improving surgeon confidence in the DIEP flap: a strategy for reducing operative time with minimally invasive donor site.

Criticisms of the DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap include difficulties in perforator identification and dissection and prolonged operative times. Likewise, the stress level in such harvests varies considerably, particularly in bilateral breast reconstruction where 2 successful flap harvests are mandatory. Various operative strategies were explored in 100s of DIEP flaps to refine the DIEP harvest from a safety, expediency, and musculofascial preservation perspective, both for total mastectomy and partial mastectomy applications. Ultimately, a strategy based on the antegrade pedicle dissection technique, usually with a single perforator harvest and discontinuous fascial incisions, has lead to a safer, more expeditious and minimally invasive DIEP flap harvest that is applicable in many cases. Flap harvest time is now generally on the order of one hour with significantly less stress and minimized fascial incisions. DIEP free flap harvest can be managed with greater confidence, reduced operative times and less muscle, and fascial invasion using the specific operative strategy of the antegrade pedicle dissection technique.

Reconstructing a natural looking umbilicus: a new technique.

An attractive umbilicus is an essential component of the abdominal wall. It defines the midline abdominal sulcus and adds to a shapely abdominal curvature. Certain procedures place the umbilicus at risk thus providing a need for a neoumbilicus. Three-hundred and twenty cases of abdominoplasties, panniculetomies, and TRAM flaps for breast reconstruction were reviewed. Five patients underwent an umbilical reconstruction after loss of the native umbilicus. A crescent-shaped incision was used to create an inferiorly based skin flap. The flap was inset to the abdominal fascia. A small full-thickness skin graft was used to form the superior hood. All patients attained an esthetically pleasing umbilicus with minimal scarring. No contracture, flap necrosis, or graft loss were noted. We present a novel, simple, and reliable technique of umbilical restoration. It circumvents the need for external scars and allows for achieving a naturally appearing umbilicus.

Extended mesh repair with external oblique muscle reinforcement for abdominal wall contour abnormalities following TRAM flap.

Many patients undergoing reconstructive surgery after mastectomy opt for reconstruction with the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. Among the morbidities related to TRAM flap reconstruction is the development of abdominal wall contour abnormalities, including bulges or hernias. Several repair techniques at the flap abdominal wall donor site have been described for use at the time of flap harvest in an attempt to reduce the risk of such abdominal wall complications. For patients that develop abdominal wall contour abnormalities, numerous reconstructive options have been reported, with mixed results. Ten patients were identified as having abdominal wall contour abnormalities after a TRAM flap and underwent an extended mesh repair with external oblique muscle reinforcement. The mesh was secured to the bony landmarks of the lower abdomen and the abdominal wall fascia. All patients achieved complete resolution of abdominal wall bulging. In the follow-up period, no recurrences, infections, or seromas were noted. One patient, who failed an earlier repair at the inferior abdominal wall, reported symptoms consistent with a scar neuroma. Symptoms were treated successfully with gabapentin and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. We propose a novel and reliable method of lower abdominal wall reconstruction for patients with post-TRAM flap abdominal wall contour abnormalities. This technique incorporates the use of a large Marlex mesh reinforced with bilateral external oblique muscle flaps. We report a series of 10 patients who have achieved resolution of their symptoms and have regained a natural, flat-appearing abdominal wall contour.