Short-Term Complications Associated With Acellular Dermal Matrix-Assisted Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Although direct-to-implant breast reconstruction is a more concise procedure than 2-stage expander/implant reconstruction, it is less frequently performed. Skeptics of direct-to-implant reconstruction cite risk of postoperative complications as a reason for its rejection. To determine whether these perceptions are valid, we evaluated our 13-year experience of acellular dermal matrix (ADM)-assisted, direct-to-implant breast reconstruction. We report complication and reoperation rates associated with this technique as well as predictors for these outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients who underwent immediate, ADM-assisted, direct-to-implant, breast reconstruction from December 2001 to May 2014 at 2 practices. Postoperative complications, defined as those occurring within the first 12 months after reconstructive surgery, were evaluated. Univariate/multivariate analyses were performed to determine the influence of patient-, breast-, and surgery-related characteristics on the development of complications. RESULTS: A total of 1584 breast reconstructions (721 bilateral, 142 unilateral) in 863 patients were performed; 35% were oncologic, and 65% were prophylactic reconstructions. Complication rate was 8.6% and included skin necrosis (5.9%), infection (3.0%), implant loss (2.9%), seroma (1.1%), and hematoma (0.9%). Reoperative rate in breasts with complications was 3.2%. Age 50 years or older, smoking, nonnipple-sparing mastectomy, and implant size of 600 mL or greater strongly predicted the development of complications (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our cumulative 13-year experience demonstrates that immediate, ADM-assisted, direct-to-implant breast reconstruction is safe, effective, and reliable. Complication and reoperation rates are less than 10% and are comparable to those reported for 2-stage procedures in the published literature.

An 8-year experience of direct-to-implant immediate breast reconstruction using human acellular dermal matrix (AlloDerm).

BACKGROUND: The advent of skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomy in conjunction with the use of human acellular dermal matrix to provide lower pole coverage has made direct-to-implant immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy feasible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term complications associated with this technique. METHODS: All human acellular dermal matrix-assisted direct-to-implant immediate reconstructions performed over an 8-year period were included in this analysis. Patient charts were reviewed for type of mastectomy (oncologic or prophylactic), incision type, complications during follow-up, length of follow-up, rate and type of revision surgery in breasts without postoperative complications, contralateral procedures, and adjuvant radiotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 466 breasts (260 patients) were reconstructed; 68 percent were prophylactic and 32 percent were oncologic cases. Twenty-one breasts (4.5 percent) received radiotherapy. Mean implant size placed was 412.8 ± 24.7 cc (range, 150 to 600 cc). Mean follow-up was 28.9 ± 21.3 months (range, 0.3 to 97.7 months). The overall complication rate was 3.9 percent (implant loss, 1.3 percent; skin breakdown/necrosis, 1.1 percent; hematoma, 1.1 percent; human acellular dermal matrix exposure, 0.6 percent; capsular contracture, 0.4 percent; and infection, 0.2 percent). Type, incidence, and overall rate of complications did not differ significantly between prophylactic and oncologic breasts. Irradiated breasts had a fourfold higher rate of complications. In 354 breasts with more than 1 year of follow-up (mean, 36.7 ± 18.6 months; range, 12.1 to 97.7 months), there were no long-term complications. CONCLUSIONS: Human acellular dermal matrix-assisted direct-to-implant breast reconstruction following mastectomy is safe and reliable, with a low overall long-term complication rate. The low incidence of capsular contracture supports the growing body of evidence that human acellular dermal matrix mitigates capsular contracture.

Chest wall reconstruction in thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis: using the pedicled osteomuscular latissimus dorsi composite flap.

Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital defect characterized by complete or partial displacement of the heart outside the thoracic cavity. Repair of ectopia cordis can present a reconstructive challenge often requiring a staged approach. Ideally, structural integrity and protection of the heart are restored using autologous tissues capable of growth. In addition, reconstruction of the thorax must proceed without compromise to pulmonary or cardiovascular stability. The following article describes repair of thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis in a patient with pentalogy of Cantrell. Reconstruction of the chest wall was accomplished using a musculoosseus composite flap involving segments of the 9th and 10th ribs and overlying pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle. This is the first report known to the authors of such a repair.

A survey of microvascular protocols for lower extremity free tissue transfer II: postoperative care.

Due to the complex, and often tenuous nature of microsurgical tissue transfer, postoperative monitoring of free tissue flaps plays a vital role in the management of such patients. Some of the more challenging reconstructive problems occur in patients with lower extremity trauma, yet to date, no preferred protocol exists for the postoperative care of lower extremity free flaps. The present study sought to evaluate and assess current preferences in monitoring following lower extremity free tissue transfer. Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) were surveyed with regard to their choice for postoperative monitoring and return to dependent positioning ("dangling"). The results demonstrate that there is some agreement among surgeons regarding the optimal means for postoperative monitoring. Most rely on clinical observation in addition to conventional Doppler probe for an average of 4.8 days. Most surgeons follow their own flaps in addition to relying on the residents and nursing staff. The study also notes a wide variety in the times and frequencies at which dangling of the extremity was commenced. Most respondents initiate dangling within 2 weeks of surgery and begin with only 1 to 5 minutes per session.

A survey of microvascular protocols for lower-extremity free tissue transfer I: perioperative anticoagulation.

Reconstruction of the lower extremity using free tissue transfer is performed throughout the country by numerous surgical teams. However, no established protocol exists for the use of anticoagulation in the perioperative period. The present study sought to analyze trends in current protocols regarding perioperative anticoagulation for lower-extremity free flap reconstruction. Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons were surveyed with regard to their preferences for perioperative anticoagulation in conjunction with lower-extremity free tissue transfer. The results demonstrated tremendous variability in both the agents used and therapeutic periods employed. They highlighted the absence of 1 or more common anticoagulation protocols and tried to establish common trends in the use of such agents.

Orbital dystopia managed with unilateral brow suspension.

Patients with orbital dystopia present with symptoms of diplopia and/or facial asymmetry. Repositioning of the orbit requires multiple osteotomies around the orbit, which presents significant complications. The authors present an alternative method to restore facial symmetry in the case of a 14-year-old patient with congenital orbital dystopia due to fibrosis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The patient had no ocular symptoms but did have asymmetric descent of the ipsilateral brow. He refused box osteotomy and repositioning of the orbit. Unilateral brow suspension was performed using an endoscopic technique and suspension sutures fixed to resorbable screws. Adequate brow elevation was noted in the immediate postoperative period and at 6 months; it successfully restored facial symmetry.

Acute ischemia of the lower extremity in the pediatric population: a protocol for management.

Each year, a large number of infants and children undergo vascular catheterization via access in a lower extremity. The femoral system is relatively easy to cannulate, and this approach avoids use of more central access approaches that may present more serious complications. Infrequently, however, pediatric patients develop acute ischemia of the ipsilateral lower extremity. Several surgical and nonsurgical treatment options exist for the management of such problems. However, no adequate protocol exists for the management of acute lower extremity ischemia in the pediatric population. The authors present several cases of distal lower extremity ischemia as a result of femoral artery catheterization and offer a protocol for management of similar cases.

Mandibular distraction in a neonate with muscular dystrophy.

The following case report describes the successful use of distraction osteogenesis (DO) for the treatment of hypoplasia of the mandible in a patient with muscular dystrophy (MD). While DO has been used for hypoplasia of the mandible, no evidence exists that is it safe in the setting of MD. MD is a disease that primarily affects skeletal muscle; however, pathologic changes in the adjacent bone have been described. Furthermore, the healing of involved bone may be problematic, making DO a potentially unsuccessful technique in this group of patients. This report is the first successful utilization of DO for the treatment of mandibular hypoplasia in a patient with MD.

Revisiting vascularized muscle flaps for complicated sternal wounds in children.

Surgeons at our center previously reported a case of a 2-month-old infant who underwent closure of an infected sternal wound following open cardiac surgery with debridement followed by closure with bilateral pectoralis muscle flaps and a unilateral rectus abdominis muscle flap. The success of the procedure has spawned refinements in the technique, such as the one described herein. A 2-week-old neonate was evaluated for postoperative sternal dehiscence and instability following open cardiac surgery for severe congenital cardiac anomalies. Management included initial debridement and application of a vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.) system (KCI, Oxfordshire, UK). In conjunction with the final V.A.C. dressing change, the patient underwent delay of the left rectus muscle by division of the inferior epigastric pedicle. She subsequently underwent transposition of the left rectus muscle and application of a full-thickness skin graft for coverage of the sternal defect. She has since done well and still requires further invasive cardiac procedures.