One injection for a great projection: a quick and simple procedure for nipple reconstruction.

Women attach great importance to the presence of a three-dimensional nipple upon completion of the breast reconstruction process. To meet patients' expectations, nipple-areolar complex reconstruction should achieve symmetry in position, size, shape, texture, and color, as well as minimizing donor-site morbidity. However, it is well known that regardless of the reconstructive technique, loss of nipple projection can be reasonably expected. We developed and evaluated a quick, simple, and innovative technique using injectable Integra Flowable Wound Matrix to increase nipple projection after reconstruction. Twenty breast cancer patients who underwent nipple reconstruction resulting in unsatisfactory projection were enrolled in our retrospective study. Nipple projection was measured at the time of surgery and after 6 and 12 months. A visual analogue scale was used to assess patients' satisfaction. Our technique yielded reliable results in terms of the long-lasting maintenance of nipple projection. This method is high-priced, but cost-effective, since one kit may suffice for three patients. Furthermore, our patients were very appreciative of this technique as a single-step, minimally invasive, painless procedure with no reported necessity of re-intervention.

A Safer Way to Harvest a Superthin Perforator Flap.

SUMMARY: The updated knowledge of perforasome anatomy and the evolution of microsurgical techniques have enabled surgeons to safely harvest a thin flap. Recently, the anterolateral thigh perforator flap, the current workhorse in soft-tissue reconstruction, has started to be designed and harvested on the superficial fascia, which divides the deep from the superficial fat. This allows elevation of a very thin flap tailored to the defect. Faithful to the ultrathin concept, in an attempt to make flap dissection simpler and safer, the authors describe a revisited harvesting technique of superthin anterolateral thigh perforator flap. This study presents the outlined technique performed in 16 patients with complex soft-tissue defects after trauma or tumor ablation. All of them underwent primary reconstruction using superthin anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps by superficial fascia elevation harvested according to the described surgical procedure. Complications and functional outcomes were assessed. The authors' series of anterolateral thigh perforator superthin flaps demonstrated an overall 100 percent survival rate. Of 16 anterolateral thigh perforators, 12 (75 percent) had no complications and four (25 percent) had minor complications. No major complications such as total flap loss requiring additional salvage surgery were reported. In no case was secondary debulking performed. The superthin anterolateral thigh perforator flap harvested with the described approach was used successfully in microsurgical reconstruction, providing an excellent outer skin cover tailored to the defect. The dissection procedure was safe, quick, simple, and free of major complications. With minimal donor- and recipient-site morbidity, it provided great aesthetic results, avoiding secondary operations. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

When Testosterone Needs to be Contrasted: A Preliminary Study of Scar Prevention in Transmen Top Surgery with an Innovative Galenic Preparation.

BACKGROUND: Transmen are individuals who live a marked incongruence between the assigned gender and the experienced gender. Crucial and life-changing steps in their transition are testosterone treatment and mastectomy to remove the stigma of feminine identity. After surgery, patients' attention turns to the scars, often not aesthetically pleasant. We thus created an innovative galenic preparation for scar treatment after surgery composed by spironolactone, alfa bisabolol and silicone gel. Functional outcomes, side effects and satisfaction were assessed. METHODS: For the present prospective randomized controlled study, 30 patients with similar demographic characteristics who underwent double incision mastectomy with NA grafts between February 2014 and June 2019 were selected. The treatment Group A (n = 15) was treated for 12 months with "Top Surgery Scar go," the control Group B (n = 15) with silicon gel. Statistical analysis including Wilcoxon test and Kruskal-Wallis test per variable was performed. To assess satisfaction, a second Wilcoxon test was applied. RESULTS: The differences between Group A and Group B were statistically significant, especially at T12 with very low p values. Satisfaction was greater in Group A (p value = 3e-4). No major side effects were noticed in Group A. CONCLUSIONS: TSSgo scar innovative treatment showed long-term efficacy in comparison with silicon gel in terms of improved scar tissue texture, pigmentation, pliability and height. It is easy to set up, cost-effective and safe. Further studies are necessary to better assess efficacy and validity of TSSgo, but it appears to be promising as the new treatment of reference for scar management after top surgery in transmen. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Quadriceps tendon reconstruction using a fascia lata included in a reverse-flow anterolateral thigh flap.

Quadriceps tendon re-rupture after surgical repair is an overall estimated 2% complication. We report a case of reconstruction in a large tendon and soft tissue defect using a reverse-flow anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap including fascia lata in a 75-year-old man presented with septic necrosis of a reconstructed quadriceps tendon. A reverse-flow ALT flap was transferred to the knee defect; the fascia lata was sutured to the residual tendon. Post-operative flap congestion and infection were successfully treated with debridement and conservative treatment. One year after surgery, the patient was able to fully and actively extend the knee, with an acceptable aesthetic appearance. The reverse-flow anterolateral thigh flap including fascia lata may be a good option for coverage of soft-tissue defects around the knee and contemporary quadriceps tendon reconstruction, particularly in case of septic tendon necrosis, where the use of non-vascularised tissues is contraindicated.

Shape, Position and Dimension of the Nipple Areola Complex in the Ideal Male Chest: A Quick and Simple Operating Room Technique.

INTRODUCTION: The anatomical features of the chest identify an individual as male or female and even the smallest details of these features determine the appropriate appearance for each gender. In female-to-male patients, the creation of an aesthetically pleasing male chest is the most important step. Incorrect positioning of the nipple areola complex (NAC) on the chest wall and suboptimal shaping and sizing of the NAC are common pitfalls in male NAC creation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have analyzed the anatomical chest features of 26 water polo players, to verify our hypothesis of the relationship between the pectoralis major muscle and NAC and to create a method for repositioning the NAC that is applicable in the operating room, is easy, practical and reproducible without the use of formulas and based on an easily identifiable landmark. RESULTS: In our reference group, the NAC has a constant relationship with the pectoralis major muscle, positioned on average 3 cm medial to the lateral border of the pectoralis muscle and 2.5 cm above the inferior pectoralis major insertion. This supports our hypothesis and our surgical technique. We use the index finger to find a vertical axis and a line 2.5 cm above the inferior pectoralis shadow to find the horizontal axis. We also introduce a modification to the receiving site to recreate an oval areola more similar to that of an ideal male chest. CONCLUSIONS: Our anatomical study and statistical analysis support a consistent relationship between the position and shape of the NAC and the borders of the pectoral muscle. We have used this relationship to develop our "trick," which is easily applicable in the operating room to find the NAC position without using formulas and numbers. This method allowed us to place the NAC in a position very close to that of a typical male subject, and it permitted us to reduce the surgery time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

V-shaped Internal Nasal Vestibular Flap for Reconstruction of Iatrogenic Columellar Defect.

Columella is an important structure in the center of the face, and its structural integrity has an important functional, social, and psychological role. Columella reconstruction can be very challenging for surgeons and the ideal technique remains elusive. This article describes a reconstruction technique in a young woman with columella necrosis due to nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment. The method of reconstruction described here, with a V-shaped internal nasal vestibular flap and a cartilage grafts from lateral crura, is simple and easily reproducible, providing an optimal aesthetic result and in addition the donor site does not create a secondary deformity by disrupting normal anatomy.

Claw foot A case report.

A cutaneous horn could be defined as a conical projection on the surface of skin made of cornified material and resembling an animal horn. These lesions most commonly affect light-skinned men aged between 50 to 89 years and usually appear in sun exposed areas. Radiation, chronic irritation and even human papilloma virus-2 infection may be precipitating factors. More than half of the cases originate from either malignant or premalignant lesions, therefore the base of the lesion must be carefully examined histologically. Long standing presence of the lesion, conspicuous protrusion of the horn and pain are positive predictive factors for malignancy and invasivity. In these cases an invasive surgical approach is needed. KEY WORDS: Basal cell carcinoma, Cancer, Clow foot, Non melanoma skin cancer, Skin cancer.

Regenerative Surgery in the Treatment of Cosmetic Defect Following Nuss Procedure.

BACKGROUND: In the past decade, the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) has become the treatment of choice for severe pectus excavatum (PE), proving acceptable to excellent cosmetic results. Recently, autologous fat grafting (FG) has been identified in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery to ideally handle volume and contour defects. We report our experience about FG in the treatment of residual minor defects after MIRPE and a proposal for a new indication of this largely adopted technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2012 to April 2015, 127 patients underwent bar removal. At outpatient check, a questionnaire was adopted to investigate aesthetic outcome prior and after surgery (3 months postoperation); scoring options varied from 4 to 0 [4, excellent; 3, very good; 2, good; 1, acceptable; and 0, unacceptable]. In patients scoring less than "good," we proposed FG at the same operating session of bar removal. The donor areas were the abdomen, trochanteric region, and inner thigh. The tissue was gently collected through a thin cannula, filtrated, and then promptly injected into the defect. RESULTS: Eleven patients (8.8%) have been selected for FG. No complications have been detected during the follow-up period (range 1-36 months). In three cases, we performed further FG procedure to achieve an optimal result. Questionnaire reported an increased mean score from 1.8 to 2.7. CONCLUSION: In our early experience, FG has provided satisfactory cosmetic results. With the present report we advocate FG as a minimally invasive "tool" to achieve better defect correction after MIRPE. These preliminary results suggest that FG could be a worthwhile resource in treating chest wall malformations.

Masculine Chest-Wall Contouring in FtM Transgender: a Personal Approach.

BACKGROUND: Chest-wall contouring surgery is one of the first steps in sexual reassignment in female-to-male (FtM) transsexuals that contributes to strengthening of the self-image and facilitates living in the new gender role. The main goal is to masculinize the chest by removing the female contour. Chest contour, scar placement, scar shape, scar length, nipple-areola position, nipple size and the areola size are the key points. METHODS: Between July 2013 and June 2016, 25 FtM transgender patients underwent surgical procedures to create a masculine chest-wall contour. In our study, we just considered 16 patients who have undergone chest surgery with the double incision method. RESULTS: The patients' survey revealed a high satisfaction rate with the aesthetic result. In our group, no complications occurred, and two patients have undergone supplementary surgery for axillary dog-ear revision and nipple reconstruction. CONCLUSION: The authors propose a new technical approach and indications for FtM transgender patients' surgery. A longer scar that emphasizes the pectoralis muscle, a smaller nipple and a resized and refaced areola are the key points of our technique to give a masculine appearance to the chest. The scars are permanent, but most of them will fade and the patients are enthusiastic with their new "male" chest appearance. The high level of satisfaction, the great aesthetic result and the low rate of complications suggest to us the use of this technique in medium- and large-size breasts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Scrotal dartos-fascio-myo-cutaneous flaps for penis elongation after catastrophic iatrogenic skin shaft sub-amputation: A case of recovery using an extremely adaptable flap.

INTRODUCTION: Genitalia are linked to self-esteem and male sexual identity, especially among young men, who sometimes require a surgical procedure to acquire more confidence. Among the surgical procedures requested for aesthetical purposes, circumcision is one of the most popular. Although it can be considered to be a simple surgical practice, it may cause severe complications such as penile skin necrosis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a catastrophic situation after a circumcision performed on a 27-year-old HIV positive man resulted in a drastic reduction in the length of the penile shaft due to extensive skin loss; this was subsequently restored using dartos-fascio-myo-cutaneous flaps. Primary healing occurred in 10days. No infection, dehiscence or flap ischemia were reported. Donor site morbidity was minimal. An adequate aesthetical appearance and satisfactory functional results were obtained. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Various techniques are available for penile skin covering, such as skin grafts or cutaneous flaps. The skin of the scrotum seems to be the most suitable tissue to be used to reconstruct the skin covering of the shaft as it is the most similar. Dartos-fascio-myo-cutaneous flap is a single stage procedure that is easy and safe to perform. It can provide satisfactory cosmetic and functional results, offering a large amount of tissue, with minimal donor site morbidity.

Umbilical reconstruction in children: a simplified operative technique.

UNLABELLED: The umbilicus has a paramount aesthetical function for the abdomen and when removed due to a surgical procedure, an umbilicoplasty is mandatory: indeed, its absence could contribute to the development of psychological disorders, especially in childhood. Herein, we describe a straightforward technique to obtain a seemingly natural umbilical scar. This technique, easily taught in a general pediatric surgery environment, may be amenable for any kind of umbilical reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .