Skin-Reducing Mastectomy in Immediate Reconstruction: How to Limit Complications and Failures.

BACKGROUND: In hypertrophic and/or very ptotic breasts, skin-reducing mastectomy (SRM) is challenging and the risk of complications is high. Few publications have reported the use of an autologous latissimus dorsi flap (ALDF) in this indication. Most studies opt for implant reconstructions, with a high failure rate. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify and present the technical refinements that reduce the risk of reconstruction failure in patients with hypertrophic and/or ptotic breasts with breast cancer or at risk of breast cancer after SRM with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) utilizing an ALDF. METHODS: Our retrospective study, covering a period of 18 years, included a series of 60 patients with hypertrophic and/or ptotic breasts who underwent 67 SRM and IBR procedures utilizing an ALDF. The complications were recorded and the risk factors analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven SRMs were reviewed. Forty-nine procedures were performed with an inverted-T scar technique and 18 with a vertical scar technique. The nipple-areola complex (NAC) was preserved in 10 cases. There were eight (11.9%) cases of minor mastectomy flap necrosis after skin-reducing reconstructions, 16 (23.8%) wound dehiscences, no infections, no breast seromas, and no reconstruction failures. Smoking increased the risk of minor mastectomy flap necrosis (P = 0.048) and wound dehiscence (P = 0.002). Previous radiotherapy was associated with minor mastectomy flap necrosis (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of an ALDF together with technical refinements that preserve the vascular supply of the skin envelope leads to successful IBR with consistently good aesthetic results. Above all, it avoids failure of the reconstruction in very large or ptotic breasts.

Percutaneous fasciotomies and fat grafting: indications for breast surgery.

BACKGROUND: The management of breast deformities can be very difficult in the presence of breast shape retraction. Percutaneous fasciotomies, which release fibrous strings, can be a very useful tool for shape improvement in the recipient site for a fat graft. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluate the efficacy of fasciotomies in association with fat grafting in breast surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 1000 patients treated with concurrent fasciotomies and fat grafting between January 2006 and December 2011. The recipient site was prepared with fasciotomies, and fat was harvested from other parts of the body using a low-pressure 10-mL syringe lipoaspiration system. Fat was centrifuged and injected into the breast for reconstruction or chest deformities. The postoperative appearance of the breast scars was scored by both the surgeon and the patient. Each complication was recorded, including instances of hematoma, infection, tissue wounds, scar healing, and fat necrosis. RESULTS: In this series of patients, for whom the primary indications for the procedure were sequelae of breast-conserving surgery after cancer, latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction, breast implant reconstruction, tuberous breast, Poland syndrome, and funnel chest, we recorded the following complications: 0.8% local infections (8/1000), 0.1% delayed wound healing that required medical care (1/1000), and 3% fat necrosis (31/1000). Fasciotomy scarring was considered minor by the patient in 98.5% of cases and by the surgeon in 99% of cases at 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Fat grafting is a safe and reliable technique that improves the aesthetic outcomes of breast surgery. Percutaneous fasciotomies provide excellent aesthetic results and an improvement in breast shape with no scarring. In our experience, both fat grafting and fasciotomies offer a durable result over the long term.

Breast asymmetry and pectus excavatum improvement with fat grafting.

BACKGROUND: In women, pectus excavatum malformation can cause modified breast morphology, resulting in mammary asymmetry, which can be increased by placing mammary implants alone. Fat transfer can be an elegant solution to increase the volume and projection of the breast. OBJECTIVES: The authors discuss their experience treating pectus excavatum with fat transfer (lipomodeling) since 2000. METHODS: The charts of 19 consecutive patients with a pectus excavatum breast asymmetry who underwent lipomodeling treatment at the authors' facility between January 2000 and November 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were separated using the Chin classification (type 1, 2, and 3). Data points for each patient included age and body mass index, number of interventions and volume of fat injected during each session, total volume transferred, and postoperative complications. The clinical result was evaluated by the patient and the surgical team on a 4-point scale: very good, good, fair, or poor. RESULTS: Most (74%) patients in this series had type 3 Chin pectus excavatum. The average age was 28 years, and the average body mass index was 20.3. The average number of lipomodeling sessions was 1.63, and the average volume of fat transferred was 230 mL per session and 375 mL total. The patients and the surgical team were very satisfied or satisfied in 95% of cases and considered the result fair in 5% of cases. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Fat transfer for treatment of pectus excavatum yields very good (natural and stable) results and high patient satisfaction rates, which makes this technique our preferred method for treating thoracomammary malformations in pectus excavatum.

Breast amputation correction of a horse bite using the lipomodeling technique.

UNLABELLED: Mammary gland development is an important phase of puberty, and it marks the passage into adulthood for women, so any trauma leading to mammary deformities has an important physical and psychological impact. Often, classic techniques are difficult to use in the treatment of traumatic breast lesions. In this article, the authors present an exceptional case of breast reshaping by lipomodeling in a teenage patient who had experienced a horse bite. Treatment included 2 fat grafting sessions with fasciotomies, nipple reconstruction using a bifoliated flap, and areolar tattooing, all without any complications. We achieved a satisfactory result with a symmetric volume, a natural tissue consistency, and sensation improvement, all of which were maintained as the patient grew. In our experience, fat transfer was a safe and reliable technique that provided a good and stable aesthetic result, improving the volume and shape without additional scarring or implant devices. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

Lipomodeling of Poland's syndrome: a new treatment of the thoracic deformity.

BACKGROUND: The severe forms of Poland's syndrome, with thoracic deformity, were until now very difficult to treat, with treatment involving complex surgery and implant insertion. Results were, in general, inadequate and the appearance unnatural. Our experience with fat transfer for breast reconstruction led us to propose reconstruction of the breast and thorax by serial fat transfer. METHODS: Our patient had a very severe form of Poland's syndrome with agenesis of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles and lack of fusion of the fourth costal arch. She was treated by fat transfer, or lipomodeling. Lipomodeling was developed in our team in 1998 to augment breast volume after autologous latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction. Because this technique and use of an implant were not possible, we attempted reconstruction by repeated lipomodeling. The patient underwent five sessions at intervals of a few months, the first in August 2001. RESULTS: With 6 years of follow-up, the aesthetic, functional, and psychological results exceeded our expectations. In five sessions we were able to reconstruct a breast of natural shape, sensitivity, and consistency, and which was totally accepted by the patient. Mammography, echography, and MRI 1 year later showed a normal breast of fatty type. CONCLUSION: Lipomodeling in Poland's syndrome is technically feasible. This original description of treatment of the severest form of Poland's syndrome, with impressive results and at the cost of limited constraints and scar sequelae, opens new perspectives and suggests extensive potential applications of lipomodeling in all disciplines related to the breast.

Refining aesthetic approaches to tuberous breast using combined minimally invasive approaches to treat moderate asymmetric tuberous breast.

Tuberous breast deformity refers to a deformity of the breast that is characterized by varying degree of herniation of the breast parenchyma, widened nipple areolar complex, constriction of the breast base and may involve some degree of hypoplasia. Tuberous breast deformity is most often seen in young women who commonly presents due to dissatisfaction with breast symmetry, as this can be a source of significant psychosocial distress. Principles of reconstruction are focused on recreating an aesthetically pleasing breast shape and achieving symmetrization. Traditionally, reconstruction commonly involved utilization of breast implants or local flap to achieve these goals. The introduction of fat transfer has led to a paradigm shift in aesthetic breast surgery. Fat grafting is safe and can reliably achieve satisfactory aesthetic results in selected cases and reduces the need for implants or local flaps. Concepts that reduce scar burden allows for even more satisfactory aesthetic outcomes.

Pyoderma gangrenosum: an exceptional complication of venous access device.

INTRODUCTION: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare disease whose precise etiology remains unknown. It causes rapidly developing skin necrosis and can occur after surgery, or after a nonspecific external stimulus. This condition is difficult to diagnose because it often mimics a fulminant infection. CLINICAL CASE: We present a case of very significant local presentation of PG after placement of a venous access device. Fifteen days after placement, the patient developed extensive cutaneous ulcers and necrosis in the subclavicular area, which led to the misdiagnosis of infection. The device was removed and the patient was given antibiotics. Because there was no improvement following antibiotic treatment, combined with the worrying and extensive appearance of the skin and extremely intense pain, the diagnosis of PG was made. The patient was immediately treated with high-dose corticosteroids, resulting in rapid improvement of the lesions and relief of pain. CONCLUSION: PG should be considered in cases of extensive, antibiotic-resistant ulceration and treatment with corticosteroids should be initiated. Clinical improvement is usually dramatic, with almost immediate suppression of the pain and arrest of the lesion's progression. Early treatment is the best guarantee for an effective recovery.

Radiographic findings after breast augmentation by autologous fat transfer.

BACKGROUND: Fat transfer to healthy breasts, that is, in women with no history of breast disease, particularly breast cancer, is becoming increasingly popular. The main issue remains whether the transfer of fat cells to the native breast hampers breast imaging. This pilot study aimed to assess the effectiveness of radiographic evaluation after breast lipomodeling and to propose objective elements for the detection of mammographic signs, and for postoperative evaluation of breast density and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (American College of Radiology) classification. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the radiographic findings of patients undergoing breast lipomodeling between 2000 and 2008. A descriptive semiologic analysis was conducted. Then, the authors compared breast tissue density and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System categorization in 20 patients with preoperative and postoperative images available for review. RESULTS: The descriptive analysis identified 16 percent of mammograms with microcalcifications, 9 percent with macrocalcifications, 25 percent with clear well-focused images of cystic lesions, and 12 percent with tissue remodeling. The comparative study showed no statistically significant difference between breast density findings before and after fat injection, whether using the American College of Radiology classification or a personalized rating system. Similarly, no significant difference was observed using the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System categorization before and after fat grafting. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic follow-up of breasts treated with fat grafting is not problematic and should not be a hindrance to the procedure. However, the authors' preliminary results should be confirmed in larger series, and the radiographic follow-up of women undergoing breast lipomodeling should be standardized to ensure reproducibility and improve patient safety.

Breast fat grafting (lipomodelling) after extended latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction: a preliminary report of 200 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of fat grafting has long been a controversial issue. Breast lipomodelling after extended latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction was first attempted at the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery unit of Leon Berard Cancer Centre in 1999. We present the results of a retrospective report of the first 200 consecutive patients treated at our institution from 1999 to 2003. METHODS: We identified specific requirements of the patients, and collected information on the surgical techniques used and the volumes of fat tissue injected. We analysed and compared the results of a total of 244 lipomodelling sessions. RESULTS: The graft consisted of 70% fat graft, 13% oily supernatant and 17% serum residues. Approximately 30% was lost during centrifugation. On average, 176 ml of fat were injected in each breast. Very satisfactory results were obtained in 94.5% of the cases, with a majority of patients (80%) being very satisfied with the procedure and only 1.5% complications. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the safety and feasibility of breast lipomodelling. It is a new approach to improve reconstructive outcome after extended latissimus flap breast reconstruction.

Metabolic and functional results after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a randomized, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare metabolic and functional results after laparoscopic and open colorectal resection. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients were randomly assigned to laparoscopic (n = 40) or open (n = 39) colorectal resection. Before and after operation, the following parameters were determined: respiratory function (spirography and blood gas); serum level of cortisol, lactate, and C-reactive protein; total lymphocyte count; and CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subsets. Intraoperative core temperature was measured by a bladder probe. Postoperative pain and analgesic consumption were also monitored. RESULTS: Mild operative hypothermia, a trend to postoperative reduction of total lymphocyte count, and significant impairment of respiratory function early after surgery were found in both groups. Laparoscopy showed a higher CD4/CD8 ratio (P = 0.01) on postoperative Day 1 and a faster return of C-reactive protein to preoperative values (P = 0.01) than in the open colorectal resection group. Morphine consumption in the first 48 hours after surgery was lower in the laparoscopic than in the open group (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy was associated with a less pronounced immunosuppression and inflammatory response and a lower consumption of analgesic drugs than open surgery. Moreover, our data did not show any additional detrimental effect of laparoscopy on either operative core temperature or early postoperative respiratory function.