100 Steps of a DIEP Flap-A Prospective Comparative Cohort Series Demonstrating the Successful Implementation of Process Mapping in Microsurgery.

BACKGROUND: The demand to improve the efficiency of microsurgical breast reconstruction is driven by increasing number of breast cancer and risk reducing cases, and the concurrent requirement for hospitals to cut costs. Businesses have successfully used process mapping as a tool to improve efficiency; however, process mapping has been sparsely used in surgery. This prospective cohort study has used process mapping to break down the individual components of a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap operation into a template of 100 streamlined steps. METHODS: Through observation of the senior author's uniform technique, refined from experience of over 5,000 cases, the DIEP flap operation was broken down into 100 individual steps, all arranged in a logical sequence with which to maximize efficiency and outcome. This created a 100-step process-mapped template. Subsequently, 2 cohorts of 10 unilateral DIEP cases were prospectively timed. One cohort following this process mapped template and the other control group was blinded to the template. RESULTS: The process-mapped cohort was 56.1 minutes quicker than the control cohort, despite the addition of symmetrizing surgery being performed concurrently in 4 out of the 10 cases. Furthermore, there was no return to theater in the process-mapped cohort versus 1 return to theater in the control cohort with no flap loss in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This study uniquely presents an approach to process map the DIEP flap operation and demonstrates its utility in improving operative efficiency, without compromising outcomes. It also illustrates the possibility of symmetrizing surgery being carried out through parallel operating processes, without affecting overall operative times.

Sensation-Sparing Correction of Inverted Nipples Using the 'Drawbridge' Flap Approach.

INTRODUCTION: An inverted nipple can cause significant functional and psychologic disturbance to women. The holy grail of any surgical technique to correct this is to restore adequate nipple projection and at the same time, try to preserve lactation and nipple sensation. We describe our experience using an inferior dermal nipple-areolar interposition flap to correct the inverted nipple alongside with selective release of the lactiferous ducts of the nipple. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have employed this technique successfully in 97 cases of inverted nipples in 60 patients with follow-up periods of up to 2 years. Twenty-three of them had unilateral inversion, and 37 of them had bilateral nipple inversion. RESULTS: The appearance of the nipple was good to excellent. Seventy to 80% of the initial postoperative nipple projection at the end of 1 year was maintained. Postoperative complications included stitch abscess in one patient (n = 1) and an epidermal cyst in another (n = 1). Nipple sensation was preserved in 100% of cases. There was no recurrence of inversion in any of the nipples. DISCUSSION: By identifying the root cause of inverted nipples in each individual case, and selectively targeting them, we minimize surgical morbidity with a simple technique that avoids any form of traction or compression of the nipple and minimizes the risk of altered nipple sensation. 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 .

A useful alternative surgical technique to reconstructing large defects following excision of recurrent pilonidal sinus disease in the intergluteal region: An operative approach for the transverse lumbar artery perforator flap.

The reconstruction of defects in the intergluteal region following pilonidal sinus excision is challenging due to its anatomical location, close proximity to the anus, and being a high-tension area prone to wound-healing problems. Excision and primary closure is known to carry a higher risk of recurrence and subsequent complications compared with using nearby local healthy tissue, such as a flap, to reconstruct defect. Extra due diligence should be given to patient selection and flap choice when deciding the reconstruction of a defect. The senior author, who has briefly reviewed complication rates in previous published literature, prefers the transverse lumbar artery perforator (TLAP) flap for reconstruction following pilonidal sinus excision in the intergluteal region. This paper illustrates the operative approach used by the senior author when raising a TLAP flap.

The transverse lumbar perforator flap: An anatomic and clinical study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lumbosacral defects are complex reconstructive problems requiring tension-free vascularised soft tissue reconstruction in patients who often have comorbidities. In an area prone to recurrent tissue breakdown, both free and islanded flaps risk complete failure. Cadaveric studies have demonstrated the consistency of lumbar perforators, yet ipsilateral lumbar perforator flaps have modest reconstructive potential owing to geometric limitations. An axial pattern lumbar perforator flap based on a contralateral lumbar perforator may surmount these problems; however, it has only been described in a small clinical and cadaveric study previously. METHODS: An anatomical study was performed in the consecutive patients undergoing computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the trunk, assessing the presence and location of lumbar artery perforators. The use of midline or contralateral lumbar artery perforators in the lumbar perforator flap was assessed in the reconstruction of lumbosacral defects. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients with 102 lumbosacral defects have been managed with the use of contralaterally based transverse lumbar perforator flaps over a period of 20 years. In 96 patients, the defects requiring reconstruction followed debridement of a pressure ulcer, with seven cases following debridement of pilonidal sinuses and one following abdominoperineal resection. There were 65 men and 37 women, with a mean follow-up of 1.5 years. Necrosis of the tip of the flap occurred in 3%, with no cases of complete flap loss. Recurrence occurred in two cases (both sacral pressure sores). All recurrences and/or necrosis were managed with flap advancement or skin grafts. All the donor sites were closed directly. CONCLUSION: The contralateral-based transverse lumbar perforator flap is a simple, reliable, versatile and, in some cases, reusable choice in the management of lumbosacral defects. Flap dimensions of 24 × 15 cm can be based on one lumbar perforator.

Developmental breast asymmetry.

Developmental breast asymmetry (DBA) can affect psychosocial well-being in the young female. Correction of breast asymmetry may present a reconstructive challenge, especially in tuberous breasts. Fifty-two cases of DBA treated between January 2002 and January 2006 were reviewed. Preoperative clinical assessment of the specific anatomical deformity, subsequent surgical treatment modalities, esthetic outcome, and patient's satisfaction were evaluated. Surgical modalities used in our series include augmentation mammaplasty with or without tissue expansion, parenchymal scoring, nipple areola complex reduction, glanduloplasty techniques, mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty. The mean age of DBA presentation was 21 years; 69% (36/52) patients had tuberous breasts, of which 67% (24/36) were unilateral and 33% (12/36) were bilateral deformities. Patients with tuberous breast deformity presented consistently under the age of 25 years. Esthetic outcome was rated "good" in 75% (39/52), and symmetry rated as "good" in 58% (30/52) by professional evaluation. Surgical treatment is tailored to the affected esthetic units of the individual breast. In our experience, symmetry is the hardest parameter to achieve, particularly in tuberous breasts. Operative treatment is of great value to the psychosocial well-being of the patient. A conceptual approach in the assessment and treatment of DBA is emphasized by this series.

The transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap: technical refinements.

UNLABELLED: Autologous free tissue transfer is an ideal method for breast reconstruction. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is considered the gold-standard procedure worldwide. However, in selected patients this flap cannot be performed to achieve satisfactory outcomes. The transverse myocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap is one of the most recent additions to the armamentarium of breast-reconstructive surgeons. This flap can provide adequate autologous tissue with a hidden scar. Since its description for breast reconstruction in 2004, no series have been published and its recognition is still lacking. The main criticism of this flap is the lack of volume that can be achieved and the potential for donor morbidity. We report upon a 2-year experience with the use of TMG flaps for breast reconstruction, assessing the potential indications and introducing some technical refinements in order to expand the role of this flap in breast reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information regarding all TMG flaps performed in the period between January 2006 and December 2007 was prospectively collected. Indications and outcomes were reviewed. The surgical technique was revised and standardised to achieve a routine set-up. RESULTS: During the study period, 19 TMG flaps were performed in 12 patients (seven double procedures: five bilateral cases and two stacked flaps for unilateral breast reconstruction). One flap was lost 9 days postoperatively. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2 years. We detail our surgical technique and describe refinements to speed up flap harvest, increase flap volume, optimise flap inset and minimise donor-site complications. CONCLUSION: Although the DIEP flap is still our preferred choice for breast reconstruction, the TMG flap is suitable as a first-line option in small-to-moderate breasted women or as a second-line choice for larger-breasted women for whom the DIEP flap may not be the preferred choice. It is also a reliable salvage flap in cases of previous flap failure.

Management of inguinal lymphadenopathy: immediate sartorius transposition and reconstruction of recurrence with pedicled ALT flap.

Inguinal lymphadenectomy is associated with considerable morbidity, and several attempts have been made to minimize the morbidity by well-vascularized flaps of adequate bulk to obliterate the dead space and promote wound healing. In the case of recurrence, the overlying skin is usually involved and the reconstructive surgeon is confronted with exposed femoral vessels and complex groin defects. We report a series of 40 patients that underwent inguinal lymphadenectomy and immediate sartorius transposition for skin malignancies, and 4 patients with recurrence that was treated with radical surgical excision and pedicled anterolateral thigh flap (ATL). We examined complications such as infection, skin necrosis, lymphorea, lymphoedema, and wound healing time. The immediate sartorius transposition was associated with 7.5% infection rate, 5% superficial skin edge necrosis, 0% of persistent lymph, and 27.5% of mild lymphoedema. All ALT flaps survived completely and wounds healed uneventfully within 2 weeks without any signs of infection, seroma, or wound dehiscence.Sartorius and ALT flap are reliable methods to reconstruct the groin following inguinal lymphadenectomy. They ensure low complication rate with no donor site morbidity, and should be the first line treatment of immediate and secondary groin reconstruction, respectively.