Reconstruction of multiple long digital and hand defects using the multilobed anterolateral thigh perforator flap.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the reconstruction of multiple long digital and hand defects using the multilobed anterolateral thigh perforator flap. METHODS: From January 2018 to January 2021, 14 patients (hands) with multiple long digital defects were treated using the multilobed anterolateral thigh perforator flap. The mean age of the patients was 35 years (range, 18-55 years). The mean size (length × width) of the defects was 12.3 × 10.6 cm (range, 9 × 7 cm-16 × 12 cm). The mean size of the flap was 13.7 × 12.1 cm (range, 11 × 8 cm-19 × 14 cm). The total active motion was compared to the opposite side (100% normal, excellent; 75%-99% normal, good; 50%-74% normal, fair; <50% normal, poor). RESULTS: In this series, 12 flaps survived completely. Partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients but healed with wound care. The mean follow-up period was 28 months (range, 25-34 months). Based on the total active motion scoring system, we got 1 excellent, 7 good, 7 fair, and 1 poor result. A second surgery to separate the digits was not required. CONCLUSION: Multiple digital and hand defects can be reconstructed simultaneously using the multilobed anterolateral thigh perforator flap, allowing a length-to-width ratio of greater than 1.5:1 to resurface long digital defects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study.

Efficacy of virtual plastic surgery encounters in establishment of care and surgical conversion.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of virtual visits in converting new patients into established patients undergoing surgical treatment has not been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient retention and surgical conversion rate after an initial virtual plastic surgery consultation. METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective review of all new plastic surgery patients seen between May and August 2020 at a single institution was conducted. The initial encounter type, chief complaint, demographics, treatment recommendation, insurance approval rate, number and modality of pre- and postoperative visits, time to procedure, follow up, and complications were recorded. Patient retention and surgery conversion rate were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and unpaired t-test. RESULTS: In total, the records of 1889 new patients were reviewed (1635 in-person, 254 virtual). Virtual patients were younger (44.5 ±â€¯19.0 versus 49.5 ±â€¯20.7 years, p < 0.001), and nearly half resided greater than 50 miles away (42% versus 16%, p < 0.001). Virtual patients more frequently presented for cosmetic surgery (14% versus 7%, p < 0.001), lymphedema (15% versus 3%, p < 0.001), and gender dysphoria (11% versus 2%, p < 0.001). In-person patients presented more often for trauma (18% versus 5%, p < 0.001), elective hand complaints (16% versus 3%, p < 0.001), and breast reconstruction (9% versus 4%, p < 0.01). There were no differences in patient retention (p = 0.45) and procedure conversion rate (p = 0.21) between the groups. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine provides an opportunity to increase the practice catchment area and is as effective as in-person first encounters for establishing care and transition to surgery.

Prognosis-Guided Reconstruction of Scalp and Skull Defects in Neurosurgical Patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to formulate reconstructive recommendations for neurosurgical patients presenting with scalp and/or skull defects based on outcomes in a large series of patients. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective review of patients who underwent scalp and/or calvarial reconstruction was conducted. Complications were divided into minor and major; early, intermediate, and late. Univariate logistic regression models were conducted to identify independent predictors of complications. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare survival time. Kaplan-Meier curves were developed to compare exposure of titanium and bone cranioplasties. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-one patients who underwent 418 procedures were included (median 1 [1-3] surgeries per patient). Average age was 55 ± 15 years; 53% of patients were male. Median follow-up was 25.5 months [13.9-55.6 months], and 57 patients (33%) were deceased. Complications occurred following 48% of procedures; most common were titanium hardware exposure (36%), nonhealing wounds (23%), and infection (9%). Titanium cranioplasties became exposed 0.47 months [0.3-4.0 months] postoperatively. Frontal defect location was an independent predictor of major complications (odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.39; P = 0.026). Mortality rate for malignant intracranial neoplasms was 68.4% (median survival, 4.3 months), 39.1% for malignancies of both scalp and skull (7.0 months), 37.5% for scalp cancers (16.0 months), and 16.7% for meningiomas (28.2 months). CONCLUSIONS: Neurosurgical patients requiring scalp and/or skull reconstruction are a complex population undergoing multiple procedures with high complication rates. Given high exposure rate of titanium hardware shortly after reconstruction, titanium cranioplasty is recommended for patients with a prognosis less than 2 to 8 months.

Aesthetic, Quality-of-Life, and Clinical Outcomes after Inferior Pedicle Oncoplastic Reduction Mammoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Oncoplastic breast surgery is more likely to achieve superior aesthetic outcomes compared to lumpectomy alone. Oncoplastic reduction mammoplasty (ORM) is a volume displacement oncoplastic technique that combines lumpectomy and reduction mammoplasty. Data on aesthetic and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes after ORM are scarce in the literature. Based on a literature review, this present study reports outcomes on the largest group of ORM patients to date. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent ORM between 2011 and 2018 at a tertiary care centre. Patients were excluded if no pedicle information was available or did not undergo post-operative radiotherapy. All patients with available post-operative photographs were aesthetically evaluated by four blinded, independent investigators blinded based on breast symmetry, nipple symmetry, and overall appearance. The BREAST-Q (breast conserving module) was used to assess QoL outcomes. RESULTS: Two-hundred-and-sixteen consecutive patients (223 breasts) were included. Macromastia (cup size D or higher) was present in 173 patients (80.1%). Inferior pedicle ORM was utilized in 179 (80.3%) breasts. Eighty-eight patients (40.7%) were aesthetically evaluated, of whom 69 patients (78.4%) had "good", "very good", or "excellent" grades in all aesthetic categories. Seventy-five patients (85.2%) had "good" or better grades in overall appearance. Preoperative ptosis grade, cup size, presence of post-operative complications, and breast specimen weight had no significant correlations with aesthetic grades. Inferior pedicle ORM was associated with a higher "satisfaction with breast" Q-score (p=0.017) compared to other pedicle approaches. CONCLUSION: Inferior pedicle ORM achieves objectively excellent aesthetic outcomes and high patient satisfaction with the 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 .

Evolution and Versatility of the Bilateral Extended Spreader Graft: A Review and an Update to the Tongue-and-Groove Technique.

BACKGROUND: Initially introduced by the senior author (B.G.) for lengthening the short nose, bilateral extended spreader grafts (BESG) in the form of the tongue-and-groove (TAG) technique have gained additional indications in current septorhinoplasty practice. The purpose of this study is to discuss the evolution of this versatile technique with a literature review and retrospective review of the senior author's experience. METHODS: PubMed searches were conducted for "bilateral extended spreader graft" and "tongue-and-groove rhinoplasty". A retrospective chart review was performed for septorhinoplasty patients at the senior author's practice between 2015 and 2020. RESULTS: BESG have been used to realign the deviated nose and control nasal length. In addition to lengthening the short nose, the BESG technique can augment tip projection and align the caudal nose structures. A total of 397 septorhinoplasty patients were reviewed for this study. There were 258 (65.0%) cases of primary septorhinoplasties. The BESG technique was used in 31 (7.8%) patients for the nose elongation, all of whom underwent an open surgical approach. Bilateral spreader grafts (extended and non-extended) were used in 162 (40.8%) patients; among these patients, 135 (34.0%) had columellar struts placed concomitantly. CONCLUSION: In addition to nasal elongation, BESG can increase tip projection and better align the tip with the dorsum. The BESG technique continues to be highly consistent and dependable for correcting difficult nasal deformities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: 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 .

Prophylactic Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis Performed with Lymphadenectomy is Oncologically Safe for Melanoma.

BACKGROUND: A major concern of lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA), which has not been studied, is increased risk of metastasis. Melanoma patients with macrometastatic lymph node disease represent a high-risk group for recurrence and metastasis. On the basis of a literature review, this present study is the first to evaluate the impact of prophylactic LVA on cancer survival and recurrence. METHODS: This was a comparison study of patients with cutaneous melanoma who underwent therapeutic lymphadenectomy alone (comparison group) or combined with prophylactic LVA (LVA group) between 2014 and 2020. A single surgeon performed all cancer resections, therapeutic lymphadenectomies, and LVA. Exclusion criteria included non-melanoma skin cancers, stage IV cancers before lymphadenectomy, microscopic lymphatic disease (i.e., positive sentinel node biopsy was the sole indication for lymph node dissection), or follow-up time less than 12 months unless the patient died earlier owing to melanoma-related complications. RESULTS: This study included 23 patients in the LVA group and 22 consecutive patients in the comparison group. The two groups were similar in age, sex, and cancer stages. The comparison group had longer follow-up times (median 67.62 versus 29.73 months in the LVA group; p < 0.01). Average size of largest metastatic lymph node was 45.91 ± 35.03 mm and 44.54 ± 23.32 mm in the LVA and comparison groups, respectively (p = 0.99). There were no differences in OS, DMFS, and RFS times after more than 2 years of follow-up since the index surgery. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic LVA performed for macrometastatic melanoma is not a strong risk factor for relapse and metastasis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II Therapeutic.

Neurotization Does not Prolong Operative Time in Free Flap Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Neurotization during the breast reconstruction process can improve patient quality-of-life and satisfaction with reconstructive outcomes. One concern with neurotization is increased total operative time due to the need for additional dissection and nerve coaptation. The purpose of this study was to compare total operative time between neurotized and non-neurotized abdominal-based, free flap breast reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of consecutive patients who underwent unilateral, abdominal-based, free flap breast reconstruction between 2016 and 2018 at a single tertiary care center. Data were collected on patient demographics, surgical techniques, and length of surgery. Data analysis was performed using chi-square test, independent t-test, and multivariate linear regression analysis. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were included in this study. Twenty-three patients (31.50%) underwent flap neurotization (N group) and 50 (68.49%) underwent standard breast reconstruction without neurotization (NO group). The groups were similar in age, BMI, smoking status, and ASA class. No difference was found between the two groups in timing of reconstruction (p = 0.388). Average operative times were 467.73 ± 145.52 minutes and 455.28 ± 111.19 minutes for the N and NO groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (two-tailed p-value = 0.72). CONCLUSION: Seamless integration of neurotization in abdominal-based, free flap breast reconstruction is possible without significant prolongation of total operative 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 .

Reconstruction of Giant Defects Due to Electrical and Radiation Burns in the Lower Leg with Free Anterolateral Thigh Flaps.

The purpose of this study was to introduce reconstruction of giant soft tissue defects of the lower leg caused by high-voltage electrical burns and radiation burns using the free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap. From March 2017 to January 2018, 6 patients who sustained high-voltage electrical burns and 2 patients who sustained ulcerated radiation burns were reconstructed using the free ALT flap. The mean size of the defects was 19 cm × 32 cm (range, 18 cm × 22 cm to 30 cm × 36 cm). The mean size of the flaps was 22 cm × 34 cm (range, 20 cm × 24 cm to 32 cm × 38 cm). All flaps survived completely. The mean preoperative Functional Analysis Technique Evaluation score was 62 (range, 43 to 74). The mean follow-up period was 16 months (range, 12 to 18 months). At the final follow-up, the mean postoperative score was 90 (range, 86 to 94). The mean improvement was 33% (range, 17% to 54%) with 4 excellent and 4 good results. For extensive, high-voltage electrical, and radiation burns encompassing the lower leg, early treating the giant soft tissue defects with a free ALT flap produces good functional outcomes without significant complications.

Delayed Septal Perforation as a Complication of COVID-19: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: There are increasing reports of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on olfactory function, with a significant number of patients reporting anosmia as a symptom. However, our knowledge and understanding of the virus's complete impact on the nose remains poor. This report describes a unique patient case to demonstrate how COVID-19 may be associated with rhinoplasty complications such as septal perforation. CASE REPORT: This is a case report of a previously healthy patient who underwent septorhinoplasty in 2018. She had frequent follow-up including intranasal examinations without evidence of the septal perforation for the 2 years following her operation. In March 2020, the patient was noted to have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, but testing was not recommended by the pediatrician. Soon after her symptoms resolved, she experienced a sudden onset of whistling and physical examination revealed a perforation in the septum which rapidly enlarged over the ensuing weeks. She tested positive for the COVID-19 antibody. After confirming that she no longer had an active infection via antigen testing, she underwent repair of her septal perforation without complications. CONCLUSION: This case report illustrates a septorhinoplasty complication that may be associated with COVID-19. Further study into this virus's impact on vascularity and wound healing, specifically in the nose, is recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: 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.

Updated Dynamics of Rhinoplasty: A Review of the Literature and Comprehensive List of the Findings.

BACKGROUND: The cardinal reason accounting for the complexity of rhinoplasty is that each maneuver during this operation has both intended and unintended effects. The purpose of this report is to review the literature and update the dynamics of rhinoplasty. METHODS: PubMed searches were conducted for "rhinoplasty dynamics" as well for keywords associated with each specific rhinoplasty maneuver. Titles were evaluated for relevance, and duplicates were consolidated with years of publication 1991 to 2019. Article types include case series (retrospective and prospective), cohort studies, and review articles. RESULTS: Beginning with the radix, its reduction apparently elongates the nose and widens the intercanthal space, while radix augmentation creates the opposite illusions. In a similar manner, dorsal hump reduction widens both the nose and intercanthal space. Nasal tip dynamics focus on the aftermath of changes to tip projection, width, and rotational position. Resection of the upper lateral cartilages can cephalically rotate the tip and reduce tip width. Manipulation of the footplates of the medial crura primarily influences the columella but can also affect tip projection. Placement of a columellar strut firmly establishes tip position. Placement of alar rim grafts advances the ala caudally, widens the nostrils, and elongates the short nostril. Alar base reduction can create the illusion of increased tip projection. Augmentation and reduction in the anterior nasal spine influence tip projection, upper lip length, and the nasolabial angle. CONCLUSIONS: As rhinoplasty techniques continue to evolve, surgeons undertaking this operation must continue to reassess the dynamics of various maneuvers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: 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.

Outcomes of tracheoesophageal puncture in twice-radiated patients.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has demonstrated the safety of tracheoesophageal puncture voice prosthesis (TEP) placement in radiated patients; however, there is a growing population of twice-radiated patients with limited research on the outcomes of TEP-placement in this cohort. METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective review of 80 patients that underwent TEP from 2006 to 2017 at a single institution was conducted, of which 16 patients underwent two courses of radiation. Outcome measures include TEP removal, complication and duration of usage. RESULTS: Half of twice-radiated patients had ultimate removal of their voice prosthesis with removal occurring at a median of 24.9 months after placement. Reasons for prosthesis removal included widening tracheoesophageal fistula, local recurrence, and dysphagia/esophageal stenosis. Nearly one-third of these patients required surgical intervention for closure of a widening fistula. In contrast, only 17% of once-radiated patients had their prosthesis removed with removal occurring at a median of 28.1 months. This was statistically fewer than the twice-radiated group (p = 0.02). Reasons for removal included patient preference, persistent leakage, recurrence of disease, enlarging tracheoesophageal fistula, poor voice, and dysphagia. Eleven percent of once-radiated patients required surgical intervention for TEP-related complications (p = 0.057). CONCLUSION: In the twice-radiated patient cohort, there is a higher rate of TEP removal and need for surgical intervention for a voice prosthesis-related complication as compared to a once-radiated cohort.