Microsurgical limb reconstruction in the non-concordant patient.

Substance misuse is common in patients undergoing limb reconstruction secondary to open fractures and fracture related infection. This group risk breaching the social contract with their treating team through reduced engagement with perioperative care. Potential problems include limited social support, intravenous access, analgesia and withdrawal. These factors may negatively influence the range of treatments offered to this group. We aimed to establish the prevalence and outcomes of the problematically non-concordant cohort in our limb reconstruction population, who we aim to treat equitably even where non-concordance is suspected pre-operatively. A retrospective study was performed using our prospectively collected free flap limb reconstruction database from December 2021-October 2023. Patient electronic health records were reviewed for demographics, perioperative details and outcomes. Eighty patients were identified, with 8 identified as problematically non-concordant (10%). All patients had a background of substance abuse; smoking (100%), alcohol (75%), IVDU (63%). Pre-operative non-concordance included absconding (43%), staff abuse (57%) and refusal of care (57%). Post-operative non-concordance included smoking (75%), mobilisation against instructions (75%), absconding (63%). No patients had free flap failure. Inpatient stay varied from 8-83 days, average 28.50% of patients did not attend follow-up. The expanding horizon of microsurgery means complex reconstruction is offered to a greater range of patients. Surgical teams should ensure that this service is offered equitably, individualising treatment plans to achieve the best outcomes. Risk of non-concordance is usually evident pre-operatively. We advise early involvement of substance misuse teams, discharge support and an understanding team to achieve good outcomes.

Plastic physicians: The surgical salamanders of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time of writing, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has affected 6.42 million people globally and over 380,000 deaths, with the United Kingdom now having the highest death rate in Europe. The plastic surgery department at Leeds Teaching Hospitals put necessary steps in place to maintain an excellent urgent elective and acute service whilst also managing COVID-positive medical patients in the ward. We describe the structures and pathways implemented together with complex decision-making, which has allowed us to respond early and effectively. We hope these lessons will prove a useful tool as we look to open conversations around the recovery of normal activity.

Unicortical fixation of metacarpal fractures: is it strong enough?

Unicortical fixation has some practical and theoretical advantages over bicortical fixation. Questions have been raised to its adequacy for post-operative mobilization. We hypothesized that fixation using a plate and eight unicortical screws would be as strong as using a plate and four bicortical screws. A total of 40 unicortical and 40 bicortical fixations were compared using a cadaveric metacarpal model. Unicortical fixation was performed using an eight-hole parallel plate and bicortical fixation with a four-hole straight plate. Fixations were tested to failure using four-point bending load. The mean load to failure was 414 N SD 38(SE) for the unicortical group and 296 N SD 29(SE) for the bicortical group. Significant differences between these two constructs were observed. The mean stiffness of the fixation was higher for the bicortical group than the unicortical, although this difference did not reach significance. Unicortical fixation alone is sufficient to enable early post-operative mobilization in a live model.

Clinical and histological resolution of a basal cell carcinoma in a patient undergoing concurrent treatment of B-cell lymphoma with systemic R-CHOP.

Surgical resection is the definitive treatment modality for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, not all patients may be suitable for surgery. We describe a patient with a BCC, which resolved clinically and histologically when he underwent systemic R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone) for treatment of a high grade B-cell lymphoma. Although topical and intra-lesional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been used as an adjunct to treatment, more recent reports have illustrated the treatment of BCC with systemic 5-FU in combination with bleomycin and cisplatin. We postulate that the combination of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin with rituximab and prednisolone, which has not been previously reported in the literature, contributed to remission in this case.

Surgical excision margins for melanoma in situ.

INTRODUCTION: Melanoma in situ (MIS) is a non-invasive lesion accounting for up to 27% of all melanomas by Coory et al. (2006).(1) MIS may be a precursor to invasive disease. The Lentigo Maligna (LM) subgroup of MIS carries upto a 4.7% lifetime risk of developing an invasive component by Agarwal-Antal et al. (2002).(2) Surgical excision is recommended however other modalities of treatments are possible. In this study we aim to assess whether histological margins following excision of in situ melanoma has any bearing on recurrence or progression to malignancy. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed data accumulated on all melanomas referred to the hospital between the dates of February 2001 to February 2009. We identified all patients with melanoma in situ and for these patients recorded age, sex, anatomical site of lesion, histological type, histological excision margin, recurrence after excision and transformation to malignant melanoma. RESULTS: A total of 2121 patents were identified having been diagnosed and treated for melanoma of which 192 cases were identified with melanoma in situ representing 9.1% of all melanomas treated. 38% of all the lesions were of the LM subgroup. We noted a higher incomplete excision rate in this subgroup (p < 0.01) compared to the non-LM subgroup. We only noted two recurrences following complete excision (1.1%) and one recurrence in lesions completely excised with histological margins less than 2 mm (1.4%). Both of the lesions that recurred following complete excision were LM lesions. Recurrence following complete excision of LM was 2.9%. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that MIS lesions that were not LM and adequately excised even with narrow margins are unlikely to recur therefore reducing the need for wider excision. LM however poses a more challenging clinical problem not only with the higher inadequate primary excision and higher recurrence rates following excision but also the fact that it occurs in much older patients who may be less able to tolerate more extensive surgery. In keeping with the literature we would suggest treating LM lesions more aggressively if possible.

Painful, palpable and pathological: anomalous flexor digitorum superficialis brevis in the palm, comparative anatomical context, and an updated classification of anomalies of the flexor digitorum superficialis.

Anomalies of the flexor digitorum superficialis are rare and can present a diagnostic dilemma. Patients present with a painful or palpable mass, or symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This review article summarizes previously reported anomalies of the flexor digitorum superficialis, reports a further case, and proposes a new classification.

In situ subungual melanoma: digit salvaging clearance.

Acral lentiginous melanoma affecting the nail is uncommon but carries a poor prognosis due to difficulties in early diagnosis. The gold standard of treatment for subungual melanoma is biopsy followed by wide local excision in form of amputation of the distal phalanx of the digit, in order to achieve at least 10 mm margin of clearance or by fixed tissue micrographic (Mohs') surgery. Here, we demonstrate a non-amputative approach for the excision of subungual melanoma in situ of the right great toe, involving removal of the nail unit with a layer of underlying bone before reconstruction with full thickness skin graft. This technique allows adequate excision margins to ensure full clearance of the lesion with satisfactory preservation of function.

Pregnancy in the early stages following DIEP flap breast reconstruction--a review and case report.

We report a case of a 30-year-old lady who became pregnant 3 months after undergoing a DIEP breast reconstruction. There are reports of pregnancy following TRAM, DIEP flap breast reconstruction and abdominoplasty performed after breast reconstruction, however this is the only case in the literature of a pregnancy within 3 months of DIEP breast reconstruction. The literature on breast reconstruction and pregnancy is reviewed.