Differences in complications and asymmetry in patients who did not receive a balancing procedure in two-stage and direct-to-implant breast reconstruction

Background@#Implant-based immediate breast reconstruction surgery with nipple-sparing mastectomy has recently been favored by patients. However, in patients who do not wish to undergo balancing procedures, it is difficult to select the appropriate implant size, making it challenging to achieve a symmetrical breast shape. Therefore, this study investigated the differences in breast asymmetry and other complications in patients who underwent a two-stage procedure or direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction to determine whether the two-stage procedure can produce more favorable outcomes. @*Methods@#The participants of this study were patients who underwent immediate two-stage breast reconstruction or DTI breast reconstruction from May 2018 to April 2022, did not receive postoperative radiotherapy, and did not wish to undergo any balancing procedures. An acellular dermal matrix was used for breast reconstruction in all patients, and a single reconstructive surgeon performed all the operations. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. @*Results@#No significant differences in complications were found between the patients who underwent DTI breast reconstruction and those who underwent two-stage breast reconstruction. In the two-stage breast reconstruction group, breast volume asymmetry was observed in 18.4% (seven patients), which was significantly lower than the percentage of 44.7% (17 patients) observed in the DTI group. @*Conclusions@#Breast asymmetry was observed in a significant proportion of the patients in both groups. However, because breast volume asymmetry was more common in the DTI group than in the two-stage breast reconstruction group, two-stage breast reconstruction may be a favorable method for patients who do not wish to undergo balancing procedures.

Volumetric change of the latissimus dorsi muscle after postoperative radiotherapy in immediate breast reconstruction with an extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap

Background@#This study aimed to determine the magnitude of volume reduction of the latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle after treatment using only postoperative radiotherapy (PORTx) in patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction using an extended LD musculocutaneous (eLDMC) flap after partial mastectomy. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients who underwent partial mastectomy and an eLDMC flap, received only PORTx, and underwent chest computed tomography (CT) 7 to 10 days after surgery and 18±4 months after the end of radiotherapy, from March 2011 to June 2016. The motor nerve to the LD was resected in all patients. One plastic surgeon performed the procedures, and the follow-up period was at least 36 months (mean, 46.6 months). The author obtained LD measurements from axial CT views, and the measurements were verified by an experienced radiologist. The threshold for statistical significance was set at P<0.05. @*Results@#A statistically significant decrease in the LD volume was found after the end of PORTx (range, 61.19%–80.82%; mean, 69.04%) in comparison to the measurements obtained 7 to 10 days postoperatively (P<0.05). All cases were observed clinically for over 3 years. @*Conclusions@#The size of an eLDMC flap should be determined considering an average LD reduction of 69% after PORTx. Particular care should be taken in determining the size of an eLDMC flap if the LD is thick or if it occupies a large portion of the flap.

Attachment distribution of pectoral muscle origins identified in dual-plane breast implant insertion

Background@#Implant-based dual-plane augmentation mammoplasty requires accurate separation of the pectoralis major muscle (PMM) at its origins. The authors identified the PMM origins during breast reconstruction surgery with the goal of providing additional information on subpectoral implant insertion for reconstructive or aesthetic purposes. @*Methods@#This study was conducted on 67 patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery at the breast center of our hospital between November 2016 and June 2018. In total, 34 left and 39 right hemithoraces were examined. The left and right hemithoraces were each divided into 15 zones to determine the percentage of PMM attachments in each zone. The distribution of PMM origins in each zone was examined to identify any statistically significant differences. @*Results@#There were no statistically significant differences in the origins of the PMM between the right and left hemithoraces. The percentage of attachments increased moving from the fourth to the sixth rib and from the lateral to the medial aspect. @*Conclusions@#The anatomical findings of this study could be used as a reference for accurate dissection of the origins of the PMM for the preparation of the subpectoral pocket for subpectoral implant placement.

Comparison of Injuries Related with All-Terrian Vehicles (ATVs) and Motorcycles (MCs)

PURPOSE: All-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related injuries have increased since the introduction of ATVs to Korea. The purpose of this study is to compare patients with ATV-related injuries (PATV) to patients with motorcycle (MC)-related injuries (PMC). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of PATV and PMC who visited an emergency center in 2008. The cases of PMC were 164, and those of PATV were 52. RESULTS: While PMC are seen evenly in the first half year and the second half year, PATV are seen mainly the first half year (from March to June: 73%). For PMC the most frequent injury mechanism was collision with another vehicle, while for PATV, it was side overturn/roll over. The injury severity score (ISS), the revised trauma score (RTS), the trauma score and the injury severity score (TRISS) were 5.6+/-5.6, 7.7+/-0.7, 5.0+/-2.1 for PMC and 7.1+/-7.5, 7.7+/-1.1, 5.5+/-1.5 for PATV, respectively. The most common injury sites were the lower extremities for PMC and the face for PATV. The rates of admission, surgery and the length of hospital stay were similar between PMC and PATV. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the risk of ATV accidents is similar to that of MC accidents. We recommend that the same safety standards and regulations that are applied to MCs should be used for ATVs. Safe and enjoyable paths have to be sought for drivers of ATVs.

Validation of a Monitoring System for CPR Quality in a Manikin Model

PURPOSE: The 2005 resuscitation guidelines stipulate the need for monitoring CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) quality. Recently, several clinical investigations have shown that a real time monitoring and feedback system is effective for improving the quality of chest compressions during resuscitation. However little data exists regarding the accuracy of the monitoring system using an accelerometer sensor and a pressure sensor for the measuring of compression rate and depth. Our goal for this study was to investigate how well chest compression rate and depth can be estimated using the monitoring system. METHODS: Thirty seconds of continuous chest compressions were delivered on a standard skillmeter manikin lying on the floor with the monitoring system. The chest compressions were delivered with variations in compression rate (67~142 /min) and with variations in compression depth (22~61 mm). A total of 120 sets of compressions were delivered for validation of rate and depth. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient for compression rate between the monitoring system and the standard method was 0.999 (p<0.001), and Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean bias of -0.10+/-0.77/min, with limits of agreement ranging from -1.60 to 1.40 /min. The correlation coefficient for compression depth between two methods was 0.983 (p<0.001), and Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean bias of 4.2+/-2.0 mm, with limits of agreement ranging from 0.24 to 8.10 mm. CONCLUSION: Compared with a skillmeter manikin, a monitoring system for the quality of CPR estimates chest compression rate precisely, but overestimates chest compression depth by an average of 10.3%.

A Case of Delayed Airway Obstruction Associated with Prevertebral Hematoma and Cervical Vertebra Fracture

Neck trauma can result in a spectrum of injuries and complications ranging from incidental to life threatening, including hemorrhagic shock, acute neurologic injury, and airway obstruction. A prevertebral hematoma associated with a cervical vertebra fracture is not a common condition, moreover, in such cases, airway obstruction is rare. If this condition occur, it may very fatal that can producing hypoxia, cyanosis, acidemia, hypoxic brain damage, and then death. For this reason, the attending physitian must careful observation and protect the airway until the hematoma is reduced and other complications relieved. Recently, we experienced a case of airway obstruction induced by cervical vertebra teardrop fracture (C5). The hematoma progressed slowly and then progressively; Finally it compressed the airway. So we present this case with a reviews of the literature.

Analysis of Victims of the Fire that Broke Out at a Beer Bar in Inchon

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to develop field triage, transportation, distribution, and prehospital care at a fire disaster by analyzing the victims of the fire that broke out at a bar in Incheon. METHOD: We analyzed the cases of the victims of a fire in Incheon in Oct. 1999. We determined the primary care hospital, the arrival time, the burn size, the outcome, and the injury type from the medical records, the concerned organ records, and interviews with concerned persons. RESULT: The total number of victims was 137: 56 prehospital deaths, 1 hospital death, and 80 survivals. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the burn size and the severity was -0.175. There were 121 (89.6%) cases of inhalation injury, 59 (43.7%) cases of flame burns, 66 (48.9%) cases of hypoxic brain damage, and 16 (11.9%) cases involving other types of injury. CONCLUSION: The causes of death of the fire victims were inhalation injury and hypoxic brain damage due to CO poisoning and other toxic inhalants. We propose the use of a simple triage and rapid treatment (START) system and a reassessment the delayed category in fire disasters.