Silicone Shell Breast Implants in Patients Undergoing Risk-Reducing Mastectomy With a History of Breast-Conserving Surgery and Adjuvant Radiotherapy: A Long-term Study.

BACKGROUND: Indications for breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (BCSAR) in patients with breast carcinoma are increasing, as are indications for risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) in healthy subjects. Most of these cases are reconstructed with silicone shell breast implants (SSBIs). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to study complications of SSBIs in breast reconstruction in patients undergoing RRM with previous BCSAR. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was designed. The study group included cases of RRM reconstructed with SSBI in patients who had previously undergone BCSAR in the same breast. The control group consisted of patients with high-risk breast cancer who had undergone RRM and immediate SSBI reconstruction without previous BCSAR. RESULTS: There was a history of BCSAR in 15.8% of cases. The first SSBI used in immediate reconstruction after RRM was replaced in 51.5% of cases with a mean [standard deviation] survival of 24.04 [28.48] months. BCSAR was significantly associated with pathological capsular contracture (P = .00) with this first SSBI (37.5% vs 5.9%). Of the cases requiring the replacement of the first SSBI, 44.23% suffered failure of the second SSBI, with a mean survival of 27.95 [26.53] months. No significant association was found between the consecutive development of capsular contracture in the second SSBI and a previous history of BCSAR (P = .10). CONCLUSIONS: BCSAR prior to RRM reconstructed with an SSBI is associated with a significant increase in pathological capsular contracture. Patients should be warned of the high rate of SSBI complications and reconstruction failure. Polyurethane-coated implants may provide an alternative in cases in which alloplastic reconstruction is considered in patients with previous BCSAR.

Cyanoacrylate surgical glue for mesh fixation in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal hernia repair.

In an attempt to find the ideal surgical technique for mesh fixation during laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair, we evaluate the use of a synthetic surgical glue (N-butyl-cyanoacrylate-Glubran 2) in an effort to reduce postoperative pain and the complications associated with the use of staples. We have prospectively evaluated 61 consecutive patients (73 hernias) with a minimum follow-up period of 18 months and an average of 29.7 months, without any significant complications present. The majority (59%) only required low dosages of painkillers during the first 24 hours after surgery and have not experienced any cases of chronic pain or recurring hernias in the time period described. On the basis of this initial experience, the use of the surgical glue used to repair inguinal hernias with the laparoscopic total extraperitoneal technique has been proved to be a simple and effective surgical method for mesh fixation.