Reconstruction of maxillectomy and midfacial defects using latissimus dorsi-scapular free flaps in a comprehensive cancer center.

BACKGROUND: The standard of care for sinonasal malignancies is a large surgical resection followed by radiotherapy. Midfacial defects resulting from maxillectomy require a complex reconstruction procedure. Given their adaptability, chimeric flaps such as latissimus dorsi-scapular (LDS) free flaps appear to be a good option. MATERIAL & METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective study of consecutive patients with sinonasal cancers where a LDS free flap was used for reconstruction. We assessed the postoperative complications and the functional, aesthetic and oncologic outcomes. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were included. Primary tumors were staged as T4a in 68% of cases; 38.3% of the patients received induction chemotherapy and 82.7% received adjuvant radiotherapy. Based on our classification of midfacial and palatal defects, the majority of the patients (69%) had a type IIa with interruption of the three facial pillars. The orbital floor was removed in 55.9% of cases. The median follow-up was 45 months. Total flap necrosis with no possible revascularization occurred in 5.9% of cases. For the orbital reconstruction, a revision procedure was needed for necrosis and/or infection of the costal cartilage graft in eight cases (17%). More than 90% of the patients had no functional disorders regarding speaking, swallowing and chewing. Soft palate involvement was a prognostic factor of speech (p < 10-4) and swallowing (p = .005) disorders. Dental rehabilitation was realized in 70.2% of the patients. No severe complications were observed in the donor site, except for one seroma. CONCLUSION: A LDS free flap is a reliable technique for the reconstruction of complex midfacial defects.

[Decision algorithm in immediate breast reconstruction]. / Algorithmes décisionnels en reconstruction mammaire immédiate.

Immediate breast reconstruction showed many advantages in terms of aesthetic and functional results and improvement of quality of life when compared to delayed breast reconstruction. Previous radiotherapy or the use of adjuvant treatments such as radiation therapy, or chemotherapy are no longer a contraindication for immediate breast reconstruction. However, it is important to respect certain rules in order to decrease the risk of complications: the choice of reconstruction technique, the management of the skin envelope according to the breast shape you want to create, the time delay between the first and the second stage of reconstruction depending on a possible adjuvant treatment.

[Mastectomy and immediate reconstruction: Indications, techniques and decision algorithm]. / Mastectomie avec reconstruction mammaire immédiate : indications et techniques, algorithme de décision d'une reconstruction immédiate.

Immediate breast reconstruction indications extend to infiltrating carcinomas, due to new matrix implant coverage techniques and the development of perforator flaps. These techniques allow adjuvant treatments. However, the decision of immediate reconstruction must be discussed with the oncological multidisciplinary team and the benefits/risks must also be evaluated in relation to the morphology of the patients and their co-morbidities. The chosen type of mastectomy: conventional or skin sparing and/or nipple sparing depends on the shape and volume of the breast, the localization of the tumor in the breast and the distance from the nipple areola complex (NAC). We describe an algorithm to allow, in the case of therapeutic mastectomy with or without adjuvant radiotherapy, an immediate reconstruction with implants or free or pedicled flaps.

The ongoing emergence of robotics in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Robot-assisted surgery is more and more widely used in urology, general surgery and gynecological surgery. The interest of robotics in plastic and reconstructive surgery, a discipline that operates primarily on surfaces, has yet to be conclusively proved. However, the initial applications of robotic surgery in plastic and reconstructive surgery have been emerging in a number of fields including transoral reconstruction of posterior oropharyngeal defects, nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction, microsurgery, muscle harvesting for pelvic reconstruction and coverage of the scalp or the extremities.

[Use of indocyanine green angiography in oncological and reconstructive breast surgery]. / Utilisation du vert d'indocyanine en chirurgie sénologique et reconstruction mammaire.

The Indocyanine green (ICG) is a soluble dye that is eliminated by the liver and excreted in bile. When illuminated by an near-infrared light, the ICG emits fluorescence in the near-infrared spectrum, which can be captured by a near-infrared camera-handled device. In case of intravenous injection, ICG may be used as a marker of skin perfusion. In case of interstitial injection, it may be useful for lymphatic network mapping. In oncological and reconstructive breast surgery, ICG is used for sentinel lymph node identification, to predict mastectomy skin flap necrosis, to assess the perfusion of free flaps in autologous reconstruction and for diagnosis and treatment of upper limb secondary lymphedema. Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence might also be used to guide the excision of nonpalpable breast cancer.