Applying Health Utility Outcome Measures and Quality-Adjusted Life-Years to Compare Hand Allotransplantation and Myoelectric Prostheses for Upper Extremity Amputations.

BACKGROUND: An amputation of the upper extremity not only is devastating for the patient's physical, emotional, and social well-being but also constitutes a financial stress for both the patient and the health care system. The objective of this study was to determine the utility and quality-adjusted life-years of hand allotransplantation versus myoelectric prostheses and to compare these measures in patients afflicted with unilateral versus bilateral amputations. METHODS: A survey was administered on bilateral amputees, unilateral amputees, replantation patients, and healthy controls. Patient demographics, functional patient-reported outcomes, quality-of-life questionnaires, and utility outcome measures were calculated for four different scenarios: hand transplantation and myoelectric prostheses with or without complications. RESULTS: Five bilateral amputees, 12 unilateral amputees, nine replantation patients, and 45 healthy controls completed the survey. The highest quality-adjusted life-years were obtained in the replantation patient group for the scenario of myoelectric prosthesis without complications (mean, 34.8 years). Altogether, there was no statistically significant difference between hand transplantation and myoelectric prostheses (p = 0.36). On subgroup analysis, unilateral amputees reported significantly higher quality-adjusted life-years for myoelectric prostheses rather than hand transplantation (6.4; p = 0.0015), whereas bilateral amputees did not demonstrate a significant difference (-2.4; p = 0.299). CONCLUSIONS: Utility and quality-adjusted life-years do not differ significantly between hand transplantation and myoelectric prostheses, except in unilateral amputees with myoelectric prostheses, who had higher quality-of-life scores. Based on trends from this pilot study, myoelectric prostheses may be considered for unilateral amputees, whereas no superiority can be demonstrated between both treatments in bilateral amputees. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Effectiveness of Three Physical Treatments on Pain Perception and Emotional State in Males with Chronic Joint Pain.

This study investigated the effects of massage therapy (MT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as three physical therapies on pain perception and negative emotional state (NES) in males with chronic joint pain (CJP). This double-blind randomized experimental study was done with three pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages within three experimental groups and the control group. Participants recruited by a random sampling method in each group that they were 160 patients with CJP. A demographic questionnaire, the Short-Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale- 21 (DASS-SF-21) were used in this study. Findings showed significant differences in the effectiveness of MT, HIIT, and NMES on pain symptoms and NES in experimental and control groups during post-test and follow-up stages. The MT, HIIT, and NMES were effective in decreasing the sensory experience of pain, the affective experience of pain, the present pain intensity (PPI), and depression, anxiety, and stress among outpatients with CJP in the experimental groups during post-test and follow-up stages. NMES, HIIT, and MT may be considered by health professionals as effective interventions to reduce pain perception and NES in patients with CJP.

Comparison of In Situ Versus Subcutaneous Versus Submuscular Transpositions in the Management of McGowan Stage III Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of in situ decompression with subcutaneous and submuscular transpositions for surgical management of advanced (McGowan stage III) cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS). Methods: A retrospective review of patients in our institution undergoing primary surgery for CuTS from February 1989 to May 2009 was performed. Patients with advanced CuTS with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up without any previous bony or soft tissue procedures around the elbow were included. Seventy-four patients underwent 80 primary ulnar nerve surgeries. Patients' demographics, presenting symptoms, physical examination, electrodiagnostic findings, and perioperative complications were recorded. Primary surgical techniques were compared and the risk factors for revision surgery were assessed. Results: Of the 80 surgical procedures, there were 17 decompressions (21%), 47 subcutaneous transpositions (59%), and 16 submuscular transpositions (20%). Fifty-two percent of patients had resolution of their symptoms after primary surgery. The overall complication rate after primary surgery was 12.5%. Nineteen patients (24%) had revision surgery at a median of 30 months after their primary procedure. Eight patients (42%) had symptomatic improvement after revision surgery. Patients with their dominant extremity affected, static 2-point discrimination (S2PD) greater than 10 mm, and age less than 50 years at presentation had a higher rate of revision surgery. Three patients had a second revision surgery and neurolysis for persistent symptoms. Conclusions: The overall revision rate in advanced CuTS was 24%. Forty-two percent of patients had reported subjective symptomatic improvement after revision surgery. Younger age at presentation and a greater S2PD were associated with a higher rate of revision surgery.

Pediatric Microsurgery: A Global Overview.

As microsurgical expertise has improved, allowing for the safe transfer of smaller and more refined flaps, free tissue transfer has continued to gain popularity for the management of pediatric soft tissue and bony defects. For the past 2 decades pediatric microsurgery has been shown to be technically feasible and reliable. The major advantage of free tissue transfer in children is the ability to reconstruct defects in a single stage, avoiding the historic treatments of skin grafting, tissue expansion, and pedicled flaps. This article reviews the present state-of-the-art in pediatric microsurgery.

Analysis of Utility Assessment Scores to Objectify the Health Burden Caused by Breast Conservation Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Lumpectomy followed by radiation, known as breast conservation therapy (BCT), is a viable surgical treatment option for early-stage breast cancer. However, the current literature suggests that patients prefer mastectomy over BCT, likely due to the wide variety of postmastectomy reconstructive options. Our aim is to investigate the objective health burden of living with BCT to help surgeons gain a better understanding of patient treatment preferences. METHODS: Three validated health state utility tools were used to objectify the burden of living with post-BCT results: visual analogue scale (VAS), time trade-off (TTO), and standard gamble (SG). A prospective sample of the general population and medical students were recruited, and their responses analyzed to attain these scores. RESULTS: Utility scores for living with BCT are VAS 0.81 ± 0.19, TTO 0.93 ± 0.10, and SG 0.92 ± 0.14. The TTO and SG suggest a willingness to trade 2.5 years of life years and an 8% chance of death undergoing reconstructive procedures to correct a BCT defect, respectively. Age, gender, race, education, and income were not statistically significant independent predictors for higher or lower utility scores. CONCLUSION: The impact of the health burden of BCT was ascertained using validated objective numeric utility scores. These indices demonstrate a willingness to trade less life years to undergo correction of a BCT defect than reconstruction following unilateral mastectomy. They can provide surgeons with the best objective understanding of patient preferences for shared decision-making in the management of breast cancer.

HISTORIQUE: La lumpectomie suivie d'une radiothérapie, ou conservation mammaire (CM), est un traitement chirurgical viable du cancer du sein précoce. Selon les publications, les patients préfèrent toutefois la mastectomie à la CM, probablement en raison du large éventail de possibilités de reconstructions après la mastectomie. Les chercheurs visent à explorer le fardeau objectif d'une vie avec une CM pour la santé, afin d'aider les chirurgiens à mieux comprendre les préférences des patientes en matière de traitement. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont utilisé trois outils utilitaires validés sur l'état de santé pour objectiver le fardeau de la vie après une CM : l'échelle visuelle analogique (ÉVA), l'arbitrage temporel (AT) et le pari standard (PS). Ils ont recruté un échantillon prospectif de la population générale et d'étudiants en médecine et ont analysé leurs réponses pour obtenir les scores. RÉSULTATS: Les scores d'utilité d'une vie avec une CM s'établissent comme suit : ÉVA 0,81 ± 0,19, AT 0,93 ± 0,10 et PS 0,92 ± 0,14. L'AT et le PS indiquent respectivement la volonté de perdre 2,5 années de vie et d'accroître le risque de décès de 8 % pendant les interventions de reconstruction pour corriger une anomalie de CM. L'âge, le genre, la race, l'instruction et le revenu n'étaient pas des prédicteurs indépendants statistiquement significatifs des scores d'utilité plus élevés ou plus faibles. CONCLUSION: Les chercheurs ont évalué les répercussions du fardeau de la CM sur la santé au moyen de scores d'utilité numériques validés. Ces indices démontrent la volonté de réduire le nombre d'années de vie pour corriger une anomalie de la CM plutôt qu'une reconstruction après une mastectomie unilatérale. Ils peuvent aider les chirurgiens à mieux comprendre les préférences des patientes pour parvenir à une décision commune en matière de prise en charge du cancer du sein.

Risk factors for revision cubital tunnel surgery✰.

While surgical management of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) results in the improvement of pain, paresthesia and restoration of motor function, there is a subset of patients who do not improve after primary surgery and require revision. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for revision after primary CuTS. A retrospective review of patients who underwent revision CuTS after unsuccessful primary surgery from February 1989 to May 2009 was performed. Data regarding patients' demographics, age at primary and revision surgeries, handedness, presenting symptoms and the duration, physical examination, McGowan grading, electrodiagnostic findings and final outcomes were collected. A total of 1239 patients undergoing 1279 cubital tunnel surgeries were identified; of which 17 patients who underwent 18 revision CuTS met our inclusion criteria. Forty-one randomly selected consecutive patients who underwent primary CuTS (control cohort) were compared to identify the risk factors associated with revision CuTS. Younger age at presentation, greater static 2-point discrimination (S2PD) and a history of diabetes were associated with a greater number of revision surgeries. Patients requiring revision for primary CuTS were 8.4 years on average younger, had greater S2PD and were more likely to have diabetes. Pain as a presenting symptom compared to weakness and numbness was also a more common complaint in this cohort of patients. Future larger multicenter prospective studies are recommended.

Using Intra-arterial tPA for Severe Frostbite Cases. An Observational Comparative Retrospective Study.

Frostbite causes tissue damage through five major mechanisms, out of which two are amenable to treatment. The first-line treatment is rapid rewarming therapy using water at 40°C to 42°C, which addresses the formation of ice crystals in the intra and extra cellular compartments. The second mechanism is progressive tissue ischemia after rewarming and is only accessible to a second-line therapy represented by thrombolysis. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of thrombolysis. This is a single-center retrospective cohort study, where it was aimed to evaluate two groups of patients. A total of 18 patients were included in this study. Mean times between injury to thrombolytic therapy and admission to thrombolytic therapy was 26.04 hours (SD 13.6) and 9.65 hours (SD 9.89), respectively. All patients suffered injuries ranging from second-degree deep to third degree. The rate of patients having complete, partial, and no angiographic responses were 55.6%, 11.1%, and 33.3%, respectively. The main outcome of interest showed that 11 (61.1%) patients in total had amputations at different levels. Results showed that in the intervention group, five (55.6%) of the patients had amputations compared with six (66.7%) from the control group (P = .6) at comparable levels of amputation. The literature supports that the use of intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator might be beneficial for severe cases of frostbites; however, it lacks of studies of major significance and results are often controversial. Our study has not shown statistically significant results on amputation levels and cannot support the hypothesis of efficacy of thrombolytic therapy.

Negative pressure wound therapy as a definitive treatment for upper extremity wound defects: A systematic review.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) represents one of the many solutions for complex wounds of the upper extremity. The goal of this study was to investigate the most common indications for definitive treatment of wound defects in the upper extremity with NPWT and to report revision surgery outcomes after its use. A systematic review of the literature was performed. The following keywords and their combinations were used: "upper extremity," "arm," "forearm," "wrist," "hand," "finger" AND "negative-pressure wound therapy," "VAC therapy," "vacuum assisted closure." A total of 45 articles were included, regrouping 404 cases of NPWT in the upper extremity. The forearm was involved in 53% of cases, followed by hand (36%), fingers (10%), and arm (1%). Seventeen different indications were cited, the most common of which were radial forearm flap reconstruction (23%), burn wounds (18%), and compartment syndromes (17%). Of the cases, 90% did not require any subsequent surgical procedure, as opposed to 6% considered partial failures requiring minor revisions and 4% total failures requiring major revisions. Closure of radial forearm flap donor site required the most revision procedures when treated with NPWT. NPWT can be used for several indications pertaining to the reconstruction of the upper extremity. Positive outcomes as a definitive treatment are demonstrated in this systematic review, which reaffirms NPWT as a potent tool for reconstructive endeavours.

A health utility assessment of trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition for thumb trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis.

Trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) for trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis may have both postoperative benefits and complications. This study sought to determine the health state utility outcome measures of trapeziectomy with LRTI. Patients who underwent trapeziectomy with LRTI were invited to complete the brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire and utility questionnaires outcomes using a visual analogue scale , time trade-off and standard gamble. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were derived from these utility measures. For this study 32 patients were recruited, with a mean age of 61. Most patients (27/32) perceived the procedure as successful. Utility measures and QALYs serve the purpose of comparing different surgical procedures in terms of their impact on the quality of life of patients as a function of the benefits and complications of each procedure. In this study, the utility of trapeziectomy with LRTI was less than has been described for open palmar fasciectomy but more than for total wrist arthrodesis. Level of evidence: IV.

Reduction and Association of the Scaphoid and Lunate: A Functional and Radiographical Outcome Study.

Background Management of scapholunate (SL) ligament disruption is a challenging problem. The reduction and association of the scaphoid and lunate (RASL) procedure has been described with varying results. This study assessed the outcomes of the RASL procedure. Purpose The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients undergoing the RASL procedure at our institution in regard to pain relief, range of motion, radiographic and functional outcomes, complications, and reoperations. Materials and Methods Twelve patients with symptomatic chronic SL instability underwent the RASL procedure. The mean age was 35 years. The mean time from injury to surgery was 40 weeks. The mean follow-up was 89 months. Outcomes included visual analog score for pain, wrist range of motion, grip strength, and Mayo Wrist Scores. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were reviewed. Results Pain scores improved in 10 wrists. Range of motion and grip strength worsened. The average Mayo Wrist Score was 63.3. The mean SL diastasis and angle improved, but seven wrists developed progressive degenerative changes, with two requiring a salvage procedure. Symptomatic progressive screw lucency occurred in eight wrists requiring screw removal. Conclusion The RASL procedure can improve SL widening but has a high rate of early failure and reoperation. Following reoperation, long-term follow-up demonstrates reasonable long-term durability in some cases. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, therapeutic case study.

The development of a treatment pathway for dermal regenerative matrix (DRM).

The process of standardising burn care and creating protocols within burn centres has, at its core, evidence-based practice principles combined with the clinical experiences of burn care specialists. Although protocols and pathways have been created for certain topics of burn care, they tend to be tailored to the local individual needs of each burn centre, which is a limiting factor for consideration of larger/nationwide approaches. In order to continue to improve the short and long term outcomes after burn injuries, such as increasing the survival rate, reduction in the incidence of sepsis and organ failure, and improving wound healing and scarring, more generalised care pathways combining the recommendations of a nationwide working group of burn care specialists should be created around the topics of interest to ultimately improve patients' outcomes. We describe the steps put in place in Canada to design and adopt a nationwide protocol from a single burn centre on the topic of wound healing and dermal substitutes as the initial exemplary process. This report summarizes the Canadian experience for this type of initiative, which can be used as framework for developing additional guidelines/protocols in other relevant burn care related topics in Canada or other countries.

Investigating Patients' Perception of Microvascular Free Toe Flap for Reconstruction of Amputated Thumbs: A Guide for Surgeons during Informed Consent.

BACKGROUND: After thumb amputations, restoration of function and aesthetic can be accomplished with microvascular free toe flaps. However, many patients in clinical practice do not choose this reconstruction despite positive reported outcomes. This study aims to determine patients' perceptions with respect to free toe flaps to improve areas of informed consent. METHODS: A retrospective survey was administered to patients with thumb amputations. Participants were required to complete a questionnaire about patient demographics, the Brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire (bMHQ), the standard gamble/time trade-off questionnaires for utility scores, and a questionnaire investigating potential reasons for electing not to undergo a free toe transfer. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled in the study wherein 53% underwent a replantation procedure, 27% a revision amputation, and 20% a delayed reconstruction. Mean normalized score on the bMHQ was recorded as 63.54. Utility questionnaires yielded mean measures of 0.8967 and 0.86 on the standard gamble and time trade-off, respectively. From 14 elements, a majority (87%) stated flap failure as a major source of concern, followed by lack of understanding of risks and benefits (80%) and prolonged hospital stay (53%). Cultural/religious beliefs, aesthetic appearance of the foot, and concerns about footwear were not reported as important reasons in 90, 80, and 79% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: A better understanding of patients' attitudes and beliefs with respect to free toe flaps will allow surgeons to better address their concerns during informed consent. This study emphasizes the importance to discuss about failure rates, risks, and benefits of the operation and prolonged hospital stay.

Use of bilaminar grafts as life-saving interventions for severe burns: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Skin coverage remains a significant hurdle in large-sized burns. Recent advances have allowed to grow Bilaminar Cultured Skin Autografts (BCSGs) from patients' own donor sites. The aim of this study was to report long-term outcomes in patients with large-sized burns having received BCSGs. METHODS: Nine patients received BCSGs from January 2010 to May 2015. Except one patient who died during hospitalization, all patients were contacted. Four agreed to partake in the study. Patients were tested with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), QuickDASH questionnaire and Burn Specific Health Scale (BSHS). Incisional biopsies of BCSGs were compared with patients' autografts. RESULTS: From nine patients, mean age was 40 years and mean TBSA was 70.3%. For the four patients included, score averaged was 2.25 on the VSS, 29.5 on QuickDASH, 36/36 for psychosocial items and 63/84 for functional abilities on the BSHS. Compared with autografts, BCSGs demonstrated better pliability VSS and functionality. Biopsies showed no evidence of malignancy or atypical changes, but areas of hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSION: This is the first report investigating the long-term outcome of a newly developed BCSG. BCSGs demonstrated comparable results with patients' autografts, functional outcomes on self-reported questionnaires and excellent psychological states. Precaution given the extensive unexpected hyperpigmentation must be taken and a randomized controlled study is underway.

Capsular Biofilm Formation at the Interface of Textured Expanders and Human Acellular Dermal Matrix: A Comparative Scanning Electron Microscopy Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite benefits in reducing capsular contractures, textured implants have been associated with significant pitfalls, such a propensity for biofilm formation. Few studies have investigated whether the use of acellular dermal matrix on textured implants produces similar findings. This study aims to characterize biofilm formation at the capsular-acellular dermal matrix interface with scanning electron microscopy. METHODS: The authors performed a prospective observational pilot study in patients undergoing two-stage expander-to-permanent implant exchange. Patients were inflated with Biocell or Siltex expanders, and specimens from the capsular-pectoralis interface and capsular-acellular dermal matrix interface were obtained and examined under scanning electron microscopy for capsular ingrowth and biofilm formation using the Van Herdeen Biofilm Grading System and the Biofilm Thickness Grading Scale. RESULTS: Nine patients including 14 breasts (28 capsular samples in total) were examined. Thick biofilm formation was observed in all specimens from the capsular-acellular dermal matrix interface with Biocell and 25 percent of capsule-pectoralis interface, whereas no biofilm formation was found in Siltex implants. For Biocell implants, a significant difference in biofilm coverage between the upper and lower poles was observed using the Van Herdeen Biofilm Grading System (p = 0.0028) and the Biofilm Thickness Grading Scale (p = 0.0161). CONCLUSIONS: Biocell implants produce a significant rate of biofilm formation over acellular dermal matrix-covered capsules, which is not present in the muscular region or in Siltex implants. Further randomized controlled trials will further elucidate the clinical impact of using acellular dermal matrices with macrotextured implants. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Ulnar Shortening Versus Distal Radius Corrective Osteotomy in the Management of Ulnar Impaction After Distal Radius Malunion.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius malunions lead to functional deficits. This study compares isolated ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) to distal radius osteotomy (DRO) for the treatment of ulnar impaction syndrome following distal radius malunion. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 11 patients with extra-articular distal radius malunions treated for ulnar impaction with isolated USO. This group was compared to a 1:1 age- and sex-matched cohort treated with isolated DRO for the same indication. Pain visual analog scale (VAS), wrist motion, grip strength, radiographic parameters, and perioperative complications were analyzed. Mean follow-up was 14.8 months. RESULTS: VAS scores improved. Wrist range of motion improved in both cohorts with the exception of radial deviation, pronation, and supination in the USO cohort, which decreased from a mean of 17°-16°, 67°-57°, and 54°-52°, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups in regard to change in pain or range of motion, with the exception of pronation and ulnar deviation. The mean tourniquet time was shorter in the USO group. The final ulnar variance was 1.8 mm negative in the USO group and 1.1 mm positive in the DRO group. There was 1 reoperation following USO for painful nonunion, while there were 2 reoperations following DRO for persistent ulnar impaction. CONCLUSIONS: An improvement in range of motion, grip strength, and VAS with restoration of the radioulnar length relationship was observed in both cohorts. USO is a simpler procedure with a shorter tourniquet time that can be an attractive alternative to DRO for ulnar impaction syndrome after distal radius malunions.

Pediatric Microsurgery: A Global Overview.

As microsurgical expertise has improved, allowing for the safe transfer of smaller and more refined flaps, free tissue transfer has continued to gain popularity for the management of pediatric soft tissue and bony defects. For the past 2 decades pediatric microsurgery has been shown to be technically feasible and reliable. The major advantage of free tissue transfer in children is the ability to reconstruct defects in a single stage, avoiding the historic treatments of skin grafting, tissue expansion, and pedicled flaps. This article reviews the present state-of-the-art in pediatric microsurgery.

Capitate Chondroblastoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: Chondroblastomas are benign tumors that typically occur in the epiphysis of long bones. Carpal bone chondroblastomas are very rare and are known to have less aggressive behavior with no evidence of recurrence reported. Methods: We present a case of a recurrent chondroblastoma in the capitate that was treated with repeat curettage, application of phenol, and bone grafting. Results: At 3 years post surgery, the patient is disease free with excellent functional return. Conclusion: Chondroblastomas are rare within the carpus. We present a review of the literature detailing their occurrence and treatment.

Mastopexy for breast ptosis: Utility outcomes of population preferences.

BACKGROUND: Breast ptosis can occur with aging, and after weight loss and breastfeeding. Mastopexy is a procedure used to modify the size, contour and elevation of sagging breasts without changing breast volume. To gain more knowledge on the health burden of living with breast ptosis requiring mastectomy, validated measures can be used to compare it with other health states. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the health state utility assessment of individuals living with breast ptosis who could benefit from a mastopexy procedure; and to determine whether utility scores vary according to participant demographics. METHODS: Utility assessments using a visual analogue scale (VAS), time trade-off (TTO) and standard gamble (SG) methods were used to obtain utility scores for breast ptosis, monocular blindness and binocular blindness from a sample of the general population and medical students. Linear regression and the Student's t test were used for statistical analysis; P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Mean (± SD) measures for breast ptosis in the 107 volunteers (VAS: 0.80±0.14; TTO: 0.87±0.18; SG: 0.90±0.14) were significantly different (P<0.0001) from the corresponding measures for monocular blindness and binocular blindness. When compared with a sample of the general population, having a medical education demonstrated a statistically significant difference in being less likely to trade years of life and less likely to gamble risk of a procedure such as a mastopexy. Race and sex were not statistically significant independent predictors of risk acceptance. DISCUSSION: For the first time, the burden of living with breast ptosis requiring surgical intervention was determined using validated metrics (ie, VAS, TTO and SG). The health burden of living with breast ptosis was found to be comparable with that of breast hypertrophy, unilateral mastectomy, bilateral mastectomy, and cleft lip and palate. Furthermore, breast ptosis was considered to be closer to 'perfect health' than monocular blindness, binocular blindness, facial disfigurement requiring face transplantation surgery, unilateral facial paralysis and severe lower extremity lymphedema. CONCLUSIONS: Quantifying the health burden of living with breast ptosis requiring mastopexy indicated that is comparable with other breast-related conditions (breast hypertrophy and bilateral mastectomy). Numerical values have been assigned to this health state (VAS: 0.80±0.14; TTO: 0.87±0.18; and SG: 0.90±0.14), which can be used to form comparisons with the health burden of living with other disease states.

HISTORIQUE: La ptose mammaire découle du vieillissement, d'une perte de poids et de l'allaitement. La mastopexie est une intervention utilisée pour modifier la taille, le contour et l'élévation des seins affaissés sans en modifier le volume. Pour en savoir plus sur le fardeau d'une ptose mammaire exigeant une mastectomie sur la santé, on peut utiliser des mesures validées pour la comparer à d'autres états de santé. OBJECTIF: Quantifier l'évaluation utilitaire de l'état de santé des personnes qui présentent une ptose mammaire et qui profiteraient d'une mastopexie et déterminer si les scores d'utilité varient selon la démographie des participants. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont utilisé des évaluations utilitaires au moyen d'une échelle analogique visuelle (ÉAV), de l'arbitrage temporel (AT) et de la méthode du pari standard (PS) pour obtenir les scores d'utilité de la ptose mammaire, de la cécité monoculaire et de la cécité binoculaire d'un échantillon de la population générale et d'étudiants dans une profession médicale. La régression linéaire et le test t de Student ont été utilisés pour l'analyse statistique. P<0,05 était considéré comme statistiquement significatif. RÉSULTATS: Les mesures moyennes (± ÉT) de la ptose mammaire de 107 volontaires (ÉAV : 0,80±0,14, AT : 0,87±0,18, PS : 0,90±0,14) étaient statistiquement différentes (P<0,0001) des mesures correspondantes de cécité monoculaire et de cécité binoculaire. Par rapport à un échantillon en population, des connaissances médicales démontraient une différence statistiquement significative dans la moins grande susceptibilité à échanger des années de vie et à parier sur le risque d'une intervention comme la mastopexie. La race et le sexe n'étaient pas statistiquement significatifs, quels que soient les prédicteurs d'acceptation du risque. EXPOSÉ: Pour la première fois, le fardeau de la ptose mammaire exigeant une intervention chirurgicale a été établi au moyen de mesures validées (ÉAV, AT et PS). Ainsi, le fardeau de la ptose mammaire sur la santé était comparable à celui de l'hypertrophie mammaire, de la mastectomie unilatérale, de la mastectomie bilatérale et de la fente labiopalatine. Par ailleurs, la ptose mammaire était considérée comme plus près de la « santé parfaite ¼ que la cécité monoculaire, la cécité binoculaire, la défiguration exigeant une transplantation faciale, une paralysie faciale unilatérale et un lymphœdème des membres inférieurs. CONCLUSIONS: La quantification du fardeau de la ptose mammaire exigeant une mastopexie sur la santé est comparable à d'autres problèmes mammaires (hypertrophie mammaire et mastectomie bilatérale). Des valeurs numériques ont été attribuées à cet état de santé (ÉAV : 0,80±0,14, AT : 0,87±0,18 et PS : 0,90±0,14), et peuvent être utilisées pour former des comparaisons avec le fardeau d'autres états pathologiques sur la santé.

Nipple-areolar Complex Reconstruction following Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: A Comparative Utility Assessment Study.

BACKGROUND: Nipple-areola complex (NAC) reconstruction occurs toward the final stage of breast reconstruction; however, not all women follow through with these procedures. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of the health state burden of living with a reconstructed breast before NAC reconstruction. METHODS: A sample of the population and medical students at McGill University were recruited to establish the utility scores [visual analog scale (VAS), time trade-off (TTO), and standard gamble (SG)] of living with an NAC deformity. Utility scores for monocular and binocular blindness were determined for validation and comparison. Linear regression and Student's t test were used for statistical analysis, and significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 103 prospective volunteers included. Utility scores (VAS, TTO, and SG) for NAC deformity were 0.84 ± 0.18, 0.92 ± 0.11, and 0.92 ± 0.11, respectively. Age, gender, and ethnicity were not statistically significant independent predictors of utility scores. Income thresholds of <$10,000 and >$10,000 revealed a statistically significant difference for VAS (P = 0.049) and SG (P = 0.015). Linear regression analysis showed that medical education was directly proportional to the SG and TTO scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of NAC in a reconstructed breast can be objectively assessed using utility scores (VAS, 0.84 ± 0.18; TTO, 0.92 ± 0.11; SG, 0.92 ± 0.11). In comparison to prior reported conditions, the quality of life in patients choosing to undergo NAC reconstruction is similar to that of persons living with a nasal deformity or an aging neck requiring rejuvenation.