Effect of Preoperative Patient Education on Opioid Consumption and Well-Being in Breast Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative use of opioids is common in surgical practice and frequently results in troublesome opioid-related side effects that often lead to suboptimal postsurgical outcomes. As such, multiple studies have sought to identify alternatives that may reduce reliance on opioid-based perioperative pain management. Recently, it has been shown that patient education and patient involvement in care positively impact surgical outcomes. This study evaluates how patient education regarding the role of endogenous beta-endorphins in reducing pain and the opposing effect of opioid analgesics impacts opioid consumption and mood after surgery. METHODS: Patients scheduled for breast augmentation were divided into two groups, A and B. Both groups received identical multimodal anesthesia regimens; however, only patients in group B were educated on the role of endogenous beta-endorphins in pain control and mood enhancement, and how opioids block their action. RESULTS: Patients in the group receiving preoperative education on the analgesic and mood-enhancing role of endogenous beta-endorphins and how opioids block their action consumed significantly less opioids and had better postsurgical outcomes as determined by self-reported measures of pain level and mood/sense of well-being. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that opioid use was significantly reduced and patients' mood/sense of well-being was significantly enhanced when patients received preoperative education on the oppositional relationship between beta-endorphins and opioids. Such patient education may be linked to a significant reduction in opioid use and improved patient mood/sense of well-being, especially when combined with opioid-free multimodal anesthesia. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Povidone-Iodine versus antibiotic irrigation in breast implant surgery: Revival of the ideal solution.

The use of povidone-iodine alone has been advocated by several authors who continued to utilize it for pocket irrigation despite the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s prohibition of 2000. However, in 2017, the FDA removed the ban against povidone-iodine use in breast augmentation. In the practice of breast augmentation, pocket irrigation with various solutions has been advocated in preventing infection and capsular contraction. However, debate continues regarding an ideal solution that is most efficacious and carries least side effects. Many studies have shown the superiority of povidone-iodine due to its broad antimicrobial spectrum, efficacy against biofilms, lack of resistance, and safe allergenic profile. Povidone-iodine is bactericidal against many multi-drug resistant organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, and Mycobacterium. In addition, povidone-iodine also has microbicidal activity against fungi, protozoa, spores, and viruses. Despite widespread clinical use and extensive testing, there have been no reports of increased tolerance or resistance to povidone-iodine in any laboratory-derived or clinical isolates to date. Meanwhile, antibiotic resistance is a growing obstacle, and virtually all Gram-negative bacteria are now resistant to bacitracin. We are pleased with the recent change in the FDA's standing on povidone-iodine use in breast implant procedures given its superior antiseptic property, excellent safety profile, lack of resistance, accessibility, and low cost.

Case of late hematoma after breast augmentation.

We present a case report of a patient who experienced a late, spontaneous breast hematoma 26 years after primary breast augmentation. Late hematomas are a rare complication of breast augmentation with uncertain etiology. In this case, there was no trauma, calcifications, or implant rupture. We believe the patient's hematoma was secondary to erosion of a capsular vessel due to capsular contracture.

An Improved Humanized Mouse Model for Excisional Wound Healing Using Double Transgenic Mice.

Objective: Splinting full-thickness cutaneous wounds in mice has allowed for a humanized model of wound healing. Delineating the epithelial edge and assessing time to closure of these healing wounds via macroscopic visualization have remained a challenge. Approach: Double transgenic mice were created by crossbreeding K14-Cre and ROSAmT/mG reporter mice. Full-thickness excisional wounds were created in K14-Cre/ROSAmT/mG mice (n = 5) and imaged using both normal and fluorescent light on the day of surgery, and every other postoperative day (POD) until wound healing was complete. Ten blinded observers analyzed a series of images from a single representative healing wound, taken using normal or fluorescent light, to decide the POD when healing was complete. K14-Cre/ROSAmT/mG mice (n = 4) were subsequently sacrificed at the four potential days of rated wound closure to accurately determine the histological point of wound closure using microscopic fluorescence imaging. Results: Average time to wound closure was rated significantly longer in the wound series images taken using normal light, compared with fluorescent light (mean POD 13.6 vs. 11.6, *p = 0.008). Fluorescence imaging of histological samples indicated that reepithelialization was complete at 12 days postwounding. Innovation: We describe a novel technique, using double transgenic mice K14-Cre/ROSAmT/mG and fluorescence imaging, to more accurately determine the healing time of wounds in mice upon macroscopic evaluation. Conclusion: The accuracy by which wound healing can be macroscopically determined in vivo in mouse models of wound healing is significantly enhanced using K14-Cre/ROSAmT/mG double transgenic mice and fluorescence imaging.

Bilateral Breast Reduction Without Opioid Analgesics: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Breast reduction has traditionally been performed under general anesthesia with adjunct opioid use. However, opioids are associated with a wide variety of adverse effects, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, postoperative sedation, dizziness, and addiction. OBJECTIVES: This study compares bilateral breast reduction using a multimodal opioid-free pain management regimen vs traditional general anesthesia with adjunct opioids. METHODS: A total of 83 female patients were enrolled in this study. Group 1 includes a retrospective series of 39 patients that underwent breast reduction via general anesthesia with adjunct opioid use. This series was compared to 2 prospective groups of patients who did not receive opioids either preoperatively or intraoperatively. In group 2, twenty-six patients underwent surgery under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. In group 3, eighteen patients underwent surgery with general anesthesia. All patients in groups 2 and 3 received preoperative gabapentin and celecoxib along with infiltration of local anesthetics during the operation and prior to discharge to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Primary outcome measures included the duration of surgery, time from end of operation to discharge home, postoperative opioid and antiemetic use, and unplanned postoperative hospitalizations. RESULTS: When compared to group 1, groups 2 and 3 experienced a shorter time from end of operation to discharge home (P < 0.05), fewer unplanned hospital admissions (P < 0.05), and highly significant decrease in postoperative opioid use (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This multimodal approach allows patients to safely undergo opioid-free bilateral breast reduction either under local or general anesthesia as an outpatient. This method resulted in significantly less morbidity, use of opioids postoperatively, as well as unplanned hospital admissions compared to "traditional" breast reduction under general anesthesia with the use of opioids. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

A Modified, Direct Neck Lift Technique: The Cervical Wave-Plasty.

BACKGROUND: Major problems with cervicoplasty by direct skin excision include the subjective nature of skin markings preoperatively and the confusing array of procedures offered. This technique incorporates curved incisions, resulting in a wave-like scar, which is why the procedure is called a "wave-plasty". METHODS: This prospective study includes 37 patients who underwent wave-plasty procedures from 2004 to 2015. Skin pinching technique was used to mark the anterior neck preoperatively in a reproducible fashion. Intra-operatively, redundant skin was excised, along with excess fat when necessary, and closed to form a wave-shaped scar. Patients were asked to follow up at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 70.8 minutes. The majority (81.3%) was satisfied with their progress. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being the worst, and 10 being the best), the scars were objectively graded on average 5.5 when viewed from the front and 7.3 when seen from the side 6 months after surgery. Complications consisted of one partial wound dehiscence (2.3%), one incidence of hypertrophic scarring (2.3%), and two cases of under-resection requiring revision (5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In select patients, surgical rejuvenation of the neck may be obtained through wave-like incisions to remove redundant cervical skin when other options are not available. The technique is reproducible, easily teachable and carries low morbidity and high patient satisfaction in carefully chosen patients.

Polyurethane-coated breast implants revisited: a 30-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Polyurethane coating of breast implants has been shown to reduce capsular contracture in short-term follow-up studies. This 30-year study is the longest examination of the use of polyurethane-coated implants and their correlation with capsular contracture. METHODS: This study evaluates the senior surgeon's (F.D.P.) experience with the use of polyurethane-coated implants in aesthetic breast augmentation in 382 patients over 30 years. Follow-up evaluations were conducted for six months after surgery. After the six-month follow-up period, 76 patients returned for reoperation. The gross findings, histology, and associated capsular contracture were noted at the time of explantation. RESULTS: No patient during the six-month follow-up period demonstrated capsular contracture. For those who underwent reoperation for capsular contracture, Baker II/III contractures were noted nine to 10 years after surgery and Baker IV contractures were noted 12 to 21 years after surgery. None of the explanted implants had macroscopic evidence of polyurethane, which was only found during the first five years after surgery. The microscopic presence of polyurethane was noted in all capsules up to 30 years after the original operation. CONCLUSIONS: An inverse correlation was found between the amount of polyurethane coating on the implant and the occurrence of capsular contracture. Increasingly severe capsular contracture was associated with a decreased amount of polyurethane coating on the surface of the implants. No contracture occurred in patients whose implants showed incomplete biodegradation of polyurethane, as indicated by the visible presence of polyurethane coating. We recommend research to find a non-toxic, non-biodegradable synthetic material as an alternative to polyurethane.

Muscle-sparing blepharoplasty: a prospective left-right comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Standard upper blepharoplasty involves removal of both the skin and a portion of the underlying orbicularis oculi muscle. The senior author had observed sluggishness of eyelid closure, lagophthalmos as well as varying degrees of eye irritation in certain patients during the early postoperative period. He postulated that these findings could be due to orbicularis muscle excision. He therefore undertook a prospective study 27 years ago comparing standard blepharoplasty on one eyelid to skin-only excision on the fellow eyelid. METHODS: A randomized, prospective, single-blinded study was designed using the fellow eye as an internal control. 22 patients undergoing upper blepharoplasty procedure requiring greater than 5 mm of skin resection and with no history of ophthalmologic disease, dry eye, or previous eyelid surgery were selected. Upper blepharoplasty was performed with skin-only removal on one side, and combined skin-muscle removal on the other side. Patients were evaluated until six months after surgery except for two patients who were lost to follow-up after three months. Sluggish eyelid closure, lagophthalmos, dry eye and aesthetic result were outcome measures scored by patient survey, the operating surgeon, and a blinded expert panel. RESULTS: There were comparable aesthetic outcomes in both eyelids. The incidence of sluggish eyelid closure, lagophthalmos and dry eye syndrome were significantly higher in eyelids where wide segments of muscle had been resected. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle-sparing upper blepharoplasty produces similar aesthetic outcomes as conventional blepharoplasty, while significantly reducing the complications of sluggish eyelid closure, lagophthalmos and dry eye disease. The authors therefore recommend muscle-sparing upper blepharoplasty.

Dry eye syndrome due to botulinum toxin type-A injection: guideline for prevention.

Dry eye syndrome is a potential complication of botulinum toxin type-A injection (BTX-A) into the lateral canthal rhytids (crow's feet). The early manifestations of this syndrome are subtle and are rarely reported to the treating physician. A guideline for early detection of dry-eye state is proposed, in order to avoid more troublesome adverse effects that may develop with repeated injections of BTX-A into the crow's feet region. If suspected early, clinical manifestations remain minor and are reversible. However, delayed diagnosis may lead to troublesome and persistent symptoms. A novel and practical grading scale of lower eyelid snap-back and distraction tests is offered that helps in documenting patient's clinical progress and in deciding when BTX-A injections should be delayed or discontinued.

Surgical correction of the frowning mouth.

BACKGROUND: The available perioral rejuvenation procedures only partially correct the frowning mouth deformity, which is composed of sagging of the oral commissures and frequently associated with marionette folds. The authors describe their method of surgical correction for this condition and offer a classification for frowning mouth deformity. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients underwent correction for frowning mouth deformity from 2000 to 2009. The deformities and the corresponding methods of correction were divided into two types. In type I frowning mouth deformity, correction was performed by lentiform excisions at the vermilion border, and in type II deformity, lentiform excisions also included the marionette folds. RESULTS: Correction of frowning mouth deformities, either as an isolated procedure or concurrent with face lift, was satisfactorily achieved in all 27 patients. All patients were followed for a minimum of 3 months, and 88.9 percent were followed for 1 year; 18.8 percent of the patients showed erythema and scar hypertrophy at the sites of marionette fold excision during the early postoperative period. However, all scars improved over time, with high patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Frowning mouth deformities are correctable by excising lentiform segments of skin through incisions placed at the vermilion border that may be extended to include the marionette folds. Proper patient selection and counseling, particularly regarding temporary or possibly permanent noticeable scar formation, is of utmost importance. When such measures are taken, the outcome is good and patient satisfaction is high.

Selection criteria for expander/implant breast reconstruction following radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: Breast reconstruction with expander/implants is generally discouraged in patients who have undergone radiation therapy. However, not every patient treated with radiation develops sequelae severe enough to preclude the use of prostheses. To date, there have been no studies that have established criteria for selecting which patients may still be considered for expander/implant reconstruction. We present a series of 27 patients--the largest of its kind to date--all of whom underwent bilateral mastectomies, radiation therapy to only one chest wall, and delayed reconstruction with submuscular expander/implants. The aesthetic outcomes of the irradiated and the non-irradiated breasts were compared, and a classification of post-radiation skin changes was devised for selecting candidates for expander/implant reconstruction. METHODS: Patient records were reviewed to identify those who had undergone bilateral mastectomies, radiation treatment to only one chest wall, and delayed expander/implant reconstructions of both breasts. Twenty-seven patients were identified who met our inclusion criteria. Early post-radiation skin changes were classified as "moderate" or "severe," while aesthetic assessments were classified as "good," "acceptable" or "poor." RESULTS: Irradiated chest walls with moderate skin changes and absent induration have aesthetic outcomes comparable to the nonirradiated chest walls (p > 0.50). In contrast, patients who develop induration or severe post-radiation skin changes have a greater rate of modified Baker class IV capsular contracture and poor results that range from 75% to 100% of reconstructed breasts. CONCLUSIONS: A history of chest wall radiation should not itself exclude patients from receiving expander/implant reconstruction. Patients who develop neither severe skin changes nor induration may still be considered for prostheses.

Lower blepharoplasty with capsulopalpebral fascia hernia repair for palpebral bags: a long-term prospective study.

BACKGROUND: In December of 1998, the authors published a prospective study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (102: 2459, 1998) comparing standard lower blepharoplasty with lipectomy on one side and fat-preserving capsulopalpebral fascia hernia repair on the contralateral side; comparable aesthetic outcomes were demonstrated after 6 months of follow-up. In the present study, the authors report their findings on the original patient cohort with an average follow-up of 11.3 years. METHODS: From 1991 to 2007, 26 patients were identified who had previously undergone lower blepharoplasty for palpebral bags, using fat removal on one side and fat preservation on the contralateral side. These patients were evaluated, and the incidence and locations of palpebral bag recurrence, lower lid hollowing, lid malposition, and eyelid dysmobility were documented. RESULTS: The overall recurrence rate of palpebral bags under the eyes following standard fat resection (30.8 percent) was significantly higher than for eyes following capsulopalpebral fascia hernia repair (7.7 percent) (p = 0.043). Recurrences of fat herniation, of generally less significance than the original preoperative status, were not found in any of the lower eyelid compartments in the former group, and only in the lateral compartment in the latter. CONCLUSIONS: At long-term follow-up, fat-preserving capsulopalpebral fascia repair for palpebral bags demonstrates superiority to standard blepharoplasty with lipectomy, with significantly lower recurrence of palpebral bags. In a small percentage of patients undergoing capsulopalpebral fascia hernia repair, limited fat resection in selected patients may eliminate hernia recurrence.