No drains in reduction mammaplasty - a systematic review.

Breast reduction mammaplasty is the only effective therapeutic intervention for patients with symptomatic breast hypertrophy. In this procedure, closed suction drains have become a standard of care, while the literature supporting use of drains is lacking. In fact, with emerging data we found out that drains might not be so necessary. This review aimed to systematically compare the number of complications in drained and undrained breasts and to evaluate the safety of omitting drains in reduction mammaplasty in clinical practice. A systematic review of literature was conducted identifying all studies on drainage in reduction mammaplasty. The analysed databases revealed 13 eligible studies to be included in this review. There were 308 drained breasts and 859 undrained breasts in total in patients from 16 to 73 years of age. The resected tissue weight per side fluctuated from 108 to 1,296 grams. In total, there was only 2.4% incidence of haematoma complications in undrained breasts and 3.9% in drained breasts. Closed suction drains are still being routinely used in reduction mammaplasty, although aborting drain use is proven to be not only safe, but advantageous. The clear benefit is increased patient comfort, shortened hospital stay, decreased cost of the procedure and nurse care, and decreased rate of complications.

Surgical Management of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Beyond Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy: Tongue Base and Larynx.

Pediatric patients with persistent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after adenotonsillectomy often have additional sites of upper airway obstruction such as the tongue base or larynx. Sleep endoscopy and cross-sectional, dynamic imaging can be used to direct surgical management of persistent OSA. The tongue base is one of the most common sites of obstruction in children with persistent OSA, especially for patients with Trisomy 21. Lingual tonsillectomy, tongue suspension, and/or posterior midline glossectomy may be used to address lingual tonsil hypertrophy and tongue base obstruction. Epiglottopexy and/or supraglottoplasty may be used to address laryngomalacia and epiglottic prolapse resulting in OSA.

Efficacy and safety of 1064-nm fractional picosecond laser for the treatment of postmastectomy scars in transgender men: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Subcutaneous mastectomy is a crucial component of gender affirmation therapy for transgender men (TM), but the scars that result from this procedure can frequently impair their quality of life. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 1064-nm fractional picosecond laser (FxPico) treatment for hypertrophic and atrophic postmastectomy scars in TM. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with a total of 35 pairs of bilateral symmetric mastectomy scars were enrolled. One of each pair of symmetric scars was randomly assigned to receive four FxPico treatments at 4-week intervals. All scars were evaluated using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) and three-dimensional imaging for scar roughness, melanin index, and hemoglobin index before each treatment session and at 1, 3, and 6 months following the last treatment. Additionally, participant-rated scar satisfaction (PSS) and scar improvement (Global Assessment Score, GAS), as well as adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: During the 6-month follow-up period after the end of laser treatment sessions, the treated scars showed significant reductions in the mVSS compared to the untreated controls (p < 0.001), whereas the melanin index and hemoglobin index were not significantly different. Subgroup analysis of hypertrophic scars demonstrated statistically significant reductions in mVSS at 1 (p = 0.003) and 3 months (p = 0.041) after the end of laser treatments. PSS was significantly higher on the laser-treated scars than the controls (p = 0.008), and a participant-rated GAS of 2.95 ± 0.65 was found. There were no serious adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS: 1064-nm FxPico could be utilized to treat mastectomy scars among TM, particularly the hypertrophic type.

A Mouse Model of the Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy Procedure Aided by Microscopy.

Hepatectomy is widely regarded as the primary treatment for hepatic malignancies; yet, postoperative liver failure remains a major cause of perioperative mortality, severely impacting patient outcomes. In a robust hepatic environment, the future liver remnant (FLR) must exceed 25%, and in cases of cirrhosis, this requirement increases to over 40%. The inadequacy of FLR is currently a major obstacle in the progression of hepatic surgery. Traditional methods to enhance FLR hypertrophy mainly focus on portal vein embolization (PVE), but its effectiveness is considerably limited. In recent years, there have been numerous reports on a novel biphasic hepatectomy method involving hepatic partitioning and portal vein ligation, known as associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS). ALPPS surpasses PVE in efficiently and considerably inducing FLR hypertrophy. However, the detailed mechanisms driving ALPPS-facilitated hepatic regeneration are not fully understood. Thus, replicating ALPPS in animal models is crucial to thoroughly investigate the molecular mechanisms of hepatic regeneration, offering valuable theoretical and practical insights.

Female showed favorable left ventricle hypertrophy regression during post-TAVR follow-up.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a well-established procedure using a catheter-introduced valve prosthesis for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). This retrospective study investigated sex-related differences in pre- and post-TAVR clinical and hemodynamic outcomes and analyzed data of the first 100 cases at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital (KMUH) between December 2013 and December 2021. Baseline characteristics, procedural outcomes, mortality rates, and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed and compared between sexes. Among the 100 patients, male (46%) and female (54%) were of similar age (mean age, male 86.0 years vs. female 84.5 years) and of the same severity of AS (mean pressure gradient, male 47.5 mmHg vs. female 45.7 mmHg) at the time receiving the TAVR procedure. Women had smaller aortic valve areas calculated by continuity equation (0.8 ± 0.3 cm2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 cm2, p < 0.001). In addition, women had better left ventricle ejection fraction (59.6 ± 14.0% vs. men 54.7 ± 17.2%, p < 0.01). In the post-TAVR follow-up, regression of left ventricle mass and dimension was better in women than in men. None of the patient died within 30 days after the procedure, and women tended to have a more favorable survival than men (2-year mortality and overall mortality rate in 8.3 year, women 9.1% and 22.2% vs. men 22.2% and 34.8%; p = 0.6385 and 0.1277, respectively). In conclusion, the sex-based difference in post-TAVR regression of LV remodeling suggests a need for sex-based evaluation for patients with severe AS and their post TAVR follow-up.

The accuracy of virtual surgical planning assisted management for L-shaped reduction malarplasty: A retrospective study.

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of L-shaped reduction malarplasty with bone setback or resection on the zygoma and the mortice and tenon joint structure on the zygomatic arch under the guidance of virtual surgical planning (VSP). Adult patients with zygomatic protrusion or hypertrophy were enrolled and divided. L-shaped reduction malarplasty with or without bone resection and with the mortice and tenon joint structure on the zygomatic arch was conducted either by digital procedures comprising VSP and three-dimensional (3D) printing titanium templates (Group I) or by conventional methods (Group II). Positions of representative landmarks and superimposition models were analyzed by 3D cephalometry. Satisfaction rate and incidences of clinical complications were compared as well. Satisfactory reduction of zygomatic protrusion or hypertrophy was recognized among all 78 patients. Improved symmetry and great surgical accuracy were observed according to the cephalometry analyses. The bone segment movement of virtual plans and actual results in Group I were measured and showed no obvious difference for the inward movement (5.42 ± 0.98 mm vs. 5.33± 0.93 mm, P = 0.6906) and the sagittal overlap (4.77 ± 1.32 mm vs. 4.87± 1.21 mm, P = 0.7386) at the zygoma roots, along with the step length at the long-arm of the L-shaped osteotomy line (2.43 ± 1.11 mm vs. 2.39± 0.89 mm, P = 0.8665). The high resemblance between virtual plans and actual results was depicted via superimposition models. Meanwhile, a higher satisfaction rate (28 in 36, 78% vs. 20 in 42, 48%) and a lower incidence rate of complications (11 in 36, 31% vs. 21 in 42, 50%) were found in Group I. Within the limitations of the study it seems that the application of VSP in reduction malarplasty could significantly contribute to better surgical accuracy and reduced difficulties in the operation, which would be beneficial to patients with zygoma hypertrophy or prominence.

Is free nipple grafting necessary in patients undergoing reduction mammoplasty for gigantomastia? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gigantomastia is a debilitating condition characterised by an excessive breast tissue growth impacting patients' quality of life. Surgically treatment options include the limited-length pedicle (LP) technique with free nipple grafting (FNG) and the elongated pedicle (EP) technique, which maintains continuity of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). Initially, despite the less satisfactory aesthetic outcome, FNG was preferred to treat hypertrophic breasts requiring resections over 1000 g of parenchymal and adipose tissue, due to concerns about NAC perfusion. Recently, many studies have questioned this indication. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the safety of the NAC-carrying EP technique in patients with gigantomastia eventually challenging the need for FNG. METHODS: A literature search using PubMed and Cochrane databases was performed, including studies describing the outcome of EP technique for resection exceeding 1000 g of breast tissue. Thereby, a meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the rate of NAC necrosis, whereas a descriptive statistic was applied to assess all other surgery-associated complications. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies, encompassing 1355 patients (2656 breasts), were included. EP demonstrated an extremely low rate of NAC necrosis. Moreover, the analysis demonstrated a low rate of ischaemia-independent complications and a very high probability of maintaining NAC-sensation equal to the preoperative state. CONCLUSION: Current evidence indicates that the EP technique should be the preferred surgical method to treat gigantomastia with or without massive ptosis whenever indicated. It has proven to be safe. Furthermore, it yields superior aesthetic and functional outcomes, including breast feeding and preservation of NAC-sensation compared to the LP technique.

Redefining the Axillary Aesthetic: Surgical Management of Axillary Tissue Hypertrophy.

Background and Objectives: Axillary tissue hypertrophy consists of ectopic breast tissue and occurs in up to six percent of women. Women complain of pain, interference with activity, and dissatisfaction with appearance. While it is recommended that accessory breast tissue be removed via surgical excision, there is lack of consensus on the best technique for the surgical management of axillary tissue hypertrophy. In this study, the senior authors (BC and NT) review outcomes and complications as they pertain to the surgical treatment of axillary tissue hypertrophy and axillary contouring. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients (n = 35), from two separate institutions, who presented with axillary tissue hypertrophy between December 2019 and August 2021 was conducted. All patients underwent a technique that included direct crescentic dermato-lipectomy and glandular excision with axillary crease obliteration. Tissue was sent for histological analysis after removal. During a six-month follow-up period, all patient outcomes were recorded. Results: The authors treated 35 women with axillary tissue hypertrophy. All patients complained of aesthetic deformity with significant discomfort leading to the desire for surgery. Histologically, all specimens contained benign breast and adipose tissue. Hypertrophic scarring, seroma, and axillary cording were noted complications. Conclusions: Detailed is the surgical management and optimal technique that can be used to treat both adipose and fibroglandular axillary tissue hypertrophy while simultaneously providing a favorable axillary aesthetic.

Expanding Usage of Superior Pedicled Techniques with Reducing Resistance in the Pedicle by Lipoaspiration.

BACKGROUND: Despite the advantages of the superior pedicles in breast reduction, there are some limitations with this technique. The mobility of the pedicle may be augmented by liposuction in the pedicle area which may relieve tissue resistance and decrease pedicle compression in order to overcome circulation problems. In fact, the indications of breast reduction using superior pedicles may be expanded by liposuction in the pedicle area. METHODS: The patients who underwent breast reduction with superior pedicle techniques between March 2014 and November 2020 and whose pedicle resistances were decreased by liposuction were included in this study. Internal breast morphology was classified into three groups based on the morphology of the periareolar tissues. Group 1 breasts were lipomatous, Group 2 breasts were lipo-glandular and Group 3 breasts were fibroglandular. During the short-term follow-up, the circulation of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) was evaluated both clinically and with an hand held Doppler device. The long-term aesthetic results were evaluated at the postoperative twelfth month with a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-nine patients with either Group 1 or Group 2 breasts were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 38.3 years. The mean follow-up period was 31.7 months. Neither partial nor total NAC loss was observed and none of the patients had bottoming-out deformity. CONCLUSION: Liposuction to the pedicle area is an effective and reliable method that both reduces the resistance in the pedicle and overcomes the circulation problems in certain patient groups (groups 1 and 2), increases the mobilization of the pedicle, reduces the breast to the desired size and prevents bottoming-out in the long term and increases the use of superior pedicle techniques. According to our clinical results, it was demonstrated that pedicle vascular mapping with preoperative Doppler sonography was not necessary in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Impact of sternal notch-to-nipple distance and resection weight asymmetry on complication rates and patient reported outcomes in reduction mammaplasty.

While there are numerous predictive models for estimating resection weight, their accuracy may not be strong. Through institutional data of patients who received reduction mammaplasty, this study demonstrates that preoperative sternal notch-to-nipple distance is not an optimal predictive factor for differences in final resection weight, complication rates, and patient reported outcomes. Our results showed that there is a weak correlation between preoperative sternal notch to nipple asymmetry and final resection weight asymmetry. Additionally, significant breast asymmetry is not tied to an increase in complication rates or poorer patient reported outcomes. There is an indication to reconsider the use of such absolute measures for determining who may benefit from reduction mammaplasty.

Use of blood flow restriction for increasing the strength of the ischiocrural muscles in anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The hamstring muscles have a key function in the stability of the knee, limiting the anterior translation of the tibia. Therefore, to better perform rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery, it is important to develop a specific program based on hamstring strength recovery. It is possible to increase strength and muscle hypertrophy through high load exercises (HL); the recommended load is about 60%-80% of a maximum repetition (MR). Although low-load resistance training (LL) is ineffective at reproducing these values, the use of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) with LL exercises appears to allow athletes to increase strength and muscle hypertrophy. This could limit functional decline and mitigate muscle atrophy allowing to optimize the recovery path and load management in post-operative patients. Recent scientific evidence, as far as the increasingly frequent use of BFR in rehabilitation and sports rehabilitation is concerned, suggests that these devices could represent one of the most significant innovations in the physiotherapy field. The aim of this study was to increase the strength of the hamstrings in the early phases of ACL rehabilitation with an LL-BFR training protocol for speeding up the development of adequate muscle strength. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: The patient, a 25-year-old male professional footballer, suffered from ACL injury during a football match, and after three months, he underwent a reconstruction ACL surgery with medial Hamstring tendon autograft. The athlete engaged a pre-operative program to restore a full active and passive knee range of motion and increase muscular strength. The first rehabilitation phase was supported by the adoption of BFR for hamstring strengthening, starting from the sixth week post-surgery (T0). A complete assessment of posterior hamstring muscles was performed through a hand-held dynamometer and load detection platforms. Three different types of exercises, focusing on the hamstring muscles, were chosen. Two further assessments were performed over time (T1 ant T2), highlighting different changes that occurred. RESULTS: Interesting results showed a significant increase between T0 and T1 for all the assessed outcomes; in this case an average increase in strength of 59.87% between the beginning and the end of 4 weeks rehabilitation protocol was obtained in the first interval (T0-T1), while only 25.26% resulted in the second interval (T1-T2). However, the collected data should be considered with caution due to some limitations: the single experience of a single patient can hardly be generalized. Moreover, the reliance on isometric measurement of maximal strength and the absence of a direct strength measurement of the hamstrings during squat remain questionable. CONCLUSION: The final results suggest the capacity of the LL-BFR exercises to recreate a condition of a high intensity muscular effort with respect to load management, especially after surgery. This highlights the need to further investigate BFR adoption as it allows the patients to speed up their rehabilitation goals in developing adequate muscle strength.

Efficacy and safety of turbinate reduction surgery in children: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Inferior turbinate hypertrophy is not a rare problem in children, it causes chronic nasal obstruction which can severely impact the quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of turbinate reduction surgery in children with impaired nasal breathing due to hypertrophied inferior turbinate that's refractory to medical treatment. METHODS: We included 23 articles with various study designs: randomized controlled trials, single-arm clinical trials, and prospective and retrospective cohort studies. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science with the relevant keywords till April 9th, 2023. The inclusion criteria were studied with the three prespecified study design that addressed children under 18 years who underwent turbinate reduction with any technique and evaluating the improvement whether by objective or subjective methods. RESULTS: Studies used objective measures favor turbinate surgery except two that showed no significant difference between pre and postoperative results. All studies used subjective measures showed an improvement postoperatively except one study. Complication rates are rare, with crust formation is being the commonest (6.03%), however, the procedure is generally safe in children. In addition, follow-up periods varied widely between 2 weeks and more than 5 years. CONCLUSION: Turbinate reduction in children is an effective as a treatment method for nasal blockage due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy which is resistant to medical treatment. It is a safe procedure with low rates of complications, however, due to the heterogenicity of the study designs, with a possible risk of bias we could not conduct a meta-analysis besides our systematic review.

Breastfeeding Ability After Breast Reductions: What does the Literature Tell us in 2023?

INTRODUCTION: Reduction mammaplasties are routinely performed on women of child-bearing age, yet there still exists some uncertainty regarding a patient's ability to breastfeed following the procedure. This is due to inconsistent definitions of "successful" breastfeeding, a variety of pedicles implemented, and inadequate follow-up in the published literature. Our aim was to summarize the current data and provide clear recommendations for counseling patients on expected breastfeeding outcomes following reduction mammaplasty. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines was conducted. We included papers that reported proportion of breastfeeding ability following reduction mammaplasty. RESULTS: We identified 33 papers that met our inclusion criteria. We found that women who undergo reduction mammaplasty are at a 3.5 times increased odds of not being able to breastfeed compared to controls. Overall, reduction mammaplasty patients have a breastfeeding success rate of 62%. The breastfeeding success rate for patients with inferior pedicles was 64%, superior pedicles was 59%, and lateral pedicles was 55%. No conclusions could be drawn regarding medial, central, vertical, and horizontal pedicles on breastfeeding ability. CONCLUSION: Current data suggest that women undergoing reduction mammaplasty have an increased odds of unsuccessful breastfeeding when compared to similar women who have not undergone the procedure. Based on the current literature, pedicle type does play a role in rate of breastfeeding success, although there is a need for further research on the aforementioned pedicles. Physicians should be aware of the likelihood of successful breastfeeding following reduction mammaplasty so that patients can be more thoroughly counseled prior to a decision for surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The Infero-Central Mound Reduction Mammoplasty: A Single Surgeon, 20-year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Reduction mammoplasty (RM) remains one of the most common plastic surgeries worldwide. Many different techniques have been described in the literature, each with its advantages and limitations. Nipple-areolar complex necrosis remains a daunting complication, regardless of the chosen surgical approach. OBJECTIVE: We describe the senior author's (HYK) unique reduction mammoplasty technique, employing the infero-central (IC) pedicle throughout the last two decades. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 520 patients undergoing breast reduction was performed. After exclusion criteria, 360 were included in the study. These patients underwent RM with the IC technique, with stabilization of the breast mound and plication of the inferior pole dermis to prevent bottoming out. Demographics, operative data, and complications were recorded. Pre- and postoperative photographs were evaluated by a specialists' panel. The BREAST-Q questionnaire was utilized to assess satisfaction rates. RESULTS: BREAST-Q questionnaire-satisfaction with breast score was 84.19, and outcome score was 91.67. Aesthetic outcome evaluation, reviewed by four plastic surgeons, yielded a high score in all parameters (1.64-2; range 0-2). On a per-breast basis for all patients, the following complications were analyzed: dehiscence (3.61%), infection (2.22%), hematoma (1.66%), superficial wound healing problems (1.38%), seroma (0.83%), skin flap ischemia (1.52%), hypertrophic scar (1.38%), fat necrosis (0.97%), and partial nipple ischemia (0.27%). CONCLUSION: Infero-central mound technique can be applied to breast reductions of nearly all sizes, allowing for consistently satisfactory aesthetic outcomes for most patients. Due to robust vascularity of the pedicle, complication rates are kept at a minimum. IC mound technique is an essential tool in the plastic surgeon's armamentarium. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Comparing iodized oil with polyvinyl alcohol for portal vein embolization in promoting liver remnant increase before partial hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy and safety of iodized oil versus polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles in portal vein embolization (PVE) before partial hepatectomy. METHODS: From October 2016 to December 2021, 86 patients who planned to undergo hepatectomy after PVE were enrolled, including 61 patients post-PVE with PVA particles + coils and 25 patients post-PVE with iodized oil + coils. All patients underwent CT examination before and 2-3 weeks after PVE to evaluate the future liver remnant (FLR). The intercohort comparison included the degree of liver volume growth, changes in laboratory data, and adverse events. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the resection rate between the iodized oil group and the PVA particle group (68 % vs. 70 %, p = 0.822). In terms of the degree of hypertrophy (9.52 % ± 13.47 vs. 4.03 % ± 10.55, p = 0.047) and kinetic growth rate (4.07 % ± 5.4 vs. 1.55 % ± 4.63, p = 0.032), the iodized oil group was superior to the PVA group. The PVE operation time in the PVA particle group was shorter than that in the iodized oil group (121. 72 min ± 34.45 vs. 156. 2 min ± 71.58, p = 0.029). There was no significant difference in the degree of hypertrophy between the high bilirubin group and the control group (5.32 % ± 9.21 vs. 6.1 % ± 14.79, p = 0.764). Only 1 patient had a major complication. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with PVA particles, iodized oil PVE can significantly increase liver volume and the degree of hypertrophy without any significant difference in safety.

Medial flap middle turbinoplasty for solid middle turbinate hypertrophy: improving airway, speeding healing and preserving olfaction.

PURPOSE: The techniques to be performed for bullous middle turbinates are well-defined and widely accepted in the literature. However, in the case of solid middle turbinate hypertrophy, information on surgical techniques that take into account function and sense of smell is very limited in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the airway patency and olfaction results of patients diagnosed with solid middle turbinate hypertrophy, who underwent subtotal (transverse) resection or medial flap turbinoplasty of the middle turbinates. METHODS: Thirty-five adult patients who were diagnosed with solid middle turbinate hypertrophy were divided into two groups, namely medial flap middle turbinoplasty (study group = 17) and transverse resection to the middle turbinate (control group = 18). Acoustic rhinometry, anterior rhinomanometry, peak nasal inspiratory flowmeter test, odor identification test, and n-butanol threshold measurements were performed before and 3 months after the surgery. In addition, preoperative and postoperative nasal obstruction and olfactory senses of the patients were evaluated with visual analog scale and nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale. RESULTS: Visual analog scores for olfaction were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group. In odor identification test, a significant improvement was observed in the study group, while a decrease was observed in the control group. While there was a decrease in the n-butanol thresholds values in the study group, there was an increase in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Medial mucosal flap technique is an effective and functional turbinoplasty technique that can be used in solid hypertrophy of the middle turbinate, which offers advantages in terms of enhanced airway healing and olfactory results.

Longitudinal Changes in Quadriceps Morphology over the First 3 Months after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Neuromuscular deficits and atrophy after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may be accompanied by changes in muscle composition and poor quadriceps muscle quality (QMQ). Quadriceps atrophy occurs after ACLR but improves within the first three postoperative months, yet this hypertrophy could be attributable to increases in noncontractile tissue (i.e., poor QMQ). The purposes of this study were to evaluate changes in QMQ after ACLR and to determine if changes in QMQ and cross-sectional area (CSA) occur in parallel or independently. METHODS: A longitudinal prospective cohort design was implemented to evaluate QMQ and CSA in 20 individuals with ACLR and 12 healthy controls. Participants completed three testing sessions (baseline/presurgery, 1 month, and 3 months) during which ultrasound images were obtained from the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF). QMQ was calculated as the echo intensity (EI) of each image, with high EI representing poorer QMQ. Anatomical CSA was also obtained from each image. RESULTS: RF and VL EI were greater at 1 and 3 months in the ACLR limb compared with baseline and the contralateral limb and did not change between 1 and 3 months. VL and RF CSA in the ACLR limb were smaller at 1 and 3 months compared with the contralateral limb and controls (VL only) but increased from 1 to 3 months. Changes in QMQ and CSA were not correlated. CONCLUSIONS: QMQ declines within the first month after ACLR and does not improve by 3 months although hypertrophy occurs, suggesting that these morphological characteristics change independently after ACLR. Poorer QMQ represents greater concentration of noncontractile tissues within the muscle and potentially contributes to chronic quadriceps dysfunction observed after ACLR.

Medical treatment does not reduce surgery rates in children with adenoid hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to study adenoidectomy rates in children with adenoid hypertrophy (AH) who were either treated with medical therapy or not during a 2-year follow-up period in a longitudinal population-based study. METHODS: We retrospectively identified healthy children aged 1-18 years between 2014 and 2020 with AH diagnosis from the Clalit Health Services database, the largest healthcare maintenance organization in Israel. The main outcome was adenoidectomy alone or in combination with other procedures performed within 2 years after diagnosis. The treatment group consisted of children who received medical therapy, defined as a pharmacy purchase of montelukast, nasal steroid sprays and/or antihistamines (medical therapy aimed to reduce AH) for ≥2 consecutive months, while the control group consisted of untreated children. RESULTS: We identified 68,356 unique children with AH, of them 56 % were boys, with a mean age of 4.9 ± 3.3 years. Of them, 5310 (7.7 %) received medical therapy. Overall, 6633 (9.7 %) underwent adenoidectomy within 2 years following diagnosis. There was no significant difference in surgery referral rates between the treatment and the control groups, 10 % vs. 9.7 %, respectively (p = 0.3). When adjusted for age and sex, the likelihood of undergoing adenoidectomy was similar in both groups (HR = 0.98, 95 % CI = 0.90-1.07, p = 0.6). Among operated children, the average time from diagnosis to surgery was statistically significantly longer in the treatment group than in the control group, 346 ± 180 vs 311 ± 175 days (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prescribing montelukast, nasal steroids and/or oral antihistamines was not associated with a reduction in adenoidectomy rates and was associated with an average surgery delay of 35 days.

Right portal vein ligation is still relevant for left hemi-liver hypertrophy: results of a comparative study using a propensity score between right portal vein ligation and embolization.

BACKGROUND: In two-stage hepatectomy for bilobar liver metastases from colorectal cancer, future liver remnant (FLR) growth can be achieved using several techniques, such as right portal vein ligation (RPVL) or right portal vein embolization (RPVE). A few heterogeneous studies have compared these two techniques with contradictory results concerning FLR growth. The objective of this study was to compare FLR hypertrophy of the left hemi-liver after RPVL and RPVE. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective comparative study using a propensity score of patients who underwent RPVL or RPVE prior to major hepatectomy between January 2010 and December 2020. The endpoints were FLR growth (%) after weighting using the propensity score, which included FLR prior to surgery and the number of chemotherapy cycles. Secondary endpoints were the percentage of patients undergoing simultaneous procedures, the morbidity and mortality, the recourse to other liver hypertrophy procedures, and the number of invasive procedures for the entire oncologic program in intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-four consecutive patients were retrospectively included and analyzed, 18 in the RPVL group, and 36 in the RPVE group. The demographic characteristics were similar between the groups. After weighting, there was no significant difference between the RPVL and RPVE groups for FLR growth (%), respectively 32.5% [19.3-56.0%] and 34.5% [20.5-47.3%] (p = 0.221). There was no significant difference regarding the secondary outcomes except for the lower number of invasive procedures in RPVL group (median of 2 [2.0, 3.0] in RPVL group and 3 [3.0, 3.0] in RPVE group, p = 0.001)). CONCLUSION: RPVL and RPVE are both effective to provide required left hemi-liver hypertrophy before right hepatectomy. RPVL should be considered for the simultaneous treatment of liver metastases and the primary tumor.