Intravenous iron sucrose versus oral iron administration for the postoperative treatment of post-bariatric abdominoplasty anaemia: an open-label, randomised, superiority trial in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia and iron deficiency are common after post-bariatric abdominoplasty, which can involve removal of large areas of skin with associated blood loss. Because the oral absorbability of iron is reduced after bariatric surgery (through reduced intake, reduction of gastric acid secretion for conjugation of iron, and separation of the iron-absorptive areas of the duodenum and jejunum), it has been hypothesised that postoperative intravenous iron supplementation might be used to treat anaemia and iron deficiency in patients submitted to post-bariatric plastic surgeries. We aimed to assess whether intravenous iron administered postoperatively in post-bariatric abdominoplasty could result in increased blood haemoglobin concentrations compared with oral iron supplementation. METHODS: In this open-label, randomised, superiority trial, we recruited women aged 18-55 years undergoing post-bariatric abdominoplasty at two public tertiary referral hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil. Eligible women had been treated for previous obesity with bariatric surgery using the vertical banded gastroplasty technique with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass by laparotomy; had grade III contour deformity via the Pittsburgh rating scale; and had a post-bariatric body-mass index (BMI) lower than 32 kg/m2, with stabilised weight loss for at least 6 months. Women were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive postoperative iron supplementation with two intravenous infusions of 200 mg of iron sucrose (intravenous group) or 100 mg of iron polymaltose complex orally twice a day for 8 weeks (oral group). The primary outcome in both groups was blood haemoglobin concentration at postoperative day 56 after abdominoplasty, with a minimum clinically relevant difference of 1·5 g/dL. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01857011, and the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry, number RBR-2JGRKQ. The trial is completed. FINDINGS: From April 7, 2014, to June 27, 2016, 102 post-bariatric patients were assessed for eligibility. 56 patients were eligible and were randomly assigned, with 28 allocated to each group. Mean baseline haemoglobin concentration was slightly higher in the oral group than in the intravenous group (12·71 g/dL [SD 1·06] vs 12·24 g/L [1·09]), and by post-operative day 56 was 12·54 g/dL (SD 1·18) and 12·80 g/dL (0·81), respectively (mean difference of 0·26 g/dL, 95% CI -0·28 to 0·80; p=0·009 in favour of the intravenous group). The minimum clinically relevant difference in concentrations was not reached. No adverse events were recorded in the intravenous group, whereas in the oral group, constipation was recorded in five (18%) patients, diarrhoea in three (11%), and nausea in one (4%) patient. INTERPRETATION: Postoperative intravenous administration of iron increased haemoglobin concentrations at 56 days post-operatively and reduced iron deficiency, without adverse events. Although superiority of intravenous iron was not shown, intravenous administration might be useful in post-bariatric patients, especially in those who have body-contouring treatment involving a second surgery within a short period of time. Larger trials, and trials using higher intravenous doses of iron, are needed to further assess the potential efficacy and safety of intravenous iron administration after post-bariatric plastic surgery. FUNDING: The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).

Experimental model of cranially pedicled TRAM flap in rats

In a simple, reproducible, and non-expensive experimental model the transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap has been described in male, adult Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Rodentia, Mammalia), weighing approximately 300g, at the central biotery of the Federal University at São Paulo, Paulista Medical School (UNIFESP - EPM). This article describes the use of a cranially based pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap sling, unilaterally to the right, with the purpose to better understand the pathophysiology of and the research on new treatments to prevent partial or total flap necrosis. This experimental model sponsors quite a number of studies to be conducted to assess the effects of different drugs of physical methods on the feasibility of standard, cranial monopedicled TRAM.As a standard model, it also harbors the comparison among results from different studies.

Em um modelo experimental simples, reprodutível e não oneroso, descrevemos o Retalho Músculo-cutâneo Transverso de Músculo Reto do Abdome (TRAM flap), em rato Wistar (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Rodentia, Mammalia), macho, adulto com peso aproximado de 300 g, procedente do biotério central da UNIFESP - EPM. O presente artigo descreve o retalho de base cranial com o pedículo no músculo reto do abdome, unilateral à direita, com objetivo de proporcionar um melhor entendimento da fisiopatologia e pesquisa de novos tratamentos que previnam a necrose parcial ou total do retalho. Este modelo experimental permite realizar inúmeros estudos, avaliando o efeito de diferentes drogas ou métodos físicos sobre a viabilidade do retalho TRAM monopediculado de pedículo cranial padrão. Sendo um modelo padronizado admite, ainda, a comparação entre resultados de diferentes estudos.

Experimental model for evaluation of the cutaneous sensitivity of the abdomen

The purpose of this study is to report an experimental model to evaluate several modalities of sensibility and to map the areas of the abdominal wall with decreased sensibility after abdominoplasty. Patients were divided in two groups: in the control group, patients had no previous abdominal incisions and patients of the experimental group had been undergone abdominoplasty. The sensibility evaluation of patients from the experimental group was made from 12 to 60 months after the operation. The abdominal skin was divided into twelve areas; nine of them were above the abdominoplasty incision and three below it. Sensibility to superficial touch, superficial pain, hot and cold temperature, vibration was tested and recorded as positive if the patient mentioned that he felt the stimulation or negative. Sensibility to pressure was tested with the use of different weights; therefore, a value was obtained when the patient felt the pressure. A specific test was used to evaluate each modality of sensibility. The experimental model designed to test skin sensibility after abdominoplasty showed to be feasible in patients.

O objetivo deste estudo é relatar e divulgar um modelo experimental para avaliar diversas modalidades de sensibilidade e mapear as áreas da parede abdominal nas quais ocorre diminuição da sensibilidade após abdominoplastia. Dois grupos de pacientes foram estudados: no grupo controle, as paciente não apresentavam incisões abdominais prévias e as pacientes do grupo experimental tinham sido submetidas a abdominoplastia. A avaliação da sensibilidade das pacientes do grupo experimental foi realizada de 12 a 60 meses após a cirurgia. A pele abdominal foi dividida em doze áreas, sendo nove acima e três abaixo da cicatriz da abdominoplastia. As sensibilidades ao toque superficial, dor superficial, ao calor e frio, vibração foram testadas e registradas como positive se a paciente referisse que sentiu o estímulo ou, caso o contrário, negativa. A sensibilidade à pressão foi testada com o uso de diferentes pesos, deste modo, um valor foi obtido quando a paciente sentia a pressão exercida pelo peso. Um teste específico foi utilizado para testar cada modalidade de sensibilidade. O modelo experimental utilizado para testar sensibilidade da pele após abdominoplastia mostrou-se factível em pacientes.

Experimental model of capsular contracture in silicone implants

The breast implant procedure is one of the most performed into Plastic Surgery and the contracture that occurs the capsule formed around the breast implants one of most frequent complication. We describe here one experimental model of capsule contracture in rats.

O procedimento cirúrgico implante de silicone mamário é um dos mais realizados dentro da Cirurgia Plástica e a contratura que ocorre na cápsula formada ao redor do implante é uma de suas maiores complicações. Descrevemos aqui um modelo experimental de contratura capsular em ratas.

Melanoma cutâneo de mama submetido à biópsia de linfonodo sentinela e tratamento cirúrgico com reparaçäo imediata / Cutaneous melanoma of the breast skin treated by preoperative lymphosintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy and immediate reconstruction

O melanoma cutâneo (MC) é uma neoplasia cuja incidência vem aumentando muito nos últimos anos, perdendo apenas para as de pulmäo no sexo feminino. O MC da mama é relativamente raro. A abordagem do MC tem mudado com os novos conceitos de biópsia de linfonodos sentinela, o que tem permitido a realizaçäo de cirurgias menos agressivas. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um caso de melanoma de pele de mama tratado em nosso serviço com realizaçäo de linfocintilografia pré-operatória e biópsia do linfoma sentinela (LS), e discutir aspectos do caso e da técnica utilizada para reconstruçäo