Novel single-centre experience - evaluation of outcomes post-implementation of a coordinated combined breast reconstruction service.

BACKGROUND: Autologous breast reconstruction services are logistically complex and challenging to implement but have better outcomes than implants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing a coordinated, low-cost combined breast reconstruction service (0.8 FTE nurse liaison, 0.25 FTE plastic surgeon, two dedicated breast surgeons 0.05 FTE each and protected weekly all-day oncoplastic theatre) on unit productivity and efficiency in reducing wait times for immediate autologous breast reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all patients who underwent immediate autologous breast reconstruction at Fiona Stanley Hospital between two study periods, pre-intervention - February 2016 to June 2019 and post-intervention - November 2022. Data were analysed using SPSS v.27. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven participants were included, with 49% (n = 62) in the post-intervention group. Most procedures performed were therapeutic (n = 108, 85%). DIEP was the most common flap (84%), and the mean BMI was 26.9 (SD ± 4.2). There was a statistically significant increase in the number of high-risk gene carriers' prophylactic cases and bilateral cases performed post-intervention (5% to 26%, P = 0.001) and (29% to 55%, P = 0.003), respectively. Time to surgery on the waitlist did not significantly change after the intervention (therapeutic group: 3.1 to 3.5 weeks, P = 0.821; prophylactic group: 55.0 to 61.1 weeks, P = 1.000). Overall, there was a marked increase in the overall productivity of the breast service unit in terms of mastectomies, total reconstructions, and autologous reconstructions performed. CONCLUSIONS: This single-centre experience showed that implementing a coordinated service significantly increased the unit's productivity. This low-cost intervention can be applied to other healthcare settings.

A rare case: synchronous ipsilateral breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma and invasive ductal carcinoma.

A 78-year-old female with a history of cosmetic breast implants presented with unilateral breast enlargement and was subsequently diagnosed with stage IA breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) as well as stage IB ipsilateral synchronous invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Her assessment included bilateral breast ultrasounds,mammograms and MRIs with right-sided fine needle aspiration of peri-implant fluid, core biopsy of right breast mass and a whole-body positron emission tomography scan. She was surgically treated with bilateral capsulectomy, implant removal and mastectomy. No adjuvant treatment was required for the BIA-ALCL. The IDC required adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy. This rare case highlights the paramount importance of thorough evaluation of suspected BIA-ALCL patients for synchronous breast pathologies. We conclude with a concise summary of the salient points on evaluation and management of BIA-ALCL for surgeons.

Impact of same day vs day before pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node biopsy for early breast cancer (local Australian experience).

INTRODUCTION: To assess the impact of delayed vs immediate pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) for sentinel lymph node biopsy in a single Australian tertiary breast cancer centre. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study analysing patients with breast cancer or DCIS who underwent lumpectomy or mastectomy with pre-operative LSG and intra-operative sentinel lymph node biopsy from January 2015 to June 2016. RESULTS: A total of 182 LSG were performed. Group A patients had day before pre-operative LSG mapping (n = 79) and Group B had LSG mapping on the day of surgery (n = 103). The overall LSG localisation rate was 97.3% and no statistical difference was detected between the two groups. The overall sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLN) were identified in 99.6% of patients. The number of nodes excised was slightly higher in Group A (1.90 vs 1.72); however, this was not statistically significant. In addition, the number of nodes on histopathology and the incidence of second echelon nodal detection were also similar between the two groups without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the 2-day LSG protocol had no impact on overall SLNB and LSG detection rates although slightly higher second tier nodes but this did not translate to any difference between the number of harvest nodes between the two groups. The 2-day LSG allows for greater flexibility in theatre planning and more efficient use of theatre time. We recommend a dose of 40 Mbq of Tc99 m pertechnetate-labelled colloid be given day prior to surgery within a 24-hour timeframe.

Pyoderma gangrenosum of the breast treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

BACKGROUND: Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis which leads to necrotic and painful skin ulceration. PG of the breast is extremely rare with 32 documented cases in the current literature. Delay in diagnosis worsens scarring as the ulcers are rapidly expanding, painful and usually slow to heal. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of pyoderma gangrenosum of the breast in a patient with associated rheumatoid arthritis which was initially diagnosed as an infected breast ulcer and later successfully treated with systemic steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). CONCLUSION: Even though PG of the breast has been gaining increased recognition over the past two decades, this has been more common in the post-surgical setting. This case highlights the need to consider PG as a differential diagnosis when faced with unsual cases of breast ulceration and the importance of multidisplinary approach for effective treatment of this condition.

The acute surgical unit: improving emergency care.

BACKGROUND: Acute care surgical teams are a new concept in the provision of emergency general surgery. Juggling emergency patients around the surgeons' and staffs' elective commitments resulted in semi-emergency procedures routinely being delayed. In an era of increasing financial pressure and the recent introduction of 'safe work hours' practices, the need for a new system which optimized available resources became apparent. METHODS: At Fremantle Hospital we developed a new system in a concerted effort to minimize the waiting time for general surgical referrals in the Emergency Department, as well as to move semi-urgent operating from the afterhours to the daytime. To analyse the impact of the ASU, data were collected during February, March, and April 2009 and compared with data from the same period in 2008. RESULTS: Although most referrals were received afterhours, over 85% of operations were performed during working hours compared with 72% in the 2008 period. The time from referral to review decreased from an average of 3.2 h in 2008 to 2.1 h. The mean duration of stay in 2009 was 3 days, which was a reduction from 4.2 days in 2008. An increase in weekend discharge rates was seen after the introduction of the ASU. CONCLUSION: Despite an increased workload, more referrals were seen and more operations performed during working hours and the time from referral to review was reduced. Higher discharge rates and reduced length of stays increased the availability of beds. We have demonstrated a successful new model which continues to evolve.

Imaging of human lymph nodes using optical coherence tomography: potential for staging cancer.

Histologic assessment is the gold standard technique for the identification of metastatic involvement of lymph nodes in malignant disease, but can only be performed ex vivo and often results in the unnecessary excision of healthy lymph nodes, leading to complications such as lymphedema. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution, near-IR imaging modality capable of visualizing microscopic features within tissue. OCT has the potential to provide in vivo assessment of tissue involvement by cancer. In this morphologic study, we show the capability of OCT to image nodal microarchitecture through an assessment of fresh, unstained ex vivo lymph node samples. Examples include both benign human axillary lymph nodes and nodes containing metastatic breast carcinoma. Through accurate correlation with the histologic gold standard, OCT is shown to enable differentiation of lymph node tissue from surrounding adipose tissue, reveal nodal structures such as germinal centers and intranodal vessels, and show both diffuse and well circumscribed patterns of metastatic node involvement.