Total breast reconstruction with the fat-augmented latissimus dorsi (FALD) flap: High safety in a single-center uncontrolled case series.

According to ASPS, 107,238 breast reconstructions (BR) have been performed in the United States this year. The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is used for breast reconstruction (BR), either with an implant or an extended flap harvest. Implant-enhanced LD is associated with 50% reoperation rates. To avoid implant-related complications, we introduced the Fat-Augmented LD (FALD) flap. Several authors report 92% patient satisfaction and 36% complication rates (CR). The aim of our study is to present a single-center uncontrolled case series with long follow-up assessing CR and esthetic results. Women with small-to-moderate breasts requiring immediate or delayed BR were included, whereas athletic and paraplegic women or patients with contraindication for free flap BR were excluded. Clinical and surgical data were analyzed. Esthetic analysis was performed using a panel of independent observers. Between December 2010 and November 2019, 100 patients underwent 148 FALD-based BR. Average operative time was 193.5 min for unilateral procedure and 290.6 min for bilateral procedure. Mean immediate AFT volume was 105.3 cc (range 60-170) per breast. Major complication (total or partial flap necrosis > 30%) rate was 0%, and minor complication (partial flap necrosis < 30%, fat necrosis hematoma, seroma, donor site dehiscence, and chronic pain) rate was 6.76%. Esthetic analysis garnered satisfactory results for all types of mastectomies. For variables regarding skin texture (p = 0.001), scar location (p = 0.005), and total score (p = 0.001), patients undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy scored lower than Skin-Sparing Mastectomy and Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy. We were able to confirm that the FALD flap is a safe with a low complication rate and high patient satisfaction. Level of Evidence IV.

Correction of myopathic blepharoptosis by check ligament suspension: clinical evaluation of 89 eyelids.

Myopathic blepharoptosis is a congenital anomaly of the eyelid. The levator muscle does not function because of primary myogenic atrophy. Different procedures based on eyelid suspension, or the simple or combined resection of the eyelid have been described. A simple dynamic suspension of the tarsus to the check ligament of the superior fornix, neither sacrificing nor adding any tissue was used for 89 procedures on 71 consecutive patients with primary myopathic blepharoptosis. Their mean age at operation was 16 years (range 2-58) and the follow up ranged from 2 months to 12 years. Ptosis was unilateral in 53 patients (33 left, 20 right) and bilateral in 18. Preoperatively 27 had mild ptosis (1-2 mm), 33 moderate (3-4 mm), and 29 severe (>4 mm). The patients were divided into two groups: not previously operated on (50 patients/63 eyelids) and previously operated on by other techniques (21 patients/26 eyelids); both groups were compared for duration of procedure, normalisation rate, and number of revisions. In the unoperated group the normalisation rate was 81% (51 eyelids), and to achieve a good final result nine eyelids were revised once, while just three were reoperated on twice (19%). In the group previously operated on the normalisation rate was 69% (18 eyelids), while 3 eyelids needed one revision (12%). In unilateral cases the normalisation rate was 79% (42 eyelids) and in bilateral 75% (27 eyelids). In unilateral blepharoptosis there were 13% of revisions (7 eyelids) while bilaterally there were 22% (8 eyelids). Despite a previous operation, the operating time of a unilateral correction was similar in both groups, while the number of revisions needed to achieve the final result was low for unilateral ptosis, but higher for bilateral ones. This simple atraumatic suspension technique produced an improvement in all cases and it seemed useful in both primary and secondary cases.

Surgical treatment of ulcers caused by extravasation of cytotoxic drugs.

Despite preventive measures, the extravasation of cytotoxic drugs still occurs in 0.6% to 6% of cases. The aetiology is thought to be that tissue necrosis develops into a chronic ulcer, which causes problems if the harmful action of the drug is not blocked. From 1988-2002 at the Department of Plastic Surgery of Rome University "La Sapienza", 240 patients presented with extravasation of cytotoxic drugs; all had been treated with an original conservative protocol first described in 1994, based on the repeated local infiltration of a large quantity of saline solution (90-540 ml) into the area of extravasation. We considered only cases with actively necrotic lesions. Eleven of the 240 patients (5%) had ulcers ranging from small ulcers to extensive areas of tissue necrosis. Of the 11 patients, eight had already had ulcers, while the remaining three were those in whom our conservative protocol had not prevented necrosis. They were all operated on and given grafts, local flaps, reverse radial flaps, and free flaps.