Techniques of Concomitant Abdominoplasty and Umbilical Hernia Repair: A Review.

BACKGROUND: Different methods of performing full abdominoplasty and umbilical hernia (UH) repair simultaneously have been proposed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to review and compare UH repair outcomes and umbilical stalk survival. METHODS: A literature research was performed through 28 December 2019. Other hernia repairs and mini-abdominoplasty (without umbilical transposition) were excluded. The primary outcomes analyzed were rates of UH recurrence, mesh infection, and umbilical necrosis. RESULTS: Six studies were included (5 retrospectives series, 1 case report). Hernia was repaired by an open approach (3 studies, 28 patients) or a laparoscopic approach (3 studies, 67 patients). UH repair consisted of mesh placement in the intraperitoneal or retromuscular/preperitoneal plane, or suture technique in the intraperitoneal plane. No hernia recurrence, mesh infection, or umbilical necrosis was described. CONCLUSIONS: Both open and laparoscopic approaches to simultaneous abdominoplasty and UH repair seem to be safe based on the rates of umbilical stalk vascularization, hernia recurrence, and mesh infection. However, more well-designed studies are needed to prove this hypothesis.

Transverse Facial Artery Perforators: Anatomical, Two- and Three-Dimensional Radiographic Study.

BACKGROUND: Increased anatomical knowledge of skin vascularization, such as the recent description of angiosome and perforasome concepts, has led to important innovations in flap surgery. In this sense, few studies have been performed on face vascularization especially for facial artery perforasomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the number, size, and localization of transverse facial artery perforators and their perfusion area. METHODS: Fourteen hemifaces of fresh adult cadavers from the Department of Anatomy of Lyon University were harvested. Transverse facial artery perforators were identified, dissected, cannulated, and selectively injected with 1 ml of patent blue or contrast solution. Photography, microangiography, and computed tomography were performed. Perforator diameter and localization from the lateral canthus were measured. Exact topography and size of the perforasome were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-three transverse facial artery perforators were identified. Mean perforator diameter was 1.01 ± 0.3 mm. Mean perforating site was 31.0 ± 8.0 mm lateral to and 38.7 ± 8.8 mm below the lateral canthus. Mean single perforasome surface area was 25.3 ± 18.34 cm and mean transverse facial artery skin territory was 40.5 ± 9.78 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The transverse facial artery provides at least one perforator that can be accurately localized using a Doppler probe. Clinical applications related to the improved knowledge of transverse facial artery perforators could be as follows: (1) performing a lateral facial skin flap; (2) facial composite allotransplants; (3) face-lift procedures to improve skin perfusion; and (4) prevention of vessel injury in aesthetic procedures such as dermal filler injection or thread-lift techniques.

Pressure ulcer-related pelvic osteomyelitis: evaluation of a two-stage surgical strategy (debridement, negative pressure therapy and flap coverage) with prolonged antimicrobial therapy.

BACKGROUND: A two-stage surgical strategy (debridement-negative pressure therapy (NPT) and flap coverage) with prolonged antimicrobial therapy is usually proposed in pressure ulcer-related pelvic osteomyelitis but has not been widely evaluated. METHODS: Adult patients with pressure ulcer-related pelvic osteomyelitis treated by a two-stage surgical strategy were included in a retrospective cohort study. Determinants of superinfection (i.e., additional microbiological findings at reconstruction) and treatment failure were assessed using binary logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-four pressure ulcer-related pelvic osteomyelitis in 61 patients (age, 47 (IQR, 36-63)) were included. Osteomyelitis was mostly polymicrobial (73%), with a predominance of S. aureus (47%), Enterobacteriaceae spp. (44%) and anaerobes (44%). Flap coverage was performed after 7 (IQR, 5-10) weeks of NPT, with 43 (68%) positive bone samples among which 39 (91%) were superinfections, associated with a high ASA score (OR, 5.8; p = 0.022). An increased prevalence of coagulase negative staphylococci (p = 0.017) and Candida spp. (p = 0.003) was observed at time of flap coverage. An ESBL Enterobacteriaceae spp. was found in 5 (12%) patients, associated with fluoroquinolone consumption (OR, 32.4; p = 0.005). Treatment duration was as 20 (IQR, 14-27) weeks, including 11 (IQR, 8-15) after reconstruction. After a follow-up of 54 (IQR, 27-102) weeks, 15 (23%) failures were observed, associated with previous pressure ulcer (OR, 5.7; p = 0.025) and Actinomyces spp. infection (OR, 9.5; p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Pressure ulcer-related pelvic osteomyelitis is a difficult-to-treat clinical condition, generating an important consumption of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The lack of correlation between outcome and the debridement-to-reconstruction interval argue for a short sequence to limit the total duration of treatment.

Orbital Cavernous Hemangioma Causing Spontaneous Compressive Hemorrhage.

Cavernous hemangiomas are the most common tumors of the posterior cone of the orbit in adults. They are discovered in a fortuitous manner or in front of the appearance of a progressive exophthalmia.The authors report through a complete literature review (PubMed) patients of retro-orbital cavernous hemangioma revealed by spontaneous compressional hemorrhage from 1984 to 2017.This review is illustrated by a case of sharp decrease in visual acuity secondary to orbital cavernous hemangioma hemorrhage.The authors detail the management and the evolution of all these patients.

Simultaneous Abdominoplasty and Umbilical Hernia Repair via Laparoscopy: a Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical hernias (UH) are common in postpartum patients seeking abdominal contouring surgery and the question of simultaneous abdominoplasty and UH repair is raised. This presents, however, a risk to the umbilicus vascularisation with possible umbilical necrosis. To minimize this risk we associated abdominoplasty with laparoscopic UH repair. The aim of this study was to present the technique of simultaneous abdominoplasty and UH repair and the first results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Simultaneous abdominoplasty and laparoscopic mesh UH repair was analysed in the first 10 cases. The intervention was performed by a plastic surgeon and a general surgeon. It begins as a standard abdominoplasty with flap elevation, umbilicus detachment and diastasis repair, if indicated. The second stage is the UH repair via laparoscopy using an intraperitoneal mesh. The third stage consists of umbilical transposition and closure of the abdominoplasty incision. RESULTS: We had no complications at the umbilicus or the hernia mesh. In all cases, umbilical vascularisation was preserved and no hernia recurrence was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Our first results suggest that the simultaneous UH repair with abdominoplasty is safe, minimizing the risk to the umbilicus blood supply. These first results encourage us to recommend this approach and perform a more detailed analysis of the whole series since our first case.

Evaluation of the risk of post-operative bleeding complications in skin cancer surgery without interruption of anticoagulant/antithrombotic medication: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports showed lack of consensus concerning interruption of anticoagulant/antithrombotic (AC/AT) treatment before skin cancer surgery. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of postoperative bleeding in patients on AC/AT treatment undergoing skin cancer surgery without interruption of this treatment. METHOD: This prospective cohort study included 271 consecutive patients divided into two groups - patients without and patients with AC/AT therapy. Inclusion criteria were skin cancer (basal-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, or malignant melanoma). Exclusion criteria were patients undergoing regional lymph node dissection or sentinel lymph node biopsy. Postoperative bleeding complications taken into consideration were those evaluated as moderate or severe and requiring some form of surgical or non-surgical hemostasis on an outpatient or inpatient basis. RESULTS: There were 47 patients in the AC/AT group and 224 in the control group (mean age = 76.6 and 68 years, respectively), with almost equal distribution of tumours in both groups. There were 34.1% of patients on AT, 55% on AC treatment, and 10.6% on mixed treatment (AC+AT or AT+AT). Postoperative bleeding complications did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.063). CONCLUSION: Skin cancer surgery can be safely performed without discontinuation of AC/AT treatment, since the risk of postoperative bleeding is statistically insignificant.

Cultured autologous keratinocytes in the treatment of large and deep burns: a retrospective study over 15 years.

AIM: The aim was to review the use and indications of cultured autologous epidermis (CAE) in extensive burns and to evaluate the efficiency of our strategy of burn treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 15 years (1997-2012). INCLUSION CRITERIA: all patients who received CAE. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: patients who died before complete healing and patients who received exclusively cultured allogeneic keratinocytes. Evaluation criteria were clinical. Time and success of wound healing after CAE graft were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were included with severity Baux score of 107 (from 70 to 140) and mean percentage of TBSA of 71% (from 40% to 97%). The CAE were used as Cuono method, in STSG donor sites and deep 2nd degree burns and in combination with large-meshed STSG (1:6-1:12) in extensively burned patients. Cuono method was used in 6 patients. The final take was 16% (0-30) because of the great fragility of the obtained epidermis. Nine patients with deep 2nd degree burns (mean TBSA 81%, from 60 to 97%) were successfully treated with only CAE without skin grafting. Combined technique (STSG meshed at 1:6-1:12 covered with CAE) was used in 27 patients (mean TBSA 69%, from 49% to 96%) with 85% success rate. Finally, donor sites treated with CAE in 49 patients could be harvested several times thanks to rapid epithelialization (time of wound healing was 7 days (from 5 to 10 days)). CONCLUSION: The CAE allow rapid healing of STSG donor sites and deep 2nd second degree burns in extensively burned patients.

Cultured allogenic keratinocytes for extensive burns: a retrospective study over 15 years.

UNLABELLED: The aim was to review the use and indications of cultured allogenic keratinocytes (CAlloK) in extensive burns and their efficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 15 years (1997-2012). INCLUSION CRITERIA: all patients who received CAlloK. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: patients who died before complete healing. Evaluation criteria were clinical. Time and success of wound healing after CAlloK use were evaluated. RESULTS: The CAlloK were used for 2 indications - STSG donor sites and deep 2nd degree burns in extensively burned patients. A total of 70 patients were included with severity Baux score of 99.2 (from 51 to 144) and mean percentage of TBSA of 63.49% (from 21 to 96%). Fifty nine patients received CAlloK for STSG donor sites with a mean number of applications of 4 and mean surface of 3800 cm(2) per patient. Treated donor sites were re-harvested 2.5 times. The mean time of complete epithelialization was 7 days. In 11 patients, CAlloK were used for deep 2nd degree burns. The mean percentage of burned surface was 73.7%. The mean surface of CAlloK per patient was 2545 cm(2). Complete healing was achieved in 6.4 days. CONCLUSION: The CAlloK allow rapid healing of STSG donor-sites and deep 2nd second degree burns in extensively burned patients.

Superficial femoral artery perforator flap: anatomical study of a new flap and clinical cases.

BACKGROUND: The medial thigh has been infrequently studied as a donor site for pedicled or free flaps. In their previous studies, the authors observed a direct cutaneous branch from the superficial femoral artery. This study aimed to investigate the anatomy and potential possibility for flap elevation (the midmedial thigh flap) on this direct branch of the superficial femoral vessels. METHODS: Circumferential adipocutaneous thigh flaps were harvested from 14 fresh adult cadaver legs. The direct cutaneous branch from the superficial femoral vessels was located between the sartorius and gracilis muscles. Pedicle location, diameter, and length and position of the great saphenous vein and saphenous nerve were recorded. A flap based on this vessel was designed. Height, width, and surface of the skin paddle were recorded. Three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography was used to analyze the area of cutaneous territory supplied by the studied perforator. RESULTS: The pedicle was located at an average distance of 22.79 ± 1.55 cm below the pubic tubercle on the medial axis of the thigh, and it was found in 100 percent of dissections. It was always located between the sartorius and gracilis muscles, with a mean diameter of 2.82 ± 0.69 mm and mean length of 4.79 ± 0.52 cm. The average area of skin perfused was 182.24 cm, located preferentially distal and posterior to the perforator pedicle. Two clinical cases illustrate the feasibility of the midmedial thigh perforator flap. CONCLUSIONS: The superficial femoral artery perforator flap appears to be reliable and has a constant vascular anatomy. Donor-site morbidity is low, resulting in only a vertical scar on the medial thigh. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.

Acute paediatric bite injuries treated on inpatient basis: a 10-year retrospective study and criteria for hospital admission.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute bite wounds in children treated on an inpatient basis over a 10-year period and the criteria for inpatient treatment. This study comprised all acute mammalian bite injuries in relation to all paediatric bite injuries seen at the Emergency Surgical Department (ESD). Inclusion criteria were: aged between 0-18 years; acute human or animal bite injuries (presenting for the first time); and inpatient treatment. Exclusion criteria were: bite wounds treated elsewhere and referred for complications; bites treated on an outpatient basis referred for complications; and all insect bites. Over 10 years, 12,948 children were seen at the ESD. There were 167 children (0.77%) with mammalian bite wounds. Twelve of them responded to the inclusion criteria. They presented 7.18% of all mammalian bite injuries and 0.09% of all paediatric emergency visits at the ESD. The average age was 3.82 ± 1.63 years (from 1.3-7 years). The time elapsed between the accident to the wound debridement was 118.64 ± 101.39 minutes. There were 10 dogs, one horse, and one rabbit bite. Surgical treatment comprised debridement, saline irrigation, and primary closure or reconstruction. All patients received antibiotics in the postoperative period. The average hospital stay was 5.92 ± 2.39 days. In one case a partial distal flap necrosis occurred. Animal bite injuries treated on an inpatient basis are predominantly dog bites in young children under 10 years of age, with deep, extended, and commonly multiple injuries. Only 7% of paediatric bite injuries require inpatient treatment.