Colgajo de transposición adipomuscular de glúteo mayor para deformidades glúteas por pérdida masiva de peso / Transposition gluteal adipomuscle flap for massive weight loss gluteal deformities

Introducción y objetivo: La pérdida masiva de peso provoca múltiples deformidades en el contorno corporal, incluida la región de los glúteos: pérdida de volumen y proyección, exceso de piel y ptosis tisular generalizada que dan lugar a antiestéticas deformidades. La reconstrucción quirúrgica de la región glútea en estos pacientes mediante lipoinjertos de grasa, colgajos adipocutáneos o colocación de implantes glúteos, arroja resultados subóptimos. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la versatilidad del colgajo de transposición adipomuscular de glúteo mayor en este tipo de deformidad. Material y método: Realizamos 20 remodelaciones glúteas con colgajo de transposición adipomuscular del glúteo mayor. Resultados: Los 20 pacientes fueron mujeres, con edades entre 33 y 61 años (media de 45 años). El colgajo de transposición adipomuscular de glúteo mayor se utilizó en combinación con lifting inferior circunferencial en 15 casos (75%), con lifting de glúteos escisional en 4 (20%) y en 1 caso secundario de deformidad provocada por colocación de implantes glúteos (5%). Conclusiones: En nuestra práctica clínica, el colgajo de transposición adipomuscular del glúteo mayor permite obtener buenos resultados estéticos en las deformidades glúteas posteriores a la pérdida masiva de peso en diferentes escenarios clínicos y en combinación con otros procedimientos, como el lifting circunferencial inferior o el escisional. También se puede realizar en procedimientos secundarios tras resultados insatisfactorios con la colocación de implantes glúteos. (AU)

Background and objective: Massive weight loss causes multiple body contour deformities, including the gluteal region. Volume and projection loss, excess skin associated with tissue ptosis lead to unsightly deformities of the gluteal contour. Surgical reconstruction of the gluteal region in these patients through fatgrafts, adipocutaneous flaps or gluteal implants have shown suboptimal results. The goal of this work is to present the versality of the transposition gluteus adipomuscular flap in these type of deformities. Methods: Twenty gluteal remodeling surgeries were performed using the transposition gluteus adipomuscular flap. Results: The 20 patients were women, aged between 33 and 61 years (mean 45 years). The transposition gluteus maximus adipomuscular flap was used in combination with lower bodylift in 15 cases (75%), with excisional gluteal lifting in 4 (20%) and in 1 secondary case of deformity caused by gluteal implant placement (5%). Conclusions: In our practice, the transposition gluteus adipomuscular flap allows good aesthetic results to be obtained in gluteal deformities after massive weight loss, namely in different clinical scenarios in combination with other procedures, such as the lower bodylift or the excisional gluteal lifting. It can also be performed in secondary procedures after unsatisfactory results using gluteal implants. (AU)

BREAST-Q Translation and Linguistic Validation to European Portuguese.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluating the impact of surgical treatment on health-related quality of life of breast cancer patients has become increasingly relevant, particularly for reconstructive procedures. The BREAST-Q consists of a broadly used patient-reported outcome measure to assess the impact of breast surgery on the health-related quality of life of these patients. The aim of this study was to translate and linguistically validate the BREAST-Q reconstructive module to European Portuguese. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The translation and linguistic validation process was based on the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research guidelines and started after obtaining permission from the original authors (developers). It involved two direct English to European Portuguese translations and a back translation, maintaining conceptual and cultural equivalence, an expert panel discussion, cognitive interviews with five patients and a final consensus. RESULTS: The forward translations led to the revision of three conceptually distinct items. The backward translation resulted in predominantly wording discrepancies and the three conceptual disparities noted in the back translation were revised on a consensual version. All material was openly discussed with the original authors and in an expert panel meeting. One item was changed after the cognitive interviews. The final consensual version was obtained. CONCLUSION: This stepwise approach allowed to linguistically validate the BREAST-Q reconstructive module to European Portuguese so that it can be used in the Portuguese population. Additionally, the applied methodology may serve to support and guide other instruments for linguistic validation.

Introdução: A avaliação do impacto do tratamento cirúrgico na qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde de doentes com cancro da mama é cada vez mais relevante, particularmente para procedimentos reconstrutivos. O questionário BREAST-Q é um instrumento de avaliação de resultados reportados pelos doentes amplamente utilizado para avaliar o impacto da cirurgia mamária na qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi a tradução e validação linguística do módulo reconstrutivo do questionário BREAST-Q para o Português Europeu. Material e Métodos: O processo de tradução e validação linguística foi baseado nas normas da International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research. Iniciou-se pela obtenção da autorização dos autores para realizar a tradução. Foram feitas duas traduções diretas independentes de inglês para português europeu e uma tradução reversa, mantendo a equivalência conceptual e cultural, discussão por um painel de especialistas, entrevistas cognitivas a cinco doentes e um consenso final. Resultados: As traduções diretas levaram à revisão de três itens nos quais foram encontradas diferenças conceptuais. A tradução reversa resultou em diferenças predominantemente literárias. Apenas um item foi alterado após as entrevistas cognitivas. Todo o material registado durante o processo de tradução foi discutido abertamente com os autores originais e com o painel de especialistas, culminando numa versão final consensual. Conclusão: Esta abordagem estruturada permitiu validar linguisticamente o módulo reconstrutivo do BREAST-Q para português europeu, permitindo a sua utilização na população portuguesa. Adicionalmente, a metodologia aplicada poderá servir de suporte e guia para outras validações linguísticas.

Comparison of Outcomes in Immediate Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: Acellular Dermal Matrix versus Inferior Dermal Flap.

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction has evolved tremendously in the last decades, mainly due to the development of new products and techniques that make the procedure safer and more reliable. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes in immediate one-stage breast reconstruction between acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and inferior dermal flap (IDF). Methods We conducted a retrospective comparative study of patients submitted to immediate breast reconstructions with an anatomical implant and ADM or IDF in a single center between 2016 and 2018. Outcomes evaluated included major complications, early complications, reinterventions, readmissions, and reconstruction failure. Simple descriptive statistics and univariate analysis were performed. Results A total of 118 breast reconstructions (85 patients) were included in the analysis. Patients in the IDF group had a higher body mass index (median = 27.0) than patients in the ADM group (median = 24). There were no statistically significant differences among both groups regarding immediate major complication, early complications, readmissions, and reinterventions. Conclusion There are no significant differences in complications between the ADM and IDF approach to immediate implant breast reconstruction. In patients with higher body mass index and large, ptotic breasts, we recommend an immediate implant reconstruction with IDF.

O uso do retalho de fáscia parietotemporal no tratamento do colesteatoma recidivado: caso clínico / The use of parietotemporal fascia flap in the treatment of recurrent cholesteatoma: clinical case

O colesteatoma consiste em um processo inflamatório que resulta na migração do epitélio escamoso queratinizado para o ouvido médio. Embora considerada uma entidade histopatologicamente benigna, pode se comportar de forma bastante agressiva sendo uma importante causa de surdez em todos os países. Descarga, dor, ruptura do tímpano com extensão para o ouvido interno levando à surdez e vertigem, são as manifestações clínicas mais comuns. O tratamento consiste na excisão cirúrgica de todo o epitélio estranho da orelha média. As recorrências podem chegar a 50% e são um desafio para os médicos de ouvido, nariz e garganta. Neste relato de caso descrevemos um caso de colesteatoma recorrente adquirido em um hospital terciário em Portugal, tratado com ablação radical de ouvido médio e cavidade mastóide pelos médicos otorrinolaringologistas. A opção reconstrutiva escolhida foi a obliteração do espaço morto com retalho fascial temporo-parietal pelo Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica.

Cholesteatoma consists of an inflmmatory process that results in the migration of squamous keratinized epithelium into the middle ear. Although regarded as a histopathologically benign entity it can behave quite aggressively being an important cause of deafness in all countries. Ear discharge, pain, ear drum rupture with extension into the inner ear leading to deafness and vertigo, are the most common clinical manifestations. Treatment consists of surgically excising all the foreign epithelium from the middle ear. Recurrences can be as high as 50% and are a challenge to Ear, Nose and Throat doctors. In this case report we describe a case of an acquired recurrent cholesteatoma in a tertiary hospital in Portugal, treated with radical ablation of middle ear and mastoid cavity by the otolaryngologists. The chosen reconstructive option was obliteration of the dead space using a temporo-parietal fascial flap by the Plastic Surgery Department

Impact of Body Mass Index, Age and Tobacco Use on the Outcomes of Immediate Breast Reconstruction with Implants and Acellular Dermal Matrix.

Background This study aimed to analyze the effect of body mass index (BMI), age, and tobacco use on alloplastic breast reconstruction. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of patients who submitted to immediate breast reconstructions with an anatomical implant and acellular dermal matrix in a single center between 2016 and 2018. Outcomes evaluated included immediate complications, early complications, reinterventions, readmissions, and reconstruction failure. Patients were divided into two groups concerning each potential risk factor (BMI < or ≥25; age < or ≥ 50 years; and smokers vs nonsmokers). Simple descriptive statistics and univariate analysis were performed. Results A total of 101 breast reconstructions (73 patients) were included in the analysis. The mean BMI was 24, and the mean age was 44.5 years old. Smokers accounted for 14 breast reconstructions (13.9%). The rate of early infections, mastectomy flap necrosis, and implant removal was significantly higher in overweight patients. The total volume of breast drainage was higher in the age ≥ 50 years group. Smoking did not alter the outcomes. Conclusions A BMI ≥ 25 is a risk factor for early infections and reconstructive failure. Age ≥ 50 years is associated with a higher volume of breast drainage but does not seem to impact the success of the reconstruction. Smoking does not appear to affect the outcomes significantly in this type of reconstruction. Surgeons should consider delaying the reconstruction or using autologous tissue when patients are overweight.

Revisão de 5 anos (2015-2019) da reconstrução aloplástica imediata no Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal / 5-year revision (2015-2019) of immediate alloplastic reconstruction in Hospital and University Center of Coimbra, Portugal

■ RESUMO Introdução: Como o câncer de mama é a doença maligna mais prevalente em todo o mundo, o tratamento conservador é de extrema importância. No entanto, em muitos casos, a mastectomia continua sendo o procedimento cirúrgico indicado e, como qualquer outra amputação, leva um fardo significativo para essas pacientes. No caso da mastectomia, a reconstrução imediata da mama é o tratamento padrão. A reconstrução aloplástica continua sendo o tipo mais amplamente realizado de reconstrução mamária imediata. Métodos: Neste artigo, os autores apresentam uma série de 105 casos de reconstrução aloplástica imediata em 5 anos de 2015 a 2019 no Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal. Inclui mastectomias curativas e redutoras de risco realizadas por ginecologistas oncológicos. As opções de reconstrução oferecidas pela equipe de reconstrução plástica incluíram tanto a reconstrução direta no implante quanto a reconstrução em dois estágios com o uso de expansores de tecido. Resultados: Dados sobre a doença oncológica, tipo de mastectomia, critérios de seleção das pacientes e resultados pós-operatórios imediato e tardio com diferentes técnicas de reconstrução imediata foram coletados, analisados e comparados com a literatura. Em nosso estudo, o índice de massa corporal foi o único preditor mais significativo de complicações e seu impacto foi estatisticamente significativo. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos representam uma etapa essencial para a melhoria da qualidade da assistência à mulher em reconstrução mamária.

■ ABSTRACT Introduction: With breast cancer being the most prevalent malignancy worldwide, conservative treatment is of tremendous importance. Nevertheless, in many cases, mastectomy remains the indicated surgical procedure, and like any other amputation, it carries a significant burden on those patients. In the case of mastectomy, immediate breast reconstruction is the standard of care. Alloplastic reconstruction remains the most widely performed type of immediate breast reconstruction. Methods: In this article, the authors present a series of 105 cases of immediate alloplastic reconstruction in 5 years from 2015 to 2019 in Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal. It includes curative and risk-reducing mastectomies performed by oncologic gynecologists. The reconstruction options offered by the plastic reconstructive team included both direct-to-implant reconstruction and two-stage reconstruction with the use of tissue expanders. Results: Data regarding the oncologic disease, type of mastectomy, patient selection criteria and immediate and late postoperative outcomes with different techniques of immediate reconstruction were collected, analyzed, and compared to literature. In our study, body mass index was the single most significant predictor of complications and, its impact was statistically significant. Conclusion: The results obtained represent an essential step to improving care quality for women undergoing breast reconstruction.

PCT Kinetics in the First Week Postburn for Sepsis Diagnosis and Death Prognosis-An Accuracy Study.

Despite continuous advances in burn care, sepsis is still the main cause of death in burn patients. Procalcitonin (PCT) has been reported as an accurate sepsis biomarker and also as a fair predictor of death. The aim of this study was to assess PCT kinetics in the first week postburn regarding sepsis diagnosis and death prognosis. Sample included 142 patients with ≥15% TBSA, admitted from January 2011 to December 2014 at Coimbra Burns Unit, Portugal. Sepsis diagnosis was done according to American Burn Association criteria. PCT range and median values in the first 7 days after burns were statistically analyzed for its potential for sepsis diagnosis and death prognosis. A subanalysis was done regarding TBSA, sex, age, and inhalation injury. First week PCT range and median were significant for sepsis diagnosis and death prognosis, but the median area under the curve was greater in the last case. TBSA influenced PCT accuracy, which was greater for TBSA less than 40% either for diagnosis or prognosis. Age was inversely related to the accuracy, being better in younger than 40 years in both cases. PCT diagnostic accuracy was not affected by sex, opposing to the prognostic one which is better in women. Inhalation injury had no effect on diagnostic accuracy, but it happens with prognostic accuracy. PCT levels' variation is related to sepsis evolution and outcome. Its median performs better than its range. Always coupled with clinical examination, monitoring PCT levels kinetics may help early sepsis detection, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality, being also useful for death prognosis.

Abdominoplasty and Patient Safety: The Impact of Body Mass Index and Bariatric Surgery on Complications Profile.

BACKGROUND: Abdominoplasty is a frequent aesthetic surgical procedure. Despite its popularity, patient safety requires further attention because of an important risk of complications. Obesity and bariatric surgery are potential risk factors. This study evaluated the impact of body mass index (BMI) and bariatric surgery on complications profile. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing abdominoplasty over a 5-year period was conducted. Patient demographics, comorbidities, BMI, bariatric surgery, complications (minor and major) and drainage outcomes were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for risk assessment. RESULTS: The 191 study patients showed an overall complication rate of 32.5%, comprising minor (27.7%) and major complications (7.9%). Seroma was the most common complication (20.9%). Mean BMI was 27.1 kg/m2. Obesity was present in 14.1%, and bariatric surgery in 53.4%. Obese patients had significant higher rates of overall complications (74.1%, p < 0.001), minor complications (66.7%, p < 0.001), seroma (51.9%, p < 0.001) and drainage outputs (p < 0.001). Bariatric patients showed an increased time (p = 0.003) and volume of drainage (p < 0.001), without significant differences in complications. Obesity and preoperative BMI were the only independent risk factors for overall complications (OR 8.3; and OR 1.3; p < 0.001), minor complications (OR 7.4; and OR 1.3; p < 0.001) and seroma (OR 4.5; and OR 1.2; p = 0.002). Diabetes was an independent risk for major complications (OR 4.6; p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Obesity has negatively impacted the profile and risk of complications, whereas bariatric surgery independently did not. Our study provides an accurate understanding of abdominoplasty complications, allowing better risk stratification, candidate selection refinement, morbidity reduction, fair patient counseling and overall improvement in patient safety. EBM LEVEL III: 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 .

Evaluation of Procalcitonin Accuracy for the Distinction Between Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacterial Sepsis in Burn Patients.

Sepsis is the main cause of death in burns. Early institution of antimicrobial therapy is crucial to optimize outcomes but superfluous therapy increases adverse events, microbial resistance, and costs. Blood cultures are the gold standard for diagnosis but can take 48 to 72 hours. Biomarkers are used to help sepsis diagnosis and distinction between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial cause. The aim of this work is to evaluate procalcitonin (PCT) accuracy for this distinction in burn patients. Retrospective observational study of adult septic burn patients with ≥15% total burn surface area admitted from January 2011 to December 2014 at a Burn Unit in Portugal. A statistical analysis was done, evaluating the correlation between PCT levels on the day of the first positive blood culture and microbiological data for Gram-negative and Grand-positive bacteria. Patients with mixed bacterial and/or fungal blood cultures were excluded. Data were summarized by quartiles statistics. Blood cultures were positive in 189 patients: 75 (39.7%) showed growth for Gram-negative and 114 (60.3%) for Gram-positive bacteria. Patients with Gram-negative bacteria have significantly higher PCT levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed accuracy for Gram-negative discrimination with area under the curve = 0.687. Most elevated levels were related to nonfermentative Gram-negative bacteria and by Klebsiella pneumoniae and other Enterobacteriaceae. PCT levels were significantly higher in burn patients with Gram-negative sepsis comparing to patients with Gram-positive sepsis and controls. The determination of PCT levels may help the choice of empirical antimicrobial therapy while microbiological culture results are not available, despite not fully ensuring the desirable degree of precision.

Procalcitonin kinetics after burn injury and burn surgery in septic and non-septic patients - a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Early sepsis diagnosis is crucial for the correct management of burn patients, and it clearly influences outcomes. The systemic inflammatory response triggered by burns mimics sepsis presentation and complicates early sepsis diagnosis. Biomarkers were advocated to aid the diagnosis of early sepsis. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) exhibits fair accuracy and good correlation with sepsis severity, being used in diverse clinical settings. However, few studies have evaluated perioperative changes in PCT levels in burn patients. The present study evaluated PCT kinetics during the first days after burn injury and subsequent surgical interventions to assess PCT utility in distinguishing septic from non-septic inflammatory responses. METHODS: This study was a retrospective observational study of all burn patients admitted to the Coimbra Burns Unit (Portugal) between January 2011 and December 2014 who presented with a total burn surface area ≥ 15% and who underwent subsequent surgery. PCT kinetics were investigated a) during the first five days after burn injury and b) preoperatively during the five days after surgery in three subsets of patients, including those with no preoperative and no postoperative sepsis (NN), no preoperative but postoperative sepsis (NS), and preoperative and postoperative sepsis (SS). A total of 145 patients met the selection criteria and were included in the analysis. RESULTS: PCT levels in the first five days after burn injury were significantly higher in patients who developed at least one sepsis episode (n = 85) compared with patients who did not develop sepsis (n = 60). PCT values > 1.00 ng/mL were clearly associated with sepsis. Study participants (n = 145) underwent a total of 283 surgical interventions. Their distribution by preoperative/postoperative sepsis status was 142 (50.2%) in NN; 62 (21.9%) in NS; and 79 (27.9%) in SS. PCT values exhibited a parallel course in the three groups that peaked on the second postoperative day and returned to preoperative levels on the third day or later. The lowest PCT values were found in NN, and the highest values were observed in SS; the NS values were intermediate. CONCLUSIONS: PCT kinetics coupled with a clinical examination may be helpful for sepsis diagnosis during the first days after burn injury and burn surgery.

Checking procalcitonin suitability for prognosis and antimicrobial therapy monitoring in burn patients.

BACKGROUND: Due to greater infection susceptibility, sepsis is the main cause of death in burn patients. Quick diagnosis and patient stratification, early and appropriated antimicrobial therapy, and focus control are crucial for patients' survival. On the other hand, superfluous extension of therapy is associated with adverse events and arousal of microbial resistance. The use of biomarkers, necessarily coupled with close clinical examination, may predict outcomes, stratifying patients who need more intensive care, and monitor the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy, allowing faster de-escalation or stop, reducing the development of resistance and possibly the financial burden, without increasing mortality. The aim of this work is to check the suitability of procalcitonin (PCT) to fulfill these goals in a large sample of septic burn patients. METHODS: One hundred and one patients, with 15% or more of total body surface area (TBSA) burned, admitted from January 2011 to December 2014 at Coimbra Burns Unit (CBU), in Portugal were included in the sample. All patients had a diagnosis of sepsis, according to the American Burn Association (ABA) criteria. The sample was factored by survival (68 survivors and 33 non-survivors). The maximum value of PCT in each day was used for statistical analysis. Data were summarized by location measures (mean, median, minimum, maximum, quartiles) and dispersion measures (standard error and range measures). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS© 23.0 IBM© for Windows©. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between PCT levels of patients from the survivor and non-survivor groups during the first and the last weeks of hospitalization as well as during the first week after sepsis suspicion, being slightly higher during this period. During the first 7 days of antimicrobial therapy, PCT was always higher in the non-survivor, still without reaching statistical significance, but when the analysis was extended till the 15th day, PCT increased significantly, rapidly, and steadily, denouncing therapy failure. CONCLUSION: Despite being not an ideal biomarker, PCT proved to have good prognostic power in septic burn patients, paralleling the evolution of the infectious process and reflecting the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy, and the inclusion of its serial dosing may be advised to reinforce antimicrobial stewardship programs at burn units; meanwhile, more accurate approaches are not available.