Randomized comparative study of negative pressure wound therapy versus compression dressing on split-thickness skin grafts of the lower limbs in an elderly population.

INTRODUCTION: Failure to adequately secure the skin graft to the lower limbs recipient bed can result in loss of the graft. Our objective was to compare the healing of split-thickness skin grafts three weeks postoperatively, using either negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) or conventional compression bandaging. METHODS: In this multicenter randomized controlled study, patients with tissue loss ranging from 50 cm2 to 600 cm2 on the lower limbs and treated with split-thickness skin grafts were included in three French hospitals. A digital photographic evaluation was performed at 3 weeks. RESULTS: During 9 years, 70 patients were included in the study and allocated to a treatment group. The grafted area was similar in both groups. Loss of graft was significantly reduced in the NPWT group with 14.6 cm2 compared to 29 cm2 in the control group (p = 0.0003). The hospital stay was also significantly reduced in the NPWT group, at 4 days versus 6.5 days in the control group (p = 0.0284). In the NPWT group, 60% reported pain compared to 22.9% in the control group (p = 0.0048). CONCLUSIONS: The use of NPWT dressings improves skin graft take by reducing necrosis, improving the graft's adherence to the recipient site, and reducing hospital length-of-stay.

Improved sexuality and satisfactory lubrication after genital affirmation surgery using penile skin inversion in transgender women: A satisfaction study.

INTRODUCTION: Genital affirmation surgery (GAS) requests are consistently increasing in demand. The gold standard is penile skin inversion, using cutaneous grafting for neovagina creation. The aim is to achieve the most realistic results both physically and functionally. Different studies have contradictory results, and the use of lubrication is insufficiently clear, while the use of sigmoidoplasty has been defended for constant lubrication. AIMS: Our aim was to evaluate transgender women's sexual function and lubrication after vaginoplasty by penile skin inversion. METHODS: We performed a prospective study on 45 patients who underwent primary penile inversion vaginoplasty. Participants answered two questionnaires during the follow-up consultation: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and an 18-item custom questionnaire. RESULTS: The average FSFI score of our patients was 28.9, up to the cut-off defining a sexual disorder. Compared to the Wylomanski control group, no differences were found for the FSFI score and in the subgroups. Considering lubrication, 69% of the patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their lubrication. Furthermore, 53% reported a fluid release at each orgasm. CONCLUSION: This study reported high satisfaction for both sexuality and lubrication, proning against penile inversion's GAS bad reputation concerning postoperative lubrication. A squirting effect was described for the first time and was present in 53% of our transpatients.

Genitourinary vascularized composite allotransplantation for gender affirmation in trans men: An anatomical feasibility study.

PURPOSE: Gender affirmation in trans men requires multiple staged procedures. The final masculinizing step involves phalloplasty or metoidioplasty and further incorporation of penile and testicular prostheses. However, these are functionally suboptimal and associated with high complication rates. Therefore, we sought to investigate the anatomical feasibility of one-stage genitourinary vascularized composite allotransplantation (GUVCA) for such gender-affirming surgeries. METHODS: Twenty fresh cadaveric dissections were performed to delineate the neurovascular anatomy of the proposed GUVCA. Specifically, in donors (n = 14), besides the penis and scrotum, the GUVCA included an inferior bladder patch with the urinary sphincter, prostate, seminal vesicles, as well as a strip of the pubic bone. In trans men recipients, osteotomies of the pubic bone to match that of the donor GUVCA were required. Five cadaveric GUVCA transplants were then performed to simulate one-stage gender affirmation surgery. RESULTS: The GUVCA required (1) vascular anastomoses between the recipient's deep inferior epigastric, external pudendal, and superficial circumflex iliac (or superficial inferior epigastric) vessels to the donor's internal pudendal, external pudendal and genitofemoral vessels respectively; (2) neurosynthesis between the recipient pudendal and dorsal clitoral nerves to the donor pudendal and genitofemoral nerves; and (3) urinary bladder anastomosis at the bladder neck, upstream of the urinary sphincter. Average donor measurements (length (cm), diameter (mm)) were: external pudendal artery (2.5, 2.0) and vein (2.0, 3.5), internal pudendal artery (15.0, 4.0), pudendal (15.0, 3.0) and genitofemoral nerves (8.0, 2.0). CONCLUSIONS: We have described the anatomical basis for a one-stage GUVCA in trans masculine genitourinary reconstruction.

S100A8-mediated metabolic adaptation controls HIV-1 persistence in macrophages in vivo.

HIV-1 eradication is hindered by viral persistence in cell reservoirs, established not only in circulatory CD4+T-cells but also in tissue-resident macrophages. The nature of macrophage reservoirs and mechanisms of persistence despite combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) remain unclear. Using genital mucosa from cART-suppressed HIV-1-infected individuals, we evaluated the implication of macrophage immunometabolic pathways in HIV-1 persistence. We demonstrate that ex vivo, macrophage tissue reservoirs contain transcriptionally active HIV-1 and viral particles accumulated in virus-containing compartments, and harbor an inflammatory IL-1R+S100A8+MMP7+M4-phenotype prone to glycolysis. Reactivation of infectious virus production and release from these reservoirs in vitro are induced by the alarmin S100A8, an endogenous factor produced by M4-macrophages and implicated in "sterile" inflammation. This process metabolically depends on glycolysis. Altogether, inflammatory M4-macrophages form a major tissue reservoir of replication-competent HIV-1, which reactivate viral production upon autocrine/paracrine S100A8-mediated glycolytic stimulation. This HIV-1 persistence pathway needs to be targeted in future HIV eradication strategies.

Surgical techniques used in chin feminization: Literature review and knowledge update.

Genioplasty is commonly performed as part of facial feminization surgery. Commonly addressed areas in facial feminization surgery include the chin. According to some authors, 100% of patients request genioplasty surgery in order to feminize their faces. Specific genioplasty techniques (involving generally reduction surgery) applied to transgender patients have been rarely described in the literature. Objective: We aimed to carry out a review of the literature to update the current knowledge on this subject while achieving a comprehensive synthesis of the available surgical techniques for reduction genioplasty in trans Male to Female patients. Conclusion: Reduction genioplasty is frequently performed in facial feminization surgery. Multiple surgical techniques for chin feminization have been described in the existing literature. Reduction genioplasty requires combined work in the sagittal and transverse planes so as to obtain a harmonious result. However, no comparative study on the different surgical techniques has as yet been conducted. Patient satisfaction or surgical complications (which tend to be rare) cannot be related to any specific surgical technique.

Pathophysiology of nicotine, place of nicotine substitutes and electronic cigarettes in plastic surgery: A review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Smokers are more likely to undergo postoperative complications after plastic surgeries. Our main purpose was to update nicotine's effects after plastic surgeries and assess whether nicotine-replacement therapy and vaping are safe enough to be recommended in peri-operatory circumstances. METHODS: We set up a literature review including 40 documents from 1986 to 2020 available on Pubmed. RESULTS: Nicotine has undeniable detrimental effects on patients undergoing plastic surgeries like cutaneous necrosis, skin flap failure and surgical site infection. Nevertheless, this toxicity seems to depend on the plasma concentration of nicotine and thus on the way of administration. While smoking is definitely harmful, nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) like patches and gums do not appear to increase postoperative risks based on available studies. The situation is different with the electronic cigarette since the pharmacokinetic parameters are close to those of the traditional cigarette. Even if powerful studies are lacking because the device is recent, preliminary in vitro studies and case reports suggest non-zero surgical risks for e-cigarette users. CONCLUSION: It seems more appropriate to suggest stopping all nicotine intake before and after plastic surgery. However, if strict cessation is not achievable, it appears preferable to use nicotine replacement therapies rather than e-cigarettes and most of all tobacco.

The modified serratus anterior fascia flap improves satisfaction and long-term results in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction: A retrospective study.

After immediate implant-based breast reconstruction (IIBR) following skin-sparing mastectomy, postoperative complications such as implant exposure or badly defined mammary folds can occur. Acellular dermal matrix can provide good esthetic outcomes but remain expensive. This study evaluates a new technique of one-stage IIBR by using a modified serratus anterior fascia flap (MSFF group), providing lower implant coverage, as compared to the classical submuscular technique. In this retrospective study, we included all patients who underwent IIBR using either the MSFF technique or the classic technique between November 2012 and February 2015. We collected data regarding demographics, perioperative factors, postoperative complications, patient satisfaction (Breast-Q score), and esthetic outcomes. One hundred twenty-three patients who underwent IIBR, of which 61 breasts (59 patients) using the MSFF and 67 breasts (64 patients) the classical technique, were included. The size of the implants used were significantly higher in the MSFF group (p = 0.036). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to the immediate complications rate. After a mean follow-up of 43.9 months, we observed more capsular contractures in the classic group (p < 0.001). In the classic group, patients required more revision surgeries (p = 0.008), more implant changes (p < 0.001), and higher volume of additional lipofilling (p < 0.001). According to the Breast Q scores, patients' satisfaction was better in the MSFF group regarding their breasts (p = 0.001) and the outcomes (p = 0.009). The MSFF is a simple, safe, effective, and inexpensive autologous technique for IIBR, which improves implant coverage with a vascularized flap and provides satisfying outcomes as compared to classic IIBR, with less complications.

Bipedicled dorsal intercostal artery propeller flaps for reconstruction of extensive cervicothoracic midline defects.

BACKGROUND: Propeller flaps have been reported to cover cervicothoracic midline defects with lower donor site morbidity compared to muscle flaps. When these defects are extensive, we propose a propeller flap technique that we have named dorsal intercostal artery perforator plus (DICAP+) flap based on two perforator pedicles, to secure the large skin paddle. In this article, we present our experience. METHODS: Six propeller DICAP+ flap procedures were performed on five patients, to reconstruct cervicothoracic midline defects. Three of them were caused by tumors and two were secondary to hardware exposure after spinal surgery. Defect sizes ranged from 16 × 5 to 24 × 9 cm. Every propeller flap was harvested on two perforators including one DICAP, and rotated from 80° to 180°. RESULTS: Skin ellipse size ranged from 15 × 7 cm or 82.4 cm2 to 25 × 12 cm or 235.5 cm2 , equal to a mean surface area of 160 cm2 . The donor site was closed by primary suturing in four of the six procedures, by a contralateral propeller DICAP flap in one patient, and was left to heal by secondary intention in another one. All six flaps successfully covered the underlying defects with no evidence of partial or complete necrosis. No other complications were observed at recipient and donor sites. The follow-up period ranged from 9 months to 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Propeller flaps based on two dorsal perforators including one dorsal intercostal artery perforator, DICAP+, are a reliable means of reconstructing extensive cervicothoracic midline defects.

Intrascrotal injection of botulinum toxin A, a male genital aesthetic demand: Technique and limits.

INTRODUCTION: Scrotal rejuvenation is a real male aesthetic demand. Scrotal injection of botulinum toxin makes the testicles smoother, less dangling and subjectively larger. METHODS: Intrascrotal botulinum toxin injections were performed to a 44-year-old patient for aesthetic purposes. We used the intracremasteric injection protocol. Cremaster muscle injections and dartos muscle injections were performed. RESULTS: The patient was satisfied. No adverse reaction to the intrascrotal botulinum toxin injection was observed. The patient wanted to repeat the procedure in the future. CONCLUSION: At the moment, there is no recommendation about the aesthetic use of intrascrotal injections of botulinum toxin A and the risks are unknown. The purpose of this article is to show the feasibility, context and technical modalities of intrascrotal injection. The risk of infertility is real, but marginal for men who no longer have progeny's desire. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

Lower rates of lipofilling sessions in latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction with initial higher volume transfer by preservation of subfascial fat: A 3D camera-assisted volumetric case series.

Breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap (LDF) is a well-known technique, but the crucial goal is to achieve a satisfying final volume restoration. Our hypothesis is that LDF reconstruction with the preservation of subfascial fat can achieve a higher volume in a one-time procedure than that achieved in a classic LDF harvest. The aim of the study was to quantify the volume resorption in LDF reconstructions with the preservation of subfascial fat. Fifteen breasts were reconstructed with a simple LDF and the remaining 15 with an LDF with the preservation of the subfascial fat between January 2016 and May 2017. Secondly, every patient underwent a lipofilling procedure. A supplemental lipofilling procedure was performed in unsatisfying cases. A Structure-Sensor camera manufactured by OccipitalⓇ was used. Each patient received a 3D measurement during immediate postoperative care and then after 3 and 6 months of follow-up. This study shows no difference in volume retention at follow-up between the 2 techniques. The gain of an immediate and stable fatty layer in LDF + subfascial fat technique leads to breast volume improvement in one surgical step. Breast reconstruction with LDF and subfascial fat can be defined as a reliable solution, which provides an optimal result with a reduced number of surgical interventions when compared with a simple LDF.

HIV-1 reservoirs in urethral macrophages of patients under suppressive antiretroviral therapy.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) eradication is prevented by the establishment on infection of cellular HIV-1 reservoirs that are not fully characterized, especially in genital mucosal tissues (the main HIV-1 entry portal on sexual transmission). Here, we show, using penile tissues from HIV-1-infected individuals under suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy, that urethral macrophages contain integrated HIV-1 DNA, RNA, proteins and intact virions in virus-containing compartment-like structures, whereas viral components remain undetectable in urethral T cells. Moreover, urethral cells specifically release replication-competent infectious HIV-1 following reactivation with the macrophage activator lipopolysaccharide, while the T-cell activator phytohaemagglutinin is ineffective. HIV-1 urethral reservoirs localize preferentially in a subset of polarized macrophages that highly expresses the interleukin-1 receptor, CD206 and interleukin-4 receptor, but not CD163. To our knowledge, these results are the first evidence that human urethral tissue macrophages constitute a principal HIV-1 reservoir. Such findings are determinant for therapeutic strategies aimed at HIV-1 eradication.

Reconstruction of Full-Thickness Lower Lid Defects Using Texier's Procedure: Retrospective Assessment of the Indications.

PURPOSE: Lower lid defects involving more than 75% of the lid's length or affecting the cheek are usually reconstructed with a Mustardé rotational cheek flap. This solution often induces postoperative ectropion. The Texier procedure (an upper lid myocutaneous flap and a chondromucosal alar graft) is usually indicated for 1-step reconstruction of full-thickness defects involving less than 50% of the lower lid. This retrospective study evaluated larger indications for the Texier procedure for full-thickness defects of the lower lid, results of lid defects longer than 50 or even 75%, and the use of a chondromucosal nasal septal graft for lid defects longer than 75%. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All lower lid reconstructions using the Texier procedure over a period of 29 months were retrospectively included. Data on postoperative complications and patient satisfaction were collected. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included; one third had a defect involving no more than 50% of the lower lid, one third presented with a defect of 50 to 75%, and one third had a defect of at least 75%. In this last group, reconstruction included a septal graft. Mean follow-up was 35 months. Transitory palpebral edema was present in 100% of patients and lasted 8 months on average. No postoperative ectropion or nasal alar retraction of the graft donor site was observed. Mean satisfaction score was 2.86 of 3. CONCLUSIONS: The Texier procedure can be used as first-line treatment to reconstruct most full-thickness defects of the lower lid, including subtotal defects.

Impact on Breastfeeding According to Implant Features in Breast Augmentation: A Multicentric Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding is highly recommended by the World Health Organization during the first 6 months of life. In parallel, breast augmentation with implants is one of the most performed operations in aesthetic surgery. OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was therefore to analyze the potential impact of aesthetic breast implants on breastfeeding. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was carried out in 3 French university hospitals. The main inclusion criterion was adult women of childbearing age (18-50 years old) with bilateral breast hypoplasia. Some features of the surgery, such as the operative indication, the surgical approach, the implant position against the pectoral muscle, and implants features (material, volume, profile), were collected. We conducted a survey by phone about childbirth after the procedure. If the women had children after surgery, we asked them if they breastfed and the characteristics of breastfeeding. RESULTS: In total, 1316 patients received breast implants in the 3 centers from January 2011 to October 2016 and met our inclusion criteria. We included 1073 patients; 998 women had breast implants with no pregnancy. Among the 75 patients (7%) who gave birth after the surgery, 51 wanted to breastfeed (68%). The patients with a retroglandular implant were significantly less able to breastfeed compared with the patients with retromuscular implants (P = 0.0005). No difference was found for age, the type of surgery, the surgical approach, and the shape or type of implant between the successful breastfeeding group and failed breastfeeding group. CONCLUSION: A woman with aesthetic breast implants has a 75% chance of breastfeeding if desired, regardless of the type and the volume of the implant and the surgical approach. She has an 82% probability of breastfeeding with retromuscular implants and 17% with retroglandular implants.

Monitoring of Myocutaneous Flaps by Measuring Capillary Glucose and Lactate Levels: Experimental Study.

INTRODUCTION: In surgery, certain defects require reconstruction with a microsurgical flap. The free flap failure rate varies between 2% and 5%. Vascular thrombosis is the most frequent complication and represents 15% to 73% of failures. The success rate of salvage therapy is greater when salvage surgery is early. Currently, clinical monitoring is the criterion standard but many noninvasive or minimally invasive techniques have been developed to improve early diagnosis of complications of vascular thrombosis. The aim of our experimental study was to compare clinical assessments with measurements of capillary glycemia and lactatemia during the monitoring of free flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flaps with skin paddles were created in pigs under general anesthesia. For each animal, 2 flaps were created (right and left) using the same technique. Four groups were made: group 1 (no flap ligation: control group), group 2 (flap with permanent ligation of the artery), group 3 (flap with permanent ligation of the two veins), group 4 (flap with transient ligation of the artery and 2 veins for 1 hour). The postoperative monitoring protocol consisted of monitoring the clinical, biological (glucose and lactate), and histological parameters. RESULTS: Eight animals were operated on and sixteen flaps were created. Each flap was clinically and biologically tested 25 times. Clinical, biological, and histological monitoring showed significant variations between the groups. The analysis of variance of capillary glycemia and lactatemia showed statistically significant difference between control group and group 2 (P < 0,0001), group 3 (P < 0,0001), or group 4 (P < 0,0001). There were no histological abnormalities after transient ligature at different times contrary to permanent ligature. DISCUSSION-CONCLUSION: Measuring capillary levels of lactate and glucose associated with clinical monitoring may shorten the time to diagnosis of flap failure. Ultimately, this will save lives and achieve better functional and aesthetic results.

Efficacy of ultrasound, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging in detecting breast implant rupture: A retrospective study of 175 reconstructive and aesthetic sub-pectoral breast augmentation cases.

To date, the effectiveness of radiological imaging in detecting silicone breast implant rupture is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of radiological imaging when diagnosing a rupture. In this study, 175 patients with 242 breast implants were included, of which 168 and 74 implants were used for breast reconstruction and aesthetic augmentation, respectively. All patients who underwent revision surgery, between January 2015 and June 2016, following breast augmentation or reconstruction were included, regardless of any pre-operative diagnosis of rupture that had been made. The diagnosis of intracapsular rupture was verified intraoperatively and compared to the pre-operative findings. With regard to pre-operative diagnostic imaging methods, we compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, and ultrasonography (US) findings. Among the 242 implants that were explanted, 35 clinical ruptures were confirmed and compared with the related radiological findings. We reported 22 false positives and 15 false negatives. US was the least specific and least accurate method because of its lowest positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). Mammography was the most specific and most accurate method, with the highest PPV (96%). Surprisingly, MRI was the most sensitive; however, it was neither the most specific nor the most accurate method despite having the highest NPV (98%). After comparing these three radiological techniques, we conclude that US along with MRI can be useful for young patients. Mammography, which was characterised by high specificity and accuracy, could be useful along with MRI in investigating patients over the age of 40.