Total calcaneal reconstruction using a massive bone allograft and a distally pedicled osteocutaneous fibula flap: A novel technique to prevent amputation after calcaneal malignancy.

In patients with primary calcaneal malignancies, such as Ewing's sarcoma, radical treatment with amputation of the foot can result in serious functional impairment and chronic pain. Total calcanectomy followed by the reconstruction of the calcaneal defect offers an alternative treatment to amputation. Capanna et al. described a technique for successfully reconstructing long limb segmental bone defects using a free fibula flap placed within the intramedullary canal of an allograft. We present both a review of the literature on calcaneal reconstruction and describe how the principles of Capanna can be adapted to reconstruct the calcaneus. Total calcanectomy due to Ewing's sarcoma and the subsequent application of this novel reconstructive technique was performed in two young patients aged 5 and 16 years. The reconstruction was achieved by inserting a distally pedicled osteocutaneous fibula flap within the reamed canal of an allograft and placing the composite in the calcaneal defect. Reconstruction was successful with complete bone union between the allograft and the adjacent bone. There were no fractures or infections and both flaps survived. Functional outcome was assessed with a physiotherapist at a follow-up period of 2 years postoperatively, showing near-normal ambulance. This novel technique proved excellent as a limb salvage procedure, avoiding amputation, and offering a satisfactory oncological and functional outcome.

Prophylactic treatment of breast implants with a solution of gentamicin, vancomycin and cefazolin antibiotics for women undergoing breast reconstructive surgery: protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (The BREAST-AB trial).

INTRODUCTION: Periprosthetic infection is one of the most severe complications following implant-based breast reconstruction affecting 5%-10% of the women. Currently, many surgeons apply antibiotics locally on the breast implant to reduce the risk of postoperative infection, but no randomised, placebo-controlled trials have tested the treatment's efficacy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The BREAST-AB trial (BREAST-AntiBiotics) is an investigator-initiated, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of local treatment with gentamicin, vancomycin and cefazolin on breast implants in women undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction. The trial drug consists of 80 mg gentamicin, 1 g vancomycin and 1 g cefazolin dissolved in 500 mL of isotonic saline. The placebo solution consists of 500 mL isotonic saline. The trial drug is used to wash the dissected tissue pocket and the breast implant prior to insertion. The primary outcome is all-cause explantation of the breast implant within 180 days after the breast reconstruction surgery. This excludes cases where the implant is replaced with a new permanent implant, for example, for cosmetic reasons. Key long-term outcomes include capsular contracture and quality of life. The trial started on 26 January 2021 and is currently recruiting. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial was approved by the Regional Ethics Committee of the Capital Region (H-20056592) on 1 January 2021 and the Danish Medicines Agency (2020070016) on 2 August 2020. The main paper will include the primary and secondary outcomes and will be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04731025.

[Advanced locoregional chest wall recurrence of breast cancer].

Locoregional recurrence of breast cancer continues to be a significant clinical issue involving extensive examination programmes, modified oncologic therapy and advanced surgery. The latter includes tumour resection followed by reconstruction of the thoracic wall. The type of reconstruction depends on tumour location, depth, aetiology and whether the resection involves the stabilising osseous structures as summarised in this review. The treatment strategy is planned at multidisciplinary team conferences with the presence of relevant specialists to ensure evidence-based treatment of consistent quality.

Surgical management of rhinocerebral mucormycosis: A case series.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM) is a rare and rapidly progressive, destructive, angioinvasive fungal infection, which primarily affects immunocompromised patients. A high suspicion is required to diagnose RCM as initial clinical manifestations are often nonspecific. A cornerstone of the management is early diagnosis and radical surgery, which often requires complex reconstructive procedures. The optimal timing of reconstructive surgery is controversial. This case series presents the reconstructive perspective on four RCM cases treated with aggressive debridement, targeted antifungal treatment, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy followed by an early local flap or microsurgical reconstruction - to enable adequate local blood perfusion, antifungal treatment, and to decrease the risk of secondary infection. In all four patients, the early reconstructive surgery was successful without relapse of RCM or flap failure. We suggest aggressive surgical debridement till clear resection margins are obtained based on histopathology and/or microbiology, at a point which reconstructive surgery can be performed safely.

[Reconstruction by means of fillet flaps].

The purpose of this review is to summarise the literature and provide an overview of the topic and use of fillet flaps. Large and complex defects remain a reconstructive challenge balancing the benefits of reconstruction against donor-site morbidity. The spare-part concept involves using parts of amputated, non-salvageable or intact tissue for reconstruction. Fillet flaps are axial pattern flaps and can be harvested as pedicled-, island- or free flaps. Using fillet flaps for reconstruction is a valuable tool to obtain reconstruction in a one-stage procedure while minimising donor-site morbidity.

[Fillet flap used for reconstruction after hemipelvectomy and amputation of a lower extremity].

In this case report, a 67-year-old woman presented with increasing pain in the left side of the thigh and pelvis. A PET scan revealed a large malignant tumour in the left side of the pelvis and proximal left femur, and an ultrasound-guided biopsy diagnosed an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Combined orthopaedic and plastic surgery resulted in a left-sided hemipelvectomy and amputation of the left leg. The amputated left leg was used as a free fillet flap for reconstruction of the pelvis. The patient healed without complications, and seven months post-operatively she was able to use a prosthesis.

[Diagnosing and treating tuberous breast deformity].

Tuberous breast deformity is a relatively rare breast anomaly, manifesting during puberty. Patients usually complain of small breasts, asymmetry or dissatisfaction with the shape of the breast. Objectively, patients present with reduced breast base, displaced inframammary fold, hypoplasia, asymmetry, ptosis and areola herniation. The surgical options are multiple, and either one- or two-stage procedures can be planned, using expanders, implants, "unfurling", lipografting or a combination of these. Surgical treatment leads to a high degree of patient satisfaction and low complication rates.

[Microsurgery in plastic surgery].

The most common indication for free flap surgery is breast reconstruction. Deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps are safe, quick and provide excellent cosmetic results. The reconstruction in head and neck cancer patients is more complex. The aims are preservation of function and appearance. Free flaps are important in traumatology and the timing of intervention can make the difference between amputation and extremity conserving treatment. Due to the improvement in surgical technique failure rates as low as 2% can be seen. Post-operative monitoring is well-established in all microsurgical centres.

[Microsurgery in reanimation, lymphoedema and hand surgery].

Microsurgery is defined as surgery performed with the aid of ocular magnification. In Denmark, this is undertaken by four units. This review describes the history of microsurgery which evolved during the 1960s. Microsurgery in hand surgery is primarily replantation and revascularisation but also peripheral nerve surgery as well as brachial plexus surgery. Lymphoedema is being treated with super microsurgery on an experimental basis. Dynamic reconstruction of facial palsy is performed in a two-stage operation with cross-over nerve graft and a free microvascular muscle flap, typically gracilis.

A review of forty five open tibial fractures covered with free flaps. Analysis of complications, microbiology and prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: Treatment of open fractures is complex and controversial. The purpose of the present study is to add evidence to the management of open tibial fractures, where tissue loss necessitates cover with a free flap. We identified factors that increase the risk of complications. We questioned whether early flap coverage improved the clinical outcome and whether we could improve our antibiotic treatment of open fractures. METHODS: From 2002 to 2013 we treated 56 patients with an open tibial fracture covered with a free flap. We reviewed patient records and databases for type of trauma, smoking, time to tissue cover, infection, amputations, flap loss and union of fracture. We identified factors that increase the risk of complications. We analysed the organisms cultured from open fractures to propose the optimal antibiotic prophylaxis. Follow-up was a minimum of one year. Primary outcome was infection, bacterial sensitivity pattern, amputation, flap failure and union of the fracture. RESULTS: When soft tissue cover was delayed beyond seven days, infection rate increased from 27 to 60 % (p < 0.04). High-energy trauma patients had a higher risk of amputation, infection, flap failure and non-union. Smokers had a higher risk of non-union and flap failure. The bacteria found were often resistant to Cefuroxime, aminoglycosides or amoxicillin, but sensitive to vancomycin or meropenem. CONCLUSION: Flap cover within one week is essential to avoid infection. High-energy trauma and smoking are important predictors of complications. We suggest antibiotic prophylaxis with vancomycin and meropenem until the wound is covered in these complex injuries.

Reconstruction of the cervical spine with two osteocutaneous fibular flap after radiotherapy and resection of osteoclastoma : a case report.

Transfer of a vascularised free fibular bone for reconstruction of the cervical spine has been described previously.(1-4) However, this is the first report of a reconstruction with both an osteocutaneous fibular flap for anterior stabilisation and a double-islanded osteocutaneous fibular flap for posterior stability. We present a case of an osteoclastoma in C2 initially treated with radiotherapy 1.8 Gy × 30. Two months after radiotherapy, the patient developed severe osteoradionecrosis and luxation of C2 causing neurological impairment. The patient was treated with cervical traction for 10 days. Resection of C2 was performed through a posterior approach and a secondary transoral approach. The spine was stabilised from a posterior approach using allografts and a titanium plate and rod construct (Vertex) from the occipital squama to C5 and from an anterior approach with allograft filled cage from C1 to C3. Two months later, rupture of the pharyngeal wall was noted with exposure of the anterior cage. A few days later, the posterior scar ruptured. The anterior cage was removed and the pharyngeal wall was sutured. Revision of the posterior wound was performed, leaving the implants in place. To secure stability of the spine, the patient was treated with a HALO. Once again, the pharyngeal wall ruptured. Reconstruction of the posterior pharyngeal wall and the anterior column of the spine was performed with an osteocutaneous fibular flap from the skull base to C3. Five months later, a computed tomography (CT) scan showed insufficient bony fusion of both anterior and posterior bone grafts, and the posterior wound had not healed. A second osteocutaneous fibular flap was placed bilaterally from the occipital squama to the posterior elements of Th1, closing the wound defect. Apart from the occipital squama, fusion was seen at all sites after 14 months, and the HALO was removed.