Oropharyngeal free flap reconstruction: Transoral robotic surgery versus open approach.

Objective: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has evolved since its 2009 US Food and Drug Administration approval for use in local stage T1-T2 oropharyngeal carcinoma. The ability to resect increasingly larger and more complex lesions has led to the need to introduce reconstructive techniques through this route, avoiding the classic transmandibular or pull-through approach. Few studies have compared the safety, efficacy, and advantages of TORS versus classic open approaches in oropharyngeal salvage surgery with reconstruction using microanastomosed flaps. Here we retrospectively compare our center's experience with the open approach and TORS and describe the technical variations used. Methods: Between 2013 and 2021, 30 stage III-IV oropharyngeal cancer patients underwent salvage surgery with reconstruction in our center. From 2013 to 2017, 15 patients underwent surgery with the classic open approach, and from 2018 to 2021, an additional 15 patients underwent TORS. We have compared surgical outcomes, post-surgical results, and survival in the two groups. Results: Patient characteristics were similar in the two groups. TORS was associated with shorter surgical time (p < .001), fewer complications (p = .01), shorter hospital stay (p < .001), and lower feeding tube requirements (p = .003). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the free margin rate or survival. Conclusion: Oropharyngeal salvage surgery with TORS with free flap reconstruction reduced associated morbidity compared to the open approach in a patient cohort with poor prognosis. Level of Evidence: 4.

Optimización del protocolo postoperatorio en reconstrucción microquirúrgica mamaria con colgajo abdominal DIEP y MS-TRAM / Optimization of the postoperative protocol of the microsurgical breast reconstruction with DIEP and MS-TRAM flaps

Introducción y objetivo: El manejo del dolor es esencial en el postoperatorio inmediato de los colgajos microquirúrgicos para reconstrucción de mama: Presentamos un estudio de optimización del manejo postoperatorio basado en la introducción de un catéter de bupivacaína subfascial abdominal y la movilización precoz de las pacientes. Material y método: Incluimos los colgajos DIEP y MS-TRAM libres para reconstrucción mamaria llevados a cabo en nuestro Servicio de enero 2013 a diciembre 2019, divididos en 2 grupos según el protocolo de manejo postoperatorio empleado, estándar o de rápida recuperación, para comparar su efectividad. Resultados: Analizamos un total de 186 pacientes: 68 en el grupo estándar y 118 en el grupo de rápida recuperación. La estancia hospitalaria, la necesidad de mórficos de rescate y los vómitos durante el postoperatorio inmediato disminuyeron de forma estadísticamente significativa en el grupo de rápida recuperación (p = 0.013, p = 0.001 y p = 0.012, respectivamente). El inicio de la deambulación fue más precoz en el grupo de rápida recuperación, también de forma estadísticamente significativa (p = 0.01). No objetivamos más complicaciones abdominales asociadas al cambio del protocolo. Conclusiones: En nuestra experiencia, el protocolo de rápida recuperación permite optimizar el manejo del dolor postoperatorio, iniciar una deambulación más temprana y reducir la estancia hospitalaria en la reconstrucción microquirúrgica mamaria con colgajo abdominal. Nivel de evidencia científica 4c Terapéutico.(AU)

Background and objective: Pain management is essential during the immediate postoperative period of microsurgical flaps for breast reconstruction. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a postoperative management protocol based on the use of an abdominal bupivacaine catheter and the early mobilization of patients. Methods: Patients underwent free DIEP and MS-TRAM flaps for breast reconstruction in our Service from January 2013 to December 2019 were included and divided into 2 groups according to the postoperative management protocol used, standard versus fast-track, to compare its effectiveness. Results: A total of 186 patients were included: 68 standard group, 118 fast-track group. The length of hospital stays, the intravenous opiate use and vomiting during the immediate postoperative period, were reduced in the fast-track group, and the results were statistically significant (p = 0.013, p =0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively). The initiation of ambulation was earlier in the fast-track group (p = 0.01). No differences in abdominal complications were found between both protocols. Conclusions: In our experience, the fast-track protocol allows to optimize the management of postoperative pain, to initiate an earlier ambulation and to reduce the length of the hospital stay in breast microsurgical reconstruction with abdominal fap. Level of evidence 4c Terapeutic.(AU)

When to assess the DIEP flap perfusion by intraoperative indocyanine green angiography in breast reconstruction?

BACKGROUND: Although the indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) has been used for years in the assessment of Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) perfusion, it has not yet been established when it should be performed during the surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether it is better to perform the test on the donor or recipient sites. METHODS: Intraoperative perfusion of 46 DIEP flaps was assessed twice, on the donor and recipient sites. Differences between both ischemic areas of each flap were statistically analyzed. In addition, perforator location and risk factors were evaluated in order to assess whether they are associated with changes in the perfusion of the flap between both sites. RESULTS: Differences between ischemic areas on the donor and recipient sites were statistically significant (p = 0.012). However, in most cases (82.6%) the ischemic area was the same on both sites, and the final flap design only changed in two cases (4.3%) because of the ICGA findings on the recipient site. Besides, performing the ICGA on the donor site facilitated the identification of the best perfused areas, allowed a better planning of its placement into the recipient site, and also can be useful to choose the best perforator. Bilateral DIEP flap, lateral location of the perforator and tobacco use had a statistically significant association with lower probability to increase the perfusion area between both sites. CONCLUSIONS: several advantages have been found in performing the ICGA on the donor site to assess the perfusion of the DIEP flap.

Manejo y reconstruccion microquirúrgica de extremidad inferior distal con colgajo SCIP libre / Management and microsurgical reconstruction of distal lower limb with SCIP free flap

Introducción y objetivo. En los últimos años han surgido nuevas técnicas de reconstrucción mediante supermicrocirugía con buenos resultados estéticos y funcionales, como el colgajo libre SCIP (Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator), que permite realizar anastomosis a perforantes pudiendo conservar así los vasos principales de la extremidad. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar nuestra experiencia en la reconstrucción de extremidad inferior distal con SCIP libre y su manejo perioperatorio. Material y método. Nuestro estudio incluye 17 pacientes en los que llevamos a cabo reconstrucción mediante SCIP libre de extremidad inferior distal (pierna y pie) entre 2015 y 2017. Realizamos angioTAC preoperatorio para planificar la cirugía y valorar la necesidad de optimización vascular. Resultados. Preferentemente hicimos anastomosis término-terminales a perforantes de la zona receptora. No fueron necesarias revisiones microquirúgicas inmediatas. La complicación postoperatoria más frecuente fue la congestión venosa (29.4%). En todos los pacientes se logró la conservación de la extremidad y se mantuvo la capacidad de deambulación. Conclusiones. el SCIP libre es una buena opción microquirúrgica para la reconstrucción de extremidad inferior distal, tanto estética como funcionalmente, ya que presenta escasas complicaciones y puede evitar la amputación. En base a nuestra experiencia inicial, recomendamos realizar angioTAC y valoración preoperatoria de optimización de la vascularización regional, cambios posturales, 2 anastomosis venosas siempre que sea posible y un manejo multidisciplinario

Background and objetive. New reconstruction techniques have been described for last years with good aesthetic and functional results, such as the free SCIP flap (Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator). Supermicrosurgery allows anastomoses to perforator vessels and therefore the main vessels of the limb can be preserved. The aim of this study is to present our experience in the reconstruction of the distal lower extremity with free SCIP and its perioperative management. Methods. From 2015 to 2017, 17 patients who underwent a reconstruction of the distal lower extremity (leg and foot) by free SCIP flap were included. Preoperative CT-angiography was performed for the surgical planning and to assess the need for angioplasty. Results. End-to-end anastomoses were made to perforator vessels of the recipient area. No immediate microsurgical revisions were needed. The most frequent postoperative complication was venous congestion (29.4%). Limb salvage was achieved in all patients and walk ability was preserved. Conclusions. The free SCIP flap is a good microsurgical option for the reconstruction of the distal lower extremity, both aesthetically and functionally, presents few complications and an avoid amputation. Based on our initial experience, we recommend performing a CT-angiography and a preoperative assessment of regional vascularization optimization, postural changes, 2 venous anastomoses whenever possible and multidisciplinary management

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Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography for Fat Necrosis Reduction in the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) Flap.

BACKGROUND: Fat necrosis is a frequent complication (up to 62.5%) of microsurgical breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. This could have important clinical and psychological repercussions, deteriorating the results and increasing reconstruction costs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the intraoperative use of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) to reduce fat necrosis in DIEP flap. METHODS: Sixty-one patients who underwent unilateral DIEP flap procedures for breast reconstruction after oncological mastectomy were included (24 cases with intraoperative use of ICGA during surgery, 37 cases in the control group). The follow-up period was 1 year after surgery. The association between the use of ICGA and the incidence of fat necrosis in the first postoperative year, differences in fat necrosis grade (I-V), differences in fat necrosis requiring reoperation, quality of life, and patient satisfaction were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of fat necrosis was reduced from 59.5% (control group) to 29% (ICG-group) (P = 0.021) (relative risk = 0.49 [95% CI, 0.25-0.97]). The major difference was in grade II (27% vs 2.7%, P = 0.038). The number of second surgeries for fat necrosis treatment was also reduced (45.9% vs 20.8%, P = 0.046). The ICG group had higher scores on the BREAST-Q. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ICGA is a useful technique for reconstructive microsurgery that might improve patient satisfaction and reduce the incidence of fat necrosis by half as well as reduce its grade, especially in small fat necrosis cases; consequently, ICGA could reduce the number of secondary surgeries for treatment of fat necrosis.