AESIS-1, a Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapeutic Peptide, Accelerates Wound Healing by Promoting Fibroblast Migration in a CXCR2-Dependent Manner.

In patients with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), delayed wound healing is often observed. Timely and effective wound healing is a crucial determinant of a patient's quality of life, and novel materials for skin wound repair, such as bioactive peptides, are continuously being studied and developed. One such bioactive peptide, AESIS-1, has been studied for its well-established anti-rheumatoid arthritis properties. In this study, we attempted to use the anti-RA material AESIS-1 as a therapeutic wound-healing agent based on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which can help restore prompt wound healing. The efficacy of AESIS-1 in wound healing was assessed using a full-thickness excision model in diabetic mice; this is a well-established model for studying chronic wound repair. Initial observations revealed that mice treated with AESIS-1 exhibited significantly advanced wound repair compared with the control group. In vitro studies revealed that AESIS-1 increased the migration activity of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) without affecting proliferative activity. Moreover, increased HDF cell migration is mediated by upregulating chemokine receptor expression, such as that of CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2). The upregulation of CXCR2 through AESIS-1 treatment enhanced the chemotactic reactivity to CXCR2 ligands, including CXC motif ligand 8 (CXCL8). AESIS-1 directly activates the ERK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades, which regulate the migration and expression of CXCR2 in fibroblasts. Our results suggest that the AESIS-1 peptide is a strong wound-healing substance that increases the movement of fibroblasts and the expression of CXCR2 by turning on the ERK and p38 MAPK signaling cascades.

Impact of Initial Filling Medium on Outcomes of Subpectoral, Two-Stage, Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: Air versus Saline.

BACKGROUND: In two-stage expander-based breast reconstruction, the use of air as the initial filling medium has been suggested to confer clinical advantages over conventional saline, but this has not been demonstrated in a large series. This study aimed to evaluate the association between material type (air versus saline) for initial expander filling and postoperative outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who underwent immediate, subpectoral, tissue expander-based breast reconstruction between January of 2018 and March of 2021. The participants were categorized into two groups according to the material used for initial filling: saline-inflated expanders, which were used during the first 22 months consecutively, and air-inflated expanders, which were used during the latter 17 months consecutively. Complications including mastectomy flap necrosis and postoperative expansion profiles were compared. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 443 breasts (400 patients), including 161 air-filled and 282 saline-filled breasts, were analyzed. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. The air-filled group showed a significantly lower rate of mastectomy flap necrosis; this difference remained significant after adjustment for other variables in the multivariable analysis. The rates of other complications did not differ between the two groups. The air-filled group had fewer office visits and a shorter period to complete expansion. CONCLUSIONS: The use of air for initial expander filling could provide safe and reliable outcomes with reduced patient discomfort during postoperative expansion; thus, air-filled expanders might be an effective alternative to saline-filled expanders. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Longitudinal analysis of long-term outcomes of abdominal flap-based microsurgical reconstruction and two-stage prosthetic reconstruction.

Two-stage tissue expander/implant (TE/I) and deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps are the two main pillars of breast reconstruction. This study aimed to conduct a longitudinal analysis of long-term outcomes after immediate DIEP- and TE/I-based reconstruction. This retrospective cohort study included patients with breast cancer who underwent immediate DIEP- or TE/I-based reconstruction between 2012 and 2017. The cumulative incidence of major complications, defined as unplanned reoperation/readmission due to complications, was analyzed by the reconstruction modality and its independent association. In total, 1,474 cases (1,162 TE/I and 312 DIEP cases) were analyzed, with a median follow-up of 58 months. The 5-year cumulative incidence of major complications was significantly higher in the TE/I group (10.3% vs. 4.7%). On the multivariable analyses, the use of DIEP flap was associated with a significantly reduced risk of major complications compared to that of TE/I. A more prominent association was observed in the analysis of patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy. Restricting analysis to those who received adjuvant chemotherapy revealed no differences between the two groups. The rate of reoperation/readmission for improving aesthetic outcomes was similar in the two groups. Long-term risks for unexpected reoperation/readmission may differ between DIEP- and TE/I-based immediate reconstruction.

Association of the breast reconstruction modality with the development of postmastectomy lymphedema: A long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Whether the breast reconstruction modality could influence the long-term development of post-mastectomy lymphedema has been little investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential association of the breast reconstruction method with the incidence of lymphedema over an extended follow-up period. METHODS: Patients with breast cancer who underwent immediate reconstruction from 2008 to 2014 were reviewed. They were categorized into three groups according to the reconstruction method: tissue expander/implant, abdominal flaps, and latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flaps. Differences in the cumulative incidence of lymphedema by the reconstruction method were analyzed, as well as their independent influence on the outcome. Further analyses were conducted with propensity-score matching for baseline characteristics. RESULTS: In total, 664 cases were analyzed with a median follow-up of 83 months (402 prostheses, 180 abdominal flaps, and 82 LD flaps). The rate of axillary lymph node dissection was significantly higher in the LD flap group than in the other two groups. The 5-year cumulative incidences of lymphedema in the LD flap, abdominal flap, and prosthesis groups were 3.7%, 10.6%, and 10.9%, respectively. In multivariable analyses, compared to the use of the LD flap, that of tissue expander/implant and that of abdominal flaps were associated with increased risks of lymphedema. A similar association was observed in the propensity-score matching analysis. The use of abdominal flaps or prostheses was not associated with the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the method of immediate breast reconstruction might be associated with the development of postmastectomy lymphedema.

Association of Fat Graft with Breast Cancer Recurrence in Implant-Based Reconstruction: Does the Timing Matter?

PURPOSE: In two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction, autologous fat graft (AFG) is often conducted simultaneously with the second-stage operation, which is usually performed shortly after mastectomy. There is a paucity of studies evaluating whether conducting AFG early, with a relatively short interval from the primary operation, is oncologically safe. This study aimed to evaluate potential associations of AFG with breast cancer prognosis, focusing on its timing. METHODS: Patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent immediate two-stage prosthetic reconstruction following mastectomy between 2011 and 2016 were identified. They were categorized into two groups by whether AFG was performed during the second-stage operation. Cumulative incidence of oncologic events was compared between the two groups, after stratifying patients by the time interval between mastectomy and the second-stage operation (≤ 12 months vs. > 12 months). RESULTS: Of 267 cases that met the selection criteria, 203 underwent the second-stage operation within 12 months of mastectomy. AFG was performed for 112 cases and was not performed in 91 cases. The two groups showed similar baseline characteristics including tumor stage and adjuvant treatments. Compared with the control, AFG was associated with lower locoregional recurrence-free survival and disease-free survival, and this difference remained significant after adjusting for other variables including tumor stage. In the 64 cases undergoing the operation after 12 months following mastectomy, oncologic outcomes did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that AFG timing in relation to mastectomy may be associated with risks for breast cancer recurrence.

Association of Unilateral Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Harvest for Breast Reconstruction with Postoperative Spinal Posture.

BACKGROUND: The latissimus dorsi muscle originates from the lower thoracic spine with broad attachment and plays a subsidiary role in spinal postural stability. The authors investigated whether harvesting unilateral latissimus dorsi muscle for breast reconstruction could influence spinal posture in the long term. METHODS: Patients who underwent immediate unilateral breast reconstruction between 2002 and 2010 were reviewed. They were grouped according to reconstruction methods: latissimus dorsi muscle flap and tissue expander/implant. The Cobb angle was assessed twice at each of five different time points (preoperatively and 2, 4, 6, and 8 years postoperatively) by an independent physician blinded to the reconstruction modality. Postoperative scoliosis was defined as a mean Cobb angle greater than 10 degrees at 8 years postoperatively. The trends of changes in Cobb angle over time and the rates of postoperative scoliosis were compared between reconstruction methods. RESULTS: In total, 153 women were analyzed, including 102 using latissimus dorsi muscle flap and 51 using tissue expander/implant, with a median follow-up of 103 months. The latissimus dorsi flap group showed enhanced trends of increasing postoperative Cobb angles as compared with the tissue expander/implant group, and the difference remained significant after adjusting for other variables ( p = 0.001). The rate of postoperative scoliosis was significantly higher in the latissimus dorsi flap group than in the control group ( p = 0.029). Multivariable analyses revealed that use of the latissimus dorsi flap was associated with a significantly increased rate of postoperative scoliosis. CONCLUSION: Unilateral latissimus dorsi muscle flap harvest for breast reconstruction might be associated with changes in spinal posture in the long term.

Optimal Timing of Expander-to-Implant Exchange after Irradiation in Immediate Two-Stage Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Time intervals for expander-to-implant exchange from radiation therapy have been reported to reduce device failure. This study investigated the optimal timing of expander-to-implant exchange after irradiation in terms of short- and long-term outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective review enrolled consecutive patients who underwent immediate two-stage breast reconstruction and radiation therapy to tissue expanders from 2010 to 2019. Receiver operating characteristic curves and the Youden index were used to estimate the optimal time from radiation therapy to implant placement in terms of 49-day (early) and 2-year (late) complications. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for each complication. RESULTS: Of the 1675 patients, 133 were included. The 49-day and 2-year complication rates were 8.3 percent and 29.7 percent, respectively. Capsular contracture was the most common 2-year complication. The Youden index indicated that implant placement at 131 days after radiation therapy was most effective in reducing the 49-day complications, but that the 2-year complication was less significant, with lower sensitivity and area under the curve. Modified radical mastectomy, expander fill volume at radiation therapy, and size of permanent implant increased the odds of 49-day complications; none of them was associated with the odds of 2-year complications. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce short-term complications, the best time point for permanent implant placement was 131 days after radiation therapy. However, there was no significant time interval for reducing long-term complications. Capsular contracture was an irreversible complication of radiation injury that was not modified by postirradiation variables including the time from irradiation or size of permanent implant. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Is Elective Nighttime Operation Associated With Adverse Outcomes? Analysis in Immediate Tissue Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Despite the long-standing presumption that nighttime surgery could affect adverse outcomes, its association independent of patient's general condition and disease severity remains unclear. We hypothesized that conducting elective surgery for subjects with good physical status at nighttime was not associated with increased risks of postoperative complications and aimed to examine it in tissue-expander-insertion (TEI) operation for breast reconstruction. METHOD: Patients who underwent immediate unilateral TEI-based breast reconstruction between 2014 and 2019 were enrolled. They were categorized into 3 groups based on the starting time of the TEI operation: 8 am to 6 pm (group 1), 6 pm to 8 pm (group 2), and after 8 pm (group 3). The postoperative complication rates were compared among the groups. The independent associations of each variable, including the operation starting time and adverse outcomes, were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 1458 patients were analyzed, including 970 in group 1, 358 in group 2, and 130 in group 3. The groups showed similar baseline characteristics regarding comorbidities and the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification. Compared with group 1, group 3 was associated with significantly increased rates of overall complications including infection, reoperation, and premature removal of the tissue expander. These differences retained influences in the multivariable analyses. Group 3 showed a significantly longer hospitalization period than the other 2 groups. The complication rates did not differ between groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting TEI operation at nighttime seems to be associated with increased risks of adverse postoperative outcomes compared with conducting it during regular working hours.

Predictors for Implant Rupture in Two-Stage Tissue Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Two-stage tissue expander/implant-based method has been used predominantly for breast reconstruction. Implant rupture is one of the bothersome complications, inducing additional morbidity including reoperation. The present study aimed to identify the independent factors associated with development of implant rupture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent immediate two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction between 2010 and 2016 were reviewed. Inserted implants were followed up using magnetic resonance imaging every 2 years and/or ultrasound/computed tomography scans every 6 or 12 months that were conducted for cancer surveillance. Associations of perioperative and intraoperative variables with the development of implant rupture were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 797 cases (744 patients) were analyzed. During a median follow-up of 43 months after second-stage operation, implant rupture was identified in 22 cases. The 5-year cumulative incidence was 3.1%. Multivariable analyses showed that the interval between the first- and second-stage operations was inversely associated with the risk of implant rupture. Maximal discrimination was observed at the interval of 6.5 months. Cases with an interval ≤ 6 months were associated with higher risks for implant rupture than those with ≥ 7 months, after adjusting for other variables. Type of implant was associated with the development of implant rupture, showing that using two kinds of fourth-generation implant (Allergan Biocell textured round and Allergan smooth round implants) was associated with a significantly increased risk of implant rupture compared with that of Mentor MemoryShape implants (fifth-generation implant). CONCLUSION: Several operation-related variables appear to be associated with implant rupture in two-stage prosthetic reconstruction.

Changes in Korean National Healthcare Insurance Policy and Breast Cancer Surgery Trend in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Since April 2015, the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) has reimbursed breast cancer patients, approximately 50% of the cost of the breast reconstruction (BR) procedure. We aimed to investigate NHI reimbursement policy influence on the rate of immediate BR (IBR) following total mastectomy (TM). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed breast cancer data between April 2011 and June 2016. We divided patients who underwent IBR following TM for primary breast cancer into "uninsured" and "insured" groups using their NHI statuses at the time of surgery. Univariate analyses determined the insurance influence on the decision to undergo IBR. RESULTS: Of 2,897 breast cancer patients, fewer uninsured patients (n = 625) underwent IBR compared with those insured (n = 325) (30.0% vs. 39.8%, P < 0.001). Uninsured patients were younger than those insured (median age [range], 43 [38-48] vs. 45 [40-50] years; P < 0.001). Pathologic breast cancer stage did not differ between the groups (P = 0.383). More insured patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.011), adjuvant radiotherapy (P < 0.001), and IBR with tissue expander insertion (P = 0.005) compared with those uninsured. CONCLUSION: IBR rate in patients undergoing TM increased after NHI reimbursement.

Does the Textured-Type Tissue Expander Affect the Outcomes of Two-Stage Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction? A Propensity Score Matching Analysis between Macrotextured and Microtextured Expanders.

BACKGROUND: In two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction, two types of tissue expanders are used for the first stage: microtextured Siltex and macrotextured Biocell. Despite emerging concerns regarding the safety of macrotextured prostheses, the association between the use of macrotextured expanders and adverse outcomes remains unknown clinically. This study aimed to evaluate potential impacts of the type of tissue expander on the long-term outcomes of implant-based breast reconstruction. METHODS: Patients who underwent immediate two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction between 2014 and 2018 were evaluated and categorized into two groups according to the expander type. Those two were propensity score matched for baseline characteristics and compared for complication rates after the first- and second-stage operations. The impacts of several variables, including type of tissue expander used, on outcomes were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of the 1391 cases in 1294 patients, 276 pairs (552 cases) were successfully propensity score matched. In the first-stage operation, the macrotextured group showed a significantly shorter drain indwelling period and lower rate of seroma than the microtextured group. These differences retained influences after adjusting for other variables. Incidence rates of other complications were similar between the groups. Regarding the second-stage operation, the use of macrotextured expanders showed a significant association, with an increased rate of severe capsular contracture on the multivariable analyses in cases using textured implants. Development of other complications was not affected by the expander type. CONCLUSION: The type of tissue expander might influence the outcomes of two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction, and generally acceptable safety of both microtextured and macrotextured expanders was shown. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of the Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secretome from Adipose, Bone Marrow, Placenta and Wharton's Jelly.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to be a viable therapy against various diseases due to their paracrine effects, such as secretion of immunomodulatory, trophic and protective factors. These cells are known to be distributed within various organs and tissues. Although they possess the same characteristics, MSCs from different sources are believed to have different secretion potentials and patterns, which may influence their therapeutic effects in disease environments. We characterized the protein secretome of adipose (AD), bone marrow (BM), placenta (PL), and Wharton's jelly (WJ)-derived human MSCs by using conditioned media and analyzing the secretome by mass spectrometry and follow-up bioinformatics. Each MSC secretome profile had distinct characteristics depending on the source. However, the functional analyses of the secretome from different sources showed that they share similar characteristics, such as cell migration and negative regulation of programmed cell death, even though differences in the composition of the secretome exist. This study shows that the secretome of fetal-derived MSCs, such as PL and WJ, had a more diverse composition than that of AD and BM-derived MSCs, and it was assumed that their therapeutic potential was greater because of these properties.

Does chemotherapy or radiotherapy affect the postoperative complication in breast cancer patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expander?

BACKGROUND: Immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expander in breast cancer patients who were expected to receive adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, has been a topic of debate. Postoperative complications from tissue expander procedures can delay the timing of adjuvant treatment and subsequently increase the probability of recurrence. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on postoperative complications in patients who underwent immediate reconstruction (IR) using tissue expander. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 1081 breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy and IR using tissue expander insertion between 2012 and 2017 in Samsung Medical Center. The patients were divided into two groups based on complications (complication group vs. no complication group). Complication group was regarded to have surgical removal or conservative treatment based on clinical findings such as infection, capsular contracture, seroma, hematoma, rupture, malposition, tissue viability, or cosmetic problem. The complication group had 59 patients (5.5%) and the no complication group had 1022 patients (94.5%). RESULTS: In univariate analysis, adjuvant radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy were significantly associated with postoperative complications. In multivariate analysis, however, only higher pathologic N stage was significantly associated with postoperative complications (p < 0.001). Chemotherapy (p = 0.775) or radiotherapy (p = 0.825) were not risk factors for postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: IR with tissue expander after mastectomy may be a treatment option even when the patients are expected to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These results will aid patients who are concerned about the complications of IR caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy determine whether or not to have IR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Patients were selected and registered retrospectively, and medical records were evaluated.

Retrospective multicenter cohort analysis of 621 cases of BellaGel silicone breast implants with study of physicochemical properties and surface topography.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of BellaGel implants after implantation in Asian women and inform surgeons of another option for use in breast augmentation and reconstruction. This study was conducted in eight hospitals from November 27, 2015 to April 30, 2018. All patients underwent augmentation mammoplasty or implant-based breast reconstruction with BellaGel implants. Complication rates were compared between groups, and the cumulative hazard function was compared using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Implants were grouped by surface type, and the cumulative hazard functions of total complication cases were compared. The biomechanical properties of the BellaGel implant and other company representative implants were tested using a mechanical testing machine, and surface topography was analyzed using a 3D laser scanning confocal microscope. There was a significant difference in the incidence of complications between the reconstruction (17.1%) and augmentation (4.7%) groups, but no significant difference in the complication rates of each group. There was no difference in the reoperation or revision rates between the groups. The log rank test showed a statistically significant difference in cumulative hazard function between the groups. Among the three types of implants (smooth, textured, and microtextured), the microtextured type had the lowest complication rate. The BellaGel microtexture implant had the highest maximal tensile load and displacement value. The BellaGel and Silksurface implants had the highest stored energy, although there was no significant difference. BellaGel implants can serve as a criterion for the selection of safe and effective implants among currently available implants.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Two-Stage Tissue Expander/Implant Breast Reconstruction: Does it Affect Final Outcomes?

BACKGROUND: In immediate two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction, adjuvant chemotherapy, when indicated, is usually conducted between the stages, which might influence the outcomes of the second-stage operation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential influence of adjuvant chemotherapy on the final outcomes of two-stage implant-based reconstructions. METHODS: Patients who underwent immediate tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction between 2010 and 2016, with completion of both stages, were reviewed. Cases were categorized into two groups-adjuvant chemotherapy and no adjuvant chemotherapy. The rates of adverse outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 602 cases in 568 patients were analyzed, with a mean follow-up period of 58.5 months, including 236 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and 366 patients not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics, except for a significantly higher rate of adjuvant radiotherapy in the former group. The adjuvant chemotherapy group showed significantly higher rates of overall complications (odds ratio [OR] 2.127, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.231-3.676), including infections (OR 4.239, 95% CI 1.059-16.970), severe capsular contractures (OR 2.107, 95% CI 1.067-4.159), and reconstruction failures (OR 12.754, 95% CI 1.587-102.481) compared with the control group, after adjusting for other variables, including adjuvant radiotherapy. In the analysis regarding the influence of chemotherapy regimens, the use of sequential anthracycline/cyclophosphamide and taxane, and concurrent 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, were associated with increased risks for adverse outcomes compared with the no chemotherapy group, while the use of other regimens, including anthracycline/cyclophosphamide alone, was not. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy might influence the final outcomes of two-stage implant-based reconstruction.

Effect of contralateral augmentation on postoperative complications after the second stage of tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Contralateral augmentation mammoplasty in implant-based reconstruction could potentially lead to deterioration of the thickness of the mastectomy skin flap and increase postoperative complications of the reconstructed breast. We compared the complication rates of the reconstructed breast in the augmentation and no-augmentation groups among patients undergoing tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction. METHODS: Patients who underwent mastectomy followed by tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction between February 2010 and April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome measures were complications and the need for a revision operation. The augmentation and no-augmentation groups underwent propensity score-matched analysis and the matched cases underwent multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: From the 234 patients in the augmentation group and 517 patients in the no-augmentation group, 200 propensity score-matched pairs were obtained. Analysis of the matched pairs revealed that the augmentation group as compared to the no-augmentation group showed a significantly higher overall complication rate (13.5 percent versus 6.5 percent; P=0.025) and revision operation rate (9.0 percent versus 3.0 percent; P=0.019). Multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses of the matched cases revealed that contralateral augmentation (odds ratio, 3.457; 95% confidence interval, 1.039-11.498; P=0.043) was associated with increased odds for a revision operation of the reconstructed breast. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigated the postoperative complications of the reconstructed breast associated with contralateral augmentation mammoplasty in patients who underwent mastectomy followed by tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction. The augmentation group had a higher revision operation rate than did the no-augmentation group. A clinical evaluation of the risks and benefits of contralateral augmentation and preoperative counseling may be indicated for patients who are undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction and are candidates for contralateral augmentation mammoplasty.

Association of the Implant Surface Texture Used in Reconstruction With Breast Cancer Recurrence.

Importance: The potential association between breast implant-related anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and implant texture has raised concerns about the additional unexpected adverse effects of textured implants, including potentially adverse outcomes for other cancers. In addition to the risk of developing BIA-ALCL, breast cancer survivors may worry about whether the type of implant inserted is associated with recurrence of their original cancer-an issue for which little evidence currently exists. Objective: To evaluate the oncologic outcomes of breast cancer according to the surface type of implants used for reconstruction and to identify the independent factors associated with breast cancer recurrence and survival, including implant surface type. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study was conducted at Samsung Medical Center, a single tertiary referral center in Seoul, South Korea. Patients with breast cancer who underwent total mastectomy and immediate 2-stage tissue expander/implant reconstruction between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016, were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the surface type of implant used for their reconstruction (smooth or textured implant). These patients were followed up for at least 2 years after insertion of the implant. Data analysis was performed from February 15, 2020, to March 5, 2020. Exposures: Use of smooth implants vs textured implants at the second-stage operation. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes of interest were local and regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates. Cumulative incidence of oncologic events in the smooth implant and textured implant groups and their respective hazard ratios (HRs) were collected and updated regularly. Results: In total, 650 patients (all women, with a mean [SD] age of 43.5 [7.4] years), representing 687 cases, met the inclusion criteria and were followed up for a median (range) duration of 52 (31-106) months. Of the 687 cases, 274 (39.9%) received a smooth implant and 413 (60.1%) received a textured implant. Patients in these 2 surface texture groups had similar characteristics, including tumor staging (stage I: 102 [37.2%] vs 173 [41.9%]; stage II: 93 [33.9%] vs 119 [28.8%]; stage III: 14 [5.1%] vs 20 [4.8%]; P = .50) and rates of adjuvant radiotherapy (42 [15.3%] vs 49 [11.9%]; P = .19) and chemotherapy (113 [41.2%] vs 171 [41.4%]; P = .97). The 5-year LRRFS was 96.7%, and the 5-year DFS was 95.2%. Compared with the use of a smooth implant, textured implant use was statistically significantly associated with lower DFS, and this difference remained significant after adjusting for estrogen receptor (ER) status and tumor stage (HR, 3.054; 95% CI, 1.158-8.051; P = .02). Similar statistically significant associations were observed on multivariable analysis of patients with ER-positive cancer (HR, 3.130; 95% CI, 1.053-9.307; P = .04) and those with invasive cancer (HR, 3.044; 95% CI, 1.152-8.039; P = .03). The association of textured implant use with recurrence (lower DFS) was more prominent in cases with late-stage (stage II or III) tumor (HR, 8.874; 95% CI, 1.146-68.748; P = .04). The LRRFS did not differ statistically significantly according to implant surface texture. Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study found that use of textured implants in reconstruction appears to be associated with recurrence of breast cancer. Further investigation is required to verify these results.

Internal Fixation Method Using EZ-Tcon for Transconjunctival Fat Repositioning: Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Transconjunctival fat repositioning is the gold standard for the correction of tear trough deformity. For fixation of fat pedicle, the internal fixation (IF) and externalized percutaneous suture (EPS) techniques are used, which have their own advantages and disadvantages. The present study aimed to introduce a new IF technique using a devised needle (EZ-Tcon) and to compare its outcomes with those of the conventional EPS technique. METHODS: Patients with primary tear trough deformity who underwent transconjunctival fat repositioning were reviewed and categorized into two cohorts according to the fixation technique: cohort 1 consisted of patients treated using the conventional EPS technique and cohort 2 consisted of those in whom the new IF technique using EZ-Tcon was adopted. Post-operative complications and aesthetic outcomes were assessed using a four-scale grading system. RESULTS: A total of 545 patients, 211 from cohort 1 and 344 from cohort 2 were evaluated with a median follow-up of 70 days. Compared to cohort 1, cohort 2 showed significantly lower rates of long-standing conspicuous scars on lower eyelid, re-operation and overall complications. In the analysis of aesthetic outcomes, 88.9 percent of cohort 2 showed grade 0 (no deformity) or I (mild deformity) post-operatively. The rate of excellent outcomes (improvements of ≥ two grades) was significantly higher in cohort 2 than in cohort 1 (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our technique using EZ-Tcon could possess advantages of the conventional IF and EPS techniques, showing lower complication rates and aesthetically satisfactory outcomes, and could be a safe and reliable method of transconjunctival fat repositioning. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: 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 .