Concurrent management of lymphedema and breast reconstruction with single-stage omental vascularized lymph node transfer and autologous breast reconstruction: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: The omentum has gained recent popularity in vascularized lymph node transfers (VLNT) as well as its novel use as a free flap for autologous breast reconstruction. The omentum has multiple unique advantages. It can be harvested laparoscopically or in an open fashion when utilized with abdominally-based free flaps. Additionally, it can be split into multiple flaps for simultaneous autologous breast reconstruction with VLNT or for multiple sites of VLNT. We present the safe and advantageous use of the omentum for VLNT with simultaneous autologous breast reconstruction in a series of patients. METHODS: From the years 2019-2022, patients who underwent breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) or muscle sparing tram (MS-TRAM) flaps with concurrent omental VLNT through a mini-laparotomy or breast reconstruction with Omental Fat-Augmented Free Flap (O-FAFF) with concurrent laparoscopic harvesting of omental VLNT were studied. Patient demographics included age, gender, comorbidities, prior radiation or chemotherapy, body mass index, complications, hospital length of stay, and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of seven patients underwent omental VLNT with breast reconstruction for a total of 12 breasts and eight limbs treated. Three of the patients underwent autologous breast reconstruction using omental free flap. The mean age was 52.3 (range 40-75) years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.3 (range 23-38) kg/m2 . The flap survival rate was 100%. All the patients had successful reduction of extremity circumference and improvement of symptoms. The range of follow-up was 5 to 19 months, with an average follow-up of 14.6 months. There was only one complication among our 7 patients: a patient with a BMI of 38 developed a post-surgical abdominal wound treated with local wound care. Otherwise, post-operative courses were uneventful, and no further complications were reported. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate here additional evidence to the growing body of literature of the versatility and safety of the omentum to be utilized as an independent tool for surgical treatment of lymphedema as well as its simultaneous use with autologous breast reconstruction.

Plastic Surgery Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mentorship Program and Workshop: A Single Institution's Experience.

SUMMARY: Several minority groups and students without home plastic surgery programs remain underrepresented in plastic surgery. To address these barriers, our division created the Plastic Surgery Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mentorship Program and Workshop. Students meeting at least one of the following eligibility criteria were invited in fall of 2020: medical student in years 1 though 3 or a research year who is (1) underrepresented in medicine, including African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander; (2) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ); (3) first-generation low-income; or (4) does not have a plastic surgery residency program associated with their medical school. Students participated in quarterly meetings with their resident mentor and the annual hands-on workshop. The workshop was held on March 20, 2020, with both virtual and in-person participants. It included various didactic lectures, a suture laboratory, a resident panel, a social lunch hour, and extremity and head cadaver dissections with fracture plating. Twenty-four students attended the workshop. The course was rated 9.4 of 10 by students. The top met goals were gaining didactic plastic surgery knowledge (100%), exposure to a plastic surgery residency program (100%), resources to help overcome minority-specific barriers (96%), and technical skills such as suturing (96%). At the conclusion of the workshop, students had a significant increase in confidence in various aspects of plastic surgery knowledge and technical skills. The Plastic Surgery Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mentorship Program and Workshop demonstrated preliminary success in providing support for students underrepresented in medicine and students without home programs.

Topical Dimethyl Sulfoxide for Congested Nipple-areolar Complexes in Breast Surgery: A Pilot Study.

Necrosis of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) is a major complication of breast surgery that most commonly results from venous congestion. Several conservative rescue therapies have been proposed for relieving NAC congestion, but each carries certain drawbacks, including cost and side effect profile. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of topical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an inexpensive compound with vasodilatory, free radical scavenging, and antiinflammatory properties in rescuing congested NACs. Methods: We conducted a review of all 15 patients treated with DMSO for NAC congestion at our institution between May 2019 and October 2020. DMSO was applied in liquid form on a soaked gauze pad in the hospital; patients were instructed to apply a DMSO cream to the NAC twice a day following discharge. Patient characteristics and data related to DMSO treatment and NAC healing were compared via univariate analysis. Results: Eighteen congested NACs from 15 patients who underwent mastectomy, breast reduction, mastopexy, or breast reconstruction were treated with DMSO. Of the 18 treated NACs, 15 healed with DMSO treatment alone. The average length of DMSO treatment was 9.4 ± 8.5 days (mean ± standard deviation); NAC healing took place over 9.9 ± 9.6 days. There were no complications related to DMSO treatment. Conclusions: This pilot study shows that DMSO may be an effective topical treatment for NAC congestion following breast surgery. Given its low cost, ease of application, and lack of side effects, future studies should prospectively compare DMSO against other topical treatments, like nitroglycerin ointment.

Glabellar Botulinum Toxin Injection Improves Depression Scores: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Preliminary evidence suggests that glabellar onabotulinumtoxinA injections improve depression scores with few side effects compared to current first-line antidepressant medications. The authors' review reports on these studies, hypothesizing that glabellar onabotulinumtoxinA injections can be an alternative safe and effective treatment for depression. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relevant literature was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched in August of 2020 using the keywords ["botox" OR "botulinum"] AND ["mood" OR "depression"] for articles published between 1980 and 2020. Prospective studies and randomized controlled trials on the use of glabellar onabotulinumtoxinA injections for the primary purpose of treating depression were considered. The primary endpoint for the meta-analysis was the mean difference in primary depression scores after treatment, along with a second endpoint of the standardized mean difference in depression scores among treated patients including all nine studies. RESULTS: Of the 499 reviewed articles, nine studies were included that reported improvement in mean depression scores from baseline. All five randomized controlled trials reported an improvement in mean depression scores at 6 weeks after treatment, with a weighted average change of -8.39 points ( p < 0.0001). The aggregate standardized mean difference from baseline to the primary endpoint across all nine prospective studies was -1.61 SD ( p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Meta-analysis and systematic review of the included studies provide support for an antidepressant effect of glabellar onabotulinumtoxinA injections.

Rectovaginal Fistula Repair 1 Year Later: Lessons Learned.

INTRODUCTION: Rectovaginal (RV) fistulas are notoriously difficult to treat. Various methods for repair exist, and refinements in techniques can lead to "successful" outcomes. Review of the literature demonstrates that outcomes studies are scarce and mostly limited to comments on closure rate. We have experienced "success" in our own series with 100% closure rate, regardless of fistula etiology and comorbidities (radiation, inflammation, etc). However, long-term outcomes, including various complications and quality of life changes, have previously been underreported. METHODS: Critical analysis of various outcomes after fistula repair in 14 patients was performed. Patients were surveyed and interviewed with regard to problems before and after fistula repair to obtain objective data focusing on their experience and outcomes. Conclusions are based on physician assessment and patient surveys 1 year after fistula repair and at least 6 months after ostomy reversal and are discussed within the context of data from the literature. RESULTS: Overall satisfaction rate after repairs was high. All patients would undergo attempt at repair again regardless of complications or functional changes (not present before repair). After repair, sexual dyspareunia affected 5 patients (36%); however, most abstained from sexual activity when their RV fistula became apparent. No patient admitted to dyspareunia before the development of their RV fistula. Anal sphincter and defecation function, as well as stool continence, were judged by surgeons and patients uniformly as adequate. However, 3 patients (21%) complained of intermittent problems with urination. A new/different type of pain affected 2 of 4 patients with Crohn disease. One of these patients subsequently developed a new postsphincteric RV fistula. Another patient noted new intermittent vaginal discharge after ostomy reversal, and magnetic resonance imaging suggested a residual fistula, which was not seen on follow-up sigmoidoscopy and "Blue Dye Test." CONCLUSIONS: We previously reported on algorithms for repair and refinements in techniques for "successful" repair of RV fistulas with zero recurrence rate. Long-term follow-up indicates, however, that although the overall satisfaction rate after surgery is high, true "success," defined as permanent fistula closure, is not necessarily problem free. Long-term morbidity and the management of other unique sequelae and problems are underreported.