Factors associated with sentinel lymph node status and prognostic role of completion lymph node dissection for thick melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is useful for the prognostic stratification of patients with thick melanoma. Identifying which variables are associated with SLN involvement and establishing risk in different subgroups of patients could be useful for guiding the indication of SLN biopsy. The value of complete lymph node dissection (CLND) in patients with a positive SLN biopsy is currently under debate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To identify factors associated with SLN involvement in thick melanoma we performed a multicentric retrospective cohort study involving 660 patients with thick melanoma who had undergone SLN biopsy. To analyze the role of CLND in thick melanoma patients with a positive SLN biopsy, we built a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model for melanoma-specific survival (MSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) and compared 217 patients who had undergone CLND with 44 who had not. RESULTS: The logistic regression analysis showed that age, histologic subtype, ulceration, microscopic satellitosis, and lymphovascular invasion were associated with nodal disease. The CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) decision tree showed ulceration to be the most important predictor of lymphatic involvement. For nonulcerated melanomas, the histologic subtype lentigo maligna melanoma was associated with a low rate of SLN involvement (4.3%). No significant differences were observed for DFS and MSS between the CLND performed and not-performed groups. Nodal status on CLND was associated with differences in DFS and MSS rates. CONCLUSION: We identified subgroups of thick melanoma patients with a low likelihood of SLN involvement. CLND does not offer survival benefit, but provides prognostic information.

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

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.

Aesthetic Refinement in the Creation of the Clitoris, Its Preputial Hood, and Labia Minora in Male-to-Female Transsexual Patients.

BACKGROUND: In male-to-female genital sex reassignment surgery, the clitoris, its prepuce, and the labia minora remain among the most difficult structures to construct. We describe the authors' clitoroplasty and vulvoplasty technique. METHODS: All patients who underwent male-to-female sex reassignment surgery at a single center, between June 2012 and June 2016, were prospectively included. The standard pedicled island neurovascular flap of the glans penis was harvested in a letter M fashion with attached preputial skin. The central triangle of the M was used for the neoclitoris formation. Labia minora and the clitoral prepuce were created with both legs of the M and the preputial skin attached to it. Tactile and erogenous sensitivity was evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were included (mean age, 32 years; range, 17-54 years). All clitoroplasties and vulvoplasties were completed in the same surgical stage as the vaginoplasty. There were no cases of deep or total flap necrosis. Eight patients developed partial and superficial skin necrosis of the flap; one presented an abscess in labia majora, and another patient had urethral hematoma; both required drainage. None of the complications left any sequelae. At 6 months' follow-up all patients maintained tactile and erogenous sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed technique represents an aesthetic refinement of the previously described pedicled glans penis flap by allowing the creation of a sensate neoclitoris, its preputial hood, and labia minora with excellent outcomes in the same surgical stage as the sex reassignment.