A Prospective Investigation of Predictive Parameters for Preoperative Volume Assessment in Breast Reconstruction.

Preoperative breast volume estimation is very important for the success of the breast surgery. In this study four different breast volume determination methods were compared. The end-point of this prospective study was to evaluate the concordance between different modalities of breast volume assessment (MRI, BREAST-V, mastectomy specimen weight, conversion from weight to volume of mastectomy specimen) and the breast prosthetic volume implanted. The study enrolled 64 patients between 2017 and 2019, who had all been treated by the same surgeons for monolateral nipple-areola complex-sparing mastectomy and implant breast reconstruction. Only patients who had a breast reconstruction classified as "excellent" from an objective (BCCT.core software) and subjective (questionnaire) point of view at the 6-month interval after the operation were included in the study. Data analysis highlighted a strong correlation between the volumes of the chosen prostheses and the weights of mastectomy converted into volume, especially for patients with grades B and C parenchymal density. The values of the agreement between the volumes of the chosen prostheses and the assessments from MRI and BREAST -V proved to be lower than expected from the literature. None of the four studied methods presented any strong correlation with the initial breast width. Our results suggest that conversion from weight to volume of mastectomy specimen should be used to assist in determining the volume of the breast implant to be implanted. This method would help the reconstructive surgeon guide the choice of the most appropriate implant preoperatively.

The Use of Meshed Dermal Autograft in Breast Reconstruction.

The advantages and disadvantages of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in breast reconstruction have been well documented. ADM is commonly used in breast reconstruction, but it adds cost to the procedure and has been associated with an increased risk of seroma, flap necrosis and infectious complications. A dermal autograft may be a useful alternative to matrices, and it has a lot of advantages: more biocompatible and more likely to be retained as a free graft, low cost, well tolerated, readily available and integrated. This report discusses a new surgical technique that uses an autologous dermis, which was harvested from the controlateral breast in patients having simultaneous breast reduction/mastopexy. Before the insertion, the autologous dermal matrix was meshed at a ratio of 3:1 to increase the graft surface area, to provide additional draining and to improve the engraftment of the autologous dermal matrix. Consequently, the resulting meshed graft allows for the cover of the inferior pole of a larger breast size implant and decreases the complication rate. In our clinic, this method was used on five women; there was one limited necrosis of the mastectomy flaps. The described technique is straightforward and reliable, it adds minimally to the operative time, and it eliminates costs and covers a bigger part of the prosthesis and promises good results. No Level Assigned 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 .

A modified technique for securing drains to the skin.

There is a wide range of surgical procedures that require placement of drains. It is important to ensure that the drains remain in the correct position until their removal. The classic method for fixing drains to the skin involves the use of surgical knots. Typically, one or more of them are tied directly to the skin surface, close to the drain exit site, so potentially giving rise to problems involving tissue damage or the development of obvious scars, if the knots are excessively tight around the skin. With the drain fixation technique that we developed none of the knots constricts the skin, so avoiding any kind of damage to it.

Arterio-Venous Malformations of the Nose: Combined Approach for a Successful Strategy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the vascular malformations of the head and neck. They are uncommon lesions, but some areas have a significant potential for fatality, due to their massive bleeding. The vascular anatomy of the nose carries a high recurrence rate, due to the unique characteristic of the nose, especially if deep vascular connection is present. METHODS: The present article describes 2 patients of nasal dorsum arteriovenous malformations, both using a combined procedure: preoperative selective embolization, en-bloc tumor resection, and reconstruction with a forehead flap. Two female patients with arterio-venous malformations of the nose were examined, subjected to excision procedure and forehead flap reconstruction. Current treatment requires surgical resection of the nose and in conjunction with adjunctive endovascular embolization; it reduces arterio-venous malformations recurrence. RESULTS: The authors report an endovascular and surgical technique to treat nasal arterio-venous malformations, which permits a complete resection and a reconstruction with a forehead flap. There were no major complications such as recurrent ulceration, infection, postoperative bleeding, or flap failure. All the patients responded positively and satisfactory results were achieved in both female patients. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce the recurrence of arterio-venous malformations, the multidisciplinary therapy is mandatory. Recent advances in microsurgery and interventional radiology have greatly improved prognosis for patients with arterio-venous malformations. Therefore, a preoperative selective embolization followed by surgical excision seems to be a good compromise for arterio-venous malformations therapy. The forehead flap, for its characteristics, represents the better choice for nasal reconstruction.

Enhancing dermal and bone regeneration in calvarial defect surgery.

INTRODUCTION: To optimize the functional and esthetic result of cranioplasty, it is necessary to choose appropriate materials and take steps to preserve and support tissue vitality. As far as materials are concerned, custom-made porous hydroxyapatite implants are biomimetic, and therefore, provide good biological interaction and biointegration. However, before it is fully integrated, this material has relatively low mechanical resistance. Therefore, to reduce the risk of postoperative implant fracture, it would be desirable to accelerate regeneration of the tissues around and within the graft. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine whether integrating growth-factor-rich platelet gel or supportive dermal matrix into hydroxyapatite implant cranioplasty can accelerate bone remodeling and promote soft tissue regeneration, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigation was performed on cranioplasty patients fitted with hydroxyapatite cranial implants between 2004 and 2010. In 7 patients, platelet gel was applied to the bone/prosthesis interface during surgery, and in a further 5 patients, characterized by thin, hypotrophic skin coverage of the cranial lacuna, a sheet of dermal matrix was applied between the prosthesis and the overlying soft tissue. In several of the former groups, platelet gel mixed with hydroxyapatite granules was used to fill small gaps between the skull and the implant. To confirm osteointegration, cranial computed tomography (CT) scans were taken at 3-6 month intervals for 1-year, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to confirm dermal integrity. RESULTS: Clinical examination performed a few weeks after surgery revealed good dermal regeneration, with thicker, healthier skin, apparently with a better blood supply, which was confirmed by MRI at 3-6 months. Furthermore, at 3-6 months, CT showed good biomimetism of the porous hydroxyapatite scaffold. Locations at which platelet gel and hydroxyapatite granules were used to fill gaps between the implant and skull appeared to show more rapid integration of the implant than untreated areas. Results were stable at 1-year and remain so to date in cases where follow-up is still ongoing. CONCLUSIONS: Bone remodeling time could be reduced by platelet gel application during cranioplasty with porous hydroxyapatite implants. Likewise, layering dermal matrix over such implants appears to promote dermal tissue regeneration and the oshtemo mimetic process. Both of these strategies may, therefore, reduce the likelihood of postsurgical fracture by promoting mechanical resistance.

Vulvar reconstruction using a "V-Y" fascio-cutaneous gluteal flap: a valid reconstructive alternative in post-oncological loss of substance.

OBJECTIVE: We will present our experience in vulvar reconstruction using a local fascio-cutaneous flap, in order to get an easier intra-operative management and a good post-operative outcome. METHODS: Between May 2006 and December 2008, eight patients with vulvar carcinomas underwent a vulvar reconstruction, using a V-Y advancement flap of the gluteal fold. This fascio-cutaneous flap, based on the perforator vessels originated from the internal pudendal artery, was used for the reconstructive treatment of patients who had undergone a vulvectomy with medium-size defects. RESULTS: All the 16 flaps prepared survived without major complications. Walking and sitting positions were restored in few post-operative days. Length of hospitalisation was 2-3 weeks. The flaps restored sensitivity few months after surgery. In no case the surgical scars needed being revised. CONCLUSIONS: The follow-up results proved satisfactory in terms of patients' compliance and morphological results. The flap appeared to be thin, well vascularised and very flexible in its advancement. The post-operative follow-up is characterised by a rapid healing and a low incidence of short- and long-term complications.

Distally-based superficial sural flap: advantages of the adipofascial over the fasciocutaneous flap.

The distally-based superficial sural flap has proved to be an easy and reliable method of reconstruction in soft tissue cover of the distal third part of the leg. There are two ways to prepare this flap: as a fasciocutaneous flap, which includes the fascia with the subcutaneous tissue including the skin; or as an adipofascial flap, which is made up of both the fascia and the subcutaneous adipose tissue. In the latter case, the flap is covered with a partial thickness skin graft either immediately after or at a later stage. The aim of this study was to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the two flaps. The adipofascial flap seems to be better, as it is associated with less donor site morbidity, improved quality of reconstruction, and fewer complications.

An easy and cheap way of staining the arterial supply of the face: a preclinical study of visualization of facial vascular territories in human cadavers.

INTRODUCTION: A cadaver study in preparation of a facial allograft transplantation in humans requires accurate dissection of the arterial, venous and nerve pedicles. A simple and cheap method for the use of arterial tree mapping in cadaver soft tissue is presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight fresh cadavers aged 55-89 years at the time of death were studied. Five were female and three were male. All injections were performed within four post-mortem days. RESULTS: Our method determined the perfusion territories of the human face without risk of spillage of the dye from capillary structures and showed the arteries very clearly. Vascular patterns of the face were interpreted after dyed gel mixture injection. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the current reconstructive procedures on the face, but also helps and allows the anatomical dissection to be carried out in an effective and safe manner. The dyed gel mixture represents a valid, cheap and alternative tool for delineating the vascular structures, without leakage and spillage during the anatomical dissection.

Cleft lip and palate: current status from the literature and our experience.

Many years after surgical correction, a complete unilateral or bilateral cleft is inclined to show an inaesthetism often associated with functional defects. This sequela disturbs the facial growth during childhood. Across the world, each surgical school uses its own protocol, but which is the best surgical protocol for patients with cleft? The aim of this study was to present a review of international literature concerning surgical techniques for the repair of cleft lip and palate (CLP) in children and to report our personal surgical techniques in this field. We focus on the main role of the primary surgery and propose a personalized protocol therapy, depending on the severity of the cleft. On 36 patients, most of them showed unilateral CLP at birth; only 4 showed bilateral cleft. In this study, we used 36 patients without cleft but with class I occlusion for comparison purposes. Analysis of the 2 groups regarding the development of the maxillary arch and the evaluation of palatal morphology was carried out using lateral cephalograms and dental casts. The main result showed 28 patients with acceptable teeth occlusion and speech quality, a valid nasal function, and a proper aesthetic aspect. Controversy still exists regarding the optimum timing and surgical technique for CLP repair. We propose the creation of a scientific database on internationally recognized protocol as a starting point depending on the severity of the cleft, thus avoiding controversies in CLP therapeutic treatment.

Full-thickness lower eyelid reconstruction with a conchal chondro-perichondral graft and local coverage with Mio-cutaneous flaps--our divisional experience.

BACKGROUND: Eyelid reconstruction represents a challenge because of the complexity of this structure. Full-thickness eyelid defects demand the reconstruction of 2 fundamental elements: anterior and posterior lamellae. The available reconstructive techniques are all associated with the attention to restore the support and responsibility of eyelid stability, represented physiologically by the tarsus. In 1987, Matsuo proposed a reconstructive technique that involved the use of a chondro-perichondral graft harvested from the auricular concha to reconstruct the posterior lamella, and an adjacent skin flap to restore the anterior lamella. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report our divisional experience of a series of 28 patients operated on from 2000 to 2004, whose eyelid restoration was achieved with the use of Matsuo's technique modified with the purpose to avoid complications such as ectropion or lagophtalmus. RESULTS: All the grafts survived, and no major complication such as ectropion or lagophthalmos has been detected. Our specialistic judgment has ranged from good to excellent regarding symmetry, eyelid closure, and donor site morbidity. Patients were entirely satisfied with the functional result obtained, and generally with the esthetic outcome also, judged as ranging from good to extremely satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: The success of eyelid reconstruction using modified Matsuo's technique depends, in our minds, on an adequate knowledge of traditional eyelid reconstruction methods, and on a few technical fine points that help to reduce postoperative complications and to optimize the quality of the end result; hence, this technique has become the gold standard in lower eyelid reconstruction in our division.

Microsurgical latissimus dorsi flap in a case of breast aplasia caused by radiation therapy.

The use of ionizing radiation in the breast region while a patient is at developmental age is still responsible for most monolateral hypoplasias and iatrogenic-based breast asymmetries. These alterations often involve several anatomical structures, thus causing severe hypoplasia of the breast and muscle tissues and stiffness of soft tissues, with atrophic and cicatricial skin. Reconstruction methods vary from case to case, but most of the time reconstruction with a homolateral latissimus dorsi with or without a breast implant seems most suitable. In some cases, however, this is not a viable alternative due to particular general and local conditions, making it necessary to consider other solutions. We present the case of a young prepubertal patient who came under our observation due to a radiotherapy outcome in the right breast and thoracic region; she had been previously subjected to breast reconstruction elsewhere, with the fitting of a subcutaneous prosthesis. Due to the patient's particular general and local conditions and the pathological involvement of the homolateral thoracic musculature, to improve the clinical picture, we deemed it appropriate to use the microsurgical reinnervated contralateral latissimus dorsi muscle, which so far has enabled us to obtain considerable and lasting results.