¿Cómo nos ven? Percepción de la población española sobre la especialidad de Cirugía Plástica, Estética y Reparadora / How do people see us? Spanish population's perception of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery

Introducción y objetivo: Diversas disciplinas se recogen bajo la especialidad Cirugía Plástica, Estética y Reparadora, sin embargo, en opinión de los autores, se ha ido desvirtuando la percepción que la población tiene sobre esta especialidad. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la percepción de la población española no sanitaria acerca la especialidad de Cirugía Plástica. Material y método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, realizado a través de un cuestionario de 21 preguntas y dirigido a población española no sanitaria o cuya actividad laboral no se desarrollase en un hospital. Resultados: Participaron en el estudio 1038 personas, 80% género femenino y 18% masculino. La distribución de edad fue similar en todos los grupos, excepto los de 25-34 años que tuvieron mayor representación. La mayor parte con estudios superiores. Hubo participantes de todas las Comunidades Autónomas; la más representada fue Galicia con un 53%. El 12% tenía antecedente de intervenciones por Cirugía Plástica en la sanidad pública o mutua laboral, y por Cirugía Estética el 14%. La mayor parte (69%) contempla la subespecialización en Cirugía Plástica tras finalizar la especialidad en Cirugía General como una de las vías de obtención del título, y menos del 40% conoce las vías reales de acceso a la especialidad. Más de un cuarto pensaba que la Cirugía Plástica y la Medicina Estética eran lo mismo, y solo la mitad conocía la existencia de cirujanos plásticos en los hospitales públicos y sabiendo cuál es su campo de trabajo. (AU)

Background and objective: A variety of surgical fields are collected under the specialty Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, however, in the authors' opinion, population's perception about this area has been distorted over the years. The aim of this study is to know the perception of the Spanish non-health population about the specialty of Plastic Surgery. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, was carried out through a questionnaire of 21 questions aimed at a Spanish non-health population or whose work activity was not carried out in a hospital. Results: Participate in the study 1038 people, 80% female gender and 18% male. The age distribution was similar in all groups except for those aged 25-34 who had a higher representation. The majority had higher education. There were participants from all the Autonomous Communities, Galicia being the most represented with 53%. Twelve per cent of participants had a history of interventions by Plastic Surgery in public or mutual health, while Aesthetic Surgery was 14%. Most of the participants (69%) contemplate the subspecialization in Plastic Surgery after finishing the specialty in General Surgery as one of the ways to obtain the title, whereas less than 40% of the participants knew the real ways of access to the specialty. More than a quarter of the participants thought that Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine were the same, and only half were aware of the existence of plastic surgeons in public hospitals and knowing what their field of work is. (AU)

Impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en la actividad asistencial urgente de Cirugía Plástica: el confinamiento domiciliario y la nueva normalidad / Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on urgent Plastic Surgery healthcare: lockdown and the new normal

Introducción y objetivo: Las medidas de distancia social y el confinamiento domiciliario llevado a cabo durante los primeros meses de la pandemia COVID-19 han tenido un gran impacto sobre la carga asistencial en los servicios de urgencias. El objetivo de este estudio es examinar el efecto que esta situación ha tenido en el volumen y características de las urgencias que precisaron valoración por Cirugía Plástica en nuestro centro durante los meses de confinamiento domiciliario y un año después. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes valorados de forma urgente por Cirugía Plástica en el Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (España) entre los meses de marzo y junio de 2019, 2020 y 2021. Resultados: Fueron valorados 1511 pacientes de forma urgente: 552 en el periodo estudiado en 2019, 446 en 2020, y 513 en 2021. La media de edad durante el periodo de confinamiento fue superior (p=0.018). No hubo diferencias por sexo. Existió una disminución de consultas por traumatismo de cabeza y cuello (p=0.047) y miembro superior (p=0.175) durante el confinamiento, y de pacientes quemados en el periodo estudiado en 2021 (p<0.001). Se redujeron de forma significativa las cirugías (p=0.029) e ingresos (p=0.008) en 2021 respecto a la etapa prepandemia. Conclusiones: Durante el confinamiento, objetivamos en nuestro centro hospitalario una disminución del número de pacientes, manteniendo una proporción similar de ingresos y cirugías. Durante el mismo periodo en 2021 hubo una reducción significativa de los ingresos, su duración y de las cirugías. Los motivos de consulta que se redujeron significativamente fueron los traumatismos de cabeza y cuello en 2020 y las quemaduras en 2021 y se redujeron de forma no significativa las consultas urgentes en fin de semana durante el confinamiento. (AU)

Background and objective: Social distancing measures and lockdown accomplished during first months of COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on the healthcare burden of emergency departments. The aim of this study is to examine the effect this situation had in volume and management of plastic surgery patients in the emergency departments during the lockdown and a year after.Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who needed Plastic Surgery consultation in the ED at the A Coruña Universitary Hospital, Spain, between March and June of 2019, 2020 and 2021 was performed. Results: 1511 patients were urgently evaluated between March and June of 2019, 2020 and 2021: 552 in 2019, 446 in 2020 and 513 in 2021.The mean age during lockdown was superior (p=0.018). No difference was found in relation to sex. Facial (p=0.047) and upper limb (p=0.175) trauma consults decreased during lockdown, and burn patients decreased in the same period in 2021 (p<0.001). Admissions (p=0.008) and urgent surgeries (p=0.029) decreased significantly in 2021 in relation to before pandemic. Conclusions: During lockdown, we observed a decrease in the number of patients in our hospital center, maintaining a similar proportion of admissions and surgeries. During the same period in 2021, there was a significant reduction in admissions, their duration and surgeries. The reasons for consultation that decreased significantly were head and neck injuries in 2020 and burns in 2021, and urgent consultations on weekends during confinement were reduced in a non-significant way. (AU)

Reconstrucción del pezón. Análisis comparativo de experiencia con dos técnicas: injerto de segmento de pezón contralateral y colgajo V-C / Nipple reconstruction. Comparative analysis of experience with two techniques: contralateral nipple segment graft and V-C flap

Introducción y objetivo: La reconstrucción del complejo areola-pezón es la culminación del proceso de reconstrucción mamaria. Genera pacientes más satisfechas y aporta beneficios psicológicos. Sin embargo, las pacientes están más satisfechas con la reconstrucción del montículo mamario. La reconstrucción del pezón sigue siendo un tema pendiente de resolución. Existen numerosas técnicas publicadas. En este trabajo evaluamos nuestra experiencia con dos técnicas usadas frecuentemente: el injerto de un segmento del pezón sano y el colgajo V-C, para determinar cuál nos ofrece mejores resultados. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes intervenidas de reconstrucción mamaria heteróloga en el Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (España) entre 2010 y 2014, en las que se efectuaron dos técnicas de reconstrucción del pezón: colgajo V-C e injerto de segmento de pezón contralateral, analizando los parámetros posición, diámetro, proyección, color y sensibilidad, tanto por el personal médico como por las pacientes y sometiendo los resultados obtenidos a estudio estadístico. Resultados: Analizamos 25 pacientes (16 injertos y 9 colgajos). La posición fue adecuada en todos los casos. Los parámetros diámetro y proyección no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambas técnicas. Sí se observaron en el color y la sensibilidad. Los pezones reconstruidos con colgajo V-C tenían un color más claro y eran menos sensibles. Conclusiones: En nuestra revisión de casuística personal, la reconstrucción del pezón mediante injerto de un segmento del pezón contralateral sano ofrece mejores resultados en cuanto a color y a sensibilidad que la reconstrucción con un colgajo V-C en pacientes con reconstrucción heteróloga del montículo mamario. (AU)

Background and objective: Nipple-areola complex reconstruction is the culmination of the mammary reconstruction process. It generates more satisfied patients and brings psychological benefits. However, patients are more satisfied with the reconstruction of the breast mound. The reconstruction of the nipple is a pending issue. There are many published techniques. In this study we evaluate our experience with two techniques frequently used for nipple reconstruction: contralateral nipple segment graft and V-C flap, to determine which one offers us better results. Methods: Retrospective study on patients who undergone heterologous mammary reconstruction operated at the University Hospital Complex of A Coruña (Spain), between 2010 and 2014, using two techniques of nipple reconstruction: V-C flap and contralateral nipple segment graft. Parameters such as position, diameter, projection, color and sensitivity were assessed, both by the medical staff and by the patients, and the results obtained were submitted to statistical study. Results: A total of 25 patients (16 grafts and 9 flaps) were stu- died. Nipple position was adequate in all cases. Diameter and projection showed no statistically significant differences between the two techniques. However, significant differences were observed in color and sensitivity. Reconstructed V-C flap nipples were lighter in color and less sensitive. Conclusions: In our personal casuistry review, nipple reconstruction by grafting a healthy contralateral nipple segment offers better results in terms of color and sensitivity than the reconstruction with a V-C flap in patients with heterologous reconstruction of the breast. (AU)

Factores relacionados con el riesgo de reintervención en pacientes operados de reducción cerrada de fractura de huesos propios / Factors related to the risk of reoperation in patients operated on for closed reduction of nasal bone fractures

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVO: La fractura de huesos nasales es la fractura facial más frecuente. En relación a la cirugía, la técnica habitualmente empleada ante ella es la reducción cerrada bajo anestesia local o general. Presentamos nuestra experiencia en pacientes intervenidos de fractura de huesos nasales y valoramos el riesgo de reintervención en relación al tipo de técnica anestésica empleada. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Recopilamos datos de manera retrospectiva de pacientes intervenidos de reducción cerrada de fractura nasal en nuestro centro entre diciembre de 2014 y junio de 2019. Estudiamos la variable cualitativa analizada (la reintervención) con el test exacto de Fisher y las variables cuantitativas analizadas (días desde el traumatismo hasta cirugía y grados de desviación nasal) con el test U de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: Incluimos 128 pacientes (91 hombres y 37 mujeres). La causa de fractura más frecuente fue la agresión, seguida por el traumatismo por caída y los deportes. Las fracturas por agresión se produjeron con mayor frecuencia los sábados y domingos entre las 3 y las 5 horas de la madrugada. Las fracturas por caída los lunes y martes a la 1 del mediodía. En 99 casos la cirugía se llevó a cabo en las primeras 24 horas, y en 29 pasado ese tiempo. Con respecto a la técnica anestésica, 9 pacientes fueron intervenidos bajo anestesia local, 24 bajo sedación y 95 bajo anestesia general. Tres de los intervenidos con anestesia local y 4 con anestesia general precisaron reintervención por mal resultado tras la primera cirugía. Ninguno de los pacientes intervenidos con sedación fue reintervenido. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra experiencia, la reducción de la fractura nasal bajo sedación tiene buenos resultados, por lo que consideramos que es una buena alternativa en los casos de fractura nasal quirúrgica para reducir los efectos adversos de la anestesia general

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nasal bone fracture is the most frequent facial fracture. In relation to surgery, the most frequently employed technique is closed reduction under local or under general anesthesia. We present our experience with patients who underwent nasal bone fracture surgery and the risk of reintervention in relation to the type of anesthetic technique used. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively of patients who underwent closed reduction of nasal fracture in our center between December 2014 and June 2019. Qualitative variable analyzed (reintervention) were studied with Fisher's exact test and the quantitative variables analyzed (days from trauma to surgery and degrees of nasal deviation) with the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients (91 men and 37 women) were included in the study. The most frequent cause of fracture was aggression, followed by falls and sports. Aggression fractures occurred most frequently on Saturdays and Sundays between 3 and 5 a.m. Fall fractures occurred most frequently on Mondays and Tuesdays at 1 p.m. In 99 cases the surgery was performed in the first 24 hours, while in 29 cases it was performed after that time. Regarding the anesthetic technique, 9 patients were operated under local anesthesia, 24 under sedation and 95 under general anesthesia. Three of the patients operated with local anesthesia and 4 with general anesthesia required reoperation because of poor results after the first surgery. None of the patients operated with sedation were reoperated. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, nasal fracture reduction under sedation has good results making it a good alternative in cases of surgical nasal fracture reducing the deleterious effects of general anesthesia

Trends in burn injuries in Galicia (Spain): An epidemiological study.

The treatment of burns is one of the earliest medical activities on record, probably because of the powerful impact of their physical consequences among other sequelae. The aim of the present paper is to perform an epidemiological study of burn patients. The data were obtained by reviewing the medical histories of all those patients admitted or treated in the Outpatients Department of the Burn Unit of our hospital between 2013 and 2017. A sample was gathered of 1401 patients, made up of 716 males (51.11%) and 685 females (48.89%), in a ratio of males to females of 1.05, with a mean age of 40.74 years old. The burns were mainly suffered in a domestic setting (60.96%), mostly as a result of contact with hot liquids. Most of the burns were second degree superficial burns (60.03%), and affected a mean total body surface area (TBSA) of 4.61%. They were most often produced on the hands. It was found that the frequency of burns increased during the summer and during the main mealtimes of the day. These data may be used to make specific plans of prevention, and as a basis for new studies and databases to be made.

Revisión de casos de schwannoma en la Unidad de Miembro Superior del Servicio de Cirugía Plástica de La Coruña, España / Case review of schwannoma at the Superior Member Unit, La Coruña Plastic Surgery Service, Spain

Introducción y Objetivo: Los tumores derivados de las células de Schwann (schwannomas, neurinomas o neurilemomas) son los más frecuentes de los dependientes de tejido nervioso en el miembro superior. Frecuentemente se confunden con tumores de otra índole, principalmente con los derivados de tejido adiposo o lipomas. Aunque pueden compartir algunas características clínicas, existen ciertos síntomas específicos de los schwannomas que sugieren su diagnóstico y permiten realizar el tratamiento adecuado. En algunos casos, son necesarias técnicas microquirúrgicas para su extirpación y posterior reparación del nervio afectado. El presente trabajo pretende realizar una evaluación epidemiológica en nuestro medio, mediante revisión retrospectiva de casos, teniendo en cuenta la presentación clínica, el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y la evolución presentada tras el tratamiento mediante la existencia o no de secuelas. Material y Método: Revisamos retrospectivamente 10 casos de schwannoma en miembro superior recogidos en el Servicio de Cirugía Plástica de La Coruña (España) a lo largo de 4 años. Evaluamos la edad, género, localización, signos clínicos, estudios electrofisiológicos, imágenes, tratamiento, seguimiento y secuelas. Realizamos el análisis mediante tablas comparativo-descriptivas. Resultados: El 60% de la muestra fueron varones, con edad media de 47.5 años. El nervio mediano fue el más frecuentemente afectado. El dolor local y las parestesias los síntomas más frecuentes, con Tinel positivo en el 90% de los casos. El 30% de los pacientes presentó bloqueo nervioso (motor/sensitivo) en la electrofisiología y 2 casos discontinuidad del nervio. La escisión microquirúrgica bajo magnificación óptica fue el tratamiento de elección en el 80% de los casos; 20% necesitaron injerto de nervio sural para la reparación del nervio afectado. Con un seguimiento medio de 12 meses, el 80% de los casos no presentó secuelas tras el tratamiento. Conclusiones: Los schwannomas suelen producir poca sintomatología y cuando lo hacen, la clínica suele ser local. Su origen más frecuente en nuestra serie fue el nervio mediano. El diagnóstico adecuado exige sospecha clínica y confirmación mediante resonancia magnética. Los tumores mal delimitados pueden incluir pequeños fascículos nerviosos que, a pesar de la magnificación óptica, resulta imposible identificar y conservar. En la medida de lo técnicamente posible se deben respetar los fascículos sanos, o en su defecto, reconstruir el fascículo nervioso para restablecer su continuidad

Background and Objective: Tumors derived from Schwann cells (schwannomas, neurinomas or neurilemomas) are the most frequently nervous tissue tumors of the upper limb. They usually get confused with other kind of tumors, mainly those derived from adipose tissue also call lipomas. Although they may share some clinical characteristics, there are certainly some specific symptoms in schwannomas that allow making a correct differential diagnosis. In some cases, microsurgical techniques are necessary for its removal and subsequent reconstruction of the affected nerve. The present study carries out a retrospective epidemiological review of a series of cases in our center, considering the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and the outcomes in terms of the presence or absence of sequelae. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 10 cases of schwannoma in the upper member collected in the Plastic Surgery Service of La Coruña (Spain) over the last 4 years. We describe age, gender, location, clinical signs, electrophysiological studies, images, treatment, follow-up and sequelae. We perform the analysis using comparative-descriptive tables. Results: Sixty percent of the sample were men, the median age was 47.5 years, and the median nerve was the most frequently affected. Local pain and paresthesias were the most frequent symptoms, with Tinel sign in 90% of the cases. Thirty percent of patients had nerve block (motor / sensitive) in electrophysiology study. Two cases presented discontinuity of the nerve. The microsurgical excision under optical magnification was the choice for treatment in 80% of the cases and 20% needed a sural nerve graft for repairing the affected nerve. With a mean follow-up of 12 months, 80% of the cases did not present sequelae after treatment. Conclusions: Schwannomas usually produce limited symptomatology and when they do, are oftenly local symptoms. The most frequent origin was the median nerve. The adequate diagnosis requires clinical suspicion and confirmation by magnetic resonance. Those ill-defined tumors may include small nerve fascicles that, despite of optical magnification, are impossible to identify and preserve. As far as it is technically possible, healthy fascicles should be respected or if not, reconstructed to restore its continuity

Seguridad oncológica del lipofilling como técnica de reconstrucción mamaria secundaria / Oncologic safety of autologous fat grafting as a secondary breast reconstructive technique

Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio es comparar de manera retrospectiva aquellas pacientes en las se emplearon lipoinjertos para su reconstrucción mamaria con aquellas en las que no. Materiales y métodos: Fueron incluidas 104 pacientes sometidas a cirugía oncológica y reconstructiva tras cáncer de mama entre enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2016. El estudio se centra en las complicaciones y recurrencias de la enfermedad. Resultados: En 25 de estas 104 pacientes se emplearon lipoinjertos para su reconstrucción, mientras que en las restantes 79 no se empleó esta técnica. Tras la cirugía de lipofilling, 3 pacientes presentaron complicaciones; en un caso consistió en un hematoma posquirúrgico y en los otros dos casos en la aparición de un nódulo, evidenciando la presencia de necrosis grasa en uno y recidiva tumoral en el otro. Hubo un caso de recidiva locorregional en cada uno de los grupos. En cuanto a las metástasis a distancia, no hubo ningún caso en el grupo de lipofilling, mientras que hubo 6 casos en el grupo control. Conclusiones: El lipofilling como opción reconstructiva tras cáncer de mama parece una técnica con una baja tasa de complicaciones. Sin embargo, es necesario realizar otros estudios que confirmen su seguridad oncológica

Objectives: The objective of this study was to retrospectively compare patients whose breast reconstruction surgery included fat grafts with those whose reconstruction did not. Material and methods: A total of 104 patients undergoing oncological and reconstructive surgery after breast cancer between January 2012 and December 2016 were included. The study focused on the complications and recurrences of the disease. Results: Fat grafts were used in the reconstructive surgery of 25 of the 104 patients, and not in the remaining 79 patients. After lipofilling surgery, 3 patients developed complications, consisting of a post-surgical hematoma in 1 patient and the appearance of a nodule in 2, showing the presence of fat necrosis in one and tumour relapse in the other. There was one case of locoregional recurrence in each of the groups. There were no cases of distant metastases in the lipofilling group, while there were 6 cases in the control group. Conclusions: Lipofilling as a reconstructive option after breast cancer seems to have a low complication rate. However, more studies are needed to confirm its oncological safety

The Use of Antidotes for Calcium Gluconate Extravasation: An Experimental Study in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Calcium gluconate extravasation is a process that can cause serious lesions, such as necrosis and calcification of the soft tissues. The aim of the present study was to analyze the beneficial effects of four possible local antidotes for calcium gluconate extravasation: hyaluronidase, sodium thiosulfate, triamcinolone acetonide, and physiologic saline solution. METHODS: Seventy-four BALB/c mice were used in the study. The substances selected for use in this study were calcium gluconate (4.6 mEq/ml), hyaluronidase (1500 IU/ml), sodium thiosulfate (25%), triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/ml 0.5 mg/kg), and saline solution 0.9%. Five minutes were allowed to lapse after the calcium gluconate infiltration, and then an antidote was infiltrated. After 3 weeks, a skin biopsy was performed and a radiographic and histologic study was carried out. RESULTS: Only in the group infiltrated with sodium thiosulfate did all skin lesions disappear after the 3-week period after infiltration. In the radiographic study, calcium deposits larger than 0.5 mm were observed in 40 percent of cases without an antidote, in 33 percent with triamcinolone acetonide, in 13 percent with a saline solution, and in none with thiosulfate and hyaluronidase. In the histologic study, calcium deposits were found in 53 percent of cases without antidote, 100 percent of cases with triamcinolone acetonide, 33 percent of cases with saline solution, and 13 percent of cases with sodium thiosulfate or hyaluronidase. CONCLUSION: Sodium thiosulfate and hyaluronidase prevent the development of calcium deposits after calcium gluconate extravasation.

Lesions Associated With Calcium Gluconate Extravasation: Presentation of 5 Clinical Cases and Analysis of Cases Published.

INTRODUCTION: Calcium gluconate extravasation is a process, which, while not common, occurs more frequently in neonatal intensive care units. The aim of this study is to present a number of cases of calcium gluconate extravasation, which have occurred in our hospital, and to carry out a review of those clinical cases published in the literature to obtain relevant epidemiological data. METHODS: Data were gathered on the medical histories of 5 patients who presented lesions secondary to calcium gluconate extravasation in our center. A review of the literature was also performed to include clinical cases of calcium gluconate extravasation already published. RESULTS: Data were collected on 60 cases published in 37 articles. Most patients (55%) were neonates. The average age of these neonates was 8 days. The commonest location of injuries was the back of the hand and wrist (42%). The 2 most frequent symptoms were the appearance of erythema (65%) and swelling/edema (48%) followed by the appearance of skin necrosis (47%), indurated skin (33%), and yellow-white plaques or papules (33%). Most cases are cured within a period of 3 to 6 months. Fifty percent of patients required surgery, and in 13% of cases, skin grafts were performed. The most frequent histological finding was the presence of calcium deposits. Other histological findings described were the presence of necrosis, lymphohistiocytic infíltrate, and granulomas. Most histological findings were located in the dermis. Most x-rays showing calcium deposits had been performed at 3 to 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium gluconate extravasation is a process, which, although infrequent, is associated with serious skin and soft-tissue lesions, mainly affecting infants. Further studies are needed to determine possible specific procedures to be carried out in these cases.

Burn patients during the Summer Solstice festivities: A retrospective analysis in a hospital burn unit from 2005 to 2015.

AIM: San Juan (Summer Solstice) is an annual festival celebrated in many parts of Spain on June 24 by lighting bonfires on beaches and in open air. The aim of this study is to analyse the patient profile of those sustaining burns the night before San Juan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 179 patients who sustained burns on June 23 and 24 between 2005 and 2015 were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: The average age of the patients involved in this study was 27.33 years, with males constituting a higher proportion. Hands were the most affected area of the body, and the average burn area was 3.39%. No statistically significant relationship was found between the tidal times and the number of patients with burns, although the latter increased at low tide (p=0.177). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can guide prevention campaigns during these festivities in the future.