Impact of adjuvant radiochemotherapy on free flap volume in head and neck reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding the effect of adjuvant radiochemotherapy on free flap volume in head and neck reconstruction. However, an adequate free flap volume is an important predictor of functional and patient-reported outcomes in head and neck reconstruction. METHODS: A systematic review of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 6710 abstracts were screened, and 36 full-text papers were reviewed. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were used to extract data for this analysis. RESULTS: A meta-analysis of 14 two-arm studies comparing the impact of adjuvant radiotherapy versus no adjuvant radiotherapy was performed. The main analysis revealed that 6 months postoperatively, irradiated flaps showed a significant reduction of volume (average, 9.4%) compared to nonirradiated flaps. The average interpolated pooled flap volumes 6 months postoperatively were 76.4% in irradiated flaps and 81.8% in nonirradiated flaps. After a median postoperative follow-up of 12 months, the total flap volume was 62.6% for irradiated flaps and 76% for nonirradiated flaps. Four studies reported that chemotherapy had no significant impact on free flap volume. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to nonirradiated flaps, irradiated flaps were significantly reduced in volume (range, 5% to 15.5%). Clinicians should take this into account when planning the surgical reconstruction of head and neck defects. Conducting large-scale prospective studies with standardized protocols and well-defined follow-up measurements could contribute to defining the ideal, personalized free flap volume for optimal function and patient-reported outcomes.

Flying high?-Exploring the effect of red bull on blood pressure after microsurgical breast reconstruction in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A sufficiently high blood pressure (BP) is essential for flap perfusion after microsurgical breast reconstruction. However, postoperative hypotension is common after these procedures. Perioperative volume overload may increase flap-related complications, and postoperative vasopressor use may be limited depending on institutions. Red Bull has been shown to increase BP in several studies. We aimed to evaluate the effect of Red Bull on perfusion-related variables after microsurgical breast reconstruction. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Female patients undergoing unilateral microsurgical breast reconstruction from June 2020 to October 2022 were randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups. The intervention group received 250 ml of Red Bull 2 h after surgery and twice on postoperative day (POD) 1. The control group received 250 ml still water at the respective intervals. BP was measured using a 24-hour monitoring device. Vasopressor use, fluid balance, and flap outcomes were compared. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included in the study. Both groups were comparable concerning age, body mass index, and caffeine consumption. Mean arterial and diastolic BP were significantly higher in the Red Bull group after the second drink in the morning of POD1 (p-value = 0.03 and 0.03, respectively). Vasopressor use was similar, with a tendency for less postoperative etilefrine in the Red Bull group (p-value = 0.08). No flap loss was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We observed increased mean arterial and diastolic BP in the Red Bull group after the second drink. Red Bull may be a useful adjunct after microsurgical breast reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I, therapeutic.

Understanding the impact of spinal cord injury on the microbiota of healthy skin and pressure injuries.

Pressure injuries (PI) are a common issue among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), especially in the sitting areas of the body. Considering the risk of infections occurring to PI during the wound healing process, the skin microbiome is likely to be a source of bacteria. We investigated the relationship between skin and PI microbiomes, and assessed any correlation with clinically relevant outcomes related to PI. Samples were isolated from SCI patients undergoing reconstructive surgery of PI, severity grades III and IV. DNA samples from skin and PI were analysed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our results showed disparities in microbiome composition between skin and PI. The skin had lower diversity, while PI showed increased bacterial homogeneity as the severity grade progressed. The skin bacterial composition varied based on its location, influenced by Cutibacterium. Compositional differences were identified between PI grades III and IV, with clusters of bacteria colonizing PI, characterized by Pseudomonas, Proteus and Peptoniphilus. The skin and PI microbiomes were not affected by the level of the SCI. Our study highlights the differences in the microbiome of skin and PI in SCI patients. These findings could be used to target specific bacteria for PI treatment in clinical practice.

Effect of the Red Bull Energy Drink on Perfusion-Related Variables in Women Undergoing Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: Protocol and Analysis Plan for a Prospective, Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining a sufficiently high systolic blood pressure is essential for free flap perfusion after microsurgical breast reconstruction. Yet, many women undergoing these procedures have low postoperative systolic blood pressure. Intravenous volume administration or vasopressors may be needed to maintain systolic blood pressure above a predefined threshold. However, excessive volume administration may lead to volume overload and flap stasis, and the postoperative use of vasopressors may be limited depending on institutional standards. Additional nonpharmacological measures to raise blood pressure might be beneficial. Evidence suggests that the Red Bull energy drink could raise blood pressure. It has been shown to increase systolic and diastolic blood pressure in healthy volunteers and athletes. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to determine the difference in systolic blood pressure between an intervention group receiving Red Bull and a control group receiving still water after microsurgical breast reconstruction. Secondary objectives include postoperative heart rate, 24-hour fluid balance, pain level, or necessity for revision surgery due to flap complications. METHODS: The Red Bull study is a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing the effect of postoperative ingestion of Red Bull energy drink against still water in female patients undergoing unilateral microsurgical breast reconstruction. A total of 250 mL of Red Bull (intervention group) or 250 mL of still water (control group) will be administered to the study participants 2 hours postoperatively as well as for breakfast and lunch on postoperative day 1, amounting to a total volume of 750 mL per 24 hours. Female patients between 18 and 70 years of age undergoing unilateral microsurgical breast reconstruction will be included. Exclusion criteria are a history of arterial hypertension, cardiac rhythm disorder, diabetes mellitus, gastric or duodenal ulcer, thyroid disease, and current use of antihypertensive or antiarrhythmic drugs or thyroid hormones, as well as intolerance to Red Bull. RESULTS: Recruitment for the study started in June 2020 and was completed in December 2022. There is evidence that the Red Bull energy drink increases blood pressure in healthy volunteers and athletes. We hypothesize that postoperative ingestion of Red Bull will increase systolic blood pressure in women after microsurgical breast reconstruction. Red Bull could hence be used as a nonpharmacological adjunct to vasopressors or volume administration in women with hypotensive blood pressure after microsurgical breast reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: This paper describes the Red Bull study trial protocol and analysis plan. The information will increase the transparency of the data analysis for the Red Bull study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04397419; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04397419. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/38487.

Trends and Innovations in Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

More than 40 years have passed since the description of the first "free abdominoplasty flap" for breast reconstruction by Holmström. In the meantime, surgical advances and technological innovations have resulted in the widespread adoption of autologous breast reconstruction to recreate the female breast after mastectomy. While concepts and techniques are continuing to evolve, maintaining an overview is challenging. This article provides a review of current trends and recent innovations in autologous breast reconstruction.

Comparing complications and perioperative teams in microsurgical breast reconstruction: retrospective cohort study.

Background: Subspecialization with dedicated perioperative teams has become common practice in some surgical disciplines. While surgeon experience, the number of surgeons involved, and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways are known factors affecting the outcome after microsurgical breast reconstruction, the impact of the perioperative team has not been studied. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study consisting of a chart review of all patients who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction from January 2019-April 2020. Surgery was performed by three microsurgeons at two institutions with different perioperative teams-one being a small clinic [private clinic (PC), 33 beds] and the other being a larger hospital [corporate hospital (CH), 335 beds]. Patients were grouped into two cohorts according to the institution where surgery was performed. The primary outcomes studied were frequency of revision surgery, flap loss and patient length-of-stay (LOS). Results: One hundred and fifty microsurgical breast reconstructions were performed in 125 patients. Demographic data [age, body mass index (BMI), current tobacco use, donor site] was found statistically comparable between both cohorts. In the PC cohort with fewer perioperative care providers, lower rates of revision surgery and flap loss were observed (P value =0.009 and 0.04, respectively). LOS was not significantly different between the two cohorts (P value =0.44). Conclusions: The outcome of microsurgical breast reconstruction depends on multiple factors. In this study, fewer flap complications occurred at the small clinic. One reason among others might be the lower number of perioperative care providers involved and hence higher likelihood of sharing microsurgical cases, which facilitates routine and ensures less variability in care. The value of perioperative team subspecialization in microsurgical breast reconstruction needs to be assessed in prospective studies.

Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction in Patients with Disorders of Hemostasis: Perioperative Risks and Management.

BACKGROUND: Surgical and technological advances have resulted in the widespread adoption of microsurgical breast reconstruction. Many comorbidities that potentially might impair vasculature and wound healing are no longer considered contraindications for these procedures. However, some uncertainty still prevails regarding the perioperative management of patients with disorders of hemostasis. METHODS: The authors combined a literature review with a retrospective chart review of patients with disorders of hemostasis who had undergone microsurgical breast reconstruction at the senior author's (J.F.) center between 2015 to 2020. Several disorders associated with thrombotic and/or hemorrhagic complications were identified, and a standardized risk assessment and management strategy was developed in cooperation with a hematologist. RESULTS: Overall, 10 studies were identified comprising 29 patients who had a defined disorder of hemostasis and underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction. Seventeen microsurgical breast reconstructions were performed on 11 patients at the senior author's (J.F.) center. High factor VIII levels, heterozygous factor V Leiden, and heterozygous prothrombin mutation G20210A were the most common genetic or mixed genetic/acquired thrombophilic conditions. As expected, hereditary antithrombin, protein C, or protein S deficiencies were rare. Among hemorrhagic disorders, thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction, and von Willebrand disease or low von Willebrand factor levels were those factors most frequently associated with increased perioperative bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Patients should be screened for elevated risk of thrombosis or bleeding before undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction, and positive screening should prompt a complete hematologic evaluation. Interdisciplinary management of these disorders with a hematologist is essential to minimize risks and to obtain optimal reconstructive results. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, IV.

Comparing Seroma Formation at the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator, Transverse Musculocutaneous Gracilis, and Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap Donor Sites after Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.

Background Seroma formation is the most common donor site complication following autologous breast reconstruction, along with hematoma. Seroma may lead to patient discomfort and may prolong hospital stay or delay adjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to compare seroma rates between the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), transverse musculocutaneous gracilis (TMG), and superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) donor sites. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study consisting of chart review of all patients who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction from April 2018 to June 2020. The primary outcome studied was frequency of seroma formation at the different donor sites. The secondary outcome evaluated potential prognostic properties associated with seroma formation. Third, the number of donor site seroma evacuations was compared between the three donor sites. Results Overall, 242 breast reconstructions were performed in 189 patients. Demographic data were found statistically comparable between the three flap cohorts, except for body mass index (BMI). Frequency of seroma formation was highest at the SGAP donor site (75.0%), followed by the TMG (65.0%), and DIEP (28.6%) donor sites. No association was found between seroma formation and BMI, age at surgery, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or DIEP laterality. The mean number of seroma evacuations was significantly higher in the SGAP and the TMG group compared with the DIEP group. Conclusion This study provides a single center's experience regarding seroma formation at the donor site after microsurgical breast reconstruction. The observed rate of donor site seroma formation was comparably high, especially in the TMG and SGAP group, necessitating an adaption of the surgical protocol.

Access to eye care and prevalence of refractive error and eye conditions at a high school-based eye clinic in southeastern Michigan.

PURPOSE: To analyze clinical and demographic data from a twice monthly optometrist-run comprehensive eye program at a high school in a community with high rates of poverty. METHODS: Students received comprehensive eye examinations. We collected demographic and ocular data on 429 initial visits from February 2015 to July 2019. Follow-up visits were excluded. RESULTS: The average student age was 14.2 ± 2.7 years. Of the total, 55.7% were female, 59.7% were Black, and 61.7% had Medicaid. Of the total, 70.2% had a previous eye examination, 60.8% had worn glasses previously, and 24.1% still wore glasses. Hispanic students were less likely than non-Hispanic students to have had a prior eye examination (59.1% vs 75.3% [P = 0.022]) or worn glasses (47.8% vs 63.8% [P = 0.035]). Black students had significantly worse presenting visual acuity in the better seeing eye than White students (logMAR 0.22 vs 0.13 [P = 0.0004]). Of the 256 Black students, 62.7% had improvement of two or more lines, compared with 42.9% of White students (P = 0.01). Of the students who participated, 74.0% received glasses following their examination, and 21 required referrals to ophthalmologists, of whom 13 attended the appointment. CONCLUSIONS: The high school-based clinic identified high rates of uncorrected refractive error, highlighting the benefit of a school-based eye clinic in a population with high rates of poverty. There were concerning racial and ethnic disparities in prior eye care.

Bronchoalveolar lavage cytokines are of minor value to diagnose complications following lung transplantation.

Early diagnosis and treatment of acute cellular rejection (ACR) may improve long-term outcome for lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Cytokines have become valuable diagnostic tools in many medical fields. The role of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytokines is of unknown value to diagnose ACR and distinguish rejection from infection. We hypothesized that distinct cytokine patterns obtained by surveillance bronchoscopies during the first year after transplantation are associated with ACR and microbiologic findings. We retrospectively analyzed data from 319 patients undergoing lung transplantation at University Hospital Zurich from 1998 to 2016. We compared levels of IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ and TNF-α in 747 BAL samples with transbronchial biopsies (TBB) and microbiologic results from surveillance bronchoscopies. We aimed to define reference values that would allow distinction between four specific groups "ACR", "infection", "combined ACR and infection" and "no pathologic process". No definitive pattern was identified. Given the overlap between groups, these four cytokines are not suitable diagnostic markers for ACR or infection after lung transplantation.

Clinically important associations of pleurodesis success in malignant pleural effusion: Analysis of the TIME1 data set.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chemical pleurodesis is performed for patients with MPE with a published success rate of around 80%. It has been postulated that inflammation is key in achieving successful pleural symphysis, as evidenced by higher amounts of pain or detected inflammatory response. Patients with mesothelioma are postulated to have a lower rate of successful pleurodesis due to lack of normal pleural tissue enabling an inflammatory response. METHODS: The TIME1 trial data set, in which pleurodesis success and pain were co-primary outcome measures, was used to address a number of these assumptions. Pain score, systemic inflammatory parameters as a marker of pleural inflammation and cancer type were analysed in relation to pleurodesis success. RESULTS: In total, 285 patients were included with an overall success rate of 81.4%. There was a significantly higher rise in CRP in the Pleurodesis Success group compared with the Pleurodesis Failure group (mean difference: 19.2, 95% CI of the difference: 6.2-32.0, P = 0.004) but no significant change in WCC. There was no significant difference in pain scores or analgesia requirements between the groups. Patients with mesothelioma had a lower rate of pleurodesis success than non-mesothelioma patients (73.3% vs 84.9%, χ2 = 5.1, P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Change in CRP during pleurodesis is associated with successful pleurodesis but higher levels of pain are not associated. Patients with mesothelioma appear less likely to undergo successful pleurodesis than patients with other malignancies, but there is still a significant rise in systemic inflammatory markers. The mechanisms of these findings are unclear but warrant further investigation.

Plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage samples in acute lung allograft rejection: the potential role of cytokines as diagnostic markers.

The role of differential cytology patterns in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage samples is increasingly investigated as a potential adjunct to diagnose acute and chronic allograft dysfunction after lung transplantation. While these profiles might facilitate the diagnosis of acute cellular rejection, low sensitivity and specificity of these patterns limit direct translation in a clinical setting. In this context, the identification of other biomarkers is needed. This review article gives an overview of cytokine profiles of plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage samples during acute cellular rejection. The value of these cytokines in supporting the diagnosis of acute cellular rejection is discussed. Current findings on the topic are highlighted and experimental settings for future research projects are identified.

Diagnostic value of plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage samples in acute lung allograft rejection: differential cytology.

Diagnosis of acute lung allograft rejection is currently based on transbronchial lung biopsies. Additional methods to detect acute allograft dysfunction derived from plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage samples might facilitate diagnosis and ultimately improve allograft survival. This review article gives an overview of the cell profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage and plasma samples during acute lung allograft rejection. The value of these cells and changes within the pattern of differential cytology to support the diagnosis of acute lung allograft rejection is discussed. Current findings on the topic are highlighted and trends for future research are identified.

A Medical Student-Driven "Vaccine Blitz" at a School-Based Health Center as an Effective Way to Improve Adolescent Vaccination Rates.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adolescent vaccine rates are below goal in the United States. We sought to assess a medical student driven "vaccine blitz" at a middle school with a school-based health center (SBHC) as a means to increase vaccination. METHODS: Written and/or verbal consent was obtained for specific vaccines needed. Vaccines were given at the SBHC by a team of medical students, public health students, and SBHC staff. Students who received vaccines at the SBHC or primary care physician's (PCP's) office in the 3 weeks after consent was attempted were included as participating in the intervention. RESULTS: Of 184 potential participants, 183 lacked at least one vaccine. On the day of the vaccine blitz, 48 students were given 94 vaccines. During the entire intervention time, an additional 14 students received 38 vaccines at the SBHC, and 23 students received 34 vaccines from their PCP. In sum, 85 students received 166 vaccines from this intervention. Immunization rates increased above the state average for all recommended vaccines; rates of HPV, hepatitis A, and influenza vaccination were most affected. CONCLUSIONS: Medical student-driven vaccine blitzes within an SBHC are a feasible, replicable, and effective way to increase adolescent vaccination rates. In addition, the blitz provided preclinical medical students' exposure to underserved populations, adolescent health as part of the breadth of family medicine, SBHCs, and community medicine and allowed for multidisciplinary work between medical students, public health students, physicians, and nurse practitioners.

Endogenous cortisol elevations are related to memory facilitation only in individuals who are emotionally aroused.

Animal research suggests that cortisol facilitates memory only during emotional arousal. Thus, we predicted that during mild emotion and stress elicitation, endogenous cortisol elevations would predict memory facilitation only in individuals who report high stress-related negative affect. Thirty-one men viewed neutral and emotional stimuli and then were subjected to a public speaking stress task. Area under the curve for overall cortisol output during the speech was computed. Negative affect (NA) using the PANAS state version [Watson, D., Clark, L.A., Tellegen, A., 1988. Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales. J. Personality Social Psychol. 54, 1063-1070.] was measured at baseline and immediately after the speech stressor. Cortisol output during the speech and change in NA interactively predicted free recall performance assessed 2 days later. This interaction was due to the finding that higher cortisol output was related to memory facilitation only in subjects who reported high stress-related negative affect (i.e. only in those individuals whose NA increased compared to baseline). This relation was especially prominent for recall of unpleasant pictures. Subjects who reported low stress-related negative affect, no relation was found between cortisol output during the speech and memory performance. Thus, the relation between cortisol and memory appears to depend on an increase in negative affect related to stress.