Multiple Skin Bridging for No-Touch Saphenous-Vein Grafts Harvesting Can Reduce Wound Morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the leg wound morbidity is crucial for the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with great saphenous vein (SV) grafts harvested by no-touch (NT) technique. This study was to summarize the experience of skin bridging technique for reducing wound morbidity and the influence of it on one-year bypass graft patency. METHODS: According to skin bridging or not, harvesting times, graft length, number of bleeding branches, postoperative subjective perception assessment scale (ASEPSIS) scores and one-year patency rate were analyzed. RESULTS: From June 2018 to February 2019, 60 patients underwent CABG with SV grafts either with open-incision NT or skin bridging NT (30 in each group). There were no significant differences in age (71.4 ± 5.1 years vs. 68.9 ± 5.5 years) or graft length (23.3 ± 1.1 cm vs. 23.9 ± 1.3 cm) between the two groups. The bridging/NT group had a significantly longer harvest time (38.5 ± 4.9 min vs. 18.5 ± 2.6 min; P < 0.001) and a significantly greater number of bleeding branches (1.9 ± 1.2 vs. 0.8 ± 0.8; P < 0.001) than the open NT group. The open NT group had a significantly higher ASEPSIS score (23.8 ± 2.0 vs. 15.7 ± 2.6; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in patency rate at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Obtaining the SV by the combined NT/discontinuous skin bridging technique is a satisfactory method for patients who underwent CABG. This method has important clinical significance in reducing wound morbidity in the harvest of NT grafts.

Modified 2-cm super single port vs. the traditional 3-cm single port for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy.

PURPOSES: We introduce a novel 2-cm single port designed to minimize intercostal muscle and nerve damage in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy, and compared it with the 3-cm traditional single port. METHODS: We analyzed, retrospectively, the clinical data, safety, convenience, incision complications, and postoperative pain and numbness in 81 patients who underwent either modified (n = 42) or traditional (n = 39) single-port VATS lobectomy. RESULTS: The preoperative variables were comparable between both single-port VATS lobectomy groups after matching. There were no serious complications and there was no mortality in either group. There were no remarkable differences between the groups in intraoperative blood loss, chest tube duration, lymph node dissection, or postoperative complications. The modified single-port group had a longer operation time (p < 0.05), but the static and dynamic postoperative VAS scores and incisional numbness were better in the modified single-port group (p < 0.05). The modified single-port group also had an obvious advantage in incision seepage, healing, and appearance. CONCLUSIONS: Our 2-cm modified single port for lobectomy is safe and effective, and results in less postoperative pain and incisional numbness than the 3-cm traditional single port.

Novel techniques for intraoperative parathyroid gland identification: a comprehensive review.

INTRODUCTION: The parathyroid glands (PGs) are critical for calcium regulation and homeostasis. The preservation of PGs during neck surgery is crucial to avoid postoperative hypoparathyroidism. There are no existing guidelines for intraoperative PG identification, and the current approach relies heavily on the experience of the operating surgeon. A technique that accurately and rapidly identifies PGs would represent a useful intraoperative adjunct. AREAS COVERED: This review aims to assess common dye and fluorescence-based PG imaging techniques and examine their utility for intraoperative PG identification. A literature search of published data on methylene blue (MB), indocyanine green (ICG) angiography, near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF), and the PGs between 1971 and 2020 was conducted on PubMed. EXPERT OPINION: NIRAF and near-infrared (NIR) parathyroid angiography have emerged as promising and reliable techniques for intraoperative PG identification. NIRAF may aid with real-time identification of both normal and diseased PGs and reduce the risk of postoperative complications such as hypocalcemia. Further large prospective multicenter studies should be conducted in thyroid and parathyroid surgical patient populations to confirm the clinical efficacy of these intraoperative NIR-based PG detection techniques.

External pop-out versus classic technique for delivery of the fetal head during elective cesarean section: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare two techniques (External pop-out versus classic technique) for delivery of the fetal head during elective cesarean section (CS).The potential clinical predictors associated with unintended uterine incision extension during fetal head delivery among women delivered by elective CS were also assessed. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial conducted at a tertiary University hospital between February 2017 and January 2019. Participants were randomly assigned to the classic head delivery technique (group I) or external Pop-out (EPO) technique (group II). The primary outcome was the incidence of unintended uterine incision extension during elective CS. A logistic regression model was utilized to examine the association between patient's characteristics and the occurrence of unintended uterine incision extension. RESULTS: Participants in both groups (455 women in each group) had similar demographic characteristics. The EPO group had a significantly lower incidence of uterine incision extension than the classic group (p = 0.006). The operative time was significantly shorter in the EPO group (p = 0.000), which was also significantly easier than the classic technique (p = 0.001). The high body mass index (p = 0.004), previous delivery by CS (p = 0.010), high birth weight (p = 0.001) and the classic technique for head delivery (p = 0.002) were significant predictors for uterine incision tears. CONCLUSIONS: EPO technique is an easy technique for fetal head delivery during elective CS with a lower risk of uterine incision extension and shorter operative time.

Pre-Surgical Nutrition Support Reduces the Incidence of Surgical Wound Complications in Oncological Patients.

Patients who suffer from cancer are at a higher risk of complications when they experience malnutrition. Evidence shows that oral nutritional supplements favor the healing process. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative oral nutritional intervention in oncological patients undergoing surgery. This study assessed retrospectively 55 cancer patients who previously had undergone abdominal surgery and did not have receive pre-surgical nutritional support (control group), and prospectively 30 oncological patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery and received pre-surgical high-protein nutritional support (experimental group). All patients had to have a NRS 2002 score ≥ 3. Analytical and clinical parameters were analyzed and the NRS 2002 screening test was performed. Post-operative assessments of surgical wound complications were also carried out to determine the impact of nutrition support. Pre-surgical nutritional interventions reduced the incidence and severity of wound complications as well as the length of hospital stays. Only 26.7% of patients in the experimental group had complications compared to 60% of the control group (P = 0.003). We conclude that pre-surgical nutritional interventions of patients undergoing surgery can improve post-surgical patient outcomes of malnourished patients.

Novel Incision-free Device for Transvaginal Apical Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present the feasibility and potential clinical advantages of Apyx (Escala Medical, Israel), a minimally invasive incision-free anchoring device, for apical prolapse repair. DESIGN: An experimental prospective animal and cadaver study. SETTING: Animal facility and a cadaver laboratory of a tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Included in this study were 7 ovine models, 2 porcine specimens, and 3 fresh unembalmed female human cadavers. INTERVENTIONS: The Apyx device for sacrospinous ligament (SSL) suspension was tested on ovine and porcine models. The pullout force needed to detach the Apyx anchor from the SSL was measured. Safety, reliability, and feasibility of this new incision-free procedure were also tested on an ovine model and human cadavers. The precision in deployment of the Apyx device to the SSL was tested via palpation by the surgeon, tissue dissection, and x-ray imaging. The efficacy was tested both by pullout forces and histologic analysis of the vaginal attachment to the SSL. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Forty-two anchors were inserted into the SSLs on ovine and porcine models and on cadaver SSLs. No abnormalities or malfunctions were noted in the functional performance of the anchors or the retrieval device. Mean pullout force for the ovine animal model was 38.64 ± 2.80 N. Pullout force in the porcine model was found to be in correlation with the values observed in the ovine model. None of the measured forces was below 20 N. Accuracy and safety tests showed good consistency when deploying the Apyx device to the SSL with no damage to surrounding organs in the ovine or the human cadaver model. Histology demonstrated biologic adhesion characterized by a gross assessment of a newly formed, firm fibrotic tissue 12 weeks after anchor deployment. CONCLUSION: The Apyx anchoring system, a novel incision-free minimally invasive prolapse repair device, demonstrated an anatomically feasible, easy-to-use procedure for suspending the vaginal apex to the SSLs. Its clinical safety, efficacy, and impact on patient symptoms and quality of life should be further studied.

Flanged intraocular lens fixation via 27-gauge trocars using a double-needle technique decreases surgical wounds without losing its therapeutic effect.

PURPOSE: Intraocular lens (IOL) fixation using a sutureless 27-gauge needle intrascleral IOL implantation technique requires six surgical wounds. We developed a modified technique using two 27-gauge trocars for vitrectomy and indwelling flanged IOL haptics to reduce the number of surgical wounds. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Hyogo College of Medicine. DESIGN: This retrospective study enrolled 54 patients who had undergone IOL scleral fixation between January 2016 and April 2019. METHODS: Patients who underwent IOL scleral fixation and were observed for >12 weeks were analysed using medical record data. Before October 2017, patients underwent normal flanged IOL scleral fixation. Between November 2017 and April 2019, patients underwent the modified method (flanged IOL via 27-gauge trocars with double-needle technique). Primary end-point was superiority or non-inferiority of modified IOL scleral fixation compared with normal IOL scleral fixation for visual acuity (VA). Changes in corneal endothelium cell number, refractivity, astigmatisms and surgery-related complications, were secondary end-points. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups. Raw VA and best collected VA (BCVA) were significantly improved in all eyes (p-). There were no statistical significances in raw VA, BCVA and surgery-related complications between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the modified technique were not inferior compared with the original technique although it was less invasive. Therefore, flanged IOL fixation via trocars using a double-needle technique is a useful technique for IOL implantation.

Association of Autofluorescence-Based Detection of the Parathyroid Glands During Total Thyroidectomy With Postoperative Hypocalcemia Risk: Results of the PARAFLUO Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Because inadvertent damage of parathyroid glands can lead to postoperative hypocalcemia, their identification and preservation, which can be challenging, are pivotal during total thyroidectomy. Objective: To determine if intraoperative imaging systems using near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) light to identify parathyroid glands could improve parathyroid preservation and reduce postoperative hypocalcemia. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial was conducted from September 2016 to October 2018, with a 6-month follow-up at 3 referral hospitals in France. Adult patients who met eligibility criteria and underwent total thyroidectomy were randomized. The exclusion criteria were preexisting parathyroid diseases. Interventions: Use of intraoperative NIRAF imaging system during total thyroidectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative hypocalcemia (a corrected calcium <8.0 mg/dL [to convert to mmol/L, multiply by 0.25] at postoperative day 1 or 2). The main secondary outcomes were the rates of parathyroid gland autotransplantation and inadvertent parathyroid gland resection. Results: A total of 245 of 529 eligible patients underwent randomization. Overall, 241 patients were analyzed for the primary outcome (mean [SD] age, 53.6 [13.6] years; 191 women [79.3%]): 121 who underwent NIRAF-assisted thyroidectomy and 120 who underwent conventional thyroidectomy (control group). The temporary postoperative hypocalcemia rate was 9.1% (11 of 121 patients) in the NIRAF group and 21.7% (26 of 120 patients) in the control group (between-group difference, 12.6% [95% CI, 5.0%-20.1%]; P = .007). There was no significant difference in permanent hypocalcemia rates (0% in the NIRAF group and 1.6% [2 of 120 patients] in the control group). Multivariate analyses accounting for center and surgeon heterogeneity and adjusting for confounders, found that use of NIRAF reduced the risk of hypocalcemia with an odds ratio of 0.35 (95% CI, 0.15-0.83; P = .02). Analysis of secondary outcomes showed that fewer patients experienced parathyroid autotransplantation in the NIRAF group than in the control group: respectively, 4 patients (3.3% [95% CI, 0.1%-6.6%) vs 16 patients (13.3% [95% CI, 7.3%-19.4%]; P = .009). The number of inadvertently resected parathyroid glands was significantly lower in the NIRAF group than in the control group: 3 patients (2.5% [95% CI, 0.0%-5.2%]) vs 14 patients (11.7% [95% CI, 5.9%-17.4%], respectively; P = .006). Conclusions and Relevance: The use of NIRAF for the identification of the parathyroid glands may help improve the early postoperative hypocalcemia rate significantly and increase parathyroid preservation after total thyroidectomy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02892253.

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Tissue Adhesive Compared With Sterile Strips After Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether tissue adhesive after closure of Pfannenstiel incision for cesarean delivery lowers the risk of wound complications when compared with sterile strips. METHODS: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, women undergoing cesarean delivery using Pfannenstiel skin incision were randomized to receive tissue adhesive (2-octyl cyanoacrylate) compared with sterile strips after closure of the skin incision. The primary outcome was a composite of wound complications (drainage, cellulitis, abscess, seroma, hematoma, or isolated wound separation) within 8 weeks of delivery. Secondary outcomes included operative time, readmission, office or emergency department visits, or antibiotic use for wound complications, and patient satisfaction with the cesarean scar. With 80% power and a 95% CI, a sample size of 432 per group (n=864) was required to detect a 50% reduction in the primary outcome. A planned interim analysis was performed after 500 patients delivered. A conditional power analysis revealed that the probability of showing a benefit with tissue adhesive was extremely low (6.2%), and the study was halted owing to futility. RESULTS: Between November 2016 and April 2018, 504 patients were randomized, and follow-up was achieved in 479 (95%). Wound complications occurred in 18 out of 238 patients (7.6%) in the tissue adhesive group and 19 out of 241 patients (7.9%) in the sterile strips group (relative risk 0.96; 95% CI 0.51-1.78). There were no significant differences with regard to types of wound complications, operative time, readmission, office or emergency department visits, antibiotics prescribed for wound complications, or patient scar assessment scores of pain, stiffness, and irregularity between the two groups. However, tissue adhesive performed slightly better in regard to itchiness of scar and overall scar satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Compared with sterile strips, tissue adhesive after closure of Pfannenstiel incision for cesarean delivery is unlikely to lower the risk of wound complications. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02838017.

Minimization of Wound With the Assistance of a Needle Grasper in Single-Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

Background. Technical difficulties and pain from large wounds have prevented the widespread use of single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of our newly developed needle grasper (Endo Relief)-assisted SILA (NASILA). Methods. For NASILA, about a 12-mm umbilical incision was made, and a glove port was introduced. A needle grasper was then introduced through a 2.5-mm wound on the suprapubic area. For SILA, a 2.5-cm transumbilical wound was made. The medical records of patients who underwent SILA or NASILA from June 2017 to September 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Operative and short-term postoperative outcomes and results of telephone interviews for scars were compared. Results. A total of 49 patients in the SILA group (male: 40.8%) and 12 in the NASILA group (male: 50.0%) were included. Appendicitis status (not perforated:perforated without abscess:perforated with abscess) was significantly different between the 2 groups (SILA vs NASILA, 30:18:1 vs 4:6:2, P = .027). Additional trocars were inserted in 9 patients (18.4%) of the SILA group. The operative time was significantly shorter (43.3 ± 33.6 vs 54.1 ± 15.6 minutes, P = .012), and the highest numerical pain intensity score during the first 24 hours after surgery was significantly lower (2.4 ± 0.7 vs 3.0 ± 0.9, P = .038) in the NASILA group than in the SILA group. Hospital stay, postoperative complications, and complaint of scar were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusions. NASILA was not inferior to SILA regarding cosmetic results. Operative convenience is higher in NASILA than in SILA, and the smaller surgical wound in NASILA minimizes postoperative pain.

Magnetic Liver Retraction: an Incision-Less Approach for Less Invasive Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: In bariatric surgery, retraction of the liver is essential to ensure appropriate visualization of the surgical field. Many devices are currently employed for this purpose. Generally, these devices require constant use of a port, or an additional incision. Magnetic technology provides a novel solution, by allowing liver retraction during bariatric procedures that do not require a dedicated port nor an extra incision. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent magnetic-assisted liver retraction during primary or revisional laparoscopic bariatric surgery at the Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery between October 2016 and August 2017. RESULTS: The 73 cases were comprised of 29 primary sleeve gastrectomies, 24 gastric bypasses, 10 duodenal switches, 3 gastric band removals, and 7 revisions. All cases were completed laparoscopically. Mean pre-operative BMI was 43.6 kg/m2 (range 18.3-67.7 kg/m2). Mean operative times for primary cases were similar to published averages. Two patients experienced minor 30-day morbidities, neither of which were attributed to the device and did not require further interventions. There were no 30-day mortalities. Surgeons described subjective overall surgical exposure as adequate and device utilization as technically simple even for the large livers. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic-assisted retraction is a novel approach that allows a safe, reproducible, incision-less technique for unconstrained, port-less intra-abdominal mobilization. The device successfully permitted optimal liver retraction during laparoscopic bariatric surgery, enhancing surgical exposure while decreasing the number of abdominal incisions.

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach for giant inguinal hernias.

BACKGROUND: Many surgical techniques have been developed to treat inguinal hernia. In recent years, the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach has been widely performed to repair inguinal hernia. Giant inguinal hernia (GIH) is an extremely rare disease that is a challenge for general surgeons. GIH appears when patients neglect the treatment for many years and it is defined as an inguinal hernia that extends below the midpoint of inner thigh in standing position. According to previous publications, the Lichtenstein tension-free hernioplasty is recommended to repair GIH. In this article, we describe consecutive four cases of GIH repaired via the TAPP approach. METHODS: From April 2015 to March 2017, 200 patients underwent hernioplasty against inguinal hernia at our hospital. Inguinal hernias were treated via the TAPP approach in principle. We performed hernioplasty via the TAPP approach in all 4 patients (2%) who met the definition of Type 1 GIH. Demographic information, maximum diameter of hernia sac, hernia orifice size, and surgical data were obtained. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 135 min. No intraoperative complications were encountered. All patients could walk from postoperative day 1 and were discharged home early, but they all had scrotal seromas. Three patients did not need puncture or drainage, but one of them required puncture. All seromas disappeared within 6 months. There was no recurrence in the 8- to 24-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The TAPP approach is a feasible, safe therapeutic option that may reduce wound size and pain following surgical treatment of Type 1 GIH.

El ambiente de la herida, la virulencia microbiana y la infección postoperatoria: lecciones prácticas para el cirujano / The wound environment, microbial virulence and postoperative infection: Practical lessons for the surgeon

El desarrollo de infecciones postoperatorias representa una grave complicación que puede tener un alto precio y llegar a ser muy frustrante para los profesionales de la cirugía. Por ello, los cirujanos han adoptado diversos métodos para prevenirlas, como el uso de antibióticos, métodos de esterilización de la piel, soluciones para la irrigación con o sin antisépticos, así como técnicas que minimicen el trauma en los tejidos. Sin embargo, en la cirugía electiva la gran mayoría de las infecciones de herida son imposibles de predecir. En esta revisión discutimos los conceptos emergentes sobre la patogénesis en las infecciones de herida y analizamos la influencia que tiene el medio ambiente de la herida en la activación de las bacterias que expresan un fenotipo nocivo o virulento. Basándonos en estos conceptos emergentes, buscamos ofrecer al cirujano la evidencia a nivel molecular que explique la razón por la cual algunos métodos de protección de la herida quirúrgica son efectivos, mientras que otros no

For the practicing surgeon, the development of a postoperative wound infection represents a major complication that can be both costly and disabling. As a result, surgeons apply multiple methods of prevention including skin decontamination, use of antibiotics, irrigation with or without antiseptics and meticulous use of technique. In elective surgery, however, most wound infections cannot be predicted. In this review we discuss emerging concepts in wound infection pathogenesis and include a discussion on how the wound environment may directly activate bacteria to express a more harmful or virulent phenotype. Based on these emerging concepts, we provide the practicing surgeon with molecular level evidence to explain why some methods of wound infection protection may be useful while others are not

Interdisciplinary Prevention and Management of Wound-Related Complications in Extracranial-to-Intracranial Bypass Surgery.

Extracranial-to-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery may be necessary in patients with moyamoya disease and other ischemic conditions. However, there is a potential risk of wound-related complications in some cases. In this study, we report our approach to the prevention of wound-related complications in EC-IC bypass. Technical considerations and pitfalls of surgery are also discussed. This study included 89 patients with ischemic-onset moyamoya disease and atherosclerotic disease who underwent 108 superficial temporal artery (STA)-to-middle cerebral artery bypass procedures. Our study emphasized 3 major features. First, 3-dimensional simulation imaging was used to confirm STA anatomy. Second, the STA was meticulously dissected on the epigaleal layer to protect the galeal layer. Third, scalp skin ischemia was taken into consideration at each step until skin closure. There was no neurologic morbidity or mortality in this series. There were 2 cases of major wound-related complications requiring plastic surgical intervention, and 4 cases of minor complications that were treated conservatively. In major complication cases, the scalp defect was treated with pedicle flap reconstruction. In EC-IC bypass surgery, interdisciplinary management involving neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and radiology should reduce wound-related complications and achieve safe surgery.

Application of antimicrobial drugs in perioperative surgical incision.

Infection in surgical incision often results in poor wound healing, and one of the main factors for wound infection is the use of antimicrobial agents. Rational use of antibiotics is one of the key factors to prevent incision infection in general surgery. The number of current clinical studies on antibiotic use before and during surgery is greater than that of systematic studies on antibiotic use after surgery. For the rational use of antibiotics and improvement of wound healing rate, researchers around the world have gradually focused on the use of antibiotics after surgery. Despite the familiarity on the concept of "rational use of antibiotics", few clear and systematic studies were conducted to elucidate the effect of different antibiotics on wound healing. Therefore, this review focuses on the use of different types of antimicrobial agents in surgical wounds.

Ultra fast-track minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: going beyond reduced incisions.

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) via a median sternotomy approach has been largely reported to be safe and long-term efficacious, and currently represents the 'gold standard' approach for aortic stenosis treatment. However, aortic valve surgery has undergone continuous development over the last years, involving less invasive techniques and new technologies to reduce the traumatic impact of the intervention and extend the operability toward increasingly high-risk patients. Indeed, minimally invasive AVR and transcatheter aortic valve replacement caseload have steadily increased leading to a paradigm shift in the treatment of aortic valve disease. In this setting, we have established a multidisciplinary minimally invasive programme to treat patients who require AVR. Herein, we present our approach including (i) reduced chest incision (through a J ministernotomy), aiming to reduce the traumatic impact of the surgical procedure, to decrease blood loss, postoperative pain and wound complications and to increase patient's satisfaction; (ii) rapid-deployment AVR, to reduce operative times, to facilitate minimally invasive approach and to improve haemodynamic outcomes; (iii) minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation system, to improve end-organ protection, to decrease systemic inflammatory response and to promote fast-track anaesthesia and (iv) ultra fast-track anaesthesia, to decrease the rate of postoperative complications and assure better and earlier recovery.

The Baltodano Breast Reduction Score: A Nationwide, Multi-Institutional, Validated Approach to Reducing Surgical-Site Morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Breast reduction remains associated with significantly higher rates of overall morbidity, superficial surgical-site infections, and wound disruptions. The authors developed a validated risk model to identify patients at higher risk for postoperative surgical-site morbidity after breast reduction. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all women undergoing breast reduction from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005 to 2012 data. Surgical-site morbidity included surgical-site infection and wound disruption events. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors associated with surgical-site morbidity. The model was validated using bootstrap replications (n = 100) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and converted into the Baltodano breast reduction score, a clinical risk tool predictive of surgical-site morbidity. RESULTS: The authors identified 7068 breast reductions. Rate of 30-day surgical-site morbidity was 3.98 percent. Independent risk factors included resident participation (OR, 1.5; 95 percent CI, 1.1 to 2.0; p = 0.004), body mass index (for every 5-unit increase: OR, 1.3; 95 percent CI, 1.1 to 1.4; p < 0.001), smoking (OR, 1.6; 95 percent CI, 1.1 to 2.4; p = 0.014), steroid use (OR, 3.5; 95 percent CI, 1.4 to 8.4; p = 0.006), and operation in the third quarter of the year (OR, 1.5; 95 percent CI, 1.1 to 1.9; p = 0.014). The factors were integrated into the Baltodano score, ranging from 0 to 16. The predicted probability of surgical-site morbidity associated with each risk score was estimated. Predicted and observed risks of surgical-site morbidity were highly comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The authors present the Baltodano breast reduction score, a validated risk-stratification tool for predicting 30-day surgical-site morbidity following breast reduction using data that are readily available to the clinician. This may allow targeted screening and intervention in high-risk patients, better counseling, selective resident participation, and ultimately a decrease in overall health care costs. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.