A Comparison of Surgical Complications in Patients Undergoing Delayed versus Staged Tissue-Expander and Free-Flap Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing mastectomy may not be candidates for immediate free-flap breast reconstruction because of medical comorbidities or postmastectomy radiation therapy. In this setting, flap reconstruction may be intentionally delayed or staged with tissue expander placement ("delayed-immediate" reconstruction). The optimal reconstructive choice and incidence of complications for these approaches remain unclear. METHODS: The authors retrospectively identified patients who underwent delayed [n = 140 (72 percent)] or staged [n = 54 (28 percent)] abdominal free-flap breast reconstruction between 2010 and 2018 and compared the incidence of postoperative complications. RESULTS: Patients undergoing staged reconstruction had a higher overall incidence of perioperative complications, including surgical-site infection (40.7 percent versus 6.5 percent; p < 0.001), wound healing complications (29.6 percent versus 12.3 percent; p = 0.004), hematoma (11.1 percent versus 0.7 percent; p < 0.001), and return to the operating room (27.8 percent versus 4.4 percent; p < 0.0001). These complications occurred predominately during the expansion stage, resulting in an 18.5 percent (n = 10) rate of tissue expander failure. Mean time from mastectomy to flap reconstruction was 476.8 days (delayed, 536.4 days; staged, 322.4 days; p < 0.001). At the time of flap reconstruction, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the staged cohort versus the delayed cohort, including microsurgical complications (1.9 percent versus 4.3 percent; p = 0.415), total flap loss (0 percent versus 2.1 percent; p = 0.278), or fat necrosis (5.6 percent versus 5.0 percent; p = 0.875). CONCLUSIONS: The aesthetic and psychosocial benefits of staged free-flap breast reconstruction should be balanced with the increased risk of perioperative complications as compared to a delayed approach. Complications related to definitive flap reconstruction do not appear to be affected by the approach taken at the time of mastectomy. . CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Elective Revisions after Breast Reconstruction: Results from the Mastectomy Reconstruction Outcomes Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Rates of breast reconstruction following mastectomy continue to increase. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of elective revision surgery and the number of procedures required to achieve a stable breast reconstruction 2 years after mastectomy. METHODS: Women undergoing first-time breast reconstruction after mastectomy were enrolled and followed for 2 years, with completion of reconstruction occurring in 1996. Patients were classified based on the absence or presence of complications. Comparisons within cohorts were performed to determine factors associated with revisions and total procedures. Mixed-effects regression modeling identified factors associated with elective revisions and total operations. RESULTS: Overall, 1534 patients (76.9 percent) had no complications, among whom 40.2 percent underwent elective revisions. The average number of elective revisions differed by modality (p < 0.001), with abdominally based free autologous reconstruction patients undergoing the greatest number of elective revisions (mean, 0.7). The mean total number of procedures also differed (p < 0.001), with tissue expander/implant reconstruction patients undergoing the greatest total number of procedures (mean, 2.4). Complications occurred in 462 patients (23.1 percent), with 67.1 percent of these patients undergoing elective revisions, which was significantly higher than among patients without complications (p < 0.001). The mean number of procedures again differed by modality (p < 0.001) and followed similar trends, but with an increased mean number of revisions and procedures overall. Mixed-effects regression modeling demonstrated that patients experiencing complications had increased odds of undergoing elective revision procedures (OR, 3.2; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Breast reconstruction patients without complications undergo over two procedures on average to achieve satisfactory reconstruction, with 40 percent electing revisions. If a complication occurs, the number of procedures increases. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Variables associated with length of stay in patients undergoing mastectomy and delayed-immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expander.

Delayed-immediate reconstruction with the placement of tissue expanders at the time of mastectomy is a common approach to breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to identify variables associated with increased LOS in patients that underwent bilateral or unilateral mastectomy with tissue expander placement. Bilateral procedure, a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, and age >55 years were independently associated with increased LOS. More recent year of surgery and Friday surgery were associated with decreased LOS.

Complication Profiles by Mastectomy Indication in Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Two-stage implant breast reconstruction is the most commonly performed breast reconstruction procedure. Limited data exist regarding reconstruction complication rates examined by mastectomy indication. METHODS: Patients who underwent two-stage implant breast reconstruction at Yale New Haven Hospital from 2011 to 2017 were included in the study. Perioperative complications were compared. Chi-square analysis, t tests, and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine significant associations. A binary logistic regression was used to determine variables with a significant impact on the likelihood of mastectomy flap necrosis. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2017, complete perioperative records were available for 141 patients who underwent 226 mastectomies followed by two-stage tissue expander/permanent implant reconstruction. Of the 226 mastectomies, 134 were therapeutic and 92 were prophylactic. On regression analysis, there were no significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, or mastectomy and reconstructive details between the two breast groups except for there being more modified radical mastectomies in therapeutic breasts (p = 0.003). When comparing complications, there was a significantly higher risk of mastectomy flap necrosis in the therapeutic group (p = 0.017). Therapeutic mastectomies had a 9.5 times higher risk of mastectomy flap necrosis than prophylactic mastectomies when adjusted for confounding variables. There were no significant differences in other reconstructive complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing therapeutic mastectomies have a significantly higher risk of mastectomy flap necrosis than those undergoing prophylactic mastectomies. Although the underlying cause still needs to be determined, differences in technique may be related to mastectomy flap necrosis. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

The Economics of Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction.

The world of breast reconstruction over the last several years has seen a dramatic shift in focus to discussion and the application of placing tissue expanders and implants back into the prepectoral space. Although this technique failed during the early advent of breast reconstruction, newer technologies such as advances in fat grafting, improved acellular dermal matrices, better methods of assessing breast flap viability, and enhanced implants appear to have set the stage for the resurgence and positive early results seen with this technique. The main benefits of a switch to prepectoral breast reconstruction clinically appears to be less associated pain, lower incidence of animation deformities, and its associated symptoms as well as presumably better aesthetics. Early data suggest that the results are extremely promising and early adopters have attempted to define the ideal patients for prepectoral breast reconstruction. As with any new operative procedure, an assessment of finances and costs are crucial to its successful implementation. Although current data are minimal, this article attempts to build the fundamentals of an economic model that exhibits and displays potential savings through the use of prepectoral breast reconstruction.

[Breast reconstruction in elderly patients: Studies of the practices at institut Bergonié during 2005-2015]. / Reconstruction mammaire chez les patientes âgées : études des pratiques de l'institut Bergonié 2005­2015.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of our study is to describe the practices of breast reconstruction in patients aged 70 years and over undergoing a radical mastectomy at institut Bergonié. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a detailed single-site retrospective study from January 2005 to December 2015. Through a computerized review, we have identified and analyzed all patients aged 70 years and over who underwent a breast reconstruction. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety patients underwent a radical mastectomy during the period. Twenty-eight patients (4.7%) benefited from a breast reconstruction. Nineteen patients (67.9%) had an immediate breast reconstruction and 9 patients (32.1%) had a delayed breast reconstruction, within an average time of 2 years. Sixteen patients (57.1%) benefited from the insertion of an expander replaced by a permanent implant. Five patients (17.9%) benefited from the immediate placement of an implant. Six patients (21.4%) had a reconstruction by autologous latissimus dorsi flap and 1 patient (3.6%) by exclusive lipofilling. Four patients (14.3%) presented postoperative complications without the need for removal of an implant or flap loss. Twenty patients (71.4%) were satisfied with their final reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Breast reconstruction in elderly patients is possible. Further studies are needed to better describe French practices.

Cost and outcome analysis of breast reconstruction paradigm shift.

Increased bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer treatment has generated an increased demand for bilateral breast reconstruction. This study examines changing patterns of reconstruction over the last decade to accommodate increased case volume and decreased morbidity associated with reconstruction. A single institution series of 3171 consecutive breast reconstruction cases of more than 10 years was divided into 2 periods, that is, 1999 to 2004 and 2005 to 2010. Bilateral breast reconstruction case volume increased 260% from 1999 to 2004 (n = 237) to 2005 to 2010 (n = 634). Mean patient age at diagnosis decreased by 7 years (P < 0.001). In 2005 to 2010, autologous reconstruction decreased from 60% to 26%, implant-based reconstruction increased from 40% to 74%. There was a noted increase in single-stage implant reconstruction and selective application of perforator flaps for bilateral autologous reconstruction (P < 0.001). Two-staged tissue expander reconstruction accounted for the greatest share of total cost (45%) in the later period. A younger patient demographic and increased case volume were accommodated through increased single-staged and prosthesis-based procedures.

Complications and morbidity following breast reconstruction--a review of 16,063 cases from the 2005-2010 NSQIP datasets.

Post-operative complications pose a significant set-back for patients undergoing breast reconstruction. This study aims to characterize factors associated with postoperative complications following breast reconstruction using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2005-2010. The 2005-2010 ACS-NSQIP databases were reviewed, identifying encounters for CPT codes including either implant-based reconstruction (immediate, delayed, and tissue expander) or autologous reconstruction (pedicled transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous (TRAM), free TRAM, and latissimus dorsi flap with or without implant). Complications were characterized into three categories: major surgical complications, wound complications, and medical complications. During the study period 16,063 breast reconstructions were performed. Autologous reconstructions were performed in 20.7% of patients and implant-based in 79.3%. The incidence of major surgical complications was 8.4%, whereas the incidence of medical and wound complications was 1.6% and 3.5%, respectively. Independent risk factors for major surgical complications included: immediate and autologous reconstructions, obesity, smoking, previous percutaneous cardiac surgery (PCS), recent weight loss, bleeding disorder, recent surgery, ASA ≥ 3, intra-operative transfusion, and prolonged operative times. Risk factors for medical complications included: autologous reconstruction, obesity, tumor involving CNS, bleeding disorders, recent surgery, ASA ≥ 3, intra-operative transfusion, and prolonged operative times. This study characterizes the incidence of surgical and medical complications following breast reconstruction using a large, prospective multicentre dataset. Key identifiable risk factors associated with both surgical and medical morbidity included: autologous breast reconstruction, obesity, ASA ≥ 3, bleeding disorders, and prolonged operative time. Data derived from this cohort can be used to risk-stratify patients and to enhance perioperative decision-making.

Perioperative risk factors for haematoma after breast augmentation.

Postoperative bleeding is the most frequent early complication after breast augmentation. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess possible risk factors originating in the perioperative management. All primary, bilateral breast augmentation procedures including augmentation mastopexy performed over an 8-year period were reviewed. Nine cases of postoperative bleeding could be identified in the 132 patients included in the study (6.8%). Univariate statistical analysis revealed age (p < 0.01), the amount of administered fluid intraoperatively (p < 0.05) and within the first 24 hours from the onset of anaesthesia (p < 0.01), the use of colloids (p < 0.01), total intravenous anaesthesia (p < 0.05), and systolic hypotension during the last 30 minutes of the operation (p < 0.05) as risk factors, whereas none of them could be identified as independent risk factor in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, this study was able to identify risk factors originating in the perioperative management that may lead to haematoma formation after breast augmentation.

Tissue expansion 1984-1999: a 15-year review.

We assessed all patients who underwent tissue expansion, excluding breast reconstructions, between 1984 and 1999. A total of 237 patients had 257 expansions, normally for distorted scars, 202 of 257 cases (79%). Their mean age was 27 (range 7-67) years, most being women, 149 of 237 (63%). The mean duration of expansion was 16 weeks (range 0.4-118). The most common site was the skull (61/257). Prophylactic antibiotics were used in 224 of 257 (86%) at the time of expander insertion and 147 of 257 (56%) at the removal of the expander. Sixty-two patients (24%) had minor complications and 34 (13%) had major complications. Tissue expansion can be used with a currently acceptable failure rate though we continue to strive to lower this further.

Derrame pleural neoplásico (DPN): normatización para su tratamiento / Neoplasic pleural effusion: treatment guide

El derrame pleural neoplásico es una manifestación de enfermedad avanzada y su tratamiento debe dirigirse a mejorar la calidad de vida con baja morbilidad. Se expone la conducta seguida utilizando un flujograma terapéutico para la indicación del sellamiento pleural con tetraciclinas o pleurectomia. Se trataron 32 pacientes con derrame y sintomatología invalidante, en 29 se realizó pleurodesis con tetraciclina con un 97// de respuestas. La hipertemia (28//) y el dolor (24//) fueron complicaciones más frecuentes. En los 3 restantes se efectuó pleurectomía y no recidivó el derrame, pero dos se complicaron (infección de herida y defecto de reexpansión). La supervivencia media fue de 9,2 meses

Derrame pleural neoplásico (DPN): normatización para su tratamiento / Neoplasic pleural effusion: treatment guide

El derrame pleural neoplásico es una manifestación de enfermedad avanzada y su tratamiento debe dirigirse a mejorar la calidad de vida con baja morbilidad. Se expone la conducta seguida utilizando un flujograma terapéutico para la indicación del sellamiento pleural con tetraciclinas o pleurectomia. Se trataron 32 pacientes con derrame y sintomatología invalidante, en 29 se realizó pleurodesis con tetraciclina con un 97// de respuestas. La hipertemia (28//) y el dolor (24//) fueron complicaciones más frecuentes. En los 3 restantes se efectuó pleurectomía y no recidivó el derrame, pero dos se complicaron (infección de herida y defecto de reexpansión). La supervivencia media fue de 9,2 meses