Outcomes Using Two Unique Methods of Immediate Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy in Ptotic Patients.

OBJECTIVE: After nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and immediate implant-based reconstruction, patients with significant ptosis are at increased risk for nipple-areolar complex (NAC) necrosis. Attempts to salvage the nipple using inferior dermal pedicles have yielded unsatisfactory results. This study aims to evaluate complications using 2 unique methods of breast reconstruction using either a Wise incision with dermal infolding or batwing incision after NSM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who underwent NSM and immediate implant reconstruction using the methods described by a single surgeon between 2016 and 2022. Outcomes were assessed by comparing average complications rates. RESULT: Seventy-three reconstructions were performed after NSM in patients with ptosis. Sixteen reconstructions used a prior technique, Wise pattern with inferior dermal flap. Thirty reconstructions used the Wise incision with dermal infolding, while 27 other reconstructions used a batwing incision. For the Wise with inferior dermal flap technique, NAC necrosis occurred in 43.8%. In the cases in which the newer techniques were used, NAC necrosis occurred in 11.1% in the batwing group and 10% in the dermal infolding group. Other complications measured were within acceptable percentiles between both groups. Aesthetic outcomes were acceptable for most of the cases involving NAC necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: A batwing pattern incision or a Wise pattern with a broad, infolded dermal pedicle is a more effective method of immediate reconstruction after NSM in patients with ptosis according to these findings. Nipple-areolar complex necrosis continues to be a major complication that is important to discuss with patients. However, these methods offer patients with ptosis the benefit of preserving a native NAC while allowing for simultaneous skin reduction during an immediate reconstruction.

Topical α-Gal Nanoparticles Enhance Wound Healing in Radiated Skin.

PURPOSE: Surgery within radiated tissue is associated with increased complication rates. It is hypothesized that impaired wound healing may result from aberrant inflammatory responses that occur in previously radiated tissues. Previous work has demonstrated that the topical application of naturally occurring antigen α-gal (Galα1-3Galß1-(3)4GlcNAc-R) nanoparticles (AGNs) within wounds accelerates macrophage recruitment and subsequent healing in both normal and diabetic wounds. Herein, we hypothesize that application of this antigen would similarly enhance wound healing in irradiated tissues. METHODS: To simulate human physiology, α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (KO) mice were exposed to the antigen to produce anti-α-gal antibodies (anti-Gal). Ten days prior to wounding, the dorsal skin was irradiated with 1 session of 40 Gy. Bilateral dorsal 6-mm splinted full-thickness wounds were created within the radiated skin and treated with 50 µL of AGNs (50 mg/mL) immediately after wounding and again on postoperative day 1. A control KO group underwent similar irradiation and wounding protocols but was treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) vehicle. Wild-type (WT) mice, which do not produce anti-Gal, went through the same irradiation and wounding. RESULTS: Histologic analysis demonstrated enhanced epithelial migration in the radiated/AGN-treated KO wounds, which was significantly elevated in comparison to radiated/PBS-treated KO wounds beginning by day 15 and continuing until the end of the study (p < 0.01). In WT mice, treatment with AGNs showed no effect on epithelial migration. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of AGNs onto irradiated wounds significantly ameliorates the delayed wound healing classically seen in radiated skin and results in faster wound closure with only transient application.

App Review Series: Doximity.

Doximity, Inc. has done an excellent job combining their massive medical network with in app features that attempt to streamline the workflow of all healthcare professionals. From easy communication with colleagues, access to a treasure trove of relevant information, and the ability to call patients without the fear of giving away one's private cell phone, all from a clean and simple UI, Doximity is truly an essential tool in the workplace. Unfortunately, the Doximity app cannot be accessed unless you are a healthcare professional. While the application is intended to be a means of communication with colleagues, the app lacks proper messaging features that could allow for consistent workday communication with team members. Fortunately, the application is built on feedback from users, so any desired features are likely already coming down the pipeline. In creating this application, Doximity, Inc. sets out to tackle one of the biggest issues facing healthcare workers and the patients they treat: miscommunication and handoff errors. The Doximity application aims to do this by creating a platform that enables quick and easy communication between physicians, HIPPA-compatible document transfer, and a streamlined service to securely contact patients and colleagues.

A 3-Dimensional Biomimetic Platform to Interrogate the Safety of Autologous Fat Transfer in the Setting of Breast Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a known risk factor for the development and prognosis of breast cancer. Adipocytes have been identified as a source of exogenous lipids in other cancer types and may similarly provide energy to fuel malignant survival and growth in breast cancer. This relationship is of particular relevance to plastic surgery, because many reconstructions after oncologic mastectomy achieve optimal aesthetics and durability using adjunctive autologous fat transfer (AFT). Despite the increasing ubiquity and promise of AFT, many unanswered questions remain, including safety in the setting of breast cancer. Clinical studies to examine this question are underway, but an in vitro system is critical to elucidate the complex interplay between the cells that normally reside at the surgical recipient site. To study these interactions and characterize possible lipid transfer between adipocytes to breast cancer cells, we designed a 3-dimensional in vitro model using primary patient-derived tissues. METHODS: Breast adipose tissue was acquired from patients undergoing breast reduction surgery. The tissue was enzymatically digested and sorted to retrieve adipocytes and adipose stromal cells. Polydimethylsiloxane wells were filled with type I collagen-encapsulated adipocytes labeled with the fluorescent lipid dye boron dipyrromethene, as well as unlabeled adipose stromal cells. A monolayer of red fluorescently labeled MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells was seeded on the surface of the construct. Lipid transfer at the interface between adipocytes and breast cancer cells was analyzed. RESULTS: Confocal microscopy revealed a dense culture of native adipocytes containing fluorescent lipid droplets in the 3-dimensional collagen culture platform. RFP-positive breast cancer cells were found in close proximity to lipid-laden adipocytes. Lipid transfer from adipocytes to breast cancer cells was observed by the presence of boron dipyrromethene-positive lipid droplets within RFP-labeled breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION: We have established a 3-dimensional model to study complex breast cancer-adipose tissue interactions. Direct transfer of fluorescently labeled lipids from adipocytes to breast cancer cells may indicate aberrant metabolism to fuel malignant growth and adaptive survival. Our novel platform can untangle the complex interplay within the breast cancer tumor microenvironment for high-throughput analysis and better elucidate the safety of AFT in postoncologic mastectomy.

App Review Series: CTisus iPearls.

Thousands of "pearls" or facts related to radiology or imaging are accessible through a categorically organized user interface. Pearls are divided up into anatomical regions, as well as non-organ-specific categories. Information is easily accessible with an ad-free interface matched with full offline capability. User interface leaves much to be desired as it appears dated and difficult to navigate at first. Pearls are not easily searchable within the application and unexperienced users may find it difficult to quickly answer targeted questions using this application alone. This application compiles pearls of wisdom pulled from thousands of peer-reviewed publications and organizes them in an easy to use format. While this is designed with the well-informed user in mind, it can serve as an excellent resource for users of all levels of experience seeking bite-sized pieces of imaging-related information.

Current Trends in Surgical Airway Management of Neonates with Robin Sequence.

BACKGROUND: Robin sequence is defined by the clinical triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and upper airway obstruction, and is frequently associated with cleft palate and failure to thrive. Though the efficacy of certain surgical interventions to relieve airway obstruction has been well established, algorithms dictating decision making and perioperative protocols are poorly defined. METHODS: A 22-question survey was sent via e-mail to members of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons. Questions were related to surgeon experience in treating neonates with Robin sequence, and specific perioperative protocols. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-one responses were collected. Most respondents were surgeons practicing in North America(82.8%), in a university hospital setting (81.5%) and had completed a fellowship in pediatric plastic surgery or craniofacial surgery (76.2%). Preoperative protocols varied widely by years in training and location of practice. Although 78.8% of respondents always performed direct laryngoscopy, only 49.7% of respondents routinely obtained preoperative polysomnography. Mandibular distraction osteogenesis was the most common primary surgical airway intervention reported by 74.2%, with only 12.6% primarily utilizing tongue-lip adhesion. Slightly less than half of respondents ever performed tongue-lip adhesion. Operative selection was influenced by surgeon experience, with 80% of those in practice 0-5 years primarily utilizing mandibular distraction, compared with 56% of respondents in practice >15 years. CONCLUSIONS: This study documents wide variations in preoperative, operative, and postoperative protocols for the surgical airway management of neonates with severe Robin sequence. These results underscore the need to acquire more objective data, to compare different protocols and outcome measures.

Effectiveness of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography as a Guide for Palliative Radiation Therapy for Spinal Metastases.

OBJECTIVE: As back pain is the presenting symptom in 95% of patients with epidural spinal metastases, appropriately identifying and treating the most symptomatic levels can provide significant palliation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the ability of combined positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) to identify spinal metastases with high metabolic activity and guide radiotherapy. We sought to correlate improvement in back pain with reduction in standard uptake value (SUV) after treatment. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of 72 patients with spinal metastases treated with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy at a single center between 2002 and 2014. PET/CT was used to calculate SUVs for spinal metastases, and treatment planning was based on PET/CT results. Preoperative and postoperative pain levels were assessed in all patients. RESULTS: Reduction in pain scores was found in 78% of treated patients. A significant reduction in pain was identified in patients with >5 metastases compared with fewer lesions (P < 0.05). Degree of change in SUV did not correlate significantly with pain relief. However, comparing pretreatment and posttreatment PET/CT, patients with improved pain consistently displayed decreased SUV. CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT was shown to be a useful adjunct in radiation treatment planning with change in SUV correlating with symptomatic improvement. This study paves the way for future prospective studies to further assess utility and cost-effectiveness of this imaging modality in radiation treatment planning for spinal metastases.