Surgical Decision Making in Genetically High-Risk Women: Quantifying Postoperative Complications and Long-Term Risks of Supplemental Surgery After Risk-Reducing Mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: Risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) helps prevent breast cancer in high-risk women but also carries a risk of unanticipated supplemental surgeries. We sought to determine the likelihood of supplemental surgeries following RRM. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of female patients with a confirmed germline pathogenic variant (GPV) in a breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA1/2, PALB2 and others) who underwent bilateral or contralateral RRM at our institution between 2006 and 2022. Supplemental surgeries were defined as any operation requiring general or local anesthesia performed outside of the initially planned procedure(s). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the 5-years cumulative incidence of supplemental surgery. RESULTS: Of 560 GPV carriers, RRMs were performed in 258 (46.1%) women. The median age of the cohort was 44 years (interquartile range 37-52 years), with 33 (12.8%) patients undergoing RRM without reconstruction and 225 (87.2%) undergoing RRM with reconstruction. Following surgery, 34 patients (13.2%) developed early (< 30 days) postoperative complications, including infection, hematoma, seroma, loss of the nipple areola complex, flap necrosis, implant exposure and/or prosthesis removal. At a median follow-up of 3.8 years, 94 (36.4%) GPV carriers underwent at least one reoperation. Participants who experienced an early postoperative complication had the highest rate of reoperation (85.3% vs. 29.0%; p < 0.001) and a significantly higher likelihood of multiple additional surgical interventions (41.2% vs. 10.7%; p < 0.001). The 5-years rate of supplemental surgery was 39.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 32.7-46.5] in the overall cohort and 31.5% (95% CI 24.9-39.3) in patients without an early postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: Unanticipated supplemental surgeries occur in 40% of GPV carriers following RRM and in nearly one-third of patients without early postoperative complications.

Immediate Prepectoral Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction Without Acellular Dermal Matrix Is Equally Safe Following Skin-Sparing and Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: Prepectoral breast reconstruction has become increasingly popular over the last decade. There is a paucity of data surrounding the impact of mastectomy type on clinical outcomes when comparing prepectoral immediate breast reconstruction without acellular dermal matrix (ADM) using tissue expansion. The purpose of this study was to compare 90-day reconstructive surgical outcomes in immediate prepectoral tissue expander reconstruction between patients with nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM). METHODS: A retrospective review of patient records was carried out on all patients undergoing NSM or SSM with immediate prepectoral tissue expander reconstruction without ADM, in a single institution, from June 2020 to December 2021. All complications were recorded, categorized, and statistically analyzed for significance. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (97 breasts) were studied. The mean age was 51 years old (range, 31-77). Twenty-two patients suffered complications recorded in 22 breasts (22.7%). There was no statistically significant difference in the total complications between the NSM (25.7%) and SSM (21.0%) groups or in the incidence of all major and minor complications. CONCLUSIONS: Breast reconstruction using tissue expanders without ADM has similar reconstructive outcomes in both NSM and SSM. There were no significant differences in complication rates between either groups. Breast reconstruction without ADM can confer institutional cost savings without compromising safety.

A Review of Frontal Orbital and Frontal Sinus Fractures and Associated Ocular Injuries - Level I Trauma Center - University Hospital Experience.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic frontal fractures result from high force injuries and can result in significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate our Montreal General Hospital (MGH) experience with frontal bone fractures. METHODS: A comprehensive review of our trauma database was performed. All adult patients (>18 years) presenting with a diagnosis of frontal sinus fracture were identified. A thorough retrospective electronic medical records search was performed and relevant data extracted. Specifically, all cases of ocular injury or sequelae were identified and an in-depth review was performed. RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2014, 10,189 trauma patients presented to the MUHC Level 1 trauma center. A total of 1277 patients presented with a facial fracture and 140 had a frontal sinus fracture. The mean age was 43.5 years, 90% were male and the mean hospitalization time was 16.2 days. A significant proportion of patients suffered concomitant craniomaxillofacial fractures including orbital (79%), maxillary (66%), nasal (64%), zygomaticomaxillary complex (34%), nasoorbitoethmoid (31%), Lefort types I-III (18%), and mandibular (8%). Associated cervical spine injuries were documented in 16% of patients. Ocular injuries were present in 30% of subjects. 26% of patients had some form of permanent sequelae from their trauma, mainly neurological. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the intimate association of the frontal bones with the brain and the orbits, frontal sinus fractures demand a sophisticated multidisciplinary craniofacial surgical approach. Given the high rate of ocular injury of 30% as well as severe systemic injuries, the authors propose a modified treatment algorithm for these complex cases.

Acellular Dermal Matrix-sparing Direct-to-implant Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction: A Comparative Study Including Cost Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Refined mastectomy techniques, the advent of new technologies and materials such as acellular dermal matrix (ADM), cohesive gel silicone implants, and intraoperative tissue perfusion analysis, have fueled a resurgence in prepectoral breast reconstruction. This article aims to compare an immediate direct-to-implant prepectoral ADM-sparing approach with the traditional subpectoral 2-stage immediate reconstruction. A cost analysis within a Canadian-run single-payer system is also presented. METHODS: A retrospective 2-group comparative chart review study was performed (June 2015-January 2017) to identify all patients who underwent prepectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction using an ADM-sparing technique. The comparison group consisted of patients having undergone traditional 2-stage subpectoral reconstruction with ADM. All countable variables were included in the cost analysis, which was performed in Canadian dollars. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients (116 reconstructed breasts) were included. Both the prepectoral and subpectoral groups were comparable in size, demographics including age, diabetic and smoking status, and receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and postmastectomy radiotherapy. Patients having undergone direct-to-implant prepectoral reconstruction benefited from fewer follow-up visits (3.8 vs 5.4, respectively) and from less complications (24.7% vs 35.6%, respectively) including animation deformity. In addition, direct-to-implant prepectoral reconstruction costs 25% less than the 2-stage subpectoral reconstruction when all associated costs were considered. CONCLUSION: Prepectoral implant placement avoids many of the disadvantages of the traditional 2 stage subpectoral reconstruction, including pectoralis muscle dissection, animation deformity, and multiple surgeries. As the first comparative cost analysis study on the subject, our ADM-sparing direct-to-implant prepectoral reconstruction method costs 25% less than the traditional 2-stage subpectoral reconstruction with a comparable complication profile.

A Novel Mohs Precision Tool.

BACKGROUND: Effective treatment by Mohs micrographic surgery requires preparation of high-quality slides. OBJECTIVE: To examine a novel tissue alignment device designed to address variability in tissue processing because of excessive sample trimming. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A device was designed to account for angular errors and unparalleled tissue embedding. A retrospective chart review was performed both with and without the use of the device over the course of a 4-year period (2012-2015). RESULTS: Between January 1, 2012, and June 10, 2014, before device implementation, mean number of stages per case was 1.65 (n = 3,680) and mean number of surgeries per day was 6.34 (n = 640). Between June 11, 2014, and October 02, 2015, with device implemented, the average number of stages per case between decreased to 1.58 (n = 2,562) and the number of daily surgeries increased to 7.05 (n = 358). This represents a significant decrease in number of stages per case by 0.07 stages (95% CI: -0.01 to -0.13, p = .02), as well as an increase in the number of cases per day by 0.71 cases (95% CI: 0.12-1.3, p < .01). CONCLUSION: Slide preparation using the novel alignment device may result in less tissue waste and more cases being performed daily.

The State of Technology in Craniosynostosis.

INTRODUCTION: Craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of ≥1 cranial sutures, is the leading cause of pediatric skull deformities, affecting 1 of every 2000 to 2500 live births worldwide. Technologies used for the management of craniofacial conditions, specifically in craniosynostosis, have been advancing dramatically. This article highlights the most recent technological advances in craniosynostosis surgery through a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: A systematic electronic search was performed using the PubMed database. Search terms used were "craniosynostosis" AND "technology" OR "innovation" OR "novel.' Two independent reviewers subsequently reviewed the resultant articles based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Selected manuscripts deemed novel by the senior authors were grouped by procedure categories. RESULTS: Following review of the PubMed database, 28 of 536 articles were retained. Of the 28 articles, 20 articles consisting of 21 technologies were deemed as being novel by the senior authors. The technologies were categorized as diagnostic imaging (n = 6), surgical planning (n = 4), cranial vault evaluation (n = 4), machine learning (n = 3), ultrasound pinning (n = 3), and near-infrared spectroscopy (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Multiple technological advances have impacted the treatment of craniosynostosis. These innovations include improvement in diagnosis and objective measurement of craniosynostosis, preoperative planning, intraoperative procedures, communication between both surgeons and patients, and surgical education.

The Montreal Augmentation Mammaplasty Operation (MAMO) Simulator: An Alternative Method to Train and Assess Competence in Breast Augmentation Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Surgical residents' exposure to aesthetic procedures remains limited in residency training. The development of the Montreal augmentation mammaplasty operation (MAMO) simulator aims to provide an adjunctive training method and assessment tool to complement the evolving competency-based surgical curriculum. OBJECTIVES: To perform face, content, and construct validations of the MAMO simulator for subpectoral breast augmentation procedures and assess the reliability of the assessment scales used. METHODS: Plastic surgery staff and residents were recruited to perform a subpectoral breast augmentation on the simulator. Video recordings of their performance were blindly evaluated using the objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) system consisting of the global rating scale (GRS), mammaplasty objective assessment tool (MOAT), and a surgery-specific Checklist score. RESULTS: Fourteen plastic surgery residents and seven expert plastic surgeons were enrolled. Experts' performance was significantly higher than residents' according to each of GRS, MOAT, and Checklist scores. Mean values of residents and experts were 23.4 (2.5) vs 36.9 (3.1) (P < 0.0001) for GRS score, 30.4 (2.2) vs 40 (3.2) (P < 0.0001) for MOAT scores, and 9.7 (1.5) vs 12 (1) (P < 0.001) for Checklist scores, respectively. Face and content validations showed excellent results among parameters evaluated, with an overall mean score of 4.8 (0.3) on 5. Cronbach's alpha was 0.96 and 0.83 for GRS and MOAT scores, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients for interrater reliability were excellent at 0.93, 0.92, and 0.89 for the GRS, MOAT, and Checklist scores, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study proves the construct simulator to be valid and the assessment scales to be reliable.

Outcome Following Surgical Interventions for Micrognathia in Infants With Pierre Robin Sequence: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Tongue-lip adhesion (TLA), mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO), and subperiosteal release of the floor of the mouth (SPRFM) are the most commonly performed surgical procedures to treat severe airway obstruction in infants born with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of failure of each type of procedure, in terms of mortality and the need for tracheostomy, and to determine what proportion of infants have significant airway obstruction postoperatively as determined by polysomnography (PSG) and compare the data by procedure type. METHOD: A comprehensive literature search (1981 through June 2015) was done of the National Library of Medicine database using PubMed. Extracted data included diagnosis, type of surgery, and outcome including mortality, need for postoperative tracheostomy and details of PSG. Persistence of significant airway obstruction was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index >15 events/h on PSG. RESULTS: Both mortality rate and need for tracheostomy were low for all procedures. Many studies lacked sufficient detail to identify significant airway obstruction postoperatively. In studies with sufficient data, MDO was associated with the lowest percentage of significant airway obstruction postprocedure (3.6%) compared to 50% for infants who underwent TLA. Insufficient PSG data was available for patients who were treated with SPRFM. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of objective PSG data to definitively assess postoperative airway outcomes for PRS. MDO appears to be the most effective technique based on the available PSG data. Standardized use of PSG may lead to better identification and treatment of patients at risk for suboptimal airway outcomes postoperatively.

A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Tongue Lip Adhesion in Improving Airway Obstruction in Children With Pierre Robin Sequence.

BACKGROUND: Tongue-lip adhesion (TLA) involves surgically tethering the tongue forward to the lower lip and is a technique to relieve airway obstruction caused by glossoptosis and retrognathia. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of TLA for the treatment of airway compromise in patients with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was performed. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients having undergone isolated tongue lip adhesion and results that included airway outcome. Selected manuscripts were analyzed with regards to patient demographics, principle diagnosis, pre and postintervention airway status, and complications. RESULTS: Thirteen manuscripts met inclusion criteria, yielding 268 patients with PRS who underwent TLA. The mean age at the time of procedure was 30.5 days. Tongue lip adhesion proved to be successful in relieving airway obstruction caused by PRS in 81.3% (n = 218) of patients. Nonsyndromic patients benefited from a higher success rate as compared with the syndromic cohort (91.5% and 79.8% respectively, P = 0.0361). Eight patients who were initially successfully managed with TLA required a repeat procedure due to dehiscence. CONCLUSIONS: Tongue-lip adhesion is a safe and effective technique and is associated with lower morbidity and mortality as compared with mandibular distraction osteogenesis and tracheostomy and should be considered in patients with PRS who fail conservative management. The greater success and lower complication rates in nonsyndromic patients reinforce the importance of proper patient selection and consideration of other techniques such as mandibular distraction osteogenesis should be given in patients with associated syndromic diagnoses.

Direct-to-Implant, Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction: Geometric Breast Measurements and Changes at 2-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Prepectoral breast reconstruction has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity. However, in direct-to-implant (DTI) reconstruction, there is no opportunity for capsular modifications before final implant insertion. Implant pocket and breast shape are thus maintained, initially, solely by the mastectomy skin flaps, and eventually, by attachments of the periprosthetic capsule. The present study aims to quantify changes in breast geometric measurements over time following DTI prepectoral breast reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent bilateral prepectoral DTI reconstruction performed by a single surgeon from June of 2016 to January of 2018. Patients followed for more than 2 years were included. Yearly standardized frontal photographs were analyzed, and nipple-to-midline, sternal notch-to-nipple, and midclavicle-to-lower pole measurements were obtained. Patient demographics, operative details, and complications were documented. RESULTS: A total of 72 breasts (38 women) undergoing direct-to-implant, prepectoral breast reconstruction were included in the final analysis. Acellular dermal matrix was used in 56 breasts only (78.9%) for anterior coverage. The average change in nipple-to-midline distance after 2 years decreased by 0.41 cm (range, -2.00 to 2.97 cm), sternal notch-to-nipple distance decreased by 0.62 cm (range, -4.98 to 5.4 cm), and midclavicle-to-lower pole distance decreased 0.10 cm superiorly (range, -6.07 to 3.6 cm). In breasts that underwent postmastectomy radiation therapy, the average changes were -0.08, -0.43, and -0.56 cm, respectively. No patient in this cohort had severe malposition requiring further surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides insight into geometric breast measurements following prepectoral breast reconstruction at 2-year follow-up. The minimal breast shape changes observed demonstrate the feasibility of prepectoral DTI reconstruction with or without the use of acellular dermal matrix. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Topical Tranexamic Acid in Breast Reconstruction: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Excess fluid accumulation (seroma/hematoma) around the breast implant after reconstruction can lead to significant complications. Topical administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) may reduce fluid accumulation and reduce postoperative complications. This trial aims to investigate whether TXA-treated mastectomy pockets will exhibit less postoperative fluid production and complications. METHODS: This paired, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial enrolled patients undergoing bilateral mastectomies with immediate direct-to-implant reconstruction. In each patient, one breast was randomized to receive 3 g of TXA (100 cc), and the other received 100 cc of normal saline. The blinded solutions were soaked in the mastectomy pocket for 5 minutes before implant placement. Postoperatively, daily drain outputs, complications, and baseline demographics were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-three eligible patients, representing 106 breasts, were enrolled. All patients underwent bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomies. After randomization, TXA was placed in the right breast in 30 patients (56.6%). The use of topical TXA resulted in a mean drain output reduction of 30.5% (range, -83.6% to 26.6%). Drains on the TXA-treated breast were eligible for removal 1.4 days (range, 0 to 4 days) sooner than the control side. The TXA-treated group had three complications (5.67%) versus 15 (28.3%) in the control group (OR, 0.1920; P = 0.0129). Specifically, for operative hematomas, the TXA group had none (0%), versus three in the control group (5.7%) (OR, 0.1348; P = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Soaking the mastectomy bed with 3% topical TXA before implant insertion leads to a decrease in drain output and a decrease in complications. Topical administration of TXA represents an option to decrease complications in alloplastic breast reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, I.

A Safe and Efficient Technique for Pedicled TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the indications for a unilateral pedicled transverse rectus abdominis (TRAM) flap-based breast reconstruction. 2. Understand the different types and designs of pedicled TRAM flap used in both immediate and delayed breast reconstruction. 3. Understand the essential landmarks and relevant anatomy of the pedicled TRAM flap. 4. Understand the steps of raising the pedicled TRAM flap, the subcutaneous transfer, and the insetting of the flap on the chest wall. 5. Understand the nature of donor-site management and closure of the defect. 6. Develop a postoperative plan for continuing care and pain management. SUMMARY: This article focuses primarily on the unilateral, ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flap. Although the bilateral pedicled TRAM flap may be a reasonable option in some cases, they have been shown to have a significant impact on abdominal wall strength and integrity. Other types of autogenous flaps using the same lower abdominal tissue, such as a free muscle-sparing TRAM or a deep inferior epigastric flap, can be performed as a bilateral procedure with less impact on the abdominal wall. Breast reconstruction with a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis flap has persisted for decades as a reliable and safe form of autologous breast reconstruction leading to a natural and stable breast shape.

"Identification of Essential Assessment Criteria in Facial Botulinum Toxin Injections".

INTRODUCTION: Facial botulinum toxin injections represent the most commonly performed aesthetic non-surgical procedures by plastic surgeons; however, post-graduate programs remain devoid of objective tools to adequately assess competence in trainees. In this study, the authors employ the Delphi methodology to establish a list of essential assessment criteria in facial botulinum toxin injections. METHODS: A list of 10 suggested criteria was generated through a literature search and in consultation with an expert plastic surgeon. A panel of content experts was selected to which an online survey was administered; skills were ranked for their relevance using a 1-10 Likert scale. Recommendations for additional skills were solicited and survey rounds were repeated until consensus was achieved. The latter was a measure of panelist reliability and assessed using Cronbach α (≥0.8); skills with a rating of 7 or above were taken to be essential. RESULTS: The survey process was successful at achieving consensus following two rounds of survey administration. Twenty-one participants completed the first round representing a response rate of 38%. Percent agreement among the panel was 83% and Cronbach α was computed as 0.78, necessitating further rounds. The response rate in the second round was 90%; one additional skill was added; percent agreement and Cronbach α improved to 88% and 0.87, respectively. CONCLUSION: Nine assessment criteria were identified as essential in facial botulinum toxin injections; these findings provide the groundwork necessary for the development of an objective assessment tool for the more appropriate training of marginalized aesthetic procedures in plastic surgery.

Aesthetic Limitations in Direct-to-Implant Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Prepectoral direct-to-implant reconstruction has become an alternative to staged subpectoral expander-based reconstruction. Although the surgical safety of this technique has been shown, aesthetic limitations have not been well-described. This article reports aesthetic limitations and elucidates risk factors that may predispose patients toward developing unfavorable outcomes following direct-to-implant prepectoral breast reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed, identifying patients who underwent prepectoral, direct-to-implant breast reconstruction from June of 2016 to June of 2019. Aesthetic limitations assessed included capsular contracture, rippling, implant malposition, and implant flipping. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-four consecutive women representing 334 breasts underwent immediate reconstruction performed by a single plastic surgeon. A midlateral incision was used in 185 breasts (55.4 percent) and the Wise pattern in 95 breasts (28.8 percent). The mean follow-up time was 30.5 months (45.3 to 18.3 months). Significant capsular contracture (grade 3 to 4) was noted in 27 breasts (8.1 percent), implant flipping in four breasts (1.2 percent), implant displacement in five breasts (1.5 percent), major rippling in nine breasts (2.7 percent), and minor rippling in 17 breasts (5.1 percent). The use of acellular dermal matrix had no significant effect on the aesthetic outcomes. In comparing breasts with postmastectomy radiation, there was a significant difference in the presence of minor rippling and capsular contracture ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This cohort represents the largest, single-surgeon, direct-to-implant prepectoral database in the literature. This report shows that aesthetic limitations were comparable to those seen with other forms of reconstruction. Complications did not differ in terms of acellular dermal matrix use. Certain factors can predispose patients to developing unfavorable aesthetic outcomes. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Skin-Reducing Mastectomy with Immediate Prepectoral Reconstruction: Surgical, Aesthetic, and Patient-Reported Outcomes with and without Dermal Matrices.

BACKGROUND: Prepectoral breast reconstruction is being increasingly popularized, largely because of technical advances. Patients with ptotic breasts and active cancer require mastectomies through a mastopexy excision pattern to achieve proper pocket control in a prepectoral single-stage operation. This article presents a single-surgeon experience with direct-to-implant, prepectoral reconstruction following skin-reducing mastectomies. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified all patients undergoing prepectoral, direct-to-implant breast reconstruction following Wise-pattern mastopexy from June of 2016 to June of 2018. Surgical and aesthetic outcomes, including capsular contracture and revision surgery, were measured. The BREAST-Q was administered preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients (121 breasts) were included. A widely based inframammary fold adipodermal flap was used in all cases, with acellular dermal matrix used in 77 breasts (63.3 percent), free nipple grafts in 42 breasts (34.7 percent), and postmastectomy radiation therapy in 31 breasts (26.5 percent). Operative complications included nipple-areola complex necrosis in six (5.1 percent), hematoma in four (3.4 percent), seroma in four (3.4 percent), implant exposure in three (2.6 percent), and infection in one (0.9 percent). Minor complications included cellulitis in five (6.0 percent) and minor wound issues in five (4.3 percent). In aesthetic outcomes, only two nonirradiated breasts experienced a grade 3 to 4 or grade 4 capsular contracture requiring capsulectomy. Rippling was visible in four breasts (3.4 percent). The BREAST-Q showed good satisfaction with the technique, with no significant differences between nipple-areola complex techniques. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort represents the largest single-surgeon, Wise-pattern, direct-to-implant prepectoral database in the literature. This report showed that surgical and aesthetic complications did not differ in terms of acellular dermal matrix use. This technique has shown, through patient-reported outcomes, to yield good patient satisfaction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Direct-to-Implant Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction: Patient-Reported Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Direct-to-implant prepectoral breast reconstruction has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity because of its lower levels of postoperative pain and animation deformity. BREAST-Q, a well-validated patient-reported outcomes tool, was used to assess patient satisfaction and quality of life. The goal of this study was to assess patient-reported outcomes at 6-month and 1-year follow-up after direct-to-implant prepectoral breast reconstruction. METHODS: Sixty-nine consented adult patients undergoing a total of 110 direct-to-implant, prepectoral, postmastectomy breast reconstructions completed BREAST-Q questionnaires immediately preoperatively, and at 6 and 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: Mean breast satisfaction decreased nonsignificantly from 61.3 preoperatively to 58.6 at 12 months after reconstruction (p = 0.32). Psychosocial well-being improved nonsignificantly from 67.1 preoperatively to 71.1 at 12-month follow-up (p = 0.26). Physical well-being of the chest was insignificantly different, from 74.4 to 73.3 at 12-month follow-up (p = 0.62). Finally, sexual well-being similarly remained nonsignificantly changed from 60.2 preoperatively, to 59.1 at 12 months (p = 0.80). The use of acellular dermal matrix and postmastectomy radiotherapy did not have any significant effects on patient-reported outcomes. Through regression analysis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, increased age, and incidence of rippling were found to negatively influence BREAST-Q results. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent direct-to-implant prepectoral breast reconstruction demonstrated an overall satisfaction with their outcomes. As prepectoral breast reconstruction continues to advance and grow in popularity, patient-reported outcomes such as those presented in this study become of paramount importance in practice. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Trapezoidal fractures: Overview and introduction of a novel diagnostic classification system.

INTRODUCTION: Trapezoidal fractures account for only 0.4% of all carpal bone fractures. Owing to their rarity, there is paucity in the literature regarding the clinical findings and treatment. This paper aims to summarize the current understanding of trapezoidal fractures and present a novel classification algorithm. METHODS: A diagnostic classification algorithm was created based on the known blood supply and ligamentous attachment of the trapezoid. The proposed treatment algorithm was then applied to trapezoidal fractures in the literature to validate the algorithm and determine whether patients received treatment that was in accordance. RESULTS: A total of 19 articles, representing 22 trapezoidal fractures were included, with two additional cases presented by the authors. Presenting symptoms were pain (n = 21) and swelling (n = 12). Diagnosis was made on CT in a majority of the time, 79.2% (n = 18). All outcomes were favorable with symptomatic resolution and full range of motion after treatment, except in four patients that had co-existing wrist injuries. When the algorithm was applied, 89.5% (n = 17) of the patients received treatment in accordance with the proposed algorithm and demonstrated good outcomes. In the remaining patients (n = 2) whose treatment differed, one had diminished grip strength and the other was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Given a degree of clinical suspicion including a history of blunt trauma to the hand and persisting pain, trapezoidal fractures should remain on the differential when plain radiographs fail to identify any fracture. Operative treatment is suggested if there is any significant displacement, compromise of the dorsal surface, or breech of the trapezoidal ligaments causing possible dislocation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV - Diagnostic.