Early Complications in Prepectoral Tissue Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Prepectoral implant placement for postmastectomy breast reconstruction has increased in recent years. Benefits of prepectoral reconstruction may include lack of animation deformities and reduced postoperative pain, but its complication profile is currently unclear. This study aimed to examine the complication profile of prepectoral tissue expanders (TEs) to determine factors associated with TE loss. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed to identify all patients who underwent immediate prepectoral TE reconstruction from January 2018 to June 2021. The decision to use the prepectoral technique was based on mastectomy skin quality and patient comorbidities. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and operative details were evaluated. Outcomes of interest included TE loss, seroma, hematoma, infection/cellulitis, mastectomy skin flap necrosis requiring revision, and TE exposure. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with TE loss. RESULTS: The study identified 1225 TEs. The most frequent complications were seroma (8.7%, n = 106), infection/cellulitis (8.2%, n = 101), and TE loss (4.2%, n = 51). Factors associated with TE loss in the univariate analysis included ethnicity, history of smoking, body mass index, mastectomy weight, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In the multivariate regression analysis, only mastectomy weight had a positive association with TE loss (odds ratio, 1.001; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Prepectoral two-stage breast reconstruction can be performed safely with an acceptable early complication profile. The study data suggest that increasing mastectomy weight is the most significant factor associated with TE loss. Further research examining the quality of the soft tissue envelope and assessing patient-reported outcomes would prove beneficial.

Continuous External Tissue Expansion for Closure of Forehead Flap Donor Site.

Continuous external tissue expansion has been shown to be effective in the management of craniofacial wounds resulting from tumor resection, trauma, and wound dehiscence. Forehead flap donor sites are typically managed with secondary intention healing. However, this can create esthetic problems in pigmented skin because of the tendency to form thick scars. Here, the authors describe the use of continuous external tissue expansion for the management of a paramedian forehead flap donor site. A Dermaclose device was used at the time of forehead flap elevation and removed at the pedicle division and inset. Sufficient skin expansion was achieved for primary closure. The final scar was esthetically pleasing. External tissue expansion is ideal for forehead flap donor sites as the second stage of the operation provides an opportunity for expander removal and wound closure.

Reconstruction of oncologic upper extremity defects with fibula free flaps has high union rates and excellent functional outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Limb salvage has better functional outcomes than amputation in the upper extremity. This can however be challenging after bony tumor resections. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of patients who underwent humerus, ulna, or radius reconstruction with a fibula free flap. Data were collected on demographics, oncologic history, surgical details, and complications. Functional outcome measures included the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), presence of pain, and musculoskeletal tumor society (MSTS) score. RESULTS: Over a 25-year period, 38 reconstructions were performed. The flap success rate was 97.5%. Bony union was obtained in 19 of 19 (100%) forearm reconstructions and in 15 of 19 (79%) humerus reconstructions (p = 0.10). All 19 forearm reconstruction patients and 18/19 humerus reconstruction patients were able to perform ADLs with no pain or only occasional pain. The MSTS scores were not significantly different between the humerus and forearm cohorts (27.1 vs. 27.3, p = 0.68). Functional outcomes were significantly better in limbs that achieved union (p < 0.001). Recipient and donor site complications occurred in 10 (26.3%) and 5 (13%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Oncologic upper-extremity reconstruction with fibula free flaps has excellent functional outcomes. Bone union is a predictor of superior limb function.

Outcomes and Perioperative Risk Factors after Oncologic Free-Flap Scalp Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the risk factors associated with complications after free flap scalp reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to identify patient, scalp defect, and flap characteristics associated with increased risk of surgical complications. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of free-flap scalp reconstruction in oncologic patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 2002 to 2017. Data collection included patient, defect, flap, and complication characteristics. Complications were classified into major, defined as complications requiring surgical intervention, and minor, defined as complications requiring conservative treatment. Risk factors and outcome variables were compared using chi-square with Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: A total of 63 free flaps to the scalp in 58 patients were performed; average follow-up was 3.5 years. Most flaps were muscle-only or musculocutaneous. One-third of patients with free flaps experienced complications (n = 21, 15 major and 6 minor). Examining risk factors for complications, patients with cardiovascular disease were nearly three times more likely to have suffered a major complication than patients without cardiovascular disease (36.7 vs. 12.1%, p = 0.04). This was the only significant risk factor noted. Perioperative radiotherapy, prior scalp surgery, flap type, and recipient vessel selection were found to be nonsignificant risk factors. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular disease may be a significant marker of risk for major complications in patients undergoing free-flap reconstruction of the scalp. This information should be used to help guide perioperative counseling and decision making in this challenging patient population.

A Cohort Analysis of Early Outcomes After AlloDerm, FlexHD, and SurgiMend Use in Two-Stage Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is frequently utilized in prepectoral breast reconstruction, but few studies have examined the role of ADM type in complication risk. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine the impact of ADM type on early complication rates in 2-stage alloplastic prepectoral breast reconstruction. METHODS: We performed a cohort examination of all patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate 2-stage alloplastic prepectoral breast reconstruction with ADM support at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 2018 to 2021. ADM types utilized included AlloDerm (LifeCell Corporation, Branchburg, NJ), FlexHD (MTF Biologics, Edison, NJ), and SurgiMend (Integra LifeSciences Corporation, Princeton, NJ). Complication rates based on the number of tissue expanders (TEs) were determined for each ADM type. Performance of multivariate logistic regression determined the impact of ADM type on complication risk after accounting for confounders. RESULTS: Overall, 726 patients (1054 TEs: 194 AlloDerm, 93 FlexHD, 767 SurgiMend) were included. The 3 cohorts differed in terms of mastectomy type (nipple-sparing: 23.5% of AlloDerm, 33.3% of FlexHD, 19.1% of SurgiMend, P = .038); ADM perforation (perforated: 94.8% of AlloDerm, 98.2% of FlexHD, 100% of SurgiMend, P < .001); and ADM size (AlloDerm: 153.2 cm2 [37.6], SurgiMend: 198.7 cm2 [10.4], FlexHD: 223.7 cm2 [37.9], P < .001). On univariate examination, no differences existed between ADM types for seroma, infection, exposure, malposition, or TE loss. Additionally, after adjustment for confounders with multivariate regression, no ADM type had higher odds of TE loss. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of prepectoral reconstruction patients, ADM type did not significantly affect the risk of complications. Additional prospective studies are warranted to better evaluate ADM choice for prepectoral breast reconstruction.

Matched Preliminary Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes following Autologous and Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Comparisons of autologous breast reconstruction (ABR) and implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) involve unavoidable confounders, which are often adjusted for in post hoc regression analyses. This study compared patient-reported outcomes between ABR patients and IBR patients by using propensity score matching to control for confounding variables upfront. METHODS: Propensity score matching analysis (2:1 nearest-neighbor matching with replacement) was performed for patients who underwent ABR or IBR without radiotherapy. Matched covariates included age, body mass index, history of psychiatric diagnosis, race-ethnicity, smoking status, and laterality of reconstruction. Outcomes of interest were BREAST-Q questionnaire scores for breast satisfaction and well-being. RESULTS: Of the 2334 patients identified, 427 were included in the final analysis: 159 who underwent ABR and 268 who underwent IBR. The ABR group matched the IBR group in the selected characteristics. ABR patients did not differ significantly from IBR patients in breast satisfaction or well-being at either 1 or 2 years after reconstructive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary analysis of immediate breast reconstruction patients not requiring radiation therapy with similar propensities for ABR or IBR suggests comparable levels of breast satisfaction and well-being within 2 years after reconstructive surgery. Further research is needed with larger sample sizes, statistical power, and follow-up to better understand patient reported outcomes in this population, as the current findings differ from studies where patients were not matched on baseline characteristics.

Perioperative Inpatient Opioid Consumption Following Autologous Free-Flap Breast Reconstruction Patients: An Examination of Risk and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The response to the unprecedented opioid crisis in the US has increased focus on multimodal pain regimens and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways to reduce opioid use. This study aimed to define patient and system-level factors related to perioperative consumption of opioids in autologous free-flap breast reconstruction. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study to identify patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction between 2010 and 2016. A multivariate linear regression model was developed to assess patient and system-level factors influencing opioid consumption. Opioid consumption was then dichotomized as total postoperative opioid consumption above (high) and below (low) the 50th percentile to afford more in-depth interpretation of the regression analysis. Secondary outcome analyses examined postoperative complications and health-related quality-of-life outcomes using the BREAST-Q. RESULTS: Overall, 601 patients were included in the analysis. Unilateral reconstruction, lower body mass index, older age, and administration of ketorolac and liposomal bupivacaine were associated with lower postoperative opioid consumption. In contrast, history of psychiatric diagnoses was associated with higher postoperative opioid consumption. There was no difference in the rates of postoperative complications when comparing the groups, although patients who had lower postoperative opioid consumption had higher BREAST-Q physical well-being scores. CONCLUSION: System-level components of ERAS pathways may reduce opioid use following autologous breast reconstruction, but surgical and patient factors may increase opioid requirements in certain patients. ERAS programs including liposomal bupivacaine and ketorolac should be established on a system level in conjunction with continued focus on individualized care, particularly for patients at risk for high opioid consumption.

Breast Implant-associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Incidence: Determining an Accurate Risk.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to estimate the incidence and incidence rate of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) at a high-volume single institution, which enables vigorous long-term follow-up and implant tracking for more accurate estimates. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The reported incidence of BIA-ALCL is highly variable, ranging from 1 in 355 to 1 in 30,000 patients, demonstrating a need for more accurate estimates. METHODS: All patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction from 1991 to 2017 were retrospectively identified. The incidence and incidence rate of BIA-ALCL were estimated per patient and per implant. A time-to-event analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and life table. RESULTS: During the 26-year study period, 9373 patients underwent reconstruction with 16,065 implants, of which 9589 (59.7%) were textured. Eleven patients were diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, all of whom had a history of textured implants. The overall incidence of BIA-ALCL was 1.79 per 1000 patients (1 in 559) with textured implants and 1.15 per 1000 textured implants (1 in 871), with a median time to diagnosis of 10.3 years (range, 6.4-15.5 yrs). Time-to-event analysis demonstrated a BIA-ALCL cumulative incidence of 0 at up to 6 years, increasing to 4.4 per 1000 patients at 10 to 12 years and 9.4 per 1000 patients at 14 to 16 years, although a sensitivity analysis showed loss to follow-up may have skewed these estimates. CONCLUSIONS: BIA-ALCL incidence and incidence rates may be higher than previous epidemiological estimates, with incidence increasing over time, particularly in patients exposed to textured implants for longer than 10 years.

The Impact of Obesity on Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a significant public health concern and clear risk factor for complications following breast reconstruction. To date, few have assessed patient-reported outcomes (PROs) focused on this key determinant. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the impact of obesity (body mass index ≥ 30) on postoperative satisfaction and physical function utilizing the BREAST-Q in a cohort of autologous breast reconstruction patients. METHODS: An Institutional Review Board-approved prospective investigation was conducted to evaluate PROs in patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction from 2009 to 2017 at a tertiary academic medical center. The BREAST-Q reconstruction module was used to assess outcomes between cohorts preoperatively and at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after reconstruction. RESULTS: Overall, 404 patients underwent autologous breast reconstruction with abdominal free-tissue transfer (244 non-obese, 160 obese) and completed the BREAST-Q. Although obese patients demonstrated lower satisfaction with breasts preoperatively (p = 0.04), no significant differences were noted postoperatively (p = 0.58). However, physical well-being of the abdomen was lower in the obese cohort compared with their non-obese counterparts at long-term follow-up (3 years; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Obesity significantly impacts autologous breast reconstruction patients. Although obese patients are more likely to present with dissatisfaction with breasts preoperatively, they exhibit comparable PROs overall compared with their non-obese counterparts, despite increased complications.

Long-term Patient-reported Outcomes Following Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: An 8-year Examination of 3268 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in satisfaction and health-related quality of life (QOL) following post-mastectomy reconstruction (PMR) using the BREAST-Q, comparing PROs from patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) or autologous breast reconstruction (ABR). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Multiple studies have demonstrated growth in mastectomy rates and concurrent increase in PMR utilization. However, most studies examining PMR PROs focus on short postoperative time periods-mainly within 2 years. METHODS: BREAST-Q scores from IBR or ABR patients at a tertiary center were prospectively collected from 2009 to 2017. Mean scores and standard deviations (SDs) were calculated for satisfaction with breast, satisfaction with outcome, psychosocial well-being, physical well-being of the chest, and sexual well-being. Satisfaction with breasts and physical well-being of the chest were compared using regression models at postoperative years 1, 3, 5, and 7. RESULTS: Overall, 3268 patients were included, with 336 undergoing ABR and 2932 undergoing IBR. Regression analysis demonstrated that ABR patients had greater postoperative satisfaction with breast scores at all timepoints compared with IBR patients. Postoperative radiation and mental illness adversely impacted satisfaction with breast scores. Furthermore, mental illness impacted physical wellbeing of the chest at all timepoints. IBR patients had satisfaction scores that remained stable over the study period. CONCLUSION: This study presents the largest prospective examination of PROs in PMR to date. Patients who opted for ABR had significantly higher satisfaction with their breast and QOL at each assessed time point, but IBR patients had stable long-term satisfaction and QOL postoperatively.

National trends in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in women with locally advanced breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Women with unilateral early-stage breast cancer are increasingly choosing contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) despite the absence of survival benefits and increased risk of surgical complications. Data are lacking on whether this trend extends to women with clinically locally advanced nonmetastatic (cT4M0) cancer. This study aims to estimate national CPM trends in women with unilateral cT4M0 breast cancer. METHODS: Women aged ≥ 18 years, who underwent mastectomy during 2004 to 2014 for unilateral cT4M0 breast cancer were identified using the National Cancer Database and grouped as all locally advanced (T4), chest wall invasion, skin nodule/ulceration, or both (T4abc), and inflammatory (T4d) cancer. Poisson regression for trends and logistic modeling for predictors of CPM were performed. RESULTS: Of 23 943 women, 41% had T4abc disease and 35% T4d. Cumulative CPM rates were 15%, 23%, and 18%, for the T4abc, T4d, and all T4 groups, respectively. Trend analysis revealed a significant upsurge in CPM demonstrating 12% annual growth for T4abc tumors, 8% for T4d and 9% for all T4 (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing numbers of women with unilateral cT4M0 breast cancer are undergoing CPM. This rising trend warrants further research to understand stakeholders' preferences in surgical decision-making for women with locally advanced breast cancer.

Impact of Contralateral Symmetry Procedures on Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes following Unilateral Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: One aim of unilateral postmastectomy breast reconstruction (BR) is to restore symmetry with the contralateral breast. As such, unilateral prosthetic reconstruction often requires a contralateral symmetry procedure (CSP). There is sparse literature on the impact of CSPs on long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aims to describe PROs following CSPs, using a validated PRO tool, BREAST-Q. The hypothesis is that CSPs are associated with greater patient-reported satisfaction and HRQoL. METHODS: This study is a single institutional analysis of prospectively collected BREAST-Q scores of patients who underwent unilateral prosthetic BR during 2011 to 2015. Women 18 years and older with BREAST-Q scores measured ≥ 9months after BR with or without CSP(s) at the time of expander replacement were included. Patients were classified into four subcohorts: augmentation, mastopexy, reduction, and no symmetry procedure (controls). Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and BREAST-Q scores were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression was performed. RESULTS: Of 553 patients, 67 (12%) underwent contralateral augmentation, 68 (12%) mastopexy, 93(17%) reduction, and 325 (59%) were controls. Mean follow-up time was 52 months. Satisfaction with breast and outcomes were higher in the augmentation compared with the control groups (p = 0.01). On multivariable analysis, augmentation remained an independent predictor of satisfaction with breast (p = 0.04). Physical well-being scores were lower for contralateral mastopexy and reduction compared with the controls with a trend toward statistical significance on multivariable models. Psychological and sexual well-being was similar across groups. CONCLUSION: Prosthetic reconstruction with contralateral breast augmentation was associated with greater satisfaction with breast and reconstructive outcome. In contrast, breast reduction and mastopexy procedures demonstrated equivalent satisfaction with breasts compared with controls but may be associated with lower physical well-being. Such information can be used to improve the shared decision-making process for women who choose unilateral prosthetic BR.

National Breast Reconstruction Utilization in the Setting of Postmastectomy Radiotherapy.

Background Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is often deferred, when postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) is anticipated, due to high complication rates. Nonetheless, because of robust data supporting improved health-related quality of life associated with reconstruction, physicians and patients may be more accepting of tradeoffs. The current study explores national trends of IBR utilization rates and methods in the setting of PMRT, using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). The study hypothesis is that prosthetic techniques have become the most common method of IBR in the setting of PMRT. Methods NCDB was queried from 2004 to 2013 for women, who underwent mastectomy with or without IBR. Patients were grouped according to PMRT status. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds of IBR in the setting of PMRT. Trend analyses were done for rates and methods of IBR using Poisson regression to determine incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Results In multivariate analysis, radiated patients were 30% less likely to receive IBR (p < 0.05). The rate increase in IBR was greater in radiated compared with nonradiated patients (IRR: 1.12 vs. 1.09). Rates of reconstruction increased more so in radiated compared with nonradiated patients for both implants (IRR 1.15 vs. 1.11) and autologous techniques (IRR 1.08 vs. 1.06). Autologous reconstructions were more common in those receiving PMRT until 2005 (p < 0.05), with no predominant technique thereafter. Conclusion Although IBR remains a relative contraindication, rates of IBR are increasing to a greater extent in patients receiving PMRT. Implants have surpassed autologous techniques as the most commonly used method of breast reconstruction in this setting.

Psychosocial and Sexual Well-Being Following Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy and Reconstruction.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is considered an oncologically safe option for select patients. As many patients are candidates for nipple-sparing or skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM), reliable patient-reported outcome data are crucial for decision-making. The objective of this study was to determine whether patient satisfaction and/or health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were improved by preservation of the nipple with NSM compared to SSM and nipple reconstruction. Subjects were identified from a prospectively maintained database of patients who completed the BREAST-Q following mastectomy and breast reconstruction between March and October 2011 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Fifty-two patients underwent NSM followed by immediate expander-implant reconstruction. A comparison group consisted of 202 patients who underwent SSM followed by immediate expander-implant reconstruction and later nipple reconstruction. HRQOL and satisfaction domains as measured by BREAST-Q scores were compared in multivariate linear regression analyzes that controlled for potential confounding factors. NSM patients reported significantly higher scores in the psychosocial (p = 0.01) and sexual well-being (p = 0.02) domains compared to SSM patients. There was no significant difference in the BREAST-Q physical well-being, satisfaction with breast, or satisfaction with outcome domains between the NSM and SSM groups. NSM is associated with higher psychosocial and sexual well-being compared to SSM and nipple reconstruction. Preoperative discussion of such HRQOL outcomes with patients may facilitate informed decision-making and realistic postoperative expectations.

Successful Salvage of Late Anastomotic Thrombosis after Free Tissue Transfer.

Background Anastomotic thrombosis following free tissue transfer (FTT) on or after day 5 ("late thrombosis") is reported to have extremely low rates of salvage. Analysis of our institution's experience with FTT was performed to make recommendations about the optimal management of late thrombosis, and to identify any variables that are correlated with increased salvage rates. Methods The study included patients who underwent FTT between 1986 and 2014, then suffered anastomotic thrombosis on or after postoperative day 5. Twenty-six variables involving demographic information, flap characteristics, circumstances of the thrombotic event, and details of any salvage attempt were analyzed. Patients whose FTT were successfully salvaged and those whose were not were statistically compared. Results Of the 3,212 patients who underwent FTT, 23 suffered late thrombosis (0.7%), and the salvage rate was 60.8% (14 of 23). The salvage rate for reconstruction of the head and neck was 53.3%, breast was 66.7%, and extremity was 100%. There was a statistically significantly greater salvage rate in flaps performed after 1998 than in those performed before 1998 (p = 0.023). There was a nonstatistically significant trend toward increased salvage rates in patients who had no anastomotic thrombotic risk factors, reconstruction using fasciocutaneous flaps, and anastomotic revision using new recipient vessels. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that flap survival after episodes of late thrombosis can be higher than what the literature has previously reported. This underscores the importance of rigorous postoperative monitoring, as well as the importance of exploration at the earliest instance of concern for threatened flap viability.

Venous Thrombosis in Handsewn versus Coupled Venous Anastomoses in 857 Consecutive Breast Free Flaps.

BACKGROUND: The anastomotic coupling device has demonstrated safety and efficacy; however, the coupler has never been compared directly to handsewn venous anastomoses exclusively in breast reconstruction. We hypothesized that rates of venous thrombosis would be lower using the coupler versus handsewn anastomoses in free flap breast reconstruction. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review utilizing clinic records, hospital records, and operative reports for 857 consecutive breast free flaps at a single institution from 1997 to 2012. Data were collected on reconstruction type, recipient vessels, timing, laterality, preoperative radiation, chemotherapy, venous thrombosis, and flap outcome. We compared rates of venous thrombosis between handsewn and coupled anastomoses for breast free flaps. Chi-square test was used to calculate statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 857 consecutive free flaps were performed for breast reconstruction in 647 patients over 16 years. The venous anastomosis was handsewn in 303 flaps, and the anastomotic coupler was used in 554 flaps. The rate of venous thrombosis requiring anastomotic revision in the handsewn group was 0.04% (12/303), compared with 0.01% in the coupled group (8/554; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The anastomotic coupler was more effective in preventing venous thrombosis than handsewn anastomoses in our series. While our study demonstrates improved patency rates using the venous coupler in breast reconstruction, we were unable to definitively separate this finding from potential confounding variables due to the low rates of thrombosis in both the groups. Our data are consistent with current literature, which suggests that the coupler is a safe and effective alternative to hand sutured anastomoses.

Development and assessment of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Surgical Secondary Events grading system.

BACKGROUND: Studying surgical secondary events is an evolving effort with no current established system for database design, standard reporting, or definitions. Using the Clavien-Dindo classification as a guide, in 2001 we developed a Surgical Secondary Events database based on grade of event and required intervention to begin prospectively recording and analyzing all surgical secondary events (SSE). METHODS: Events are prospectively entered into the database by attending surgeons, house staff, and research staff. In 2008 we performed a blinded external audit of 1,498 operations that were randomly selected to examine the quality and reliability of the data. RESULTS: Of 4,284 operations, 1,498 were audited during the third quarter of 2008. Of these operations, 79 % (N = 1,180) did not have a secondary event while 21 % (N = 318) had an identified event; 91 % of operations (1,365) were correctly entered into the SSE database. Also 97 % (129 of 133) of missed secondary events were grades I and II. There were 3 grade III (2 %) and 1 grade IV (1 %) secondary event that were missed. There were no missed grade 5 secondary events. CONCLUSIONS: Grade III-IV events are more accurately collected than grade I-II events. Robust and accurate secondary events data can be collected by clinicians and research staff, and these data can safely be used for quality improvement projects and research.

Safety of the supraclavicular artery island flap in the setting of neck dissection and radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: The supraclavicular artery island flap (SAIF) has recently been repopularized as a versatile and reliable option for reconstruction of oncological head and neck defects. Prior ipsilateral neck dissection or irradiation is considered a relative contraindication to its use. The aim of this study was to describe the safety and utility of the SAIF for head and neck reconstruction in the setting of neck dissection and radiation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of consecutive SAIF reconstructions at two institutions between May 2011 and 2014. In addition to demographic data, comorbidities, indications, surgical characteristics, data about radiation treatment, and neck dissection were specifically recorded. Donor and recipient site complications were noted. Fisher exact test was performed to analyze if neck dissection or radiation were associated with complications. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients underwent SAIF reconstruction for an array of head and neck defects. Donor site infection was noted in one patient. Recipient site complications included, wound dehiscence (n = 2), orocutaneous fistula (n = 1), carotid blowout (n = 1), and total flap loss (n = 1). There was no association between prior neck dissection or radiation treatment and flap loss (p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: The SAIF is safe for use in patients who have had an ipsilateral neck dissection involving level IV or V lymph nodes and/or radiation treatment to the neck. It can be used alone or in combination with other flaps for closure of a variety of head and neck defects.