Reducing margins of wide local excision in head and neck melanoma for function and cosmesis: 5-year local recurrence-free survival.

BACKGROUND: The proximity of head and neck (H&N) melanomas to critical anatomical structures requires that surgeons achieve a balance between adequate margins of excision and the functional and cosmetic needs of patients. This study sought to determine the risk associated with reducing margins of wide local excision (WLE) in H&N melanoma and to identify risk factors of recurrence. METHODS: Seventy-nine cases of primary, invasive H&N melanoma were treated by WLE and followed prospectively for local recurrence. Forty-two WLEs were performed according to current practice guidelines (1cm for lesions<1.0 mm thick, 1-2 cm for lesions 1.01-2.0 mm thick, and 2 cm for lesions >2.0 mm thick). Reduced margins (0.5 cm for lesions ≤1.0 mm thick, 0.5-1.0 cm for lesions 1.01-2.0 mm thick, and 1.0 cm for lesion >2.0 mm thick) were utilized in 37 cases to preserve critical anatomical structures such as the eyelid, nose, mouth and auricle. RESULTS: Overall local recurrence rate was 8.9% over a mean follow-up period of 71.3 months and a minimum of 60 months. Reducing margins of WLE did not increase local recurrence rates as demonstrated by local recurrence-free survival (90.4% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.806). CONCLUSION: Margins of WLE may be safely reduced in melanomas in close proximity to structures of the H&N without affecting local recurrence rates.

A prospective analysis of dynamic loss of breast projection in tissue expander-implant reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Breast projection is a critical element of breast reconstruction aesthetics, but little has been published regarding breast projection as the firm expander is changed to a softer implant. Quantitative data representing this loss in projection may enhance patient education and improve our management of patient expectations. METHODS: Female patients who were undergoing immediate tissue-expander breast reconstruction with the senior author were enrolled in this prospective study. Three-dimensional camera software was used for all patient photographs and data analysis. Projection was calculated as the distance between the chest wall and the point of maximal projection of the breast form. Values were calculated for final tissue expander expansion and at varying intervals 3, 6, and 12 months after implant placement. RESULTS: Fourteen breasts from 12 patients were included in the final analysis. Twelve of the 14 breasts had a loss of projection at three months following the implant placement or beyond. The percentage of projection lost in these 12 breasts ranged from 6.30% to 43.4%, with an average loss of projection of 21.05%. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first prospective quantitative analysis of temporal changes in breast projection after expander-implant reconstruction. By prospectively capturing projection data with three-dimensional photographic software, we reveal a loss of projection in this population by three months post-implant exchange. These findings will not only aid in managing patient expectations, but our methodology provides a foundation for future objective studies of the breast form.

Predictors of readmission after inpatient plastic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Understanding risk factors that increase readmission rates may help enhance patient education and set system-wide expectations. We aimed to provide benchmark data on causes and predictors of readmission following inpatient plastic surgery. METHODS: The 2011 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset was reviewed for patients with both "Plastics" as their recorded surgical specialty and inpatient status. Readmission was tracked through the "Unplanned Readmission" variable. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared using chi-squared analysis and Student's t-tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis was used for identifying predictors of readmission. RESULTS: A total of 3,671 inpatient plastic surgery patients were included. The unplanned readmission rate was 7.11%. Multivariate regression analysis revealed a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; confidence interval [CI], 1.12-3.60; P=0.020), previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (OR, 2.69; CI, 1.21-5.97; P=0.015), hypertension requiring medication (OR, 1.65; CI, 1.22-2.24; P<0.001), bleeding disorders (OR, 1.70; CI, 1.01-2.87; P=0.046), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 or 4 (OR, 1.57; CI, 1.15-2.15; P=0.004), and obesity (body mass index ≥30) (OR, 1.43; CI, 1.09-1.88, P=0.011) to be significant predictors of readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient plastic surgery has an associated 7.11% unplanned readmission rate. History of COPD, previous PCI, hypertension, ASA class 3 or 4, bleeding disorders, and obesity all proved to be significant risk factors for readmission. These findings will help to benchmark inpatient readmission rates and manage patient and hospital system expectations.

Tabbed tissue expanders improve breast symmetry scores in breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Achieving symmetry is a key goal in breast reconstruction. Anatomically shaped tabbed expanders are a new tool in the armamentarium of the breast reconstruction surgeon. Suture tabs allow for full control over the expander position and thus inframammary fold position, and, in theory, tabbed expanders mitigate many factors responsible for poor symmetry. The impact of a tabbed expander on breast symmetry, however, has not been formally reported. This study aims to evaluate breast symmetry following expander-implant reconstruction using tabbed and non-tabbed tissue expanders. METHODS: A chart review was performed of 188 consecutive expander-implant reconstructions that met the inclusion criteria of adequate follow-up data and postoperative photographs. Demographic, oncologic, postoperative complication, and photographic data was obtained for each patient. The photographic data was scored using a 4-point scale assessing breast symmetry by three blinded, independent reviewers. RESULTS: Of the 188 patients, 74 underwent reconstruction with tabbed expanders and 114 with non-tabbed expanders. The tabbed cohort had significantly higher symmetry scores than the non-tabbed cohort (2.82/4±0.86 vs. 2.55/4±0.92, P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The use of tabbed tissue expanders improves breast symmetry in tissue expander-implant-based breast reconstruction. Fixation of the expander to the chest wall allows for more precise control over its location and counteracts the day-to-day translational forces that may influence the shape and location of the expander pocket, mitigating many factors responsible for breast asymmetry.

Tracking the aesthetic outcomes of prosthetic breast reconstructions that have complications.

BACKGROUND: Aesthetic results following breast reconstruction have been shown to be a major contributor to patient satisfaction. While many presume that complications after reconstruction impact final aesthetic results, little data exist to substantiate this putative relationship. OBJECTIVE: To track and evaluate aesthetic outcomes following implant reconstructions with complications. METHODS: A chart review was conducted on a series of consecutive expander-implant breast reconstructions performed by the senior author between 2004 and 2012. Included patients completed their prosthetic reconstruction or converted to autologous methods and had a minimum follow-up period of 130 days. Four blinded members of the division of plastic surgery independently rated postoperative anterior photographs of patients' breasts using a validated scoring scale with respect to five distinct aesthetic domains: breast mound volume, contour, placement, scarring and inframammary fold. RESULTS: Of the 172 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 36 experienced a complication. The tissue expander in one-half of these patients was salvaged and the remaining patients converted to autologous reconstruction. The average aesthetic scores for each domain did not differ significantly between patients who experienced a complication and retained their expander and those who did not experience a complication. Patients who converted to autologous tissue reconstruction after experiencing a complication had the highest aesthetic scores. DISCUSSION: The ability to obtain aesthetic results following a complication that were not statistically different from results in those without complications may reflect the surgeon's refined attempt to salvage the initial implant reconstruction; in other circumstances, the improved cosmesis was achieved through conversion to an autologous tissue-based method. CONCLUSION: The present study quantitatively assessed the impact of complications on aesthetic outcomes following implant breast reconstruction. Continuance of prosthetic reconstruction and conversion to autologous reconstruction serve as viable options to obtain adequate aesthetic scores following a complication. Information gained from the present analysis will help manage patient expectations.

HISTORIQUE: Il est démontré que les résultats esthétiques après une reconstruction mammaire contribuent énormément à la satisfaction des patientes. On présume souvent que les complications observées après une reconstruction nuisent aux résultats esthétiques finaux, mais il existe peu de données pour corroborer ce prétendu lien. OBJECTIF: Suivre et évaluer les résultats esthétiques après des reconstructions par prothèse s'associent à des complications. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont examiné les dossiers consécutifs de reconstructions mammaires par prothèses d'expansion effectuées par l'auteur principal entre 2004 et 2012. Les patientes participantes ont subi une reconstruction prothétique complète ou sont passées à une méthode autologue et ont été suivies pendant au moins 130 jours. Quatre membres de la division de chirurgie plastique ont évalué de manière indépendante et en insu les photographies postopératoires antérieures des seins des patientes au moyen d'une échelle d'évaluation validée dans cinq domaines esthétiques : volume du monticule mammaire, contour, emplacement, cicatrices et pli inframammaire. RÉSULTATS: Chez les 172 patientes qui respectaient les critères d'inclusion, 36 ont présenté une complication. La moitié d'entre elles ont pu conserver leur prothèse d'expansion, mais les autres sont passées à une reconstruction autologue. Les résultats esthétiques moyens de chaque domaine ne différaient pas de manière significative entre les patientes qui avaient subi une complication et conservé leur prothèse et celles qui n'avaient pas subi de complication. Les patientes qui sont passées à une reconstruction par tissus autologues après une complication obtenaient les meilleurs résultats esthétiques. EXPOSÉ: Les résultats esthétiques après une complication qui n'étaient pas statistiquement différents de ceux des patientes n'ayant pas vécu de complication reflètent peut-être la tentative perfectionnée du chirurgien de sauvegarder la prothèse initiale. Dans les autres situations, la conversion aux tissus autologues favorisait une meilleure esthétique. CONCLUSION: La présente étude visait à obtenir une évaluation quantitative des effets des complications sur les résultats esthétiques après une reconstruction mammaire par prothèse. Le maintien de la reconstruction par prothèse et la conversion à une reconstruction autologue permettaient d'obtenir des résultats esthétiques satisfaisants après une complication. L'information tirée de la présente analyse contribuera à gérer les attentes des patients.

The Relationship between Preoperative Wound Classification and Postoperative Infection: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of 15,289 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in surgical techniques, sterile protocols, and perioperative antibiotic regimens, surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a significant problem. We investigated the relationship between wound classification (i.e., clean, clean/contaminated, contaminated, dirty) and SSI rates in plastic surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a multi-institutional, surgical outcomes database for all patients undergoing plastic surgery procedures from 2006-2010. Patient demographics, wound classification, and 30-day outcomes were recorded and analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 15,289 plastic surgery cases were analyzed. The overall SSI rate was 3.00%, with superficial SSIs occurring at comparable rates across wound classes. There were similar rates of deep SSIs in the clean and clean/contaminated groups (0.64%), while rates reached over 2% in contaminated and dirty cases. Organ/space SSIs occurred in less than 1% of each wound classification. Contaminated and dirty cases were at an increased risk for deep SSIs (odds ratios, 2.81 and 2.74, respectively); however, wound classification did not appear to be a significant predictor of superficial or organ/space SSIs. Clean/contaminated, contaminated, and dirty cases were at increased risk for a postoperative complication, and contaminated and dirty cases also had higher odds of reoperation and 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Analyzing a multi-center database, we found that wound classification was a significant predictor of overall complications, reoperation, and mortality, but not an adequate predictor of surgical site infections. When comparing infections for a given wound classification, plastic surgery had lower overall rates than the surgical population at large.

Human Acellular Dermis versus Submuscular Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction: A Multivariate Analysis of Short-Term Complications.

BACKGROUND: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) allografts and their putative benefits have been increasingly described in prosthesis based breast reconstruction. There have been a myriad of analyses outlining ADM complication profiles, but few large-scale, multi-institutional studies exploring these outcomes. In this study, complication rates of acellular dermis-assisted tissue expander breast reconstruction were compared with traditional submuscular methods by evaluation of the American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) registry. METHODS: Patients who underwent immediate tissue expander breast reconstruction from 2006-2010 were identified using surgical procedure codes. Two hundred forty tracked variables from over 250 participating sites were extracted for patients undergoing acellular dermis-assisted versus submuscular tissue expander reconstruction. Thirty-day postoperative outcomes and captured risk factors for complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 9,159 patients underwent tissue expander breast reconstruction; 1,717 using acellular dermis and 7,442 with submuscular expander placement. Total complications and reconstruction related complications were similar in both cohorts (5.5% vs. 5.3%, P=0.68 and 4.7% vs. 4.3%, P=0.39, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression revealed body mass index and smoking as independent risk factors for reconstructive complications in both cohorts (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The NSQIP database provides large-scale, multi-institutional, independent outcomes for acellular dermis and submuscular breast reconstruction. Both thirty-day complication profiles and risk factors for post operative morbidity are similar between these two reconstructive approaches.

Cosmetic outcomes following head and neck melanoma reconstruction: The patient's perspective.

BACKGROUND: While studies have compared aesthetic outcomes following wide local excision of head and neck melanoma, none have evaluated this important outcome from the patient's perspective. Indeed, one could argue that the psychosocial impact of head and neck melanoma excision and reconstruction is more accurately assessed by deriving patient-based as opposed to surgeon-based outcome measures. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate aesthetic outcomes following wide local excision of head and neck melanoma from the patient's perspective. METHODS: Fifty-one patients who underwent excision of 57 head and neck melanomas followed by immediate closure by primary repair, skin grafting, local flap coverage or free tissue transfer were asked to complete a written survey at least six months after their surgery. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the patient's perception of appearance alteration, satisfaction with his or her appearance, and emotional impairment. An ordinal scale was used to evaluate several criteria of the reconstructive outcome (pain, itching, colour, scarring, stiffness, thickness and irregularity). RESULTS: Forty-two patients (82.4%) completed the survey. There were significant correlations between VAS scores reported for appearance alteration, satisfaction with outcome and emotional impairment (P=0.001). Patients who received skin grafts reported significantly unfavourable VAS scores compared with other methods of reconstruction (P=0.046). Moreover, skin grafts received significantly worse ordinal scale ratings for itching (P=0.043), colour (P=0.047), scarring (P=0.003) and stiffness (P=0.041) compared with other methods of reconstruction. Both skin grafts and free flaps were reported to have significantly less favourable thickness (P=0.012) and irregularity (P=0.036) than primary closure or local tissue transfer. There was no significant difference between patients undergoing primary closure with local tissue transfer (P>0.413). Other factors related to the patient's VAS scores included location of the melanoma (P=0.033), size of defect (P=0.037) and recurrence of melanoma (P=0.042). CONCLUSION: The degree of emotional impairment following reconstruction of head and neck melanoma excision defects was correlated with the patient's perception of appearance alteration. From the patient's perspective, primary closure and local tissue transfer appeared to result in the highest aesthetic satisfaction.

HISTORIQUE: Des études ont comparé les résultats esthétiques après une importante excision locale d'un mélanome de la tête et du cou, mais aucune ne s'est attardée sur ce résultat important selon le point de vue du patient. Pourtant, on peut faire valoir que les répercussions psychosociales de l'excision d'un mélanome de la tête et du cou seront évaluées de manière plus exacte d'après les mesures de résultats du patient que du chirurgien. OBJECTIF: Évaluer les résultats esthétiques après l'excision importante d'un mélanome de la tête et du cou selon le point de vue du patient. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Cinquante et un patients qui ont subi une excision de 57 mélanomes de la tête et du cou suivie d'une fermeture immédiate par réparation primaire, par greffe cutanée, par recouvrement par un lambeau local ou par transfert de tissus libres ont été invités à répondre à un sondage écrit au moins six mois après l'opération. Une échelle analogique visuelle (ÉAV) a permis d'évaluer le point de vue du patient pour ce qui est de la modification de l'apparence, de la satisfaction envers l'apparence et de l'atteinte affective. Une échelle ordinale a servi à évaluer plusieurs critères des résultats de la reconstruction (douleur, démangeaison, couleur, cicatrice, épaisseur et irrégularité). RÉSULTATS: Quarante-deux patients (82,4 %) ont répondu au sondage. Il y avait une importante corrélation entre les indices de l'ÉAV relatifs à la modification de l'apparence et à la satisfaction des résultats et celui de l'atteinte affective (P=0,001). Les patients qui avaient subi une greffe de la peau ont déclaré des indices d'ÉAV particulièrement défavorables par rapport à d'autres modes de reconstruction (P=0,046). De plus, les greffes cutanées ont reçu des résultats beaucoup plus négatifs à l'échelle ordinale relativement aux démangeaisons (P=0,043), à la couleur (P=0,047), aux cicatrices (P=0,003) et à la raideur (P=0,041) par rapport à d'autres modes de reconstruction. Tant les greffes cutanées que les lambeaux libres donnaient des résultats considérablement moins favorables sur le plan de l'épaisseur (P=0,012) et de l'irrégularité (P=0,036) que la fermeture primaire ou le transfert local de tissus. Il n'y avait pas de différence significative entre les patients qui subissaient une fermeture primaire par transfert local de tissus (P>0,413). D'autres facteurs liés aux indices d'ÉAV des patients incluaient l'emplacement du mélanome (P=0,033), la dimension de l'anomalie (P=0,037) et la récurrence du mélanome (P=0,042). CONCLUSION: Le degré d'atteinte affective après la reconstruction d'anomalies causées par l'excision du mélanome de la tête et du cou était corrélé avec la perception qu'avait le patient des modifications à son apparence. Selon le point de vue du patient, la fermeture primaire et le transfert local de tissus semblaient s'associer à la plus grande satisfaction esthétique.

A geometric analysis of mastectomy incisions: Optimizing intraoperative breast volume.

INTRODUCTION: The advent of acellular dermis-based tissue expander breast reconstruction has placed an increased emphasis on optimizing intraoperative volume. Because skin preservation is a critical determinant of intraoperative volume expansion, a mathematical model was developed to capture the influence of incision dimension on subsequent tissue expander volumes. METHODS: A mathematical equation was developed to calculate breast volume via integration of a geometrically modelled breast cross-section. The equation calculates volume changes associated with excised skin during the mastectomy incision by reducing the arc length of the cross-section. The degree of volume loss is subsequently calculated based on excision dimensions ranging from 35 mm to 60 mm. RESULTS: A quadratic relationship between breast volume and the vertical dimension of the mastectomy incision exists, such that incrementally larger incisions lead to a disproportionally greater amount of volume loss. The vertical dimension of the mastectomy incision - more so than the horizontal dimension - is of critical importance to maintain breast volume. Moreover, the predicted volume loss is more profound in smaller breasts and primarily occurs in areas that affect breast projection on ptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to model the relationship between the vertical dimensions of the mastectomy incision and subsequent volume loss. These geometric principles will aid in optimizing intra-operative volume expansion during expander-based breast reconstruction.

The effect of incision choice on outcomes of nipple-sparing mastectomy reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: The indications for nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) are broadening as more breast surgeons appreciate the utility of preserving the nipple-areolar complex. A number of incision locations are available to the mastectomy surgeon, including inframammary, lateral and periareolar approaches. The present study investigated the effect of these three incisions on reconstructive outcomes; specifically, nipple necrosis. METHODS: A single-centre, retrospective review of 37 breast NSM reconstructions treated with immediate tissue expander reconstruction with acellular dermis between 2007 and 2008 was performed. The primary outcome was the incidence of nipple necrosis associated with periareolar, lateral and inframammary incisions. Secondary outcomes were the effects of radiation, chemotherapy and breast size on nipple necrosis. RESULTS: Thirty-seven breast procedures performed on 20 patients were included in the present study. Periareolar incisions were used in 21 cases, lateral incisions in 14 and inframammary incisions in two. The periareolar incision was associated with a significantly higher incidence of nipple necrosis compared with lateral or inframammary incisions (38.1% versus 6.3%, P=0.028). Patients receiving breast radiation (45.5% versus 15.4%, P=0.066) and those with larger breast size (540.4 g versus 425.7 g, P=0.130) also demonstrated a modest trend toward an increased rate of nipple necrosis. CONCLUSION: The periareolar incision results in a higher rate of nipple necrosis following NSM and immediate tissue expander breast reconstruction. Using the lateral or inframammary incision reduces the incidence of nipple necrosis and may help improve overall reconstructive and cosmetic outcomes.

Acute symptomatic hematoma with defined etiology seven years after breast reconstruction: A case report and literature review.

Augmentation mammaplasty with implants can be complicated by hematoma formation. The majority of hematomas occur in the immediate postoperative period. There are, however, some reports of hematomas with a delayed presentation. These hematomas in the late postoperative period are rare, and many of these cases do not have a definitive mechanism of injury or develop symptoms immediately after the triggering event. A case of late capsular hematoma seven years after breast reconstruction with a saline implant following mastectomy is presented. In contrast to the majority of published cases, the patient presented with both a known and traceable cause of her bleed and with symptoms that developed immediately after the initial event. Furthermore, the mechanism of her injury was consistent with a bleeding capsular tear that was observed intraoperatively. The present case emphasizes the importance of thorough evaluation and management of patients with a history of breast reconstruction.