Short-Scar Latissimus Dorsi With a Lateral Approach: A Game Changer in Breast Reconstruction?

BACKGROUND: In delayed breast reconstruction, the thoraco-mammary cutaneous tissue often shows residual damage from radiotherapy. The fragility of this tissue is associated with a risk of skin necroses of approximately 8% when dissection is performed by reopening of the mastectomy scar. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to adapt the technique of short-scar latissimus dorsi flap surgery with an abdominal advancement flap employing a lateral approach only avoiding re-incision of the mastectomy scar. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the authors performed 150 reconstructions in 146 patients to assess the safety and effectiveness of the short-scar latissimus dorsi technique with lateral approach. The primary outcome was the occurrence of postoperative skin necrosis of the thoraco-mammary area. RESULTS: Of the 150 delayed breast reconstruction procedures performed, none showed skin necrosis of the thoraco-mammary area, and a positive effect on skin trophicity of this area was observed. The resulting patient and surgical team satisfaction were very favorable. CONCLUSIONS: In the authors' practice, this technique changed their paradigm because of good skin safety and effectiveness. It allows reconstruction without a patch-effect in patients with very poor skin quality in whom the thoraco-mammary skin would have been replaced in the past by a skin paddle. Reconstruction would have even be contraindicated. It could also be an alternative to many other more complex and longer techniques of autologous reconstruction.

Early subcutaneous drainage of skin and soft tissue infections in patients with febrile neutropenia: A new treatment option.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with febrile neutropenia presenting a cutaneous portal of entry for an infectious agent are at high risk of death (19-32%). If medical management is well codified, surgical management represents a therapeutic dilemma because the only available option is an aggressive debridement of the infected area which is associated with a high morbidity rate. Our objective was to implement a low-risk technique that is quick to perform and does not delay major surgical debridement if the latter turns out to be necessary. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an early subcutaneous drainage of the infected areas by percutaneous approach in order to avoid the evolution towards skin and subcutaneous necrosis. Five consecutive patients were treated with this technique associated with the recommended medical treatment between March and September 2017. This technique is based on the mechanical concept of the evacuation of the edema from the inflammatory area which would allow a better efficiency of the antibiotic treatment thanks to a better blood perfusion and a higher tissue concentration of antibiotics. RESULTS: Of the 5 patients managed in the department, no skin necrosis occurred, no surgical debridement was necessary, and no patient died during the episode of febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSION: Early subcutaneous drainage by percutaneous approach of an area of skin infection in a patient with febrile neutropenia may be considered as an interesting option. This technique allows without loss of chance for the patient to increase survival and decrease the number of aggressive surgical debridement and their high morbidity.

How to Save a Life From Macroscopic Fat Embolism: A Narrative Review of Treatment Options.

Macroscopic fat embolism (MAFE) has grabbed the attention of the plastic surgery community in recent years because of its high mortality rate. Many articles on preventing MAFE during gluteal fat grafting are available in the literature. However, total prevention is difficult: a number of factors, both technical and human, mean that MAFE remains a potential complication. This review was written with the main goal of providing a treatment plan. MAFE shares many similar pathophysiologic and hemodynamic features with massive thrombotic pulmonary embolism (PE), especially the associated cardiopulmonary decompensation. Lessons learned from PE management were used to devise a management algorithm for MAFE. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and its potential application as a main modality of treatment for MAFE was explored. The lack of evidence in the literature for the treatment of MAFE, and its high mortality, lent urgency to the need to write an article on the management aspect in the form of a narrative review, to ensure that every plastic surgeon practicing gluteal fat grafting is knowledgeable about the treatment aspect of this deadly complication.

An Open, Prospective Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness and Safety of Hyaluronic Acid for Pectus Excavatum Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum (PE) is sometimes associated with psychological and physiological difficulties influencing a patient's quality of life. Treatment with a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based gel may benefit patients and be an alternative to other more invasive treatments. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the effectiveness in terms of satisfaction, duration, and safety of HA gel treatment for PE including impact on quality of life. METHODS: Males ≥18 years having PE without functional problems received HA gel injections (50 - 150 mL) at the site of deformity and in some cases at the medial pectoralis muscle borders to optimize the aesthetic result. Follow-up visits were performed after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months with optional retreatment at the 24-month visit including a 1-month follow-up. Evaluations included Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire, patient satisfaction, magnetic resonance imaging, and safety assessments. RESULTS: The treatment significantly improved patients' self-esteem (P < 0.001) and psychosocial function (P ≤ 0.038) throughout the study, as assessed by Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire. Patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome and considered the treatment mild in terms of level of pain during injection. Treatment effects were maintained up to 24 months and 58% of the HA gel remained at this visit, shown by Magnetic Resonance Imaging measurements. The treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of PE with HA gel improved patient quality of life related to self-esteem and psychosocial functioning including aesthetically pleasing results. The treatment may also offer benefits in terms of safety and tolerability compared with other treatments.

Inverted Nipple Treatment and Poliglecaprone Spacer.

INTRODUCTION: Nipple inversion is defined as a non-projectile nipple. It is a frequent pathologic condition, in which the whole nipple, or a portion of its, is buried inward towards the lactiferous duct and lies below the plane of the areola. Numerous strategies have been described to correct nipple inversion. All the procedures have the purpose to give a good shape to the nipple, preserving its function and sensitivity, when it is possible. To avoid recurrences and to obtain good aesthetic results, we present a modified percutaneous technique. METHOD: We performed a retrospective study between 2011 and 2016 and included all the cases of inverted nipples treated in our department. Our modified percutaneous technique consists of a minimal incision supported by a percutaneous suture as a temporary spacer to fill the defect caused by releasing the fibro-ductal bands. RESULTS: A total of 41 cases of inverted nipples were corrected in 32 patients. After 1 year of follow-up, no recurrence was observed and all nipples maintained complete eversion. There was only one case of partial unilateral necrosis in a patient who underwent tumorectomy and radiotherapy. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcomes. CONCLUSION: This is a simple, safe and cheap technique that should be considered as a reliable method for long-term correction of nipple inversion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Venous Supercharging Reduces Complications and Improves Outcomes of Distally Based Sural Flaps.

Background The use of distally based neurocutaneous sural flaps (DBNCSF) is one of the most common methods of reconstructing the distal lower leg. However, they have developed a bad reputation because of their propensity for venous engorgement. Venous congestion that can lead to distal necrosis can be prevented by venous supercharging. Using a prospective comparative study, we thus explored the effect of venous supercharging on the reliability of these useful workhorse flaps. Methods We prospectively included 38 patients who received a conventional DBNCSF and 38 patients who received a supercharged version of this flap (sDBNCSF) between January 2012 and July 2016. Results No significant difference was identified between the groups in terms of age, sex, comorbidity, or defect origin. The main reconstruction etiology was traumatic (open fracture, scar disunion, and chronic osteitis). The flap size was noticeably larger in the sDBNCSF group, albeit without significance. The length-width ratio was significantly greater in the sDBNCSF group (6.08 vs. 5.53, p = 0.022). Venous congestion was significantly more common in the non-supercharged group (28.6 vs. 2.6%, p = 0.01), as was coverage failure (23.7 vs. 2.6%, p = 0.035). Conclusion There are significant benefits to using venous supercharging of DBNCSF, when technically feasible. In our experience, venous supercharging increases reliability, allows the raise of larger skin paddles with much narrower pedicles limiting the morbidity of the procedure, and improves the functional and esthetic results.

Anatomical basis of the extended TDAP flap: study of its territories of vascularization and its volume.

INTRODUCTION: The concept of extended thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap was described in 2015 for breast reconstruction. Our anatomical study aims to identify the territories vascularised by the thoracodorsal artery perforator via the deep muscular fascial network. The second goal was to define the volume of the extended TDAP flap. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Ten extended TDAP flaps were dissected on 5 fresh human cadavers. Around the classical skin paddle of a TDAP flap, the dissections were performed in a subfascial level, including the muscular fascia and the adipose tissue compartments to increase the volume of the flap. After injection of methylene blue in the thoracodorsal artery, we measured the length and width, the surface and the volume of the coloured flap. RESULTS: The mean sizes of the extended TDAP flap were 24.9 cm × 20.1 cm. The mean surface of the total vascularization zone was 441 cm2. The mean volume of the vascularized flap was 193 ml. CONCLUSION: The thoracodorsal artery perforator via the deep muscular fascial network allows us to harvest a flap of 25 cm × 20 cm with a mean surface of 441 cm² and a mean volume of 193 ml. The extended TDAP flap is a credible option in breast reconstruction.

Free-Flap Reconstruction: What Do Microsurgeons Prefer for Themselves?

Background The recent development of perforator flaps has changed the reconstructive strategy for common integumental defects and has refocused the attention of microsurgeons to donor site morbidity. We asked a representative panel of microsurgeons about the free flap they would use to cover a common integumental defect on their own body to investigate the best free-flap donor sites. Methods In total, 100 practitioners participated in the "FreeFlap4U" study, representing 77.3% of the French national plastic surgery teams practicing microsurgery. To assess changing attitudes, we also compared microsurgeons below 40 years of age (called junior microsurgeons, JMs) with those above 40 years of age (called senior microsurgeons, SMs). Results Perforator flaps were preferred for the first line (JMs) and second line (JMs and SMs) of treatment compared with other flaps. JMs emphasized lower donor site morbidity, whereas SMs favored reliability (p = 0.013) and considered perforator flaps as a second-line treatment. Radial forearm and transverse rectus abdominis flaps were largely dismissed due to high morbidity. Some microsurgeons were influenced by the potential secondary benefit of the integument sample at the donor site. Conclusions Microsurgeons interviewed clearly moved toward perforator flaps, such as the anterolateral thigh, thoracodorsal artery perforator, and superficial circumflex iliac artery types, to cover common integumental defects. In the coming years, we believe that this choice, emitted by the microsurgeons for themselves, will be applied extensively by these surgeons for their patients.

Giant squamous cell carcinoma as a complication of a chronic enterocutaneous fistula: complex parietal reconstruction.

Treatment of an enterocutaneous fistula is complex and may require multidisciplinary management, especially when associated with a neoplastic process. Here, we describe the case of a 59-year-old patient with a squamous cell carcinoma that had invaded the abdominal wall through a chronic enterocutaneous fistula identified 30 years ago. We combined parietectomy with small intestine and colon resection and inguinal lymphadenectomy in order to obtain clear surgical margins. At the same time, plastic surgery involved the implementation of a large bioprosthesis and coverage with a vastus lateralis muscle free flap.

Reduction of skin closure time without loss of healing quality: a multicenter prospective study in 100 patients comparing the use of Insorb absorbable staples with absorbable thread for dermal suture.

The authors report the results of a multicenter prospective study evaluating a novel technology: dermal suture using absorbable staples composed of polylactic and polyglycolic acids. From January to June 2009, 59 dermal sutures were performed with Insorb absorbable staples and 41 with absorbable thread. All patients in the study underwent abdominal dermolipectomy (N = 65) or surgery for breast hypertrophy (N = 35). The purpose of the study was to compare the closure time and healing quality obtained with the 2 methods. Ninety-five patients were reexamined by the surgeon after 1 year of follow-up to assess scar width, suppleness, inflammation, and hypertrophy. The overall results were good and quite similar for the 2 groups. Thus, the use of Insorb staples reduced closure time while ensuring good healing quality.

Tuberous breast correction by fat grafting.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberous breast is a rare malformation that has negative physical and psychological impacts during puberty. A range of surgical techniques has been used to correct breast shape and volume in this context, including a combination of skin plasty and mammary gland remodeling, as well as prostheses and locoregional flaps. The authors have used fat grafting as a complementary technique to correct tuberous breasts since 1998. OBJECTIVES: The authors discuss application of their lipomodeling technique for correction of tuberous breast deformity. METHODS: The charts of tuberous breast patients treated consecutively over an 11-year period (n = 31) solely with fat grafting (ie, without using an implant) were retrospectively reviewed. Each breast deformation was graded according to the Grolleau classification. The number of sessions and the mean transfer of fat volume by lipomodeling session were recorded. Patient and surgeon satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients in this series, 18 had bilateral formations and 13 had unilateral malformations. The mean patient age was 23 years, and the mean body mass index was 21.9. A single session (mean transfer volume, 158 mL; range, 90-253 mL) was required in 14 (45%) cases. A second session (mean transfer volume, 226 mL; range, 100-316 mL) was necessary in the remaining 55% of cases. Mean follow-up period after the last fat transfer session was 6.5 years (range, 1.5-11 years). Patients were very satisfied in 94% of cases (n = 29) and satisfied in 6% (n = 2). The surgical team rated 94% of cases as being successful or very successful. No complications were observed. One patient developed hypertrophy of the treated breast following weight gain and thus required breast reduction. Imaging performed preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively did not reveal any anomalies other than oil cysts. CONCLUSION: Fat grafting is a reliable technique that produces excellent results and high levels of patient satisfaction for the treatment of tuberous breast. The aesthetic outcome is natural, implant free, and long lasting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Percutaneous fasciotomies and fat grafting: indications for breast surgery.

BACKGROUND: The management of breast deformities can be very difficult in the presence of breast shape retraction. Percutaneous fasciotomies, which release fibrous strings, can be a very useful tool for shape improvement in the recipient site for a fat graft. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluate the efficacy of fasciotomies in association with fat grafting in breast surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 1000 patients treated with concurrent fasciotomies and fat grafting between January 2006 and December 2011. The recipient site was prepared with fasciotomies, and fat was harvested from other parts of the body using a low-pressure 10-mL syringe lipoaspiration system. Fat was centrifuged and injected into the breast for reconstruction or chest deformities. The postoperative appearance of the breast scars was scored by both the surgeon and the patient. Each complication was recorded, including instances of hematoma, infection, tissue wounds, scar healing, and fat necrosis. RESULTS: In this series of patients, for whom the primary indications for the procedure were sequelae of breast-conserving surgery after cancer, latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction, breast implant reconstruction, tuberous breast, Poland syndrome, and funnel chest, we recorded the following complications: 0.8% local infections (8/1000), 0.1% delayed wound healing that required medical care (1/1000), and 3% fat necrosis (31/1000). Fasciotomy scarring was considered minor by the patient in 98.5% of cases and by the surgeon in 99% of cases at 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Fat grafting is a safe and reliable technique that improves the aesthetic outcomes of breast surgery. Percutaneous fasciotomies provide excellent aesthetic results and an improvement in breast shape with no scarring. In our experience, both fat grafting and fasciotomies offer a durable result over the long term.

Poland syndrome and breast tumor: a case report and review of the literature.

Poland syndrome is a rare congenital malformation. Hypoplasia of the sternocostal portion of the pectoralis major muscle is the most significant feature and is most frequently associated with homolateral breast hypoplasia. In this article, the authors present a case of bilateral phyllodes tumors in a 28-year-old woman with Poland syndrome and discuss (1) the relationship between the condition and breast cancer, (2) the modes of surveillance in patients with Poland syndrome, and (3) its impact on breast reconstruction.

Internal pudendal perforator artery flap harvesting without pre-operative imaging: Reliability and approach.

Since its initial description in 1996 by Yii and Niranjan, the internal pudendal perforator flap (also known as the Singapore flap, the gluteal fold flap, and the lotus petal flap) has become a workhorse in perineal soft tissue reconstruction. In 2001, Hashimoto described the presence of three to five perforators in the perineal anogenital triangle. The ischial tuberosity has thus become a useful anatomic landmark for the safe boundary of medial dissection during flap elevation, in order to avoid damaging the perforator vessels. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the perforators' positions within the anogenital triangle by using color Doppler ultrasound. In a study of 15 subjects in the lithotomy position, we identified a total of 24 perforator vessels with a diameter greater than 5 mm. We noted the vessels' positions using orthonormal measurements, according to the distance from the midline and the distance on a straight line between the two ischial tuberosities (i.e. consistent bony anatomic landmarks that are independent of the patient's height and body mass index). The mean distance between the ischial tuberosity and the internal pudendal perforator was 27.3 mm. Based on our present results, we consider that routine ultrasound identification and dissection of the perforators is not always required before pudendal flap harvesting. This decreases the operating time and simplifies the flap harvesting procedure.

Lipomodeling of Poland's syndrome: a new treatment of the thoracic deformity.

BACKGROUND: The severe forms of Poland's syndrome, with thoracic deformity, were until now very difficult to treat, with treatment involving complex surgery and implant insertion. Results were, in general, inadequate and the appearance unnatural. Our experience with fat transfer for breast reconstruction led us to propose reconstruction of the breast and thorax by serial fat transfer. METHODS: Our patient had a very severe form of Poland's syndrome with agenesis of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles and lack of fusion of the fourth costal arch. She was treated by fat transfer, or lipomodeling. Lipomodeling was developed in our team in 1998 to augment breast volume after autologous latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction. Because this technique and use of an implant were not possible, we attempted reconstruction by repeated lipomodeling. The patient underwent five sessions at intervals of a few months, the first in August 2001. RESULTS: With 6 years of follow-up, the aesthetic, functional, and psychological results exceeded our expectations. In five sessions we were able to reconstruct a breast of natural shape, sensitivity, and consistency, and which was totally accepted by the patient. Mammography, echography, and MRI 1 year later showed a normal breast of fatty type. CONCLUSION: Lipomodeling in Poland's syndrome is technically feasible. This original description of treatment of the severest form of Poland's syndrome, with impressive results and at the cost of limited constraints and scar sequelae, opens new perspectives and suggests extensive potential applications of lipomodeling in all disciplines related to the breast.

ALGINATE versus NPWT in the Preparation of Surgical Excisions for an STSG: ATEC Trial.

A calcium alginate dressing (ALGINATE) and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) are frequently used to treat wounds which heal by secondary intention. This trial compared the healing efficacy and safety of these 2 treatments. METHODS: This randomized, non-inferiority trial enrolled patients who underwent skin excision (>30 cm2), which was left open to heal by secondary intention. They received ALGINATE or NPWT by a centralized randomization. Follow-up was performed weekly until optimal granulation tissue was obtained. The primary outcome was time to obtain optimal granulation tissue for a split thickness skin graft take (non-inferiority margin: 4 days). Secondary outcomes were occurrence of adverse events (AEs) and impact of the treatments on the patient's daily life. RESULTS: ALGINATE and NPWT were applied to 47 and 48 patients, respectively. The mean time to optimal granulation was 19.98 days (95% CI, 17.7-22.3) with ALGINATE and 20.54 (95% CI, 17.6-23.5) with NPWT. Between group difference was -0.56 days (95% CI -4.22 to 3.10). The non-inferiority of ALGINATE versus NPWT was demonstrated. No AE related to the treatment occurred with ALGINATE versus 14 AEs with NPWT. There was no difference in the impact of the treatments on the patient's daily life. CONCLUSION: This trial demonstrates that ALGINATE has a similar healing efficacy to that of NPWT and that is markedly better with regard to patient safety.

Case report-complex management of a postoperative bronchogastric fistula after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a new restrictive bariatric procedure increasingly indicated in the treatment of morbid obesity. Postoperative complications are mainly represented by gastric fistula with an occurrence rate of 0% to 5.1% in the literature. This complication is difficult to manage and requires multiple radiological, endoscopic, and surgical procedures. We report herein the case of a 23-year-old woman who underwent LSG for morbid obesity. This patient was reoperated for peritonitis due to a gastric fistula located on the top of the staple line. Five months later, she complained of a cough with fever and expectoration. A methylene blue test and a computed tomography scan diagnosed a postoperative bronchogastric fistula. After failure of aggressive conservative management, radical surgery was performed with total gastrectomy, reconstruction of the diaphragm using the extended latissimus dorsi flap, and a pulmonary lobectomy. This case report highlights the possible issue of the complex management of gastric fistula after LSG.

Fat injection to the breast: technique, results, and indications based on 880 procedures over 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Fat injection to the breast is not a new idea, but it has always been controversial. In particular, it has been feared that breast augmentation with autologous fat could lead to the formation of calcifications and cysts that might hinder mammagraphic examinations for detection of possible breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: The authors report their experience with fat transplantation in the breast (lipomodeling) covering 880 procedures performed over the past 10 years. They review their technique and results, and describe the various indications for which they have found lipomodeling to be appropriate. METHODS: Lipomodeling was generally performed under general anesthesia. Fat was harvested from the abdomen or in some cases from the inner thighs, depending on the patient's natural fat deposits. The harvested fat was centrifuged to obtain purified fat, which was transferred to 10-mL syringes for injection directly into the breast. Fat was injected in small quantities under light pressure, utilizing a honeycomb of microtunnels and halting when the recipient tissues were saturated to avoid creation of fatty pools that could lead to fat necrosis. To compensate for fat resorption, 140 mL of fat was injected for a desired final volume of 100 mL. RESULTS: Clinical follow-up shows that the morphologic results of lipomodeling with regard to the volume obtained are stable three to four months postoperatively if the patient's weight remains constant. The postoperative radiologic appearance is usually that of normal breasts, sometimes showing images of fat necrosis that will not confuse the differential diagnosis of cancer for radiologists experienced in breast imaging. Oncologic follow-up at 10 years postoperatively (for the first patients) showed no increased risk of local recurrence of cancer or development of a new cancer. Results were highly satisfactory for both patients and surgeons. Complications included one case of infection at the harvest site, six cases of infection at the injection site, and one case of intraoperative pneumothorax that was successfully treated in the recovery room with no later consequences. The incidence of fat necrosis was 3%, with most cases occurring early in the surgeon's experience. CONCLUSIONS: Lipomodeling, because of a low complication rate and positive results, presents a new option for plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery of the breast. Pre- and postoperative examination by a radiologist specialized in breast imaging is necessary to limit the risk that a cancer may occur coincidentally with lipomodeling.