Comparison of immediate postoperative pain in implant-based breast reconstructions

BACKGROUND

Implant-based techniques represent the most common form of breast reconstruction. However, substantial postoperative pain has been associated with implant-based breast reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to evaluate immediate postoperative pain in implant-based breast reconstruction.

METHODS

We reviewed 378 patients who underwent implant-based reconstruction between January 2004 and December 2012. Each patient's visual analog scale (VAS) score, pain medication, and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) attempts were used to assess in-hospital postoperative pain. We evaluated timing of reconstruction post mastectomy, tissue expander (TE) designed fill volume, TE initial fill volume, and single-stage immediate implant (II) versus TE reconstruction.

RESULTS

No significant differences in pain parameters were noted between the immediate and delayed postmastectomy reconstruction cohorts. TEs with larger (>300 cc) designed volumes required significantly more narcotic use (p = 0.02) and PCA attempts (p < 0.01). Narcotic use was higher in the larger (>250-cc) TE initial fill group starting on postoperative day 2, but overall differences in VAS score and PCA attempts were not significant. Morphine equivalence (p < 0.01) and non-opioid oral analgesic use (average p = 0.03) of the TE cohort were significantly higher than those of the II cohort.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing TE-based implant reconstruction show greater analgesic use than those with single-stage II-based reconstruction. This may indicate a higher immediate postoperative pain in TE procedures than in II procedures. Furthermore, higher initial fill and designed volume of TE require more morphine equivalence postoperatively. These findings may warrant further preoperative discussion for better pain management and patient satisfaction.

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: The role of tissue expansion in reconstructive surgery of the scalp

INTRODUCTION

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans is an uncommon tumour, making up less than 0.1% of all malignancies. With regards to soft tissue tumours; this pathology is thought to make up less than 2% of the sum total. Traditionally treatment has been wide local excision, with or without adjuvant radiotherapy.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We present a case of a 42 year old man referred by his GP with a lump on the right parietal region of the scalp. An USS done by his GP revealed a complex hypoechoic cystic mass, some 2cm×1cm×2cm. Excision biopsy was performed and on review of the pathology it was noted that the lesion was a Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans. Due to the relatively low grade of this sarcoma, it was decided to treat with wide local excision with 2-4cm margins. The expected residual scalp defect would be difficult to close with local flaps. To facilitate closure tissue expansion was undertaken for 6 weeks prior to definitive surgery.

DISCUSSION

With regards to tumours of the head and neck, use of a tissue expander has been recommended to improve cosmetic outcomes following respective surgery with wide margins. Ultimately the timing of tissue expansion i.e. before/after resection of the tumour, must weight the risk of delayed resective surgery on prognosis against the benefits of this reconstructive technique.

CONCLUSION

Head and neck tumours requiring careful reconstruction may benefit from tissue expansion to provide adequate volumes of matching soft tissue, as shown in this case.

Comparison of one-stage vs two-stage prosthesis-based breast reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this review is to comprehensively compare the outcomes of one-stage and two-stage prosthesis-based breast reconstruction via meta-analytic methodology.

DATA SOURCES

Seventeen studies comparing one-stage and two-stage prosthesis-based breast reconstruction were reviewed. The analysis divided the outcomes into 3 categories: complications, esthetic satisfaction, and total cost for completing reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

The one-stage reconstruction group was at significantly higher risk for reconstruction failure and overall complications than the two-stage group. No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in the results of nipple-sparing mastectomy. The esthetic result analysis demonstrated that both methods showed comparably positive outcomes. The one-stage group incurred lower cost for completing reconstruction than the two-stage group, despite the higher cost for treatment-related complications. Our results suggest that the risks for adverse outcome in patients undergoing one-stage reconstruction may be comparable with that of two-stage reconstruction when performed in patients receiving a nipple-sparing mastectomy. However, further well-controlled studies are required to draw more solid conclusions.

Tissue expanders in reconstruction of maxillofacial defects

Tissue expansion in its natural ways had fascinated man from prehistoric times itself. But tissue expansion for medical purposes was first tried and reported only in the early half of twentieth century. Presently the principle of tissue expansion is being used in reconstruction of many hard and soft tissue defects of larger dimension, which were previously regarded as great challenge for maxillofacial and plastic surgeons. Making use of the viscoelastic nature of the skin, considerable amount of tissue expansion based tissue engineering is possible in the maxillofacial region. Here we present a case of a facial scar of large dimension with a central oro cutaneous fistula developed as a result of facial artery blow out in a 24 year old female for which esthetic correction was done using the excess tissue obtained from tissue expansion. In this case where other methods of reconstruction such as local flaps, free flaps and normal tissue grafts were assessed to be non viable, tissue expansion was found to be an apt solution for esthetic reconstruction.

Management of challenging congenital melanocytic nevi: outcomes study of serial excision

BACKGROUND

Large congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) cause significant deformity and are at risk for malignant degeneration. Techniques used to remove difficult CMN include serial excision, skin grafting, or tissue expansion. Some authors prefer skin grafting or tissue expansion if several stages would be required to serially resect the CMN. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of serial excision for CMN requiring ≥3 procedures.

METHODS

Medical records and clinical images of patients with CMN treated between 2007 and 2013 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were: (1) lesions that required ≥3 serial excisions to remove and (2) CMN that could have been treated reasonably with skin grafting or tissue expansion. Patient age, gender, location of the lesion, size of the CMN, number of serial excisions, and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

The study included 21 patients. Lesions were located on the lower extremity (38.1%), head/neck (33.3%), upper extremity (14.3%), or trunk (14.3%). Nevus size was 2.2%±1.2% total body surface area. The age during the first operation was 4.3 years (range 3 months to 15 years). The number of excisions was 3.5±0.7, spaced 8.2±4.3 months apart. Partial suture line dehiscence occurred after 2/72 operations and seroma resulted after 1/72 operations; there were no infections.

CONCLUSION

Challenging CMN amenable to serial excision can be removed effectively and safely using this technique. Children are left with a favorable linear scar, do not have donor or recipient site morbidity from skin grafting, and are not subjected to potential tissue expander complications and injections required for expansion.

Postpneumonectomy syndrome in a newborn after esophageal atresia repair

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After esophageal atresia repair, if postpneumonectomy syndrome develops, an associated esophageal lung must be considered.

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Contrast esophagography, with the patient lying on the side of collapsed lung, is the optimal diagnostic study.

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In infants with postpneumonectomy syndrome, infusion of normal saline in the hemithorax on the side of collapsed lung is a simple, rapid, and effective method to obtain mediastinum realignment in emergency with immediate improvement of clinical conditions.

Introduction

Postpneumonectomy syndrome (PPS) is an ominous complication, caused by mediastinal shift following massive lung resection.

Presentation of the case

A neonate with oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula developed acute respiratory distress shortly after surgery, despite mechanical ventilation. The patient was found to have an associated oesophageal right lung that collapsed after oesophageal atresia repair and a left pulmonary artery sling causing left main bronchus stenosis mimicking a postpneumonectomy syndrome.

Discussion

We will describe the diagnostic work-up and the therapeutic measures used both in the acute phase and as definitive treatment in this challenging case.

Conclusions

Neonatologists and paediatric surgeons should be aware of this rare association that may cause acute life threatening and worsening of patient’s clinical status. Prompt realignment of the mediastinum in the normal position is critical to obtain rapid improvement of the patient’s clinical conditions.

Establishing the impact of temporary tissue expanders on electron and photon beam dose distributions

PURPOSE

This study investigates the effects of temporary tissue expanders (TTEs) on the dose distributions in breast cancer radiotherapy treatments under a variety of conditions.

METHODS

Using EBT2 radiochromic film, both electron and photon beam dose distribution measurements were made for different phantoms, and beam geometries. This was done to establish a more comprehensive understanding of the implant's perturbation effects under a wider variety of conditions.

RESULTS

The magnetic disk present in a tissue expander causes a dose reduction of approximately 20% in a photon tangent treatment and 56% in electron boost fields immediately downstream of the implant. The effects of the silicon elastomer are also much more apparent in an electron beam than a photon beam.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidently, each component of the TTE attenuates the radiation beam to different degrees. This study has demonstrated that the accuracy of photon and electron treatments of post-mastectomy patients is influenced by the presence of a tissue expander for various beam orientations. The impact of TTEs on dose distributions establishes the importance of an accurately modelled high-density implant in the treatment planning system for post-mastectomy patients.

Reconstructive surgery of extensive face and neck burn scars using tissue expanders

BACKGROUND

Neck reconstruction is considered as one of the most important surgeries in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The present study aimed to assess the results of reconstructive surgery of extensive face and neck burning scars using tissue expanders.

METHODS

This descriptive prospective study was conducted on 36 patients with extensive burning scars on the neck and face. Operation for tissue expander insertion was performed and tissue distension started two or three weeks later, depending on the patients' incisions. After sufficient time for tissue expansion, while removing the expander and excision of the lesion, the expanded flap was used to cover the lesion. Overall, 43 cosmetic surgeries were done.

RESULTS

Rectangular expanders were employed in most patients (73.81%) and were located in the neck in most of them (60.78%). Complications were detected in five patients (13.89%), with exposure of the prosthesis being the most common one. Scar tissues at the reconstruction site and the flap donor site were acceptable in 94.44% and 98.18% of the cases, respectively. Overall, most of the patients (77.78%) were satisfied with the operation results. 

CONCLUSION

Using tissue expanders in tissue reconstruction of extensive neck and facial burning scars results in highly desirable outcomes.

Identification of complications in mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using tissue expanders and permanent implants for breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Since complications of postmastectomy breast reconstruction may reduce patient satisfaction, we investigated complications of reconstruction with tissue expanders (TEs), particularly surgical site infections requiring TE/permanent implant (PI) removal.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of 234 primary breast cancer patients undergoing 239 postmastectomy breast reconstructions with TEs/PIs from 1997 to 2009. Clinicopathological findings and postoperative complications, particularly infections, were analyzed. Data were analyzed by the Chi-square test and a multivariate logistic regression model. TE infection risk factors considered for model inclusion were excisional biopsy, (neo) adjuvant chemotherapy, lymph node resection, body mass index (BMI), simultaneous bilateral reconstructions, and seroma aspiration.

RESULTS

Removal of TEs/PIs was observed in 15.5% (37/239) of reconstructions, and 18/37 underwent re-reconstructions. Of the 19/37 reconstructions that were not achieved completely, the most frequent reason was TE infection (11 reconstructions). The completion rate was 92% (220/239 reconstructions) and it was significantly higher in reconstructions without TE infection than with infection (96 vs. 54%, p < 0.0001). Patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² and seroma aspiration were more likely to develop TE infections (p = 0.0019, p < 0.001, respectively). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, seroma aspiration was a significant independent risk factor for TE infection (odds ratio 28.75, 95% confidence interval 5.71-40.03, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

To improve completion rates of breast reconstruction, prevention of TE infection plays a key role. We should reduce unnecessary seroma aspirations and delay elevation/exercise of the ipsilateral arm.

Novel use of tissue expander for dilation of oropharyngeal stenosis

Naso/oropharyngeal stenoses are uncommon surgical complications. We present a child having undergone previous adenoidectomy without complication who developed naso/oropharyngeal scarring after subsequent tonsillectomy. She presented with nasal obstruction and frequent gasping at night worrisome for obstructive sleep apnea. Scar was initially excised and the defect allografted. Conventional esophageal dilators were undersized, and ultimately a tissue expander was used intraoperatively as a balloon dilator. The patient's symptoms and sleep apnea resolved. We found use of a tissue expander as a balloon dilator to be at least minimally effective in dilating the oropharynx when all other methods at our disposal proved ineffective.

Short-term outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction using an implant or tissue expander after mastectomy in breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Mastectomy is an optional surgical management of breast cancer, but it can cause significant adverse reactions. Breast reconstruction is a concern in post-mastectomy recovery. We assessed the oncologic safety and patient satisfaction following immediate breast reconstruction using an implant or tissue expander.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent reconstruction with an implant or tissue expander immediately after mastectomy. Seventy-seven patients underwent breast reconstruction at a general hospital breast cancer center from January 2008 to December 2010. Fourteen patients were excluded due to loss at follow-up, so 63 patients were included in this study. Questionnaires were sent to all patients to assess patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Mean age was 44.1 years (range 29-64). After a median follow-up period of 22.4 months, there was 1 case of locoregional recurrence, 1 case of distant metastasis, and an overall breast cancer-specific survival of 100 %. Overall rate of major complications, such as nipple areolar complex (NAC) necrosis and implant removal, was 11.1 % (7 patients). Of the 10 patients who had NAC necrosis, 6 patients improved after observation and 4 patients had NAC excision. Three patients had their implant removed due to severe infection, leakage, and dissatisfaction, respectively. There were 32 cases of total mastectomy (TM), 12 cases of skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM), and 19 cases of NAC-sparing mastectomy (NSM). According to the questionnaire, 84.1 % were satisfied with the general operational result and 77.8 % with the cosmetic result. Of the 31 patients who received conservative surgery, 87.1 % were satisfied with the general result and 83.9 % with the cosmetic result.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate breast reconstruction using an implant after mastectomy was technically feasible and oncologically safe. In addition, the reconstruction resulted in a relatively high rate of patient satisfaction. Further long-term studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Trans-axillary approach for breast implant exchange in high risk cases of irradiated or attenuated skin

BACKGROUND

Breast reconstruction with implants after tissue expansion is one of the most common methods of reconstruction. Although this approach is generally reliable, exchange of breast tissue expander for implant through the standard anterior incision presents a challenge in cases with attenuated soft tissue envelope due to radiation, thin anatomy, prior surgery, or combination of the above. We propose that a trans-axillary approach is a safe and alternate approach for implant exchange in the high-risk patients.

TECHNIQUE AND CASE EXAMPLES

A case series of 16 patients with multiple risk factors for compromised soft tissue that underwent a trans-axillary approach for implant exchange is reported. The trans-axillary implant exchange technique involves use of a standard 4 cm axillary incision, removal of the expander, judicious capsulotomy, placement of permanent implant, and closure in three separate tissue layers.

RESULTS

All trans-axillary cases were successful and all incisions were well healed without dehiscence, infection, or seroma. The average patient age was 49.4 years, and 50% of patients had received or were scheduled to receive radiation therapy. Nine patients underwent unilateral trans-axillary expander exchange while 7 patients were bilateral. Median implant size was 360 cc (mean 369 cc, range 150-600 cc), and mean follow-up for all patients was over 24 months. There were no cases of implant extrusion, capsular contracture requiring re-operation, or lymphedema. Six patients underwent concurrent or subsequent nipple reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

This approach illustrates application of a technique commonly used in breast aesthetic augmentation to address a common reconstructive dilemma, which we believe to be a useful tool in prosthesis-based breast reconstruction, especially in patients with compromised soft tissue envelopes.

Utility of tissue expansion in pediatric phallic reconstruction: a 10-year experience

OBJECTIVE

Boys with complex penile anomalies often undergo multiple operations, leaving a paucity of unscarred skin for further reconstructive procedures. Our objective was to evaluate the ability of tissue expansion to provide local skin for successful phallic reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty boys (mean age of 11.9 years) with hypospadias (n = 42) or epispadias (n = 38) formed the study cohort. All patients had undergone at least one failed reconstructive operation. Indications for tissue expansion included scarcity of penile skin with urethral stenosis, urethrocutaneous fistula, chordee, and/or residual defect. One or two expanders were placed under the skin of the penile shaft and removed at the time of reconstruction.

RESULTS

Average time between expander placement and reconstruction was 10.9 weeks. Mean follow-up time was 25.3 months. Complications during expansion occurred in 33 patients (41.3%). Twenty-two patients (27.5%) had at least one expander removed prematurely and 46.9% were replaced. Expansion yielded adequate tissue for reconstruction in 76 patients (95.0%). Successful outcomes were achieved in 39 patients after initial reconstruction and 25 patients after further intervention, yielding an overall success rate of 80.0%.

CONCLUSION

Tissue expansion is a useful tool with an acceptable rate of complications for phallic reconstruction in patients who have failed prior surgical reconstruction.

Differences in breast aesthetic outcomes due to radiation: A validated, quantitative analysis of expander-implant reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The potential ramifications of radiation use can be of particular concern in the breast reconstruction population, in which both surgical and aesthetic outcomes are important. Presently, there remains a paucity of data detailing the influence of radiation on specific reconstruction aesthetic outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a quantitative evaluation of aesthetic outcomes for expander-implant breast reconstruction in radiated and nonradiated patients using a validated scoring scale.

METHODS

A series of consecutive expander-implant breast reconstruction operations performed by the senior author between 2004 and 2012 were reviewed. Four blinded members of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Northwestern University (Illinois, USA) independently rated postoperative photographs of patients' breasts using a validated scoring scale with respect to five distinct aesthetic domains.

RESULTS

Of the 206 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 69 received radiotherapy and 137 did not. The radiated cohort had lower scores in each aesthetic domain, with significant differences in contour (1.33 versus 1.51; P=0.041) and placement (1.45 versus 1.73; P<0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between placement scores and radiation, and radiated patients had a significantly higher overall rate of complications.

DISCUSSION

Variances in scores may represent the relative difficulty of expansions and proper implant placement in irradiated tissue, with possible skin fibrosis and decreased flexibility hindering prosthesis manipulation.

CONCLUSION

Radiation adversely impacts breast contour and placement, with possible negative contributions to volume, scarring and inframammary fold definition, and results in higher rates of complications. Such detailed evaluation of the impact of radiation on aesthetics will enhance the management of patient expectations.

Use of tissue expander in pelvic Ewing's sarcoma treated with radiotherapy

INTRODUCTION

The local treatment option for pelvic Ewing sarcoma (ES) remains uncertain and challenging as surgery is often disabling while radiotherapy alone has a higher risk of local recurrence but not necessarily a worse survival. The aim is to analyse the outcome of patients with pelvic ES after radiotherapy as the primary local treatment in combination with a temporary intrapelvic surgically placed tissue expander (TE) to reduce bowel complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

20 patients were retrospectively analysed. All patients had neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. We identified survival, time to develop local recurrence and metastasis, dose of radiotherapy administered, local complications related to the use of the tissue expander and bowel effects of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 41 months. 14 patients were stage IIb and six stage III. There were no problems after insertion of the TE and only one patient who developed mild diarrhoea. Local recurrence occurred in six patients. At the last follow-up 12 patients have died from sarcoma, five are disease free and three have had recurrent disease.

CONCLUSIONS

In this paper we reviewed pelvic Ewing sarcoma with all the special considerations that this entails. We think that tissue expander can be safely used when radiotherapy is chosen to treat pelvic ES. It does appear to prevent bowel problems and is a low morbidity procedure. New treatment approaches should be considered to give a chance of cure to those patients with "bad prognostic" pelvic ES.

Dermal autografts as a substitute for acellular dermal matrices (ADM) in tissue expander breast reconstruction: a prospective comparative study

The use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in tissue expander breast reconstruction has several advantages but increased complications have been reported. Dermal autografts may offer a safer and more cost-effective alternative. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the outcomes of tissue expander breast reconstruction using dermal autografts with ADM-assisted reconstruction. Patients undergoing tissue expander breast reconstruction with either ADM or dermal autografts were enrolled. Autografts were harvested from the lower abdomen. At each follow-up visit, patients were surveyed on a seven-point scale for scar and overall satisfaction. Biopsies taken at the time of device exchange were evaluated histologically with CD34 staining to assess tissue integration and vessel ingrowth. Expansion parameters, complications, procedural costs, and operative times were compared. Forty-eight patients were enrolled (76 breasts). Twenty-seven patients received ADM, and twenty-one patients received dermal autograft. Wound healing complications were significantly higher in the ADM group (14.8% versus 4.8%, p-value = 0.03), as were major complications (18.5% versus 0%, p-value < 0.01). Histologic vessel counts in the autograft group averaged 21 vessels/mm(2), compared to 7 vessels/mm(2) in the ADM group (p-value < 0.01). There was no difference between the two groups in scar satisfaction or overall satisfaction. Patients receiving dermal autograft had a lower incidence of major complications and delayed wound healing than patients who received ADM. Despite harvest time, the overall cost of the ADM-assisted expander placement was higher. Dermal autograft-assisted breast reconstruction offers many of the benefits of ADM, but with a lower cost and improved safety profile.

The differential effect of BMI on prosthetic versus autogenous breast reconstruction: a multivariate analysis of 12,986 patients

BACKGROUND

The comparative safety of breast reconstruction in obese patients remains to be clearly defined. This study utilized multi-institutional data to characterize the effect of body mass index (BMI) on breast reconstruction outcomes.

METHODS

Utilizing Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, patients undergoing tissue expander, pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, latissimus dorsi flap, and free flap breast reconstruction were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Patients were stratified as obese (BMI ≥ 30) and non-obese (BMI < 30). Overall postoperative morbidity, flap complications, non-flap complications, and reoperation rates were compared among the groups.

RESULTS

Of 12,986 patients who underwent breast reconstruction, 3636 (28.0%) were obese. Overall morbidity was significantly elevated in obese patients across all forms of reconstruction (p < 0.05). BMI was correlated with increased surgical complications for tissue expander, pedicled TRAM, and free flap reconstructions (OR = 1.09, OR = 1.05, OR = 1.10, respectively; p < 0.05). Medical complications were higher in obese patients undergoing tissue expander and pedicled TRAM reconstructions (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001), but no significant difference was observed in latissimus and free flap reconstruction patients. Compared with obese tissue expander recipients, obese patients reconstructed using autologous tissue had higher rates of reoperations (12.8% versus 9.1%), overall morbidity (18.0% versus 9.5%), surgical (12.7% versus 8.3%), and medical complications (9.0% versus 2.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The NSQIP database allows for evaluation and comparison of reconstructive outcomes in the obese population. Increased BMI was associated with higher morbidity in autologous reconstruction than tissue expander reconstruction. Among autologous procedures, latissimus flaps experienced the lowest captured 30 day morbidity.

Repair of a postappendectomy massive ventral hernia using tissue expanders

Reconstruction of large abdominal wall defects is a challenging problem. Various reconstructive techniques have been described in the surgical literature each with its advantages and disadvantages. In this report we describe our experience in treating a patient with large abdominal wall defect by staged abdominal wall reconstruction utilizing prosthetic mesh in conjunction with tissue expanders. A 41-year-old male presented with abdominal pain. Exploratory laparotomy showed perforated appendicitis with intraabdominal abscess of 1,500 mL. Postoperatively, he developed intraperitoneal sepsis. To prevent abdominal compartment syndrome, he was reoperated and left with "open abdomen". After several open abdomen lavages, his abdominal wall defect was allowed to granulate. After epithelization of the defect, the abdominal wall was reconstructed using prosthetic mesh and tissue expanders. The tissue expansion process was well tolerated. We suggest that the use of tissue expanders provides reliable and well-vascularized soft-tissue coverage in abdominal wall reconstruction.

Delayed two-stage breast reconstruction with implants: The authors' recent experience

BACKGROUND

Presently, breast cancer detection is delayed in Poland and, thus, the only other option for patients is amputation and breast reconstruction (immediate or delayed). Reconstructive methods are based on using the patient's own tissue (pedicled or free myocutaneous flaps) or implants (a tissue expander, which is later exchanged for a prosthesis or an expandable implant).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the aesthetic results of a delayed two-stage breast reconstruction with the use of implants (expander and prosthesis) in patients who have previously undergone cancer-related mastectomy.

METHODS

From 2006 to 2009, 54 patients (34 to 65 years of age) underwent reconstruction at least one year after their mastectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy; three women also received x-ray therapy. All women underwent a two-stage treatment with a tissue expander, which was later exchanged for a prosthesis.

RESULTS

Outcomes of the surgery (evaluated by the physician and the patient at least six months after all stages of reconstruction) were found to be very good in 42 patients and good in 12 patients. After amputation and x-ray therapy in two cases, a fistula developed, which necessitated implant removal.

CONCLUSIONS

After amputation, breast reconstruction with implants (expander and prosthesis) provides good aesthetic results. The method is mildly burdening to the patient and does not cause severe scarring. Symmetrization of the second breast is often recommended; however, the cost is not covered by the national health system. In principle, earlier x-ray therapy disqualifies the application of implants. Dividing reconstruction into two stages (expander and prosthesis) allows for possible correction of prosthesis placement.

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.

Pre-expanded epigastric flap cover for ventral hernia following fungal necrotizing fascitis of caesarian section wound: An unusual complication

INTRODUCTION

Reconstruction of anterior abdominal wall after necrotizing abdominal wall infections is a challenge.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A 35-year-old lady presented with 20 × 18 cm sized defect of the anterior abdominal wall following fungal necrotizing fascitis. The defect was covered by an overlay prolene mesh and the soft tissue deficit was corrected by pre-expanded epigastric flap based on the superior epigastric artery.

CONCLUSION

A concerted multi-specialty effort is needed to correct these defects.