Optimizing aesthetic outcomes for breast reconstruction in patients with significant macromastia or ptosis

Autologous coverage for direct-to-implant pre-pectoral reconstruction in large and ptotic breasts: a new technique

Direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction after skin reducing mastectomy in large and ptotic breast is characterized by a high rate of complication. The Dermal Sling is commonly used to give extra coverage to the lower pole of the mammary implant to lower the risk of implant exposure in case of wound dehiscence at the T-junction. The aim of the paper is to detail an original technique that combines an inferior dermal sling with pectoral and serratus fascial flaps, to create a pre-pectoral pouch. We retrospectively review the clinical data of the patients who underwent Type IV/V mastectomy and DTI breast reconstruction with the described technique. Minor and major post operative complications were analyzed. Patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcomes were evaluated at one year of follow-up through Breast-Q and Validated Aesthetic Scale. Ten patients (fourteen breasts) were included in the study. Skin and/or NAC necrosis occurred in three breasts. One patient underwent implant removal due to periprosthetic infection. At one of follow-up no capsular contracture nor migration of the implant were clinically detected in all patients. One patient had a visible rippling at the upper quadrants of the new breast. Good patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcomes were reported. The association of fascial flaps and dermal sling is a viable option for breast reconstruction in patients with large and ptotic breasts. Along with providing an autologous coverage for the implant, it allows to maintain a good projection, maximize symmetrization in case of concomitant contralateral reduction mammoplasty and avoid any implant displacement.

Methodological Quality of Open Access Compared to Traditional Journal Publications in the Plastic Surgery Literature

BACKGROUND

The methodological quality of open access studies has long been questioned due to increasing popularity and accessibility. The objective of this study is to compare the methodological quality of open access versus traditional journal publications in the plastic surgery literature.

METHODS

Four traditional plastic surgery journals with their sister open access journals were chosen. For each of the eight journals, 10 articles were randomly selected for inclusion. Methodological quality was examined using validated instruments. Publication descriptors were compared to methodological quality values using ANOVA. Logistic regression was used to compare quality scores between open access and traditional journals.

RESULTS

There was a wide distribution of levels of evidence, with a quarter being level one. Regression of non-randomized studies indicated a significantly higher proportion of traditional journal articles were of high methodological quality (89.6%) when compared to open access journals (55.6%; p < 0.05). This difference persisted in three quarter of the sister journal groups. No publication descriptions were associated with methodological quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Methodological quality scores were higher among traditional access journals. Higher degrees of peer review may be necessary to ensure appropriate methodological quality in open access plastic surgery publications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V

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 .

Immediate fine-tuning of DIEP flaps using the Wise pattern mastectomy: Description of the technique and a retrospective analysis of complication rates

INTRODUCTION

Elliptical skin-sparing mastectomy in patients with large or ptotic breasts usually leaves loose mastectomy skin flaps, which need to be either resected or gathered over the DIEP flap. This results in poor control of the breast footprint and under-projected DIEP flaps in a loose mastectomy skin pocket, that tend to slip laterally towards the axilla. We believe that the use of a Wise pattern mastectomy will allow for immediate treatment of these concerns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, uncontrolled analysis of a prospectively-maintained database of patients operated by the five surgeons performing breast reconstructions at the University of Montreal Hospital Centre. Study population was patients with a BMI of over 25 and grade II/III breast ptosis who underwent a Wise pattern mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. Analysis was performed of the complication rates of the technique in the first six months after the surgery.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 53 breasts in 44 patients reconstructed with a DIEP flap immediately post Wise pattern mastectomy, we report nine cases of partial mastectomy-flap necrosis not needing revision, five cases of significant mastectomy flap necrosis needing debridement and skin grafting, and two cases of inability to adequately close the Wise pattern intraoperatively after DIEP placement, necessitating retention of DIEP skin in the inferior pole. None of the mastectomy flap complications occurred in irradiated breasts.

CONCLUSION

In patients with large or ptotic breasts, the Wise pattern mastectomy before an immediate DIEP reconstruction allows for immediate shaping of the breast by controlling the breast pocket, footprint, and excess skin.

Identification of Independent Risk Factors for Skin Complications in a Multifactorial Logistic Regression Analysis of Simultaneous Immediate Autologous Breast Reconstruction and Skin Reduction Mastectomy in Large and Ptotic Breasts Using an Inferiorly Based Deepithelialized Dermal Breast Flap

Autologous immediate breast reconstruction in large and ptotic breasts remains challenging. We aimed to identify independent risk factors for impaired wound healing and nipple necrosis after skin reducing wise pattern mastectomy in autologous reconstruction with an auxiliary deepithelialized inferiorly based dermal flap (IBDF). Methods. This retrospective study examined patients with wise pattern mastectomy with autologous immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) between 2017 and 2019. All cases of large and ptotic breasts were included. Demographic, oncologic, reconstructive, and surgical data were compiled, and multifactorial binary logistic regression models identified independent predictors for skin complications and nipple areolar complex (NAC) necrosis. Results. Of 591 autologous breast reconstructions, 62 (11%) met the inclusion criteria. Overall wound complication rate was 32% (n = 20, DIEP 11, thigh 9, p = 0.99), including 26% minor (n = 16, non-surgically treated) and 7% major complications (n = 4, surgically treated). Complete NAC necrosis occurred in one case. Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) (p = 0.003), high BMI (p = 0.019), longer operation time (p = 0.044) and higher patient age (p = 0.045) were independent risk factors for skin complications. Using internal mammary artery perforators (IMAP) as recipient vessels did not result in increased complication rates (p = 0.59). Conclusion. Higher patient age, BMI, and operation time (OT) significantly increase the risk for skin complications in combined reduction wise pattern mastectomies with autologous IBR. In this context, IBDFs help preserve the inframammary fold, providing vasculature to the T-junction and the mastectomy skin flaps. Acceptable complication rates can be achieved in large and ptotic breasts, regardless of preoperative chemotherapy or radiation. Gentle tissue handling with minimal thermal trauma preserves internal mammary artery perforators (IMAPs) as recipient vessels. In cases of flap failure and alloplastic conversion, the IBDF can serve as an autoderm, protecting the implant from exposure

Comparing Outcomes of Wise-Pattern, Two-Stage Breast Reduction-Reconstruction with and without Acellular Dermal Matrix

BACKGROUND

Aesthetic results in breast reconstruction for ptotic/obese breasts may be improved when using Wise-pattern closures compared with nipple-sparing mastectomies. In two-stage reconstruction, acellular dermal matrix is commonly used to support the prosthesis. This study tests the efficacy of an alternate technique that uses deepithelialized excess breast skin in lieu of acellular dermal matrix. To better understand whether acellular dermal matrix is necessary, the authors compared postoperative outcomes from reduction-reconstructions that used matrix to those that did not.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent staged breast reconstruction following Wise-pattern closures between September of 2016 and October of 2019. Two cohorts were created based on whether acellular dermal matrix was used. Charts were reviewed for incidence of postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 164 breasts were reconstructed in 85 female patients. The acellular dermal matrix cohort consisted of 68 breasts, whereas the non-acellular dermal matrix cohort included 96 breasts. After the first stage, the incidence of one or more complications was similar between cohorts (acellular dermal matrix, 32.4 percent; nonmatrix, 35.4 percent; p = 0.684). Minor infection rates were significantly higher in reconstructions using acellular dermal matrix (16.2 percent versus 6.3 percent; p = 0.040). After the second stage, the complication incidence was also similar between cohorts (acellular dermal matrix, 16.2 percent; nonmatrix, 13.5 percent; p = 0.638). Final follow-up time was 445.2 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall complication rates following both stages of reconstruction were similar with and without acellular dermal matrix. When acellular dermal matrix was used, minor infection rates were higher following expander placement. In patients desiring a reduction-reconstruction, the authors find the deepithelialized dermal flap provides ample prosthesis support, without the need for acellular dermal matrix. .

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, III.

Mastectomy Incision Design to Optimize Aesthetic Outcomes in Breast Reconstruction

Background:

Choosing the optimal mastectomy incision must account for oncologic, reconstructive, and aesthetic considerations, including nipple preservation, mastectomy skin margins and potential for skin involvement, mastectomy skin perfusion and viability, mastectomy skin excess, previous breast scars, the reconstructive plan, and inconspicuous new scar placement. In the present study, we aimed to assess breast reconstruction aesthetics, as they are influenced by mastectomy incision design.

Methods:

Nine commonly utilized mastectomy incision patterns were grouped into 3 categories: hidden scar, vertical scar, and transverse scar. Twenty plastic surgeons were asked to blindly grade before and after photographs of reconstructed breasts with regard to scar visibility and position and according to their influence on breast aesthetics.

Results:

Statistically significant differences were observed between the study groups. Mastectomies and reconstructions performed through hidden incisions yield the most aesthetic results. Vertical scars are favorable to transverse scars. In the case of bilateral reconstructions, symmetric scar placement is paramount to optimizing aesthetic outcomes.

Conclusions:

The mastectomy incision pattern significantly affects the aesthetic outcomes in breast reconstruction. Patterns borrowed from cosmetic breast surgery consistently yield highly aesthetic outcomes. Surgeons must consider oncologic factors and patient characteristics in choosing an ideal incision for each patient.