Defect-Oriented Versus Back Scar-Oriented Flap Design in Breast Reconstruction with Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flap: A Patient-Reported Satisfaction Outcome Comparison Using BREAST-Q

BACKGROUND

The design of the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap in breast reconstruction has several options. To date, there have been no reports on the surgical outcomes with flap designed based on the defect shape of the mastectomy site and flap shape of the donor site. To compare patient satisfaction according to the flap design, we designed and conducted independent three sub-studies targeting fifty-three breast reconstruction patients using BREAST-Q© scale.

METHODS

In study 1, there was no difference in patient satisfaction between the group with the flap designed according to the shape of mastectomy defect (defect-oriented group) that with the flap designed according to patient's wish regardless of defect shape (back scar-oriented group). In study 2, comparing the results based on the shape of the flap, vertically designed flap showed a statistically significant difference in the psychosocial well-being. In study 3, comparing the results based on the shape of the defect, no significant difference was noted.

RESULTS

Even though designing a donor flap based on the shape and orientation of the mastectomy defect has no statistical significance in patient satisfaction or quality of life compared with that based on the patient preference in placement of the donor site scar, the group with the vertical donor design showed better psychosocial well-being than the group with other shapes of the donor flap. By considering the advantages and disadvantages of each flap design, enhanced patient satisfaction and durability and natural aesthetic goal can be achieved. This is the first study to compare the differences in results according to the flap design method during breast reconstruction. Patient satisfaction according to the design of the flap was investigated in the form of a questionnaire survey, and the results were displayed. In addition to breast shape, donor scars and complications were also investigated.

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 .

Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Sling for Reconstruction of Chronic Seroma Pocket in the Axillary Fossa

Managing chronic axillary seroma after breast cancer surgery is troublesome because of the challenges in obliterating the seroma pocket and the possible injury to the axillary neurovascular bundles during the procedure. Using the muscle sling technique, we successfully managed an axillary chronic seroma patient after mastectomy with a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous (LDMC) flap.A 64-year-old woman with right breast cancer underwent radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection 17 years ago. A mass of chronic seroma was observed in the right axilla 1 year postoperatively and gradually increased in size. The refractory seroma was excised. The LDMC flap was designed to obliterate the pocket, rotated counterclockwise, and fixed to the upper boundary of the pectoralis major in a U-shaped sling. In this way, the direct suture of the flap to the vessels-crossing axillary apex could be avoided, and the flap's lymphatic-rich fat tissue promoted alternative lymphatic drainage that improved lymphedema.

Aesthetic Reconstruction of an Old Burr Hole Defect Using a Cancellous Bone Chip and a Porous Polyethylene Implant

Burr hole trephination is a minimally invasive procedure but can leave a depressed scar at the surgical site. Various materials have been studied to fill such defects; however, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of reconstructing old, depressed scars from burr hole surgery. This report presents a patient with depressed scarring near the anterior hairline of the frontal bone on both sides due to burr hole trephination for a subdural hematoma 27 years prior. Computed tomography scans revealed bony defects under the scar. Reconstruction of the bony defect was performed by debriding the bony bed, filling it with hydrated alloplastic cancellous bone, and covering it with a porous SynPOR polyethylene titanium-reinforced implant. During 1 year of follow-up, the reconstruction was maintained without complications. The patient was satisfied with the esthetic outcome. Thus, old bony defects can be repaired using the appropriate materials and techniques.

The changes of distance between nipples following correction of women pectus excavatum

The breasts in women pectus excavatum patients frequently appear to be slanting medially along the inclination of the distorted ribs. This study aims to evaluate changes in the distance between the nipples and to find out whether medially slanting breasts are corrected in women pectus excavatum patients following modified Nuss procedure. This case series analysis enrolled 22 young women patients with pectus excavatum between October 2011 and September 2020. We measured all the patients' distances from the sternal midline to the right and left nipples, based on chest computerized tomography. We calculated the distances between nipples as being the sum of the right and left distances. The mean age of patients was 16.50 ± 4.73 years, and the follow-up periods were 35.59 ± 20.23 months. The postoperative Haller indices (2.89 ± 0.43) were significantly lower than the preoperative Haller indices (5.14 ± 1.96) (p = 0.000). The distances between the nipples before and after Nuss procedure were 145.17 ± 17.73 mm and 172.29 ± 19.11 mm, which is a significant increase following surgery. (p = 0.000). Our results demonstrated that skeletal correction with modified Nuss procedure in pectus excavatum increased the distance between nipples, indicating that medially slanting breasts had been corrected.

Early development of reflux esophagitis after successful Helicobacter pylori eradication in superficial gastritis

The relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication is still debated. Recently, we had a patient of GERD who had developed it shortly after H. pylori eradication therapy. A 72-year-old man was diagnosed by endoscopy as suffering from severe superficial gastritis in the stomach body. A rapid urease test showed H. pylori infection. He was then started on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) based therapy for two weeks eradicating H.pylori. After completion of H. pylori eradication, he complained of a heart-burn sensation. Follow-up endoscopy showed reflux esophagitis, of grade B according to the Los Angeles classification. Since the patient had developed GERD after completion of the triple therapy, their suggests that H. pylori eradication must have triggered the development of de novo GERD after a short period of time.

Early Development of Refl ux Esophagitis after Successful Helicobacter Pylori Eradication in Superfi cial Gastritis

The relationship between gastroesophageal refl ux disease (GERD) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication is still debated. Recently, we had a patient of GERD who had developed it shortly after H. pylori eradication therapy. A 72-year-old man was diagnosed by endoscopy as suffering from severe superfi cial gastritis in the stomach body. A rapid urease test showed H. pylori infection. He was then started on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) based therapy for two weeks eradicating H.pylori. After completion of H. pylori eradication, he complained of a heart-burn sensation. Follow-up endoscopy showed refl ux esophagitis, of grade B according to the Los Angeles classifi cation. Since the patient had developed GERD after completion of the triple therapy, their suggests that H. pylori eradication must have triggered the development of de novo GERD after a short period of time. Keywords: GERD, Helicobacter pylori, PPI.