Anita T. Mohan

Maximizing the Volume of Latissimus Dorsi Flap in Autologous Breast Reconstruction with Simultaneous Multisite Fat Grafting.

BACKGROUNDnThe pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) flap serves an important function in breast reconstruction, but its utility is limited by its inability to provide sufficient breast volume.nnnOBJECTIVESnThe purpose of this preliminary report was to review the techniques and outcomes of utilizing fat-grafted, volume-enhanced LD flap transfer with fat grafting recipient sites in autologous breast reconstruction.nnnMETHODSnA retrospective study was performed of 10 patients (14 breasts) who underwent autologous breast reconstruction utilizing the LD flap transfer technique and simultaneous fat grafting between August 2012 and September 2014. Multilayer, multisite fat grafting was performed to the LD muscle, LD skin paddle, mastectomy skin flaps, and the pectoralis major and serratus muscles simultaneously with the LD flap transfer.nnnRESULTSnThree patients underwent an immediate breast reconstruction, four underwent a delayed breast reconstruction, and four underwent a tertiary breast reconstruction following previously failed breast reconstructions (one patient underwent each of the first two procedures, one on each breast). The average age of the patients was 55 years (range, 39-76 years), the average body mass index of the patients was 29.3 (range, 19.6-39.9), and the average fat grafting volume for the patients was 176 mL (range, 50-300 mL). There was 100% flap survival and complete wound healing. No seroma or fat grafting-related complications were clinically detected. Three patients required additional fat grafting.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe fat-grafted, volume-enhanced LD flap procedure with fat grafting recipient sites offers a simple and safe technique for autologous breast reconstruction, with low morbidity and fast recovery. It can be a useful alternative to utilizing abdomen-based flaps in autologous breast reconstruction or could be performed to salvage both implant-based and free-flap breast reconstructions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4: Therapeutic.

Intra-neural Ewing’s sarcoma of the upper limb mimicking a peripheral nerve tumour. A report of 2 cases

Ewings sarcoma is a malignant round cell tumour of bone commonly affecting children and young adults. Intra-neural Ewings is very rare form of extraosseous Ewings sarcoma (EES), posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We report two cases of intra-neural EES presenting with elbow pain and swelling, mimicking an upper limb peripheral nerve sheath tumour. Following a CT guided biopsy to confirm diagnosis, the patients were treated with a combination of surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These cases highlight the potential diagnostic challenges as their presentation can be misleading due to the non-specificity of symptoms. These are highly aggressive tumours with the propensity to metastasize. We review importance of collective radiological and immunohistochemical analysis followed by early, aggressive multimodal treatment within a multidisciplinary setting. This provides the best prognosis in the context of upper limb peripheral nerve tumours.

Three-Dimensional Computed Tomographic Angiography Study of the Interperforator Flow of the Lower Leg.

Background: The area perfused by a single perforator depends on its perforasome and its unique interperforator flow pattern. The purpose of this study was to clarify the interperforator flow patterns of the peroneal and posterior tibial artery perforators using three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography. Methods: Thirteen whole-leg skin flaps were harvested in the subfascial plane from fresh cadavers. Peroneal, posterior tibial, anterior tibial, and sural artery perforators with a diameter greater than 0.5 mm were documented. Three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography with an injection of iodinated contrast medium into the peroneal or posterior tibial artery perforator was used to investigate the percentages of the area and the perforators that were perfused. Results: The mean percentage of the total area perfused was as follows: peroneal artery perforator, 42.0 percent; posterior tibial artery perforator, 38.0 percent (p = 0.084). The mean percentage of the total perforators perfused was as follows: peroneal artery perforator, 55.0 percent; posterior tibial artery perforator, 44.2 percent (p = 0.004). Although the mean percentages of same-source artery perforators perfused by a peroneal artery perforator (73.6 percent) and by a posterior tibial artery perforator (77.2 percent) did not differ (p = 0.513), the mean percentages of other-source artery perforators perfused by a peroneal artery perforator (49.9 percent) and by a posterior tibial artery perforator (32.3 percent) were significantly different (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a single peroneal or posterior tibial artery perforator perfused approximately 40 percent of the whole leg surface and that peroneal and posterior tibial artery perforators had different interperforator flow patterns. The results of this study may improve preoperative planning for pedicled perforator flap surgery. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.

Identification of the biopsy track in musculoskeletal tumour surgery: A novel technique using India ink

Local recurrence along the biopsy track is a known complication of percutaneous needle biopsy of malignant musculoskeletal tumours. In order to completely excise the track with the tumour its identification is essential, but this becomes increasingly difficult over time. In an initial prospective study, 22 of 45 patients (48.8%) identified over a three-month period, treated by resection of a musculoskeletal tumour, had an unidentifiable biopsy site at operation, with identification statistically more difficult after 50 days. We therefore introduced the practice of marking the biopsy site with India ink. In all 55 patients undergoing this procedure, the biopsy track was identified pre-operatively (100%); this difference was statistically significant. We recommend this technique as a safe, easy and accurate means of ensuring adequate excision of the biopsy track.

Deep Soft Tissue Leiomyoma Mimicking Fibromatosis in a 5-year-old Male

Leiomyomas of the deep soft tissue in the extremities of children are very rare. These benign soft tissue tumors occur more frequently in adults between the fourth and sixth decades of age. Women are more commonly affected than men, with the uterus the most common location. We present a rare case of deep soft tissue leiomyoma in the foot of a 5-year-old male. The tumor was misdiagnosed as a desmoid-type fibromatosis from the findings of both magnetic resonance imaging and needle biopsy. The unusual age of presentation, atypical location, and failure of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound-guided needle biopsy in diagnosing the lesion make the case interesting. The case also highlights the importance of treating such patients at specialist tertiary centers with a multidisciplinary setting.

Advances in imaging technologies for planning breast reconstruction

The role and choice of preoperative imaging for planning in breast reconstruction is still a disputed topic in the reconstructive community, with varying opinion on the necessity, the ideal imaging modality, costs and impact on patient outcomes. Since the advent of perforator flaps their use in microsurgical breast reconstruction has grown. Perforator based flaps afford lower donor morbidity by sparing the underlying muscle provide durable results, superior cosmesis to create a natural looking new breast, and are preferred in the context of radiation therapy. However these surgeries are complex; more technically challenging that implant based reconstruction, and leaves little room for error. The role of imaging in breast reconstruction can assist the surgeon in exploring or confirming flap choices based on donor site characteristics and presence of suitable perforators. Vascular anatomical studies in the lab have provided the surgeon a foundation of knowledge on location and vascular territories of individual perforators to improve our understanding for flap design and safe flap harvest. The creation of a presurgical map in patients can highlight any abnormal or individual anatomical variance to optimize flap design, intraoperative decision-making and execution of flap harvest with greater predictability and efficiency. This article highlights the role and techniques for preoperative planning using the newer technologies that have been adopted in reconstructive clinical practice: computed tomographic angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), laser-assisted indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (LA-ICGFA) and dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT). The primary focus of this paper is on the application of CTA and MRA imaging modalities.

Abstract: Adipofascial Flap Versus ADM

PurPoSe: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has gained popularity to enhance lower pole coverage in immediate implant or expander reconstruction. Advantages of ADM include improved rapid reconstruction, postoperative expander filling and lower capsular contracture. Potential trade-offs include higher seroma, infection and cost. Alternatives for implant coverage include local fascial flaps and inferior dermal flaps as autologous options in select patients. Given the controversy about the use of ADM, this study provides an intraoperative algorithm for its selective use and review of clinical outcomes in two-stage immediate breast reconstruction.

Response to “Comments on ‘Maximizing the Volume of Latissimus Dorsi Flap in Autologous Breast Reconstruction with Simultaneous Multisite Fat Grafting’”

We would like to thank Drs Niddam and Meningaud1 for their interest in our paper entitled “Maximizing the Volume of Latissimus Dorsi Flap in Autologous Breast Reconstruction with Simultaneous Multisite Fat Grafting.”2nnThe decision to perform additional fat grafting following the initial reconstruction is multi-factorial and based on individual patient characteristics and expectations. We always try to harvest the largest skin area possible in order to maximize not only immediate available volume, but also a larger surface area to fat graft into. For the same reasons, the entire latissimus muscle (LD) is harvested. Patients with a relatively high body mass index (BMI) and large fat compartments in the back may not require very much fat grafting both primarily or secondarily. Factors such as; patient BMI, available skin paddle size, LD muscle thickness, previous radiation therapy, thickness of the mastectomy skin flap, timing of reconstruction, size of the ideal contralateral breast and reconstructed breast, and patient expectations, …