Gustavo Sturtz

Outcome analysis of breast-conservation surgery and immediate latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction in patients with T1 to T2 breast cancer

Background: The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is frequently used for total breast reconstruction; however, few reports have been available regarding clinical outcome following conservative breast surgery. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective review on 48 patients undergoing immediate latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap surgery following conservative breast surgery between 1999 and 2004. Methods: Information on age, body mass index, smoking history, comorbid medical conditions, and oncologic status was collected. Reconstructed breast and donor-site complications were evaluated. Results: Mean follow-up was 16 months. In 56.2 percent of patients, tumors measured 2 cm or less (T1) and in 47.9 percent were located in the upper outer quadrants. Flap complications occurred in seven and donor-site complications occurred in 12 of 48 patients. Dorsal seroma (20.8 percent), dorsal dehiscence (6.2 percent), and partial flap loss (6.2 percent) were the most common complications. Surgical intervention with skin suture was necessary in two cases of dorsal wound dehiscence. Partial flap losses were limited and were treated by a conservative approach. A significant as-sociation (p =0.035) was detected between dorsal seroma and obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) and was associated with a 5.2-fold increase in the odds of developing this complication. No significant association between complications and age, smoking history, hypertension, diabetes, axillary lymph node dissection, or chemotherapy was found. Conclusions: On the basis of our observations, the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is a consistent technique for reconstruction following conservative breast surgery. Donor-site complications are more often observed in those who are obese; they are higher risk patients.

Importance of lateral row perforator vessels in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap harvesting

Free flaps based on perforator vessels, and in particular the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, are currently being applied in abdominal reconstruction. However, one of the main disadvantages is the operative complexity. Through anatomical study and clinical experience with the DIEP flap in breast reconstruction, the intramuscular path of the perforator vessels was comparatively studied, to establish the main anatomical parameters that favor procedure planning. Thirty DIEP flaps from 15 fresh cadavers were used. The number, location, and intramuscular course of the perforator vessels were determined. In addition, an initial clinical study was performed in 31 patients using 35 DIEP flaps in breast reconstruction. The number, location, and the intramuscular course of the perforators were assessed. In the cadaver study, 191 perforator vessels were detected (6.4 vessels per flap). Thirty-four percent were located in the lateral row, and the rectilinear course was observed in 79.2 percent of these vessels. In the medial row, only 18.2 percent of the perforator vessels presented this configuration (p = 0.001). Thirty-one patients underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction, with 26 immediate and four bilateral reconstructions. In 22 of 35 flaps (62.9 percent), two perforators were used. In 25 flaps (71.4 percent), the lateral row perforators with a rectilinear course were observed. Mean operative time was 7 hours and 37 minutes. Two total flap losses and two partial necroses were observed. The majority of the lateral row perforators presented a rectilinear intramuscular course, which was shorter than that of the medial row perforators. This anatomical characteristic favors dissection with reduced operative time and vascular lesion morbidity, resulting in an important anatomical parameter for DIEP flap harvesting.

The Feasibility of Sentinel Lymph Node Detection in Patients with Previous Transaxillary Implant Breast Augmentation: Preliminary Results

Background: Transaxillary breast augmentation has gained popularity because of the good aesthetic results and scar placement in a less visible position. As breast-augmented patients age, an increasing number of breast cancer cases can be expected. Sentinel lymph node detection (SLND) is a well-established technique in breast cancer. To date, no information is available regarding the feasibility of SLND for patients with previous transaxillary implants.Methods:A 28-year-old women with bilateral breast hypoplasia underwent a bilateral breast augmentation by the transaxillary approach. One week earlier, SLND was accomplished through two periareolar injections of 0.1 mCi 99m-technetium-labeled fitate and lymphoscintigraphy. A 3.5-cm-long axillary incision was performed, and the dissection continued through the subfascial plane to create the implant’s pocket. A silicone gel implant (215 g round, low-profile, textured Silimed) was inserted.Results: A satisfactory aesthetic result was obtained. Two postoperative lymphoscintigraphies were performed (15 days and 7 months after surgery) with satisfactory SLND. No complication was noted.Conclusion: The initial data show that SLND in the setting of prior breast implant augmentation through the transaxillary approach is feasible. Additional prospective studies and larger clinical series are necessary to analyze the accuracy of SLND for patients with previous breast implants.

Epidemiologia e tratamento das úlceras de pressão: experiência de 77 casos

Prolonged tissue crompression due to sitting, lying or wearing brace in a heathy person results in discomfort and pain due to local isquemia. The normal protective pahtways are interrupted, however, in paraplegics, quadriplegic or the signals are ignored in severely de hibilitade, eldery or chronic ill patients. The pressure sore develops in these patients. Few papers have been done in Brazil abour pressure sores, despite economic problem envolved with. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the epidemiology, treatment and complications of pressure sores in the Hospital das Clinicas (University of Sao Paulo) from February 1997 to March 1999 in the Orthopedics Institute. A prospective study has been done. Data were evaluated as to the sex, age, sites, classification, type of treatment employed, length of stay and complications. The treatment was evaluated by the success rate and recurrence rate . The average follow-up period was 1 year and a half, ranging from 6 month to 2 years. 77 pressure sores in 45 patients were apraised. 36 men and 9 women, age range 17-64, mean 34,78 years. Of the patients, 100% had severe spinal cord injuries, and most of them victims of gun shot (60%). 93,3% of the wound were chronic (present longer than 3 months). 77,92% were treated by surgical procedures, and most of them with myocutaneous flaps (45%). The success rate changed with the site of the lesion: 80% trochanter, 84% sacrum and 66,6% ischium. The recurrence rate was 25%. The complication rate also changed with the site of the lesion: 84% trocanter, 64% sacrum and 50% isquium.

Evaluation of Cutaneous Abdominal Wall Sensibility After Abdominoplasty

Changes in cutaneous sensibility are common after diverse plastic surgical procedures. Although prior studies examined aesthetic results, combined procedures, and new abdominoplasty techniques, few examined the effect of undermining on cutaneous sensibility. This study aimed to analyze and quantify cutaneous sensibility after classic abdominoplasty. Two groups of patients were studied: a control group of 10 patients without surgery and another group of 25 patients who had undergone classic abdominoplasty. The abdominal wall surface was divided into nine regions. Pain sensibility was evaluated by tests with needles, and thermal sensibility by test tubes containing hot and cold water. Superficial tactile sensibility was tested using the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device (PSSD), which is capable of determining the cutaneous pressure threshold. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student’s ‘t-test’. The results showed a decrease in the three types of sensibility. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the groups for all regions tested. The centermost regions of the abdominal wall presented the highest index of analgesia and thermal anesthesia, as well as higher cutaneous pressure thresholds.

Sensitivity and Specificity of ICG Angiography in Free Flap Reexploration

Microscope-integrated indocyanine green near-infrared videoangiography (ICGA) is a new imaging technique to assess vascular flow through diminutive vessels used in microvascular surgery. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ICGA in detecting microvascular thrombosis in reexploration surgery. Patients undergoing emergent reexploration surgery after free tissue transfer were enrolled in this clinical study. After the patients had been returned to the operating room the pedicle vessels were exposed and a microangiography was performed. Independent of the result, the anastomoses were opened and surgically explored. Sensitivity and specificity was calculated, using the result of exploration surgery as a reference standard. Of 200 free flaps 20 (10%) underwent reexploration surgery. The most common surgical finding was microvascular thrombosis (55%). In one case vascular compromise was due to confusion of artery and vein with anastomosis of two veins. In 40% of patients an intact vascular pedicle was found. The sensitivity and specificity of ICGA to detect microvascular thrombosis was 100% and 86%, respectively. ICGA provides an excellent diagnostic accuracy for detecting microvascular thrombosis in reexploration surgery. Routine implementation of this technique may expedite a correct diagnosis and facilitate the surgical approach by preventing unnecessary surgical manipulation of intact anastomoses.

Clinical outcome of abdominal wall after diep flap harvesting and immediate application of abdominoplasty techniques

Background: Although breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is a well-known technique, few publications have reported the aesthetic outcome of the abdomen and the donor-site closure techniques utilized. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of immediate clinical application of traditional abdominoplasty techniques after DIEP flap harvesting. Methods: Forty-four patients underwent 48 DIEP flap breast reconstructions, with 32 immediate and four bilateral procedures. All patients underwent full abdominoplasties with some technique of musculoaponeurotic system plication. Information on age, weight, height, smoking status, comorbid medical conditions, complications, and revision surgery was collected. Results: In all patients, the anterior rectus fascia was closed by a two-layer imbrication-type closure and the rectus diastasis was corrected by a median plicature. In 36 patients (81.8 percent), a contralateral rectus plicature was performed. In 21 patients (47.7 percent), plication of the external oblique aponeurosis was performed. All patients achieved an improved abdominal contour, and 41 (93.2 percent) were satisfied with their result. Ten patients (22.7 percent) had minor complications. Conclusions: Clinical application of abdomi-noplasty techniques is feasible immediately after DIEP harvesting and must address not only skin and subcutaneous tissue but also the muscular abdominal wall. All of the musculofascial plication techniques improved the definition of the waistline. Patient selection is crucial to achieve a satisfactory outcome. The main objective is that patients safely undergo dual procedures with no increased risk and with the added aesthetic benefits at the abdominal donor site.

Correction of severe ptosis with a silicone implant suspensor: 22 years of experience.

Background: Patients with severe ptosis caused by poor or absent function of the levator muscle but with good frontalis muscle excursion usually benefit from a frontalis sling procedure. This is currently carried out using organic or inorganic material to connect the upper eyelid to the frontalis muscle. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively 112 patients who underwent frontalis sling procedures between 1989 and 2011 using a preformed silicone implant suspensor to correct severe ptosis. Results: The results obtained using this technique were good or fair in 95.54 percent of the cases and poor in 4.46 percent of the cases. The authors discuss the results of the study and the cases in which the procedure should be indicated and highlight the advantages of the method. Conclusion: The availability of this low-cost sterile device, together with the fact that it is ready to use, requires less invasive surgery, saves time, and is sufficiently versatile to allow adjustments to be made at any time, makes the silicone eyelid sling an attractive choice for correcting ptosis. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Aesthetic refinements in breast augmentation with deep inferior epigastric perforator flap: a case report.

The principle of free flaps based on perforator vessels and the development of deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) is currently used in reconstructive microsurgery. Clinical experience and research have shown that perforator flaps provide numerous advantages over the conventional myocutaneous flaps and combine muscle preservation and sequel minimization at the donor site. Clinical use of autogenous tissue or perforator flaps in aesthetic breast surgery or augmentation mammaplasty is not a common practice. The authors indicate the use of the DIEP flap to correct severe hypomastia after bilateral breast augmentation with silicon implants, followed by infection and implant extrusion. Using the DIEP flap is a new option for patients who have had complications from breast augmentation with implants or severe hypomastia and have excess tissue in the lower abdomen. Additional studies and clinical research are necessary to evaluate the real benefits as compared to silicone implants, such as operative time, the recovery period and financial implications.

The ideal split-thickness skin graft donor site dressing: rediscovery of polyurethane film.

The almost single disadvantage of polyurethane film dressings, an uncontrolled leakage, is probably as often described as its numerous advantages for split-thickness skin graft donor sites. We solved this problem by perforating the polyurethane film, which permits a controlled leakage into a secondary absorbent dressing. The study included 30 adult patients. Skin graft donor sites at the proximal thigh were dressed with the modified film dressing. Our results indicate that this dressing concept is associated with a reliable, rapid rate of epithelization. Both, controlled leakage and minimal pain caused particular comfort for patients and ward staff. Furthermore, this dressing was also suited for differently shaped and large donor sites. We conclude that the modification results in a more practicable, comfortable, and cost-effective film dressing, which requalifies the polyurethane film as an ideal dressing material for split-thickness skin graft donor sites.