Matthew M. Hanasono

Implant reconstruction in breast cancer patients treated with radiation therapy

Background: Implant reconstruction in breast cancer patients treated with radiation therapy is controversial. Prior studies are limited by older prosthetic devices, reconstructive techniques, and radiation therapy protocols. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent tissue expansion and implant breast reconstruction performed by a single surgeon after mastectomy for breast cancer from 1996 to 2003. Complications and aesthetic results were compared between patients who received radiation therapy and those who did not. Results: A total of 104 patients (123 breasts) who underwent mastectomy and implant breast reconstruction were included in the study. Twenty-seven patients (27 breasts) received either premastectomy or postmastectomy radiation therapy for breast cancer. All patients who received radiation therapy did so before completion of their implant reconstruction. Complications ultimately requiring prosthetic device removal or replacement, as well as total complications (those requiring prosthetic removal or replacement and those not requiring prosthetic removal or replacement), were more frequent in breasts that received radiation than breasts that did not (18.5 percent versus 4.2 percent for complications requiring prosthetic removal or replacement, p ≤ 0.025, and 40.7 percent versus 16.7 percent for total complications, p ≤ 0.01). Breast symmetry was significantly better in patients who did not receive radiation compared with those who did (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Implant breast reconstruction in patients who receive radiation therapy is possible but associated with more frequent complications and decreased aesthetic results. However, the present results compare favorably to those reported in prior studies. Improved results in the present study may be attributable to the use of newer prostheses, staged breast reconstruction with initial tissue expansion, total muscular coverage of the implant, and modern radiation therapy protocols.

Uses and limitations of FDG positron emission tomography in patients with head and neck cancer.

Objective: Numerous authors have reported the potential usefulness of positron emission tomography (PET). These studies have had conflicting results, at least partly owing to limited sample sizes. The objective of this study is to define not only the uses, but also the limitations of PET in patients with head and neck cancer. Study Design: Nonrandomized, retrospective analysis of PET at an academic institution. Methods: The authors performed 146 PET scans on 133 patients with head and neck cancer. Eighteen patients (19 PET scans) with thyroid disorders were excluded. A minimum 1 year of follow‐up was available in 84 patients, who were separated into groups based on whether the PET was used to detect unknown primary cancers (n = 20), stage neck nodal and distant metastases (n = 8), monitor response to nonsurgical therapy (n = 22), or detect recurrent or residual cancers (n = 34). The results of PET were compared with results from computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed in the same patients. Results: Of the unknown primary cancers, PET correctly identified 7 of 20 primary sites, giving a sensitivity of 35%. When combined with CT or MRI, the sensitivity increased to 40%. When used for detection of metastatic disease, PET demonstrated five of five nodal metastases (100%) and two of four distant metastases (50%). In evaluating the response to nonsurgical therapy, PET had a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 83% for detecting tumor at the primary site and a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 73% for detecting nodal disease. When used for evaluation of recurrent/residual disease, PET identified seven of seven cases of local recurrences/residual disease and had a specificity of 85%. PET also detected seven of seven cases of nodal disease and had a specificity of 89%. Conclusions: For staging purposes, PET is limited by its lack of anatomic detail. However, PET compares favorably with CT and MRI in detecting recurrent/residual cancers. PET imaging complements the more traditional imaging modalities (CT or MRI), especially for an unknown primary cancer. Key Words: Head and neck cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, positron emission tomography, unknown primary cancer, cervical lymph node metastasis.

The role of salvage surgery in patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx

The objective of this study was to comprehensively review overall survival, functional outcomes, and prognostic factors in patients who underwent salvage surgery for locally recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (SCCOP) after initial radiotherapy.

A prospective study of donor-site morbidity after anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous and myocutaneous free flap harvest in 220 patients.

Background: The anterolateral thigh free flap may be harvested as a fasciocutaneous perforator flap or as a myocutaneous flap by including variable amounts of the vastus lateralis muscle. The authors sought to determine the donor-site morbidity associated with both types of flap dissection. Methods: Between 2005 and 2008, the authors performed 220 reconstructive operations using the anterolateral thigh free flap. Complications and donor-site function were evaluated prospectively. Results: Variable amounts of vastus lateralis muscle were harvested with the flap in this series: 25 percent included no muscle, 38 percent included minimal muscle, 33 percent included the superficial half of the muscle, and 4 percent included the entire muscle. The motor nerve to the vastus lateralis muscle was spared during dissection of the flap pedicle in 78 percent but required division in 22 percent. Complications included seroma (5 percent), wound dehiscence (2 percent), hematoma (1 percent), infection (1 percent), neuroma (1 percent), and partial skin graft loss (1 percent). Eighty-four percent of patients reported a sensory loss in the distribution of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Weakness or instability was reported by 8 percent of patients at their initial postoperative visit but resolved in all patients within 6 months. All patients regained their postoperative level of activity. Conclusions: The anterolateral thigh free flap is associated with a low rate of complications and functional morbidity. Even when the motor nerve to the vastus lateralis is divided, or substantial amounts of thigh fascia or vastus lateralis muscle are included in the flap design, all patients return to their preoperative level of function.

Reliability of the Muller Maneuver and Its Association With Sleep-Disordered Breathing†

Objectives/Hypothesis Use of the Muller maneuver (MM) in the evaluation of patients with obstructive sleep apnea is controversial. One criticism of this test is that it is somewhat subjective. Our objective is to explore the reliability of this technique and its association with sleep‐disordered breathing.

Computer-assisted design and rapid prototype modeling in microvascular mandible reconstruction

To evaluate the use of computer‐assisted design and rapid prototype modeling to improve the speed and accuracy of mandibular reconstruction.

Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh flap after total laryngopharyngectomy

Pharyngoesophageal defects traditionally have been reconstructed using a jejunal or radial forearm flap. In 2002, the authors began using the anterolateral thigh flap for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, and it has become our preferred method. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and functional outcomes achieved using this technique.

MICROVASCULAR FREE FLAP RECONSTRUCTION VERSUS PALATAL OBTURATION FOR MAXILLECTOMY DEFECTS

Palatal obturators and microvascular free flaps are both used to treat patients with maxillectomy defects, however, the optimal technique remains controversial.

Scalp reconstruction: a 15-year experience.

Scalp reconstruction after ablative surgery can be challenging. A useful reconstructive algorithm is lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the authors’ experience and to identify an appropriate reconstructive strategy. This was a retrospective review of all patients treated by the authors’ service for scalp defects during a 15-year period. Reconstructive methods, independent factors, and outcomes were analyzed. A total of 73 procedures were performed in 64 patients. Techniques for reconstruction included primary closure, grafts, and local and distal flaps. A correlation between reconstructive technique and complications could not be demonstrated. However, an increased incidence of complications was correlated with a history of radiation, chemotherapy, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and an anterior location of the ablative defect (P < 0.05). Important tenets for successful management of scalp defects are durable coverage, adequate debridement, preservation of blood supply, and proper wound drainage. Local scalp flaps with skin grafts, and free tissue transfer remain the mainstay of reconstruction in most instances.

Calvarial reconstruction with polyetheretherketone implants.

Despite the development of multiple cranial bone substitutes, calvarial reconstruction remains a significant challenge. Although autologous bone is preferred in many cases, its usefulness may be limited by difficulty with contouring, resorption, and donor site availability and morbidity. Alloplastic cranioplasties are also widely used with each material having its advantages and disadvantages. Computer-designed implants have the advantages of minimizing operative time for preparation, shaping, and insetting. We report our initial clinical experience in 6 patients with computer-designed, prefabricated polyetheretherketone implants, which may have significant advantages over other alloplastic materials in terms of strength, stiffness, durability, thermal conductivity, and radiographic translucency.