Michel Alain Danino

Principles of Chest Wall Resection and Reconstruction

Despite significant improvements in surgical technique and perioperative care, the management of patients requiring chest wall resection and reconstruction is an ongoing challenge for thoracic surgeons. A successful approach includes a thorough assessment of the patient and the lesion, an adequate biopsy to confirm tissue diagnosis, and a well-established treatment plan. In the case of a primary tumor of the chest wall, the extent of the resection should not be limited by the size of the resulting defect. Following resection, chest wall reconstruction mandates an appreciation for restoration of functional and structural components. An algorithmic approach to chest wall reconstruction begins with the assessment of the nature of the defect, taking into consideration factors such as infection, tumor location, previous radiation therapy, and surgical intervention. The latter factors bear influence on the type of tissue required as well as whether reconstruction can be performed in a single stage or whether it is better delayed. Finally, patient factors including lifestyle and work, as well as prognosis, are considered to determine the best reconstructive option.

The double capsules in macro-textured breast implants.

Breast implants are amongst the most widely used types of permanent implants in modern medicine and have both aesthetic and reconstructive applications with excellent biocompatibility. The double capsule is a complication associated with textured prostheses that leads to implant displacement; however, its etiology has yet to be elucidated. In this study, 10 double capsules were sampled from breast expander implants for in-depth analysis; histologically, the inner capsular layer demonstrated highly organized collagen in sheets with delamination of fibers. At the prosthesis interface (PI) where the implant shell contacts the inner capsular layer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a thin layer which mirrored the three-dimensional characteristics of the implant texture; the external surface of the inner capsular layer facing the intercapsular space (ICS) was flat. SEM examination of the inner capsule layer revealed both a large bacterial presence as well as biofilm deposition at the PI; a significantly lower quantity of bacteria and biofilm were found at the ICS interface. These findings suggest that the double capsule phenomenons etiopathogenesis is of mechanical origin. Delamination of the periprosthetic capsule leads to the creation of the ICS; the maintained separation of the 2 layers subsequently alters the biostability of the macro-textured breast implant.

The impact of postoperative expansion initiation timing on breast expander capsular characteristics: a prospective combined clinical and scanning electron microscopy study.

Background: In the first stage of expander-to-implant breast reconstruction, postoperative expansion is classically initiated at 10 to 14 days (conventional approach). The authors hypothesized that it may be beneficial to wait 6 weeks postoperatively before initiating serial expansion (delayed approach). Clinical and ultrastructural periprosthetic capsule analysis is first required before determining whether a delayed approach ultimately improves capsular tissue adherence and expansion process predictability. Methods: Patients undergoing two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction were enrolled prospectively in this study. During expander-to-implant exchange, the clinical presence of “Velcro” effect, biofilm, and double capsule was noted. Periprosthetic capsule samples were also sent for scanning electron microscopic observation of three parameters: surface relief, cellularity, and biofilm. Samples were divided into four groups for data analysis (group 1, conventional/Biocell; group 2, delayed/Biocell; group 3, conventional/Siltex; and group 4, delayed/Siltex). Results: Fifty-six breast reconstructions were included. Each group comprised between 13 and 15 breasts. In group 1, no cases exhibited the Velcro effect and there was a 53.8 percent incidence of both biofilm and double capsule. In group 2, all cases demonstrated the Velcro effect and there were no incidences of biofilm or double capsule. Group 3 and group 4 cases did not exhibit a Velcro effect or double-capsule formation; however, biofilm was present in up to 20.0 percent. All group 2 samples revealed more pronounced three-dimensional relief on scanning electron microscopy. Conclusions: Variations in expansion protocols can lead to observable modifications in periprosthetic capsular architecture. There may be real benefits to delaying expander inflation until 6 weeks postoperatively with Biocell expanders.

A new microsurgical research model using Thiel-embalmed arteries and comparison of two suture techniques *

PURPOSE To assess the utility of the Thiel arterial model in microsurgical research, we compared interrupted horizontal mattress (HM) sutures to simple interrupted (SI) sutures in human vessels. METHODS A microsurgical set-up using an operating microscope and Thiel-embalmed arteries was used to practice ten SI and HM anastomoses. Vessel patency, leak and stricture were evaluated using angiography, and vessel wall architecture was evaluated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The technique speed was also assessed. RESULTS We have successfully evaluated all outcomes. All anastomoses were patent. The stricture rate was higher with HM than with SI (60% vs. 35% surface area reduction). Three minor leaks occurred with HM sutures versus one with SI sutures. Edges were evenly everted without any intimal flaps with HM compared to SI. The anastomoses were performed faster using HM than SI sutures (7:58 min vs. 12:41 min, respectively). CONCLUSION This is the first study to evaluate the feasibility of a Thiel-embalmed artery model for research purposes. The HM microvascular suture is a promising technique that requires further in vivo validation.

Breast-implant texturing associated with delamination of capsular layers: A histological analysis of the double capsule phenomenon ☆

BACKGROUND Macro-texturing of breast implants was developed with the double goal of improving implant stabilization within the breast cavity and decreasing the rate of capsular contractures. However, recent evidence suggests that double capsular formation, a potentially worrisome phenomenon associated with late seromas and biofilms, occurs with preponderance in macro-textured implants. Our objective was to analyze histologically different regions of double capsules to determine if they are more prone to mechanical movements. METHODS A prospective analysis including patients undergoing second-stage expander to definitive breast-implant reconstruction post-mastectomy was conducted after intraoperative identification of the double capsule phenomenon. Two samples were collected from each capsules around the implant, located centrally and laterally. The specimens were sent for histological analysis by the institutions pathologist. RESULTS In total, 10 patients were identified intraoperatively with partial double capsule phenomenon. Among samples retrieved from the lateral aspect of the breast implant, all were associated with delamination and fractures in the collagen matrix of the double capsules. This phenomenon was not observed in any sample from the dome of the breast. CONCLUSIONS Breast-implant macro-texturing plays an important role on delamination of capsules on lateral portions of the breast, which may have an etiologic role in double capsule formation. Manufacturing implants with macro-texturing on one side and smooth surface on the other could diminish mechanical shear forces responsible for these findings.

Ulnar subluxation of the median nerve following carpal tunnel release: a case report.

Complications of carpal tunnel release, while infrequent, include incomplete release resulting in persistent symptoms or recurrence due to postoperative scarring, as well as iatrogenic damage to nerves and vessels. We present the case of a patient who underwent carpal tunnel release with resolution of symptoms in the immediate postoperative period. At one and a half years post release he started to experience numbness and tingling in a median nerve distribution triggered by repetitive ulnar to radial deviation of the wrist, with no symptoms at rest. Dynamic ultrasound showed a subluxation of the median nerve from one side of the palmaris longus tendon to the other. The patients symptoms were triggered as the median nerve squeezed in between the palmaris longus and flexor digitorum superficialis tendons.

Nostril alar rim threshold flap for columellar reconstruction

The reconstruction of the columella poses a significant challenge to the plastic surgeon. A multitude of techniques have been developed to address this issue; however, the end result is often unsatisfactory or comes at too high a morbid cost. Gillies described an alar margin flap in 1949 that never gained significant popularity. This technique had been refined by Servant over the past two decades in his work on Noma noses in Africa. We describe a two-stage columella reconstruction technique with a nostril alar rim threshold flap and provide the results of our case series. Under local anaesthesia, a full-thickness alar flap is raised by placing an incision along the alar-facial groove and carrying it around the lateral crus. This flap is then rotated on its medial pedicle and inserted into the nasal tip. Three weeks after the first stage, the flap is divided to the desired columellar length and the remaining ala relocated to the alar-facial groove. At the same time, the contralateral ala can be adjusted to match the donor side. We performed a retrospective study of all our columellar reconstructions using this local flap. Our case series consisted of seven patients, and satisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in all cases. The nostril alar rim threshold flap is a useful technique for columellar reconstruction, producing near-anatomic results that can be performed as a two-stage outpatient procedure under local anaesthesia. This technique is particularly well suited for columellar reconstruction in patients of African descent.

Left Right Judgement Task and Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Assessment in Participants with Wrist/Hand Pain

The Left Right Judgement Task (LRJT) involves determining if an image of the body part is of the left or right side. The LRJT has been utilized as part of rehabilitation treatment programs for persons with pain associated with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Although studies often attribute changes and improvement in LRJT performance to an altered body schema, imaging studies suggest that the LRJT implicates other cortical regions. We hypothesized that cognitive factors would be related to LRJT performance of hands and feet and that sensory, motor, and pain related factors would be related to LRJT in the affected hand of participants with wrist/hand pain. In an observational cross-sectional study, sixty-one participants with wrist/hand pain participated in a study assessing motor imagery ability, cognitive (Stroop test), sensory (Two-Point Orientation Discrimination, pressure pain thresholds), motor (grip strength, Purdue Pegboard Test), and pain related measures (West Haven Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory) as well as disability (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand). Multiple linear regression found Stroop test time and motor imagery ability to be related to LRJT performance. Tactile acuity, motor performance, participation in general activities, and the taking of pain medications were predictors of LRJT accuracy in the affected hand. Participants who took pain medications performed poorly in both LRJT accuracy (p=0.001) and reaction time of the affected hand (p=0.009). These participants had poorer cognitive (p=0.013) and motor function (p=0.002), and higher pain severity scores (p=0.010). The results suggest that the LRJT is a complex mental task that involves cognitive, sensory, motor, and behavioural processes. Differences between persons with and without pain and improvement in LRJT performance may be attributed to any of these factors and should be considered in rehabilitation research and practice utilizing this task.

Duration and cessation characteristics of heparinization after finger replantation: A retrospective analysis of outcomes

To prevent postoperative thrombosis, indications for anticoagulation in finger replantation have been described, but no consensus has yet been found for cessation protocols. The aim of this study is to investigate cessation methods of intravenous anticoagulation after finger replantation.

Free Transfer of a Paralyzed Contralateral Little Finger for Total Thumb Reconstruction in an Electrical Burn Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

The authors report the case of a 30-year-old male with 52% TBSA high-voltage electrical injury of the upper half of the body. Injuries included a cervical burn with associated alteration of the left brachial plexus as well as extensive soft tissue burn of the right hand. Three months later, he developed osteomyelitis of the right thumb metacarpal bone requiring amputation proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint. Following initial management, the patient had a permanent distal left upper extremity paralysis with nonfunctional but relatively undamaged ipsilateral hand digits. The right hand remained functional with four intact digits and a thumb stump. Usually, late reconstruction of proximal thumb amputation is performed by pollicization or free toe transfer procedures. In this particular case, right thumb reconstruction was done by free transfer of the left little finger. Four months postoperatively, the patient demonstrated a functional pinch between the reconstructed thumb and the ipsilateral digits along with improving sensation. This uncommon surgical procedure restored a functional thumb with minimal donor site morbidity. The decision-making process and operative technique are presented in detail along with a review of the thumb reconstruction literature.