Stefania Tenna

Comparative Evaluation of Traditional, Ultrasonic, and Pneumatic Assisted Lipoplasty: Analysis of Local and Systemic Effects, Efficacy, and Costs of These Methods

Abstract. Recently ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL) and pneumatic assisted liposuction (PAL) have been introduced as an attempt to improve the results and reduce the pitfalls of standard liposuction (SAL). Until now no studies comparing, at the same time, UAL, PAL, and SAL have been published. The aim of this study was to analyze these methods from the surgeons point of view, focusing not only on aesthetic results but also on local and systemic trauma, efficacy, handling, and cost. Forty-five cosmetic patients affected by local lipodystrophy, divided into three equal groups, have undergone liposuction with the three above-mentioned techniques. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of lipoaspirates, together with blood chemistry, local and systemic complications, time to aspirate 100 cm3, distress, fatigue, and costs of the procedures, has been recorded. Our results showed bloodier lipoaspirates in SAL and a higher percentage of triglycerides in UAL lipoaspirates. Blood tests revealed a slight decrease in the postoperative Hb in SAL only. Early complications observed were four erythemas in PAL, three ecchymoses in SAL, and one long-lasting edema in UAL. Aesthetic results rated by independent viewers were similar for all methods. Efficacy was higher in the PAL group (4 min × 100 cm3 fat aspirated) than in SAL (7 min × 100 cm3 fat) and UAL (10 min × 100 cm3 fat). Surgeons distress was higher in PAL than in SAL and UAL. Surgeons fatigue was much lower in the PAL group than in the others. Costs expressed as multiples of 1 unit (1 unit =

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

500 U.S.) were highest for UAL, low for PAL, and lowest for SAL. In conclusion, PAL and UAL caused reduced vascular injury, UAL being more selective for adipocyte removal. Complications of UAL and PAL were mostly related to the longer learning curve of these methods. The UAL procedure was much more expensive than PAL and, especially, SAL. PAL proved to be a handy technique, with the most favorable cost/benefit ratio, and seems to be the best option for busy liposuction practices or fast office procedures, even though the choice of the ideal technique always depends on the surgeons preference.

Free-style local perforator flaps: versatility of the v-y design to reconstruct soft-tissue defects in the skin cancer population.

Obesity is a complex mixture of psychological, environmental, social, cultural, economic, geographic, and genetic influences with little discrimination regarding age, ethnicity, or gender. Bariatric surgery may help in massive weight loss but often determine significantly alteration to the body profile with functional impairment. Reconstructive plastic surgery interventions correct post-bariatric surgery deformities and must be included in morbid obesity management as body contouring helps long-term weight control. As a general rule, contouring operations should be done after weight loss is complete, as wound complications tend to be higher when surgery is performed in patients who are still obese. The authors present a description of personal surgical approaches to abdominoplasty, mastopexy, brachioplasty, and inner-thigh lift.

Decision making in the treatment of tuberous and tubular breasts: volume adjustment as a crucial stage in the surgical strategy.

Background: Free-style local perforator flaps can be harvested from any region of the body where an appropriate and detectable perforator vessel is present. Their use allows the surgeon to perform a “like with like” reconstruction by mobilizing surrounding tissues on a consistent vascular source. The authors report their experience with V-Y free-style perforator flaps in reconstruction of soft-tissue defects subsequent to skin cancer excision. Methods: Forty elective defects in different regions of the body were reconstructed with V-Y advancement local perforator flaps raised in a free-style fashion. There were 23 male patients and 17 female patients. Mean age at surgery was 63 years. All defects resulted from skin cancer ablation. Mean defect size was 5 × 3.7 cm. Mean flap dimensions were 8.8 × 4.2 cm. The flaps were based on one (n = 10), two (n = 18), or three (n = 12) perforators. Results: Mean operative time was 93 minutes. Thirty-seven flaps (92.5 percent) healed uneventfully. In three flaps (7.5 percent), moderate venous insufficiency occurred, leading to partial flap necrosis that required surgical revision. In three cases (7.5 percent), the flap was converted to a rotation/hatchet perforator-based peninsular flap. Slight venous stasis was the most common postoperative finding registered (eight flaps; 20 percent). All flaps achieved adequate and durable reconstruction with excellent contour, with a follow-up ranging between 6 months and 2 years. Conclusion: Free-style local perforator flaps advanced in V-Y fashion proved to be a valid and reliable solution to restore function and aesthetics of the operated site after skin cancer excision. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Anterior intercostal artery perforator flap autologous augmentation in bariatric mastopexy.

Tuberous and tubular breasts, two distinct deformities based on the same anatomic anomaly, are characterized by several morphologic alterations with a wide spectrum of expression. The classifications reported in the literature are based primarily on deformity of shape, but other parameters such as breast volume and symmetry often are underrated. This study aimed to define tuberous and tubular breasts and their management accurately on the basis of multiple anatomic alterations involving breast volume and symmetry as well as shape.The records of 30 patients affected by tubular and tuberous breast were reviewed. Surgical strategy included correction of breast shape through areola and gland alterations, correction of volume asymmetry through parenchyma resection, and volume augmentation through permanent expandable breast implant insertion. All the patients were treated bilaterally.Evaluation using a visual analogic scale confirmed high patient satisfaction with a mean value of 92.6% in the assessment of shape, volume, and symmetry. Correct diagnosis, careful preoperative evaluation, and a comprehensive surgical strategy can achieve, in one surgical procedure, good and long-lasting outcomes in terms of breast shape and volume symmetry.

Scalp reconstruction with superficial temporal artery island flap: Clinical experience on 30 consecutive cases.

Background: Breast reshaping after massive weight loss represents a challenging procedure because of severe hypoplasia and tissue ptosis. Standard mastopexy techniques are often inadequate to restore a pleasant profile and volume. The authors present their experience with the anterior intercostal artery perforator flap in breast autologous augmentation and remodeling. Methods: Fifteen bariatric patients (30 breasts) affected by severe breast ptosis and tissue laxity in the upper abdominal wall underwent superior pedicle mastopexy with anterior intercostal artery perforator flap autologous augmentation. The flap was harvested including soft tissues above and below the inframammary fold, extending cranially 5 to 6 cm above the fold and inferiorly over the costal cage and hypochondrium. The flap was completely islanded on intercostal perforators originating from the fifth to seventh intercostal spaces. It was cranially advanced and sutured to the pectoralis major fascia. The medial and lateral borders were sutured together to shape an autologous implant. Results: All of the flaps were transferred successfully. The donor site was always closed primarily and upper abdominal laxity corrected. All of the breasts presented soft at palpation, with no clinical signs of flap necrosis early or late postoperatively. At 1-year follow-up, the breasts maintained good shape and projection. Conclusions: The anterior intercostal artery perforator flap proved to be a reliable option in bariatric mastopexy. The technique can be performed easily and allows the harvesting of a large amount of tissue with a wide range of motion, providing adequate breast volume and projection without the need for implant placement. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Combined use of fractional CO2 laser and radiofrequency waves to treat acne scars: A pilot study on 15 patients

BACKGROUND Different techniques are available to reconstruct scalp defects; however, when the cranium is exposed or the hairline compromised, the procedure may become quite challenging. The use of superficial temporal artery fascio-cutaneous flaps has been described mainly to restore the hair-bearing surface of the upper lip or the eyebrow but only few applications in the scalp have been reported. The authors present their experience with the use of superficial temporal artery island flaps to obtain durable coverage and excellent contour in anterior scalp reconstruction. METHODS Thirty consecutive defects in the anterior scalp subunits (temporal = 14; parietal = 12; forehead = 4) were reconstructed with ipsilateral V-Y island flaps nourished by frontal and parietal branches of the superficial temporal artery. All defects resulted from skin cancer excision. Twenty-six flaps were based on the parietal branch. The frontal branch pedicle was used in only four cases to resurface defects in the forehead subunit. Glabrous skin flaps were harvested in six patients. Including a venous branch in the pedicle was not mandatory because the venous drainage of the flaps was provided by the perivascular fascial network. For this reason, a fascial pedicle around the artery, 2-3 cm in width, was maintained to minimise flap venous insufficiency. RESULTS Twenty-nine flaps healed uneventfully (96.7% flap survival rate), providing stable coverage with a mean follow-up of 12 months. In the early postoperative time (up to 48 h), slight venous stasis was observed in 14 flaps (46.6%), but it resolved spontaneously within 1 week. Two flaps showed severe venous stasis, but in only one case (3.3%) it progressed to distal necrosis requiring surgical revision. No cases of alopecia or hairline distortion were postoperatively registered. CONCLUSIONS The use of superficial temporal artery island flaps, mobilised in a V-Y fashion, proved to be an elegant and reliable solution to resurface defects in the anterior scalp subunits in both hairy and bald patients.

Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Outcomes Following 414 Breast Reductions: Application of BREAST-Q

Abstract Fractional laser resurfacing has become an important technique in the management of a number of skin conditions, such as photoaging and scars. A variety of laser wavelengths and delivery systems have been introduced to improve immediate and long-term therapeutic results. The simultaneous emission of CO2 laser and radiofrequency waves combines epidermal coagulation for a resurfacing effect and dermal denaturization for deeper remodelling. The authors present this new machine together with a preclinical histological study and pilot study on 15 patients suffering from acne scars.

How to redefine the inframammary fold: the "slingshot" capsular flap.

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to measure breast satisfaction and quality of life using the BREAST-Q Reduction Module in a large sample of postoperative patients having breast reduction using the inverted T technique.MethodsWith due approval from the ethics committee of our university, 414 patients who were seen in consultation for breast reduction surgery between 2005 and 2015 performed by the same team were asked to fill out BREAST-Q surveys. The patient factors collected for all those undergoing breast reduction included age, body mass index, incision pattern, areola complex pedicle used, amount of tissue resected, concurrent procedures, and complications.ResultsAt our Department of plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery, 414 women underwent reduction mammoplasty with the inverted T technique from 2005 to 2015. All patients answered the BREAST-Q reduction mammoplasty postoperative module. Postoperative patients who presented with severe hypertrophy and asymmetry Grade C were more satisfied than others.ConclusionsOur study represents the largest number of patients who answered the BREAST-Q reduction mammoplasty module. The goal of breast surgery should be the attainment of patient satisfaction with good breast volume, shape, and symmetry.Level of evidence IVThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors. http://www.springer.com/00266

Postural variations after breast reduction: introduction of a new technique to achieve an objective analysis.

BackgroundCaudal dislocation of the inframammary fold (IMF) affects cosmetic appearance of the breast. Up until now, few methods have been proposed. The authors introduced a new capsular flap to improve long-lasting results. Materials and MethodsThirty consecutive patients affected by lower dislocation of the IMF have been retrospectively evaluated. Patients have been classified for age, degree of capsular contracture, and IMF dislocation (measured in centimeters). All dislocations have been corrected using a capsular flap cranially advanced on the chest wall in a “slingshot” fashion and anchored to the periosteum of the IV to V rib. ResultsNo major complications have been registered. In 2 cases, recurrence of IMF dislocation occurred within 15 months. In 3 cases, hypodefinition of the fold in the long-term was recorded. ConclusionsThe slingshot capsular flap seems a valid option to redefine the IMF, improving aesthetic appearance and stability of the result.