Whitney Chow

The microvascular anastomotic coupler for venous anastomoses in free flap breast reconstruction improves outcomes.

BACKGROUND Venous couplers are ubiquitous around the world and are a useful tool for the reconstructive microsurgeon. A systematic review of coupler performance studies demonstrated a thrombosis rate range of 0% to 3%, whilst the average time of using the device is 5 minutes. There is sparse published data on cost analysis and the impact of operator experience on the anastomotic coupler device success. Improvements in outcomes other than time benefits have also not been shown. This study aims to address these deficiencies in the literature. METHODS A retrospective clinical study was undertaken, aiming to compare equivalent groups of patients that had free flap surgery with venous micro-anastomoses with those that had sutured anastomoses. The cohort comprised all patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction at the St Andrews Centre for Plastic Surgery & Burns from January 2009 to December 2014. RESULTS Between January 2010 to December 2014, 1,064 patients underwent 1,206 free flap breast reconstructions. The average age of patients was 50 years. Seventy percent of patients underwent mastectomy and immediate reconstruction during this period with the remaining 30% having a delayed reconstruction. The 1,206 free flaps comprised of 83 transverse myocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flaps, and 1,123 deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flaps. In total the coupler was used in 319 flaps, 26% of the cohort. There was a statistically significant clinical benefit in using the anastomotic coupler for venous anastomosis. Overall, the return to theatre rate was 12.69% whilst the overall flap loss rate was 0.75%. The overall coupler failure rate was significantly less at 1.4% whilst sutured vein failure rate was 3.57% (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS The anastomotic coupler for venous anastomosis in free flap surgery is associated with reduced operating times, reduced take-backs to theatre and cost benefits. This is the first study to demonstrate clear clinical benefits to anastomotic couplers, and suggests that these may be the gold standard for venous microanastomosis. With increasing experience with their use and technological advances, these outcomes may continue to improve.

Stacked and bipedicled abdominal free flaps for breast reconstruction: considerations for shaping

BACKGROUND Stacked and bipedicled abdominal flaps are useful in women who require a large breast reconstruction but have relative paucity of abdominal tissue. A new classification system is described to assist the surgeon in achieving the best possible aesthetic outcome. METHODS A retrospective review of 25 consecutive stacked and/or bipedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstructions was assessed from 2009 to 2014. Demographic data and key variables were prospectively collected in our breast reconstruction database and an aesthetic classification devised. There are four main subtypes, (I) folded; (II) divided; (III) coned; and (IV) divided and folded. Each of these subtypes can be moulded in a symmetrically or asymmetrically fashion depending on the contralateral breast shape together with distribution and consistency of fat within the abdominal flap. RESULTS Of the 25 patients, three-quarter were immediate reconstruction, with an average age of 48 years and a median follow-up of 2 years 10 months. Just over half the patients (57%) had bipedicle flaps with two recipient donor vessels with the remaining 43% had stacked flaps. The most common recipient sites are the thoracodorsal vessels (62%) and intercostal perforators (26%). The average abdominal pannus weight was 610 grams (SD: 320 grams), with a hemi-abdominal weight of 305 grams. Two patients had haematomas, of which one lost their reconstruction. Another patient had a venous congestion flap which was salvaged. CONCLUSIONS Bipedicled or stacked abdominal flaps allow the all four zones of the abdominal tissue to be used in unilateral breast reconstruction. The approach of tailoring the abdominal flaps to match the contralateral breast reconstruction is largely an art form. The paper aims to bring some meaningful system to aid the surgeon to achieve the best possible outcome with the components presented to them.

Modern use of smartphone applications in the perioperative management in microsurgical breast reconstruction

BACKGROUND Advances in mobile telecommunication, improved mobile internet and affordability have led to a significant increase in smartphone use within medicine. The capability of instant messaging, photography, videography, word processing, drawing and internet access allow significant potential in this small portable device. Smartphone use within medicine has grown tremendously worldwide given its affordability, improved internet and capabilities. METHODS We have searched for apps specifically helpful in the perioperative care of microsurgical breast reconstructive patients. RESULTS The useful apps have been subdivided: (I) communication apps-multimedia messaging, WhatsApp, PicSafeMedi: allow efficient communication via text, picture and video messages leading to earlier assessment and definitive management of free flaps; (II) storage apps-Notability, Elogbook: electronic storage of patient notes and logbooks of case which can be shared with others if required; (III) educational apps-FlapApp, Touch Surgery, PubMed on tap: step by step guides to surgical procedures to aid learning and medical journal database; (IV) flap monitoring app-SilpaRamanitor: free flap monitoring app based on photographic analysis for earlier detection of compromised flaps. CONCLUSIONS There has been remarkable growth in smartphones use among surgeons. Apps are being developed for every conceivable use. The future will be in wearable smart devices that allow continuous monitoring with the potential to instigate change should deviations from the norm occur. The smart watch is the start of this digital revolution.

Chyle leak after axillary lymph node dissection

Chyle leak following axillary lymph node clearance is a rare yet important complication. The current case is the first to be reported in the plastic surgery literature and chyle leak following mastectomy, axillary node clearance and immediate reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap has not previously been described. We aim to highlight this complication and suggest factors that may have contributed in this case and the literature. A 47 year old lady underwent an elective left skinreducing mastectomy, axillary lymph node clearance and immediate reconstruction with a DIEP flap. The mastectomy and level II axillary clearance was performed by a trainee breast surgeon, which took a total operation time of 3.5 h. Following oncologic resection, a DIEP flap was raised and the internal mammary artery perforator vessels were used as recipients. While the intraoperative course was uneventful, 6 h after the operation, a haematoma gradually developed in her left axilla. She returned to theatre for re-exploration and a haematoma of 600 cm volume was evacuated. Intra-operatively, generalised ooze was observed but no bleeding point could be identified. Post-operatively, high drainage volumes of up to 250 mL per day from the axilla were noted. Initially, the fluid was seroanguinous in nature, but after 5 days, the drain fluid became ‘milky’. Laboratory analysis at this point revealed the composition of the drain fluid was compatible with chyle (high protein, triglycerides, and cholesterol). A presumed diagnosis of chyle leak was made, with presumed injury to the thoracic duct or one of its branches. The drains continued to have high (250 mL per day) outputs, and were kept in place until they inadvertently fell out after two weeks. A fluid collection in the axilla was noted after 48 h, with an ultrasound demonstrating a heterogenous fluid collection. The patient remained well, with no signs of infection, pain or flap compromise, and a decision for a conservative approach through close monitoring was pursued. The collection

A malignant eccrine spiradenoma of the scalp.

Malignant eccrine spiradenoma (MES) is an extremely rare but aggressive tumour, resulting in high mortality. We report the first case in the UK of metastatic MES on the scalp of a 37-year-old man who initially presented with a raised nodular mass which had grown rapidly over a few months. Excision biopsy of the lesion was performed and histology confirmed MES with evidence of cytological atypia and necrosis. A further wide local excision of the lesion with a 1 cm surgical margin was performed and full clearance was achieved. At 10-month follow-up another similar lesion had developed close to the previously excised area. A CT scan demonstrated metastatic lesions in the lungs, liver and pelvis, and subsequently chemotherapy was initiated. Although MES is uncommon, it has a high propensity to metastasise, therefore prompt identification, treatment and close follow-up of these tumours is essential.

Five recipient vessels for metachronous chest wall reconstruction: Case report and literature review

Selecting potential recipient vessel options for free flap anastomosis is an important consideration in microsurgical breast and chest wall reconstruction. In these settings, the most common comprise the internal mammary and thoracodorsal vessels, although alternative anastomotic sites have also been described. On occasion, consideration of these alternatives becomes a necessity. The use of five separate recipient vessels is highlighted in a unique case of recurrent locally advanced breast cancer requiring multiple complex reconstructions using free tissue transfer. A 56-year-old lady presented for delayed breast reconstruction one year after radical mastectomy for locally advanced lobular breast cancer. Despite wide resections, local chest-wall recurrence five times necessitated five microsurgical reconstructions, using separate recipient pedicles: internal mammary vessels, thoracodorsal vessels, serratus branch of thoracodorsal vessels, intercostal vessels and thoracoacromial vessels. All flaps survived completely, without donor or recipient complications. There has not been a subsequent recurrence at 6 months since last reconstruction. The purpose of this report is to present the first reported case of microsurgical chest wall reconstruction using five separate free flaps requiring anastomosis to multiple recipient vessels for anterior chest wall coverage, to present a literature-based and clinical review of the regional vascular anatomy of the anterior chest wall, and to present an operative approach algorithm. In such complex cases, this understanding can facilitate a streamlined approach to management.