Yvonne L. Karanas

Surgical treatment of breast cancer in previously augmented patients.

&NA; The incidence of breast cancer is increasing each year. Concomitantly, cosmetic breast augmentation has become the second most often performed cosmetic surgical procedure. As the augmented patient population ages, an increasing number of breast cancer cases among previously augmented women can be anticipated. The surgical treatment of these patients is controversial, with several questions remaining unanswered. Is breast conservation therapy feasible in this patient population and can these patients retain their implants? A retrospective review of all breast cancer patients with a history of previous augmentation mammaplasty who were treated at the Revlon/ UCLA Breast Center between 1991 and 2001 was performed. During the study period, 58 patients were treated. Thirty patients (52 percent) were treated with a modified radical mastectomy with implant removal. Twenty‐eight patients (48 percent) underwent breast conservation therapy, which consisted of lumpectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, and radiotherapy. Twenty‐two of the patients who underwent breast conservation therapy initially retained their implants. Eleven of those 22 patients (50 percent) ultimately required completion mastectomies with implant removal because of implant complications (two patients), local recurrences (five patients), or the inability to obtain negative margins (four patients). Nine additional patients experienced complications resulting from their implants, including contracture, erosion, pain, and rupture. The data illustrate that breast conservation therapy with maintenance of the implant is not ideal for the majority of augmented patients. Breast conservation therapy with explantation and mastopexy might be appropriate for rare patients with large volumes of native breast tissue. Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction might be a more suitable choice for these patients.

The dorsal scapular island flap: an alternative for head, neck, and chest reconstruction.

&NA; The back has become an increasingly popular donor site for flaps because it can provide thin, pliable tissue, with minimal bulk, and the scar can be easily hidden under clothing. The authors performed a cadaveric and clinical study to evaluate the anatomy of the dorsal scapular vessels and their vascular contribution to the skin, fascia, and muscles of the back. On the basis of anatomical studies in 28 cadavers and clinical experience with 32 cases, it was concluded that the dorsal scapular vessels provide a reliable blood supply to the skin of the medial back, making it a versatile flap to use as an island flap. A flap raised on the dorsal scapular vessels can be harvested with a long pedicle and can be rotated to reach as far as the anterior regions of the head, neck, and chest wall. Delaying and expanding the flap may help to facilitate venous drainage. The authors recommend the use of this versatile island pedicle flap as an alternative to microvascular free‐tissue transfer for the reconstruction of defects in the head, neck, and anterior chest. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 111: 67, 2003.)

Early experience with computed tomographic angiography in microsurgical reconstruction.

&NA; Preoperative angiography is frequently used in the planning of microsurgical reconstruction. However, several potentially devastating complications can result from angiography, including arterial occlusion and pseudoaneurysm. Computed tomographic angiography is a relatively new technique that can provide detailed information about vascular anatomy as well as soft and bony tissue without the risks of traditional angiography. In addition, three‐dimensional image reconstruction uniquely demonstrates anatomical relationships among blood vessels, bones, and soft tissue. Fourteen computed tomographic angiograms were obtained in 10 patients undergoing microsurgical reconstruction of the head and neck, lower extremity, or upper extremity. The average patient age was 46.9 years (range, 22 to 67 years). Charges related to the computed tomographic procedure were compared with those of conventional preoperative imaging for microsurgical repair. At our institution, the average computed tomographic angiogram charge was

Use of 20 cm or longer interposition vein grafts in free flap reconstruction of the trunk

1140, whereas the average charge for traditional arteriography was

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the hand: a case report and review of the literature.

3900. When compared with intraoperative evaluation, computed tomographic angiograms demonstrated clinically relevant surgical anatomy. No complications were noted for the radiographic procedure or after free flap reconstruction. Computed tomographic angiography provides high‐resolution, three‐dimensional arterial, venous, and soft‐tissue imaging without the risks of traditional angiogram and at a lower cost. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 112: 498, 2003.)

Lemierre's syndrome: a case of postanginal septicemia and bilateral flank abscesses.

&NA; Between January of 1993 and September of 1995, six microsurgical free tissue transplants were performed using saphenous vein grafts ranging from 20 to 39 cm in length. All six free flaps survived. Two wounds were caused by radiation injury and two by tumor resection. The remaining two free flaps were performed for contour deformity and spinal cord coverage. All of the recipient sites were located on the trunk. In each case, an arteriovenous loop was created before the microvascular anastomosis to the free flap. There was one arterial thrombosis requiring thrombectomy and revision of the anastomosis. Three patients developed minor wound complications that responded to local wound care. Each of the flaps successfully provided wound coverage, and in two cases the flaps tolerated further radiation results. Long interposition vein grafts can be used for difficult microsurgical reconstructive procedures with reliable results when no local recipient vessels are available. Versatility is therefore afforded in placement of the flap and the choice of recipient vessels, making this option a useful one in the treatment of complex wounds of the trunk. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 101: 1262, 1998.)

Staged closure of complicated bronchopleural fistulas.

Despite the recent overall increase in cases of tuberculosis and other types of mycobacterial infection, the incidence of tuberculous hand infections remains extremely low in the United States. The rarity of this infection often results in delay in diagnosis and treatment. A case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the left thumb without pulmonary involvement is presented. The patients presentation and clinical findings were characteristic of M. tuberculosis infection. Prompt surgical debridement and tissue diagnosis are essential to the diagnosis and treatment of this rare infection.

Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Burned Hand

Lemierres syndrome is characterized by pharyngeal infections in young healthy adults with secondary septic thrombophlebitis and multiple metastatic infections. In the preantibiotic era, Lemierres syndrome was common and lethal. With the advent of antibiotics, Lemierres syndrome has become such a rare entity that the diagnosis is often delayed or missed. With prompt recognition, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and surgical drainage of metastatic abscesses, the majority of patients can be cured. A case of Lemierres syndrome in a 22-year-old previously healthy man treated on a plastic surgery service is presented. Surgeons who can be consulted for deep space infections should be aware of this disease so that the diagnosis and treatment can be initiated promptly to prevent patients from succumbing to this life-threatening but curable disease.

Free TRAM flap breast reconstruction after abdominal liposuction.

Bronchopleural fistulas remain a major complication after thoracic surgery. Despite continued advances in the treatment of this difficult problem, perioperative mortality remains as high as 15%. Multiple treatment strategies have been described with varying degrees of success. Successful treatment of chronic bronchopleural fistulas requires aggressive control of infection, adequate drainage of the chest cavity, closure of the fistula with vascularized tissue, and obliteration of the chest cavity. The authors present their experience with 3 patients who underwent a two-stage closure of their bronchopleural fistulas with pectoralis major muscle flaps followed by omental flap obliteration of the chest cavity. Each patient had previously undergone an Eloesser procedure for chest cavity drainage. The initial muscle flap operation is a small procedure that can be done rapidly with minimal morbidity in chronically ill patients. The intervening period between procedures allows patients to continue aggressive nutritional and physical rehabilitation until they are able to tolerate a second operation for chest cavity obliteration. All bronchopleural fistulas in our series healed, with one minor complication. A staged closure is a safe and effective alternative treatment for chronic and recurrent bronchopleural fistulas.

Burns resulting from spontaneous combustion of electronic cigarettes: a case series

Although most thermal injuries to the hand can be successfully managed with excision and grafting, deeper injuries may require microsurgical techniques to provide stable, durable coverage and the optimal functional result. In delayed reconstruction, thin pliable flaps can be used to resurface the hand or allow for contracture releases. Proper patient and procedure selection are critical to the success of microsurgical reconstruction.