Yvonne Rasko

The differing adipocyte morphologies of deep versus superficial midfacial fat compartments: a cadaveric study.

Background: Anatomical studies show that facial fat is partitioned into distinct compartments, with the nasolabial fat pad in a superficial compartment and the deep medial cheek fat in a deep compartment. Gross morphologic differences may exist between these fat depots, but this has never been established at the cellular level. Methods: Adipose tissue specimens from nasolabial fat and deep medial cheek fat pads were obtained from 63 cadaveric specimens (38 female and 25 male cadavers) aged 47 to 101 years (mean, 71 years). Thirty-seven cadavers had a normal body mass index (⩽25 kg/m2) and 26 cadavers had a high body mass index (>25 kg/m2). Cross-sectional areas of individual adipocytes were calculated digitally and averaged from histologic sections of the adipose tissue samples. Results: The average adipocyte size of nasolabial fat is significantly (p < 0.0001) larger than that of deep medial cheek fat. The average adipocyte size in both nasolabial and deep medial cheek fat is significantly (p < 0.0001) larger in subjects with high compared with low body mass index. Although the overall average adipocyte size is significantly (p < 0.0001) larger in female than in male subjects, this sexual dimorphism is lost in the nasolabial fat depots of overweight subjects and in the deep medial cheek depots of normal-weight subjects. Conclusions: The significantly smaller adipocyte size in deep medial cheek fat relative to nasolabial fat in elderly subjects supports the theory that deep and superficial facial fat pads are morphologically different. Future investigation of the metabolic and structural properties of these fat compartments will help us understand the different patterns of volumetric facial aging.

Achieving predictability in augmentation mastopexy

Background: Augmentation mastopexy remains a procedure wrought with high rates of complications and revisions given the diametrically opposing forces in this combined procedure. Thus, many surgeons remain cautious and err on a staged procedure. This article provides a dependable, predictable, and straightforward approach to a challenging operation. The technique centers on five key points, including precise preoperative markings, 8-cm vertical limbs with a broad pedicle base, limited undermining of thick skin flaps, small subpectoral implants, and movement of the nipple no more than 4 cm. Methods: Eighty-three patients who underwent augmentation mastopexy performed by a single surgeon (R.J.R) were included in a retrospective chart review following institutional review board approval. Information regarding demographics, implant contracture, degree of breast ptosis, and standard breast measurements was recorded. Operative data and postoperative complications were documented. Results: At a mean follow-up of 38 months, major complications included 16 revisions and one readmission for superficial thrombophlebitis. The majority of revisions were for scar revision or implant size change. Minor complications included two hematomas, one seroma, three T-point skin sloughs, and two minor infections. There were no instances of major flap loss or nipple loss. Conclusions: The technique described provides a safe and conservative surgical approach for one-stage augmentation mastopexy resulting in the avoidance of major pitfalls and irreversible complications of flap or nipple loss while achieving the desired results of the patient and surgeon. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Topical Lidocaine Enhanced by Laser Pretreatment

BACKGROUND Injectable forms of anesthesia for nonsurgical facial rejuvenation, although efficacious, are uncomfortable for the patient. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that laser pretreatment at low energies enhances absorption of topical lidocaine. OBJECTIVES The authors assess the safety and efficacy of laser-assisted transdermal delivery of topical anesthetic. METHOD Ten patients were split into 2 groups (A and B). All patients received 15 g of BLT (20% benzocaine, 6% lidocaine, and 4% tetracaine triple anesthetic cream) for 20 minutes with no occlusion. Then the cream was removed and the first blood draw taken. Group A patients were pretreated with the full ablative laser and group B patients with a fractional ablative laser to the full face. A further 15 g BLT was applied for another 20 minutes. Group A patients then underwent full ablative laser treatment, and group B received fractionated ablative laser treatment. Blood draws were taken at 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after the initial topical anesthetic application, and the serum was analyzed for lidocaine and monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) levels. Patients were asked to rate the pain felt at intervals during the procedure. RESULTS No patient required supplemental nerve blocks. Pain scores were equivalent at the end of the first pass for both groups (P = .436). Group A patients had significantly lower pain scores at the start of the second laser treatment (P = .045), but pain scores became equivalent by the end (P = .323). Combined serum lidocaine and MEGX levels were significantly higher in group A patients up to 90 minutes (peak average of 0.61 µg/mL for group A and 0.533 µg/mL for group B; P = .0253), which corresponded to greater initial analgesic effect. CONCLUSIONS Data from this study demonstrate that topical anesthetic for facial rejuvenation can be enhanced with laser pretreatment while maintaining safe blood serum levels. Further studies should examine optimal application amount and time to allow safe multipass facial rejuvenation without the need for invasive nerve blocks.

Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Practice Patterns in Breast Augmentation: A National Survey of Current Practice

Background Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic surgery procedures worldwide. Bacterial contamination is of paramount concern due to its role in biofilm formation and capsular contracture. Plastic surgeons have adopted a variety of perioperative interventions in efforts to reduce implant contamination, however definitive evidence supporting these practices is lacking. Objective The goal of this study was to assess current practice patterns aimed at reducing implant-related infections in breast augmentation and comparing them to current evidence-based medicine recommendations. Methods A 20-question survey assessing practices aimed at preventing breast implant associated infections was generated and distributed via SurveyMonkey to members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery whose electronic mail addresses were listed on the American Society of Plastic Surgery member website in April 2015. Results A total of 253 responses were received from the survey. Of the respondents, 81% were in private practice. Respondents averaged 21 ± 9 years in practice, and 69 ± 111 breast augmentations performed per year. A majority of surgeons used Chlorhexidine to prepare the surgical site (45%) and triple antibiotic solution both as a soak for the implant before placement (40%) as well as for implant pocket irrigation (47%). A no-touch technique using the Keller Funnel was adopted by 42% of surgeons. Regarding antibiotic use in the postoperative period, first-generation cephalosporins were used by the majority of respondents (79%), and the most common duration was for 4 to 6 days (45%). Conclusions Although there is heterogeneity in specific aspects of antimicrobial prophylaxis during breast augmentation, there is a clear trend toward practice modification geared towards preventing bacterial contamination in breast augmentation. Surgeons may benefit from high-level studies designed to create standardized evidence-based practice guidelines.

Comparison of Adipocyte Viability and Fat Graft Survival in an Animal Model Using a New Tissue Liquefaction Liposuction Device vs Standard Coleman Method for Harvesting

BACKGROUND The use of autologous fat for augmentation has become common practice among plastic surgeons for both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Previously reported data suggest that the method of fat extraction can have profound effects on adipocyte viability and subsequent fat graft survival. OBJECTIVE The authors describe a pilot study comparing a new tissue liquefaction liposuction device (TLL; HydraSolve Lipoplasty System; Andrew Technologies, Irvine, California) with a standard syringe aspiration method with respect to adipocyte viability, fat graft survivability, and fat graft quality. METHODS Lipoaspirate from 5 patients was harvested using either TLL or the standard method. Samples were centrifuged and assayed for cell viability. All lipoaspirate samples were grafted into nude rats and harvested 42 and 84 days later. Graft survival and quality were assessed. RESULTS There was no difference in adipocyte viability between the lipoaspirate conditions. At 42 days, there was no significant difference in fat graft weight and the TLL grafts were more fibrotic than the standard control grafts, but this was improved with the increased centrifuge rate. At 84 days, fat grafts were equivalent with respect to graft weight and histology. CONCLUSIONS Lipoaspirate harvested with the TLL device and centrifuged at 3000 rpm resulted in fat grafts that were equivalent in weight and histology to those from lipoaspirate harvested with the standard syringe aspiration technique.

Preventing Breast Implant Contamination in Breast Reconstruction: A National Survey of Current Practice.

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction is commonly performed by plastic surgeons worldwide. Bacterial contamination is of paramount concern because of its role in biofilm formation and capsular contracture. Plastic surgeons have adopted a variety of perioperative interventions in efforts to reduce implant contamination; however, definitive evidence supporting these practices is lacking. Objective The goal of this study was to assess current practice patterns aimed at reducing implant-related infections. Methods A 20-question survey assessing practices aimed at preventing breast implant–associated infections was generated and distributed via SurveyMonkey to members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery whose e-mail addresses were listed on the American Society of Plastic Surgery member Web site in April 2015. Results A total of 1979 invitations to participate in the survey were sent, and 253 responses were received during the 4-month study period. Of respondents, 81% were in private practice. Respondents averaged 21 ± 9 years in practice, and 34 ± 50 implant-based breast reconstructions were performed per year. A majority of surgeons used chlorhexidine to prepare the surgical site (52%), a triple antibiotic soak for the implant prior to placement (50%) and povidone-iodine for implant pocket irrigation (44%). A no-touch technique utilizing the Keller funnel was adopted by 69% of surgeons. Regarding antibiotic use in the postoperative period, first-generation cephalosporins (eg, cephalexin, cefadroxil) were used by a majority of surgeons (84%), and the most common duration was until drain removal (45%). Conclusions There is considerable heterogeneity in surgical practices aimed at preventing bacterial contamination in implant-based breast reconstruction. Surgeons may benefit from high-level studies designed to create standardized evidence-based practice guidelines.

Secondary rhytidectomy: comprehensive review and current concepts.

Background: Secondary rhytidectomy procedures present an additional level of complexity in comparison with primary procedures. Patients may seek secondary rhytidectomy, in part, as a result of complications stemming from the initial procedure, because of the natural process of aging, or a combination of the two. The aim of this literature review was to examine the difference in patient characteristics, techniques, and challenges specific to secondary face lifts. Methods: A literature search was performed on secondary face-lift procedures using MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane databases. Using the keywords “facelift,” “face lift,” “rhytidoplasty,” and “rhytidectomy” combined with “secondary,” “reoperation,” “revision,” and “multiple,” an initial search was performed. Then, all abstracts were evaluated for relevance. Results: The search yielded 291 articles with these key terms. The articles were reviewed for relevance and, in total, 13 were identified specific to secondary rhytidectomy procedures. Six were retrospective studies and the rest were expert special topic articles. Conclusions: Although there are limited data specific to secondary rhytidectomy procedures, several important principles were evident from these retrospective reviews and editorial articles. It is important to assess whether the patient is exhibiting stigmata of the primary rhytidectomy procedure or natural signs of aging, such as volumetric deflation and recurring ptosis of previously lifted tissues. Accurate and systematic preoperative analysis is key for successful planning and execution of secondary rhytidectomy procedures.

Maximizing aesthetic outcome in autologous breast reconstruction with implants and lipofilling

BackgroundFree flap breast reconstruction is an option widely sought in postmastectomy breast reconstruction. However, the volume of autologous tissue from the patient is often not sufficient for symmetrical reconstruction. In these cases, flaps can be used in combination with implants or autologous fat injections to augment volume and achieve shape, symmetry, and contour.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent postmastectomy free flap reconstruction with secondary augmentation using autologous fat grafting or implant from 2008 to 2011.ResultsTwenty-four patients (39 breasts) received further augmentation of autologous tissue reconstruction during this period. Sixteen patients (26 breasts) had fat graft augmentation only, four patients (eight breasts) had implant augmentation only, and three patients (five breasts) had both procedures. Among patients who had fat grafting, operative intervention was required twice for fat necrosis. Contrastingly, of patients who received implants, one patient required operative intervention for implant malpositioning. These differences were not significant (P = 0.57). The group with both fat grafting and implant augmentation had significantly higher aesthetic scores regarding overall appearance, contour, and volume, but not projection, than the group with fat grafting only and the group with implant only.ConclusionsAutologous fat grafting offers several contouring aesthetic advantages, including selectively augmenting areas of hollowness to improve contour and maximize symmetry. However, implant augmentation generally allows for a larger increase in projection in a single procedure, with similar rates of postaugmentation complications. Use of both autologous fat grafting and implant augmentation may allow for superior aesthetic results.Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Cosmetic Surgery Training in Plastic Surgery Residency Programs

Background: Over the past decade, plastic surgery programs have continued to evolve with the addition of 1 year of training, increase in the minimum number of required aesthetic cases, and the gradual replacement of independent positions with integrated ones. To evaluate the impact of these changes on aesthetic training, a survey was sent to residents and program directors. Methods: A 37 question survey was sent to plastic surgery residents at all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–approved plastic surgery training programs in the United States. A 13 question survey was sent to the program directors at the same institutions. Both surveys were analyzed to determine the duration of training and comfort level with cosmetic procedures. Results: Eighty-three residents (10%) and 11 program directors (11%) completed the survey. Ninety-four percentage of residents had a dedicated cosmetic surgery rotation (an increase from 68% in 2015) in addition to a resident cosmetic clinic. Twenty percentage of senior residents felt they would need an aesthetic surgery fellowship to practice cosmetic surgery compared with 31% in 2015. Integrated chief residents were more comfortable performing cosmetic surgery cases compared with independent chief residents. Senior residents continue to have poor confidence with facial aesthetic and body contouring procedures. Conclusions: There is an increase in dedicated cosmetic surgery rotations and fewer residents believe they need a fellowship to practice cosmetic surgery. However, the comfort level of performing facial aesthetic and body contouring procedures remains low particularly among independent residents.

A Case Series of Complex Recalcitrant Wounds Treated with Epidermal Grafts Harvested from an Automated Device

Introduction: Epidermal grafting has several advantages over full-thickness or split-thickness grafts in the treatment of complex non-healing wounds. These include the low risk of donor site complications, minimal patient discomfort, and abstention from the operating room. Traditionally, the lack of reliable epidermal harvesting techniques has limited its clinical utilization. The development of an automated suction blister epidermal graft (SBEG) harvesting device may facilitate clinical utilization of this technique. The authors present a case series of multimorbid patients who were poor surgical candidates and were treated with this technique. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients treated with CelluTome™ Epidermal Harvesting System (KCI, an Acelity company, San Antonio, TX) prior to May 2016 at our institution was conducted. Results: A total of 12 patients underwent 14 epidermal grafting procedures. Multiple comorbidities were identified, including smoking (33%), immunosuppression by immunotherapy or steroids (25%), chronic venous insufficiency (25%), diabetes mellitus (25%), malignancy (25%), polysubstance abuse (17%), HIV/AIDS (17%), and peripheral artery disease (8%). Among the two acute wounds (≤ 3 months) and 10 chronic wounds, the average wound size was 49.1 cm2 (± 77.6 cm2) and the median wound duration was 5.7 months (interquartile range: 4.1 - 15.8 months) before SBEG was attempted. These complex wounds had failed prior therapies, such as local wound care (100%), incision and drainage (58%), vacuum-assisted closure (33%), split-thickness skin graft (16%), and hyperbaric oxygen (8%). Following the procedure, all donor sites healed within one week. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining nine patients, four patients had complete resolution of their wounds at a median follow-up of 13.1 weeks (interquartile range: 6.8-17.3 weeks). Among those with partial resolutions, the average wound size was 4.2 cm2 (± 2.1 cm2) with an average wound reduction of 79% (± 23%). No donor or recipient site complications were observed. Conclusions: The automated SBEG harvesting device is an effective and safe option for treating complex non-healing wounds in multimorbid patients who may be poor surgical candidates. This procedure demonstrates minimal contraindications to its use and donor or recipient site complications.