Project description:PurposeImplant-based breast reconstruction is fraught with complications related to seroma formation. Soft tissue stabilization with progressive tension closure (PTC) has been shown to decrease seroma formation after various procedures but is less suitable for mastectomy flap stabilization. We evaluate the incidence of seroma in breast reconstruction using bioabsorbable barbed ribbon devices (BRDs) as a novel approach to PTC.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of all patients whose mastectomy flaps were stabilized with BRDs. These patients were compared with consecutive patients who underwent mastectomy and reconstruction without progressive tension flap stabilization. Patient demographics and outcomes were recorded, including comorbidities, complications, presence of seroma, and total drain days.ResultsIn the BRD-PTC group, there were 36 breasts compared with 56 in the nonstabilized control group. There were no significant differences in rate of tobacco use, age, or body mass index. We identified 11 seromas in the control group (19.6%) and none in the intervention group (P = 0.05). In the PTC group, drains were removed an average of 5 days sooner than those in controls (P = 0.006).ConclusionProgressive tension stabilization of mastectomy flaps with BRD significantly reduces seroma formation and the duration for which closed suction drainage is required.
Project description:BackgroundIt has been proposed that negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) applied prophylactically to a closed incision may decrease the incidence of wound complications. Patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty are at risk of wound complications such as delayed healing, infection, and dehiscence, and the bilateral nature of the surgery allows for a within-patient randomized study to evaluate incisional NPWT's effect in reducing healing complications.MethodsIn this multicenter trial, 200 patients undergoing bilateral reduction mammaplasty were treated with PICO Single-Use NPWT System or standard wound-care dressings randomized to right or left breast for up to 14 days to enable within-patient comparison. Follow-up assessments were conducted to evaluate the difference in incision healing complications up to 21 days postsurgery. Healing complications (for the primary endpoint) were defined as delayed healing (incision not 100% closed by 7 days) and occurrence of dehiscence or infection within 21 days. Individual healing complications were assessed separately as secondary endpoints.ResultsSignificantly fewer healing complications (primary endpoint) were noted in NPWT-treated breasts [113 (56.8%)] versus standard care [123 (61.8%)]. The difference of 10 (5.0%) patients with fewer healing complications using NPWT was statistically significant (P = 0.004). NPWT also resulted in a significantly lower incidence of dehiscence (secondary endpoint) compared with standard care [32 patients (16.2%) versus 52 patients (26.4%)] by day 21, a relative reduction of 38% (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis is the first major prospective, within-patient, randomized, controlled, multicenter study to provide evidence for an incisional NPWT strategy to reduce healing complications.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Radical inguinal lymphadenectomy (ILND) for metastatic melanoma is associated with a high complication rate. Seroma is often the first postoperative complication, followed by prolonged wound healing sometimes requiring reoperation, infection, multiple outpatient visits and re-hospitalization. Prevention of seroma may, therefore, lead to a reduction in many of the other complications. METHODS/DESIGN:The primary aim of this randomized study is to investigate whether fewer patients require treatment for seroma by immediate prophylactic application of incisional, Negative-pressure Wound Therapy (iNPWT) following ILND, compared to standard postoperative treatment. The secondary outcomes include surgical-site infection, dehiscence, hematoma, length of hospitalization, quality of life, safety, long-term assessment of lymphedema and non-inferiority oncological outcome. Data will be registered prospectively at check-ups after 7 and 14 days, 1 and 3 months and 2 years after inguinal lymphadenectomy using case report forms and questionnaires and stored in a secure online database. DISCUSSION:To our knowledge, this trial is the first randomized study evaluating negative-pressure wound therapy as a prophylactic intervention for complications following melanoma-related ILND. The results from this trial will hopefully determine the efficacy and safety of prophylactic iNPWT treatment in prevention of the clinical relevant short- and long-term postoperative complications following ILND and may provide an evidence base for the an improved postoperative regimen. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03433937 . Prospectively registered on 15 February 2018.
Project description:Severe infections of implant-based breast reconstruction are challenging to treat. Traditional management is removal of the implant with a further attempt at reconstruction months later once the infection has settled. This study evaluates an alternative management protocol using negative pressure wound therapy with instillation (NPWTi).MethodsConsecutive patients with severe peri-prosthetic infection following breast reconstruction were managed using the Implant Salvage Protocol: removal of the prosthesis with application of a NPWTi dressing, changed every 3 days until a negative culture was obtained. A new prosthesis was then placed in the pocket. Data were collected on patient demographics, microbiological, hospital/operative information, and overall success of salvage. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.ResultsIn total, 30 breast prostheses in 28 patients were treated for severe peri-prosthetic infection. Twenty-five (83%) implants were salvaged. Mean time from initial reconstruction surgery to presentation was 49.5 days (median 23, range 7-420). Mean hospital stay was 11.5 days (median 12.0, range 6-22), mean number of returns to the operating theater was 3.7 (median 3.0, range 2-7), and mean number of days to negative culture was 5.2 (median 4.0, range 1-14). The most common organisms were methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (n = 9) and Serratia marcescens (n = 4). Most had a tissue expander (n = 24, 80%) or implant (n = 5, 16.7%) placed at the completion of therapy. There was no record of capsular contracture nor recurrent infection during follow-up (mean 39.4 months, range 6-74 months).ConclusionAn estimated 83% of prosthetic breast reconstructions with severe infection were successfully salvaged using NPWTi.
Project description:BackgroundIncreasing number of patients are being operated because of breast cancer. Seroma is the most common problem that occurs after surgery that increases morbidity. For postoperative pain management, Thoracic Paravertebral Block (TPVB) has long been considered the gold standard technique. With performing TPVB, sympathetic nerves are also blocked.ObjectiveWith this study, we aimed to search the effect of TPVB on seroma reduction in patients who undergo mastectomy and axillary node dissection surgery.MethodsForty ASA I-II female patients aged 18-65, who were scheduled to go under elective unilateral mastectomy and axillary lymph node resection were included to the study. Patients were randomized into two groups as TPVB and control group. Ultrasound guided TPVB with 20 mL 0.25% bupivacaine was performed at T1 level preoperatively to the TPVB group patients. All patients were provided with i.v. patient-controlled analgesia device. Seroma formation amounts, morphine consumptions and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for pain were recorded 24th hour postoperatively.Results and conclusionsMean seroma formation at postoperative 24th hour was 112.5±53.3 mL in the control group and 74.5±47.4 mL in the TPVB group (p=0.022). NRS scores were similar between two groups (p=0.367) at postoperative 24th hour but mean morphine consumption at postoperative 24th hour was 5.6±4 mg in the TPBV group, and 16.6±6.9 mg in the control group (p <0.001). TPVB reduces the amount of seroma formation while providing effective analgesia in patients who undergo mastectomy and axillary lymph node removal surgery.
Project description:The internal mammary vessels (IMA/Vs) have been used as the first-choice recipient vessels for microsurgical anastomosis and flap inset in autologous breast reconstruction owing to their ease of access and use compared with the thoracodorsal vessels (TDA/Vs). Herein, we report two cases of deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstructions in which the recipient internal mammary vein (IMV) was lacking. In the first case, a 50-year-old patient underwent delayed two-stage reconstruction, and in the second, a 45-year-old patient underwent delayed reconstruction because of capsular contracture following breast implant reconstruction. Neither patient received preoperative radiation therapy. During IMA/V preparation, we could not find the internal mammary vein (IMV) around the internal mammary artery (IMA) despite careful dissection. No internal mammary lymph node adenopathy and vascular encasement from metastasis were noted. Intraoperative indocyanine green angiography revealed absence of IMV, which was presumed to be congenital. Therefore, microsurgical anastomosis was performed to connect the deep inferior epigastric vessels to the thoracodorsal vessel. The postoperative course was uneventful in both cases. Although many anatomical studies have revealed different locations, diameters, branching patterns, and perforators of the IMA/V, absent IMV has been reported very rarely. In autologous breast reconstruction, plastic surgeons should be prepared for the possibility of the absence of IMV.
Project description:Donor site seroma is the most common complication after latissimus dorsi (LD) flap harvest. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in preventing donor site seroma formation after the harvest of an LD flap for breast reconstruction.In this prospective matched-pair study, 40 patients in whom an LD flap was harvested for breast reconstruction were enrolled. NPWT was used in 20 patients, and in a control group composed of another 20 patients, the conventional donor site dressing technique was used. Information was collected regarding postoperative complications, the incidence of seroma, total drainage volume, the number of percutaneous seroma aspirations, and the volume aspirated.In the NPWT group, the incidence of seroma formation after drain removal was significantly lower than in the control group (15% vs. 70%; odds ratio=0.07; relative risk, 0.24). Both the mean percutaneous aspirated volume (P=0.004) and the number of percutaneous aspirations (P=0.001) were also significantly lower in the NPWT group. There were no significant differences in the total drainage volume or the duration of wound drainage between the NPWT dressing group and the control group (P>0.05).This study showed that NPWT is a promising tool for reducing the incidence of seroma formation after removing the drain at the donor site after LD flap harvesting. It is a simple and safe technique.
Project description:Breast flap remodeling is a common procedure after breast reconstruction. We present a unique approach to breast reduction using a superomedial pedicle inverted "T" technique in patients with previous free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction, not previously reported. Breast reduction can be a valid option for reshaping breasts after free DIEP flap reconstruction. Breast reduction using the superomedial pedicle inverted T technique is performed in patients who have undergone free DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The superomedial pedicle inverted T breast reduction technique in breast reconstruction with free DIEP flaps seems promising, as the reduced DIEP flaps survived. The superomedial pedicle inverted T breast reduction technique in breast reconstruction with free DIEP flaps offers a good option for secondary breast reshaping. Preservation of the pedicle and blood supply are potential advantages. However, the limited evidence and surgical expertise needed are important considerations. This technique shows promise for breast reductions after free DIEP flap breast reconstruction.