Background The purpose of this study is to evaluate how prior breast augmentation impacts rates of complications and risk for reoperation after mastectomy with concurrent breast reconstruction. Methods Patients undergoing nipple-sparing, skin-sparing, or simple mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction from 2008 to 2018 were identified in a prospective database. Postoperative complications and reoperations were then analyzed comparing patients with prior augmentation to patients without history of previous breast surgery. Results A total of 468 patients were identified with a median follow-up of 4 years. Of these, 72 had prior augmentation mammoplasty. These patients underwent nipple-sparing (52, 72%), skin-sparing (15, 21%), or simple (5, 7%) mastectomy with immediate direct-to-implant (46, 61%) or tissue expander (26, 35%) reconstruction. On univariate analysis, this cohort had a lower body mass index (23.3 vs 25.3, P = 0.003), a higher rate of nipple-sparing mastectomy (72% vs 54%, P = 0.01), and a higher prevalence of stage I disease (44% vs 33%, P = 0.04). Differences in age, comorbidities, reconstructive techniques, tumor size, and neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapies were not significant. Overall complication rate between patients with or without prior augmentation did not significantly differ (51% vs 50%, P = 0.83); no significant differences in rates of surgical site infection, hematoma, mastectomy skin flap/wound necrosis, nipple complications, implant loss, or capsular contracture were found. Analysis of reoperations between patients with and without prior augmentation revealed no significant differences in average number of subsequent planned, unplanned, or total reoperations. On multivariate analysis, prior breast augmentation was found to be associated with significantly increased risk for undergoing ≥1 unplanned reoperation (odds ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.28–4.05, P = 0.005). Conclusions Prior augmentation mammoplasty does not significantly affect rates of postoperative complications after mastectomy with concurrent reconstruction. Although prior augmentation does not affect number of subsequent reoperations on average, it does increase the risk of experiencing 1 or more unplanned reoperation after mastectomy with reconstruction.
Ethical Considerations in Clinical Photography: An Updated Perspective
Background and Objectives Delayed arterial thrombus causing loss of a cutaneous free flap at or beyond 6 months is a rare phenomenon. The purpose of this report is to describe 2 cases of arterial compromise requiring medical and surgical intervention at or beyond 6 months after radial forearm free flap (RFFF) phalloplasty and to define the phenomenon of ultradelayed arterial thrombosis. Methods Patient 1 is a 44-year-old transmale who presented with pulselessness, pallor, and hypersensitivity of his neophallus 10 years status post-RFFF phalloplasty using a saphenous vein interposition graft (SVIG) between the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and radial artery (RA). Patient 2 is a 35-year-old transmale who presented with similar complaints 6 months status post-RFFF phalloplasty with the same vascular connections as above. Results Patient 1 was found to have an arterial thrombus distal to the SFA-SVIG anastomosis requiring catheter-directed thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator, resulting in partial loss limited to the distal three fourths of the shaft. Patient 2 was also found to have an arterial thrombus distal to the SFA-SVIG anastomosis requiring catheter-directed thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator and common femoral artery CFA-RA bypass, resulting in partial loss limited to the neoglans. Conclusions Ultradelayed arterial thrombosis is a rare phenomenon requiring urgent intervention. The exact causes of this phenomenon, whether mechanical or physiological or both, have yet to be fully elucidated but it is hypothesized that the original anastomosis may continue to serve as the critical blood supply to its flap as far as 10 years after surgery.
Comfort Care after Self-Immolation: Is the Physician Complicit?
The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap is a versatile fasciocutaneous flap that has been used successfully in the reconstruction of defects across the body. In specific cases, it may prove superior to more commonly used options (e.g., anterolateral thigh flap and radial forearm free flap). Historically, a disadvantage of the MSAP flap is the relatively small surface area it provides for reconstruction. We recently encountered a patient with extensive pelvic injuries from prior trauma resulting in significant scarring and contracture of the groin, tethering of the penis, and loss of the scrotum and one testicle. The patient was unable to achieve erection from tethering and his remaining testicle had been buried in the thigh. In considering the reconstructive options, he was not a suitable candidate for a thigh-based or forearmbased flap. An extended MSAP flap measuring 25 cm×10 cm was used for resurfacing of the groin and pelvis as well as for the formation of a neoscrotum. This report is the first to document an MSAP flap utilized for simultaneous groin resurfacing and scrotoplasty. Additionally, the dimensions of this flap make it the largest recorded MSAP flap to date.
Coronavirus and the Responsibility of Plastic Surgeons