Bryant, Lyndsey A.

Summary: Pleuroperitoneal (Denver) shunts have been used primarily for palliation of refractory malignant and chylous peritoneal and pleural collections. 1–5 We used a pleuroperitoneal (Denver) shunt for a recurrent, nonmalignant breast seroma in the palliation of metastatic breast cancer as a novel use of this shunt.

INTRODUCTION: As multidisciplinary treatment modalities for rectal cancer continue to evolve, neoadjuvant chemoradiation then surgical resection is a common approach. Robotic-assisted abdominoperineal resection is becoming more prevalent in part because of better visualization and instrument mobility within the pelvis. After abdominoperineal resection, postoperative perineal wound complications remain a significant risk. Pelvic reconstruction lowers this risk, and a pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap is frequently used to achieve this. Traditional flap harvest requires laparotomy, resulting in violation of both rectus sheaths and a large midline scar. Robotic harvest of the rectus abdominis muscle for pelvic reconstruction after abdominoperineal resection is a novel approach with foreseeable benefits. TECHNIQUE: After completion of abdominoperineal resection, 2 additional trocars are inserted in the lateral abdomen, and the robot is reoriented toward the posterior abdominal wall. The peritoneum and posterior rectus sheath are incised, and dissection is carried superiorly and inferiorly in a sagittal plane to reveal the rectus abdominis muscle. The muscle body is separated from the anterior rectus sheath. Once the inferior epigastric artery is identified, the superior pole of the muscle is transected. Continued lateral dissection ensures flap mobility for placement within the pelvis. After obtaining proper reach, the robot is undocked, and the flap is sutured in place through the perineal defect. RESULTS: After trocar placement and robot repositioning, both the colorectal and plastic surgeons trade places at the console. Robotic flap harvest precludes the need for laparotomy. The anterior rectus sheath remains unviolated and the patient avoids an additional midline scar. The aforementioned benefits of robot-assisted abdominoperineal resection, namely increased visualization and maneuverability, were also found applicable when robotically harvesting this flap. CONCLUSIONS: This technique exemplifies an additional minimally invasive technique for patients pursuing abdominoperineal resection. With knowledge of this novel approach, surgeons can better tailor their operations to benefit the patient.

Abstract Background Novel secondary flap options are paramount for patients who are not candidates for common reconstructive methods. The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of single arterial pedicle supplying both the gracilis muscle and medial thigh tissue carried in a profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap. Such a pedicle could allow the creation of a chimeric gracilis and PAP flap with a single-arterial anastomosis. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 157 lower extremity computed tomography (CT) angiograms to assess the vasculature of the thigh soft tissues. Imaging evaluation was supervised by a board-certified musculoskeletal radiologist. Results Prevalence of a single-arterial pedicle to a gracilis and PAP flap in each patient was 59% (31% within the right leg and 28% in the left leg). Furthermore, 16% of patients had a common arterial pedicle in both lower extremities. Conclusion Existence of a single-arterial pedicle to both the gracilis muscle and PAP flap tissues is frequently present in most patients in at least one lower extremity. This chimeric flap configuration could serve as a reconstructive avenue for patients, particularly those who have exhausted other more common flap options. Screening angiography is warranted in patients looking for this anatomic variation to establish its presence.

Background.Sarcoma is a rare malignancy, and more recent management algorithms emphasize a multidisciplinary approach and limb salvage, which has resulted in an increase in overall survival and limb preservation. However, limb salvage has resulted in a higher rate of wound complications.Objective.To compare the complications between immediate and delayed (>three weeks) reconstruction in the multidisciplinary limb salvage sarcoma patient population.Methods.A ten-year retrospective review of patients who underwent sarcoma resection was performed. The outcome of interest was wound complication in the postoperative period based on timing of reconstruction. We defined infection as any infection requiring intravenous antibiotics, partial flap failure as any flap requiring a debridement or revision, hematoma/seroma as any hematoma/seroma requiring drainage, and wound dehiscence as a wound that was not completely intact by three weeks postoperatively.Results.70 (17 delayed, 53 immediate) patients who underwent sarcoma resection and reconstruction met the inclusion criteria. Delayed reconstruction significantly increased the incidence of postoperative wound infection and wound dehiscence. There was no difference in partial or total flap loss, hematoma, or seroma between the two groups.Discussion and Conclusion.Immediate reconstruction results in decreased wound complications may reduce the morbidity associated with multidisciplinary treatment in the limb salvage sarcoma patient.