Banuelos, Joseph

Background: Prepectoral implant-based reconstruction reemerged as a viable approach following recent advances in reconstructive techniques and technology. To achieve successful outcomes, careful patient selection is critical. Obesity increases the risk of complications and has been suggested as a relative contraindication for prepectoral breast reconstruction. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent immediate two-stage implant-based reconstruction at the authors’ institution was performed. Only women having a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or greater were included. Patient demographics, operative details, and surgical outcomes of prepectoral and subpectoral reconstruction were compared. Results: One hundred ten patients (189 breasts) who underwent prepectoral and 83 (147 breasts) who underwent subpectoral reconstruction were included. Complications were comparable between the two groups. Twelve devices (6.4 percent), including implants and tissue expanders, required explantation in the prepectoral group, and 12 devices (8.2 percent) required explantation in the subpectoral group (p =0.522). Final implant-based reconstruction was achieved in 180 breasts (95.2 percent) in the prepectoral group and 141 breasts (95.9 percent) in the subpectoral group. Regardless of type of reconstruction (prepectoral or subpectoral), for each point increase in body mass index, the odds of complications and device explantation increased by 3.4 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively; and the optimal cutoff to predict higher complications and explantation rates was a body mass index of 34.8 kg/m2 and 34.1 kg/m2, respectively. Conclusions: Obesity increases complications and failure rates in a positive correlation; however, complications and final reconstruction rates are comparable between the prepectoral and subpectoral groups. The authors believe that obesity should not be a contraindication for prepectoral breast reconstruction but that care should be taken in patients with a body mass index above 35 kg/m2. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

AbstractIntroductionAlthough an infrequent cause of small penile size in adult men, acquired penile shortening represents a particular reconstructive challenge due to preexisting penile anatomic deformities.AimWith numerous techniques being performed, the purpose of our study is to assess available literature on length enhancement procedures used for acquired penile shortening deformities.MethodsA systematic review was performed using the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses. Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Databases were used to identify papers on augmentation Phalloplasty in non-transgender males with acquired penile shortening from 1990 to 2018.Main Outcome MeasureOutcomes, complications, and patient-reported satisfaction were analyzed.Results12 articles, involving 931 patients and 8 primary procedures, met our inclusion criteria. The majority of articles had level of evidence of 4 (83%) and Newcastle Ottawa Scale score of 6 (92%, moderate risk of bias). All studies reported mean penile length gain; however, inconsistent methodology was used when measuring penile dimensions. Mean length gain ranged from 0.6 to 6.4 cm. Overall, the mean complication rate for all techniques ranged from 0% to 50%. Post-operative satisfaction was reported in 10 (83%) studies, 7 of which used a validated scale. Patients were generally satisfied, with reported satisfaction rates ranging from 77% to 100%.Clinical ImplicationsWhile numerous procedures have been described, the significant limitations in the available data preclude identifying a single superior procedure.Strengths & LimitationsThe significant heterogeneity in the reported literature is a limitation of this study and highlights the need for standardized reporting. However, this study is the first to analyze augmentation phalloplasty literature in the setting of acquired penile shortening.ConclusionAugmentation phalloplasty techniques for acquired penile shortening are evolving and are continuously being modified; best-practice guidelines are crucial to achieve safe and satisfactory outcomes in this population.

Abstract The middle ages in the Arab world etched medical advancements that laid the foundations of modern medical practice. Among the several renowned physicians of historical importance, Abu Alkasem al-Zahrawi (Albucasis) left his mark in the fields of medicine and surgery. He is notably famous for his 30-volume compendium Kitab-al Tasreef, which served as his magnum opus. The last volume of this work was reserved for surgery. During his lifetime, Albucasis made contributions of unparalleled luminosity to the field of surgery. He described surgical techniques for a range of procedures encompassing several subspecialties that comprise modern plastic surgery. Beyond just a physician and surgeon, Albucasis was a remarkable teacher who taught medical students with fervor and emphasized the importance of affording treatment to patients of all social classes and the value of physician-patient relationships. The focus of this review is to explore the contributions of Albucasis to the field of plastic surgery.

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) accounts for 70% of postmastectomy reconstructions in the United States. Improving the quality of surgical care in IBR patients through accurate measurements of outcomes is necessary. The purpose of this study is to compare the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data from our institution to our complete institutional health records database. Methods Data were collected and recorded for all patients undergoing IBR at our institution from 2015 to 2017. The data were completely identified and compared with our institutional NSQIP database for demographics and complications. Results The electronic health records data search identified 768 IBR patients in 3 years and NSQIP reported on 229 (30%) patients. Demographics were reported similarly among the 2 databases. Rates of tissue expander/implant infections (5.9% vs 1.8%; P = 0.003) and wound dehiscence (3.5% vs 0.4%; P = 0.003) were not reported similarly between our database and NSQIP. However, the rates of hematoma (2.7% vs 1.8%) and skin flap necrosis (2.5% vs 1.8%) were comparable between the two databases. In our database, 43% of all complications presented after 30 days of surgery, beyond NSQIP's capture period. Conclusions Databases built on partial sampling, such as the NSQIP, may be useful for demographic analyses, but fall short of providing data for complications after IBR, such as infections and wound dehiscence. These results highlight the utility and importance of complete databases. National comparisons of clinical outcomes for IBR should be interpreted with caution when using partial databases.

Background Single-stage direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction can offer several potential benefits. Subpectoral DTI reconstruction can present with animation deformity and pectoralis muscle spasm. To potentially avoid these complications, surgeons have attempted prepectoral placement for DTI; however, the benefits of this approach are mostly unknown. We evaluated the outcomes of DTI between prepectoral and subpectoral placement. Methods This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent immediate DTI breast reconstruction (prepectoral vs subpectoral) between 2011 and 2018. Demographics, clinical characteristics, complications, and patient-reported outcomes (BREAST-Q) were compared. Results Thirty-three patients (55 breasts) underwent prepectoral DTI, and 42 patients (69 breasts) underwent subpectoral DTI. Demographics were similar among groups. The number of breasts with preoperative ptosis lower than grade 2 was not significantly different between groups (29.1% vs 26.1%; P = 0.699). Median follow-up was 20.3 and 21 months in the prepectoral and subpectoral groups, respectively. Average mastectomy weight was 300 g (180–425 g) and 355 g (203–500 g). Average implant size was 410 cc (330–465 cc) and 425 cc (315–534 cc) in the prepectoral and subpectoral groups, respectively. Alloderm was used in all reconstructions. Total numbers of complications were 4 (7.2%) and 8 (11.6%) in the prepectoral and subpectoral groups, respectively (P = 0.227). BREAST-Q demonstrated mean patient satisfaction was high and similar among groups (75 and 73.9, P = 0.211). Conclusions Based on these results, we believe prepectoral DTI is safe, reliable, and a promising reconstructive option for selected patients, with equivalent results to other reconstructive options. Our present treatment recommendations are for patients who wish to maintain the same breast size and have minimal or no breast ptosis.

Abstract Objective Implant-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy remains the most common reconstructive modality worldwide. Infection is a frequent complication that negatively affects the reconstructive outcome and increases health-care costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in identifying fluid collections in patients with breast implant infection. Methods After receiving institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review was performed on patients who presented with breast implant infection after breast reconstruction, during the period 2009–2017. To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound (US) in detecting fluid collections, only patients with US evaluation and surgery during the same admission were included. Results In total, 64 patients with 64 infected implants met the inclusion criteria. Infected devices included 44 (69%) tissue expanders, and 20 (31%) implants, of which 40 (62%) were placed in the subpectoral and 24 (38%) prepectoral positions. Periprosthetic fluid was identified by US preoperatively in 45 (70%) of the patients, and a fluid collection was found in 61 (95%) of the patients during surgery. Sensitivity and specificity of US were 74% and 100%, respectively. Inaccurate US results were more likely in patients with silicone implants than patients with saline expander implants. Conclusion Caution should be exercised in interpreting negative US findings in patients with silicone implants in the setting of infection. Other imaging modalities should be explored if US results are negative in cases with high clinical suspicion.

Background: The eyebrows play an important role in emotional facial expressions, nonverbal communication, and facial esthetics. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying eyebrow aging is vital in allowing plastic surgeons to appropriately address these age-related changes and to recreate an aesthetically desirable outcome for patients seeking brow rejuvenation. The aim of this study is to summarize the current literature on eyebrow height changes with aging. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across several databases to identify all published studies that reported changes of eyebrow position or height with aging, from 1946 to January 2019. Studies that reported eyebrow position at the level of medial canthus, mid-pupil, and lateral canthus were included in a meta-analysis. Results: A total of 346 articles were initially identified, of which 19 met our inclusion criteria. Of 3,634 patients who were identified, 2,237 (64%) were females and 1,274 (36%) were males. Eyebrow height showed significant increase with aging at the level of medial canthus (mean difference 1.4 mm; 95% CI: 0.22–2.59; P = 0.02), and the level of mid-pupil (mean difference 1.17 mm; 95% CI: 0.54–1.8; P = 0.0002). However, no significant difference was found at the level of lateral canthus (mean difference 0.19 mm; 95% CI: −0.87 to 1.25; P = 0.72). Conclusions: Based on the reviewed literature to date, the medial eyebrow height increases with age, whereas it remains stable at the level of the lateral canthus. These results should be considered when considering eyebrow rejuvenation.

Background Postsurgical complications have been an increasing concern for hospitals, particularly in light of payment reform. The costs to the health care system are increasing in light of Medicare penalties for readmissions for certain conditions. Surgical site infection following implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) remains challenging. The rates of positive cultures and isolated microorganisms in IBR are unknown. This systematic review summarizes the reported microorganisms and positive culture rates in the existing literature. Methods A systematic review was performed using the guidelines outlined in Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. Articles were included if breast implant infection rates and culture results were reported. Further subgroup analysis of culture positive infections was performed. Results A total of 25 studies were included, encompassing 25,177 IBR. Implant infections were reported in 1356 reconstructions (5.4%). Cultures were positive in 74.5% of infections. Gram-positive bacteria were the most common (68.6%), of which Staphylococcus species (51%) was the most isolated pathogen, followed by Pseudomonas. A subgroup analysis showed that early infections (63% vs 88%), radiotherapy (82% vs 93%), and acellular dermal matrix use (90% vs 100%) were associated with lower positive culture rates than their respective counterparts. Patients who received chemotherapy had higher positive culture results (94% vs 83%). Isolated microorganisms also varied among the subgroups. Conclusions This systematic review outlines reported microorganisms in IBR. Staphylococcus species and Pseudomonas were the most frequently reported microorganism. Negative cultures were reported in up to 25.5% of infections. Patients with early infections, radiotherapy, and acellular dermal matrix demonstrated higher negative culture rates. This review can help guide the use of empirical antimicrobial therapy in IBR.