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The common and superficial femoral vessels are the workhorse vessels for microsurgical reconstruction of the abdomen and lower extremity. This chapter described the anatomy and surgical exposure of these vessels in regard to their use as recipients in trunk reconstruction.

Background Ventral hernia repair(VHR) is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States, but studies assessing the long-term outcomes of VHR using biologic mesh are scarce. Objective We sought to determine the rates of hernia recurrence(HR) and surgical site occurrences(SSOs) in a large cohort of patients who underwent AWR with biologic mesh. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent AWR using either porcine ADM(PADM) or bovine ADM(BADM) from 2005 to 2019. We analyzed the full cohort and a subset of our population with minimum long-term follow-up(LTF) of 5 years. The primary outcome measure was HR. Secondary outcomes were SSOs. Results We identified a total of 725 AWRs (49.5% PADM, 50.5% BADM). Mean age was 69 ± 11.5 years and mean body mass index was 31 ± 7 kg/m. Forty-two percent of the defects were clean at the time of AWR, 44% were clean-contaminated, and 14% were contaminated/infected. Mean defect size was 180 ± 174 cm, mean mesh size was 414 ± 203 cm. Hernia recurred in 93 patients(13%), with cumulative HR rates of 4.9%, 13.5%, 17.3%, and 18.8% at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years, respectively. There were no differences in HR(p = 0.83) and SSO(p = 0.87) between the two mesh types. SSOs were identified in 27% of patients. In our LTF group (n = 162), the HR rate was 16%. Obesity, bridged repair, and concurrent stoma presence/creation were independent predictors of HR; component separation was protective against HR. Conclusions Despite its use in complex AWR, ADM provides durable long-term outcomes with relatively low recurrence rates.

The role of physicians in dampening health care costs is a renewed focus of policy-makers. We examined provider- and practice-level factors affecting four domains of cost-consciousness among plastic surgeons performing breast reconstruction.Secondary analysis was performed on the survey responses of 329 surgeons who routinely performed breast reconstruction. Using a 5-point Likert scale, we queried four domains of cost-consciousness: out-of-pocket cost awareness, cost discussions, cognizance of patients' financial burden, and attitudes regarding cost discussions. Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify provider- and practice-level factors affecting these domains according to composite scores.Overall cost-consciousness scores (CS) were moderate and ranged from 2.14 to 4.30. There were no significant differences across practice settings. Male gender (p = 0.048), Hispanic ethnicity (p = 0.021), and increasing clinical experience (p = 0.015) were associated with higher out-of-pocket cost awareness. Increasing surgeon experience was also associated with having cost discussions (p = 0.039). No provider- or practice-level factors were associated with cognizance of patients' financial burden. Salaried physicians displayed a more positive attitude toward out-of-pocket cost discussions (p = 0.049). On pairwise testing, the out-of-pocket cost awareness was significantly different between Hispanic surgeons and white surgeons (4.30 vs. 3.55), and between surgeons with more than 20 years' experience and with less than 5 years' experience (3.87 vs. 3.37).Surgeon gender, ethnicity, and experience and practice compensation type inform various domains of cost-consciousness in breast reconstruction. Structural and behavioral interventions could possibly increase physicians' cost-consciousness.

Background Autologous fat grafting is a useful adjunct following breast reconstruction. The impact of autologous fat grafting on oncologic safety and surveillance remains questionable, particularly following breast conservation therapy. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent delayed fat grafting following breast conservation therapy between 2006 and 2016. A control group of conservatively managed patients without grafting was matched for cancer stage, age, body mass index, and follow-up. Outcomes included locoregional recurrence and oncologic surveillance. Results Seventy-two patients were identified per cohort. There were no differences in median age (50 years versus 51 years; p = 0.87), body mass index (28.2 kg/m versus 27.2 kg/m; p = 0.38), or length of follow-up (61.9 months versus 66.8 months; p = 0.144) between controls and grafted patients, respectively. Overall, four patients in each cohort experienced recurrence (5.6 percent; p = 1.00) with similar cumulative incidence estimates observed (log-rank test, p = 0.534). There were no significant differences in palpable mass (9.7 percent versus 19.4 percent; p = 0.1), fat necrosis (34.7 percent versus 33.3 percent; p = 0.86), calcifications (37.5 percent versus 34.7 percent; p = 0.73), or indication for breast biopsy (15.3 percent versus 22.2 percent; p = 0.23) between breast conservation and breast conservation therapy plus autologous fat grafting cohorts, respectively. Conclusions Overall, the authors found no difference in recurrence rates after breast conservation with or without delayed fat grafting. Furthermore, there were no differences in the rates of fat necrosis, palpable mass, and abnormal radiographic findings. This study represents the longest follow-up to date in in a large matched study of autologous fat grafting with breast conservation therapy demonstrating oncologic safety and no interference with follow-up surveillance. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, III.

Background:. The requirement for postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) at the time of mastectomy is often unknown. Autologous reconstruction is preferred in the setting of radiotherapy by providing healthy vascularized tissue to the chest. To maximize mastectomy skin preservation, tissue expander (TE) placement maintains the breast pocket until definitive reconstruction. This study aims to compare outcomes of skin-preserving delayed versus standard delayed autologous breast reconstruction in the setting of PMRT. Methods:. A retrospective review of a prospective database was performed of two patient cohorts at a single center between 2006 and 2016. Inclusion criteria were locally advanced breast cancer patients who completed PMRT and free autologous reconstruction. Primary outcomes were major intraoperative and postoperative TE and flap complications. Results:. Over 10 years, 241 patients underwent mastectomy and PMRT. Standard delayed autologous breast reconstruction was performed in 131 breasts (non-TE group). Skin-preserving delayed autologous reconstruction was performed in 113 breasts (TE group). The TE group was associated with a higher incidence of intraoperative complications during flap reconstruction (P = 0.002) and had a higher venous thrombosis incidence than the non-TE cohort (P = 0.007). Other major postoperative complications were not significantly different between the two groups. TE patients had 7.5 times higher risk of intraoperative complications and an 18.6% TE loss rate. Conclusions:. We identified higher intraoperative flap complications and a high rate of TE loss in patients who underwent skin-preserving delayed autologous breast reconstruction. The benefit of mastectomy skin preservation needs to be weighed against the increased risk of TE loss and higher rates of flap thrombosis.

Background Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an uncommon type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurring in the fluid or capsule adjacent to textured breast implants. Diagnosis of BIA-ALCL of symptomatic patients requires demonstration of large anaplastic cells with uniform expression of CD30 protein on immunohistochemistry. Objectives The authors investigated a novel, rapid, office-based, and economic in-situ enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for screening BIA-ALCL patients. Methods A commercially available in-situ ELISA was standardized and validated for patients with confirmed BIA-ALCL diagnosis with clinical isolates. A panel of 9 pathologically confirmed BIA-ALCL patients was screened by serum, plasma, and periprosthetic effusion specimens and compared against serum, plasma, and nonneoplastic delayed seromas in 7 control patients. Statistical analysis demonstrated assay consistency and reliability. Results All BIA-ALCL effusions demonstrated CD30 ELISA detection at full and all serial concentrations. BIA-ALCL serum specimens and all control specimens were negative at full concentration and serial dilutions (1:100, 1:250, 1:500, and 1:1000). BIA-ALCL plasma specimens were weakly positive at full concentration and revealed no activity with serial dilution. Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate a viable alternative to CD30 immunohistochemistry for the screening of BIA-ALCL. Our study demonstrates 100% sensitivity in seroma fluid with no detectable CD30 in benign seroma samples. A CD30 ELISA represents a novel, low-cost screening test, which may be used to screen suspicious aspirations of delayed periprosthetic fluid collections in an office-based setting. Level of Evidence: 3

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways are increasingly promoted in post-mastectomy reconstruction, with several articles reporting their benefits and safety. This meta-analysis appraises the evidence for ERAS pathways in breast reconstruction. A systematic search of Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed to identify reports of ERAS protocols in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. Two reviewers screened studies using predetermined inclusion criteria. Studies evaluated at least one of the following end-points of interest: length of stay (LOS), opioid use, or major complications. Risk of bias was assessed for each study. Meta-analysis was performed via a mixed-effects model to compare outcomes for ERAS versus traditional standard of care. Surgical techniques were assessed through subgroup analysis. A total of 260 articles were identified; 9 (3.46%) met inclusion criteria with a total of 1191 patients. Most studies had “fair” methodological quality and incomplete implementation of ERAS society recommendations was noted. Autologous flaps comprised the majority of cases. In autologous breast reconstruction, ERAS significantly reduces opioid use [Mean difference (MD) = − 183.96, 95% CI − 340.27 to 27.64, p = 0.02) and LOS (MD) = − 1.58, 95% CI − 1.99 to 1.18, p

Background We evaluated the incidence of and the risk factors for readmission in patients who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and assess whether readmission affects AWR long-term outcomes. Methods A retrospective, single-center study of patients underwent AWR with ADM was conducted. The primary outcome was the incidence of unplanned readmission within 30 days after the initial discharge post-AWR. Secondary outcomes were surgical site occurrence (SSO) and hernia recurrence at follow-up. Results Of 452 patients (mean age, 59 years; mean follow-up, 35 months), 29 (6.4%) were readmitted within 30 days. Most readmissions were due to SSO (44.8%) or wound infections (12.8%). The hernia recurrence rate was significantly higher in readmitted patients (17.2% vs 9.9%; P = 0.044). Wider defects, prolonged operative time, and coronary artery disease were independent predictors of readmission. Conclusions Readmission is associated with hernia recurrence on long-term follow-up. SSO is the most common cause for readmission.

Background Despite increasing literature support for the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in expander-based breast reconstruction, the effect of ADM on clinical outcomes in the presence of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) has not been well described. Objectives To analyze the impact ADM plays on clinical outcomes on immediate tissue expander (ITE) reconstruction undergoing PMRT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent ITE breast reconstruction from 2004 to 2014 at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Patients were categorized into four cohorts: ADM, ADM with PMRT, non-ADM, and non-ADM with PMRT. Outcomes and complications were compared among cohorts. Results Over 10 years, 957 patients underwent ITE reconstruction (683 non-ADM, 113 non-ADM with PMRT, 486 ADM, and 88 ADM with PMRT) with 1370 reconstructions. Overall complication rates for the ADM and non-ADM cohorts were 39.0% and 16.7%, respectively (P < 0.001). Within both cohorts, mastectomy skin flap necrosis (MSFN) was the most common complication, followed by infection. ADM use was associated with a significantly higher rate of infections and seromas in both radiated and non-radiated groups; however, when comparing radiated cohorts, the incidence of explantation was significantly lower with the use of ADM. Conclusions The decision to use ADM for expander-based breast reconstruction should be performed with caution, given higher overall rates of complications, including infections and seromas. There may, however, be a role for ADM in cases requiring PMRT, as the overall incidence of implant failure is lower than non-ADM cases. Level of Evidence: 3

Background Although multiple acellular dermal matrix sources exist, it is unclear how its processing impacts complication rates. The authors compared complications between two preparations of human cadaveric acellular dermal matrix (freeze dried and ready-to-use) in immediate tissue expander breast reconstruction to analyze the effect of processing on complications. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed all alloplastic breast reconstructions with freeze-dried or ready-to-use human acellular dermal matrices between 2006 and 2016. The primary outcome measure was surgical-site occurrence defined as seroma, skin dehiscence, surgical-site infection, or reconstruction failure. The two groups were compared before and after propensity score matching. Results The authors included 988 reconstructions (freeze-dried, 53.8 percent; ready-to-use, 46.2 percent). Analysis of 384 propensity score-matched pairs demonstrated a slightly higher rate of surgical-site occurrence (21.4 percent versus 16.7 percent; p = 0.10) and surgical-site infection (9.6 percent versus 7.8 percent; p = 0.13) in the freeze-dried group than in the ready-to-use group, but the difference was not significant. However, failure was significantly higher for the freeze-dried versus ready-to-use group (7.8 percent versus 4.4 percent; p = 0.050). Conclusions This is the largest study comparing the outcomes of alloplastic breast reconstruction using human acellular dermal matrix materials prepared by different methods. The authors demonstrated higher early complications with aseptic, freeze-dried matrix than with sterile ready-to-use matrix; reconstructive failure was the only outcome to achieve statistical significance. The authors conclude that acellular dermal matrix preparation has an independent impact on patient outcomes in their comparison of one company's product. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, III.

Lateral abdominal wall (LAW) defects are defined as hernias, bulges, or surgical wounds that occur within the anatomic region bounded by the linea semilunaris, costal margin, iliac crest, and paraspinous musculature. Reconstruction of the LAW is complicated by the relatively complex anatomy, asymmetric biomechanical forces on the repair, and progressive nature of concomitant denervation injuries. Furthermore, the relative rarity and varied nature of these defects have complicated comparative analysis and the development of consensus regarding optimal surgical management. Although mesh reinforcement of LAW defects is a universal component of available repair techniques, significant variation exists regarding mesh material selection, anatomic plane utilization, and extent of mesh reinforcement. Special consideration must be given to extirpative defects that extend beyond the aforementioned boundaries of the LAW. In this review, we outline the incidence of LAW defects, pertinent risk factors, common history and physical examination findings, supplementary diagnostic modalities, defect classification systems, surgical indications, and available repair techniques. The outcomes data in this review are presented to help guide surgical management and optimize outcomes for affected patients.

Background Extensive flap salvage attempts are routinely performed in patients with late-onset flap vascular crisis despite low flap survival rates. A knowledge gap exists in management of compromised free flaps in patients who present with perfusion-related complications after hospital discharge. Methods A retrospective review of 7443 free flaps used in 7128 cancer patients at a single institution from January of 2001 to March of 2015 was performed. Results Of 7443 free flap reconstructions, 856 patients (12 percent) were taken back to the operating room. Also, 261 patients (4 percent) suffered from microvascular compromise, of whom 110 (1 percent) experienced total flap loss. The authors identified 17 patients (10 breast cancer patients and seven head and neck cancer patients) who had vascular flap compromise and underwent reoperation after hospital discharge (median, 10 days; range, 4 to 107 days) after free flap reconstruction. Of these 17 patients, nine breast cancer patients and two head and neck cancer patients underwent flap salvage attempts. Salvage procedures included thrombectomy, thrombolytic and heparin injections, and reanastomoses (11 patients); vein grafting (four patients); vein supercharging with cephalic turndown (two patients); and change of recipient vessels (two patients). Sixteen of the 17 patients (94 percent) experienced total flap loss, and one patient (6 percent) had partial flap loss requiring long-lasting wound treatment. Conclusions Outpatient free flap salvage has a low success rate regardless of flap type, recipient site, or patient population. The authors' study suggests that immediate second-line reconstruction is more effective for late-onset flap vascular crisis than extensive flap salvage procedures. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, V.

After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe eyelid anatomy and demonstrate full understanding of the critical structures and basic principles of eyelid reconstruction. 2. Evaluate individual defects, analyze the missing components, and formulate a reconstructive algorithm. 3. Anticipate potential complications and design effective strategies to manage and treat common complications following eyelid reconstruction.Defects of the eyelid can result from trauma, burns, or resection of cutaneous malignancies. Repair of eyelid defects presents unique challenges to reconstructive surgeons. A fundamental understanding of eyelid anatomy and familiarity with the myriad of options for reconstruction are critical for achieving optimal outcomes. Under ideal circumstances, the aims of reconstruction should be to restore form and function and to replace "like with like."

Background The interview process for surgical trainees aims to select those individuals who will perform best during training and have the greatest potential as future surgeons. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between criteria assessed at interview, technical skills, and performance, for the first time, to optimize the selection process for a Microsurgery fellowship. Methods Twenty microsurgery fellows in three consecutive annual cohorts at a single academic center were prospectively evaluated. At interview, subjects were scored for multiple standardized domains. At the start and at end of the fellowship, microsurgical technical skill was assessed both in the laboratory and operating room (OR) using a validated assessment tool. At the end of the fellowship, there was a final evaluation of performance. Results At the start, microsurgical skill significantly correlated with almost all domains evaluated at interview, most closely with prior plastic surgery training experience. At the end of the fellowship, skill level improved in all trainees, with the greatest improvement made by the lowest ranked and skilled trainees. The highest ranked trainees, however, made the greatest improvement in speed. Conclusions The results of this study, for the first time, validate the current interview process to correctly select the highest performing and most skilled candidates and support the effectiveness of a 1-year microsurgical fellowship in improving microsurgical skill in all trainees, irrespective of their initial ability. The importance of valuing the relative quality of prior training and experience at selection is also highlighted.

Early detection of compromised free flap perfusion is critical. A common modality of thrombosis detection, physical examination augmented with hand-held Doppler, provides only intermittent data and is insensitive to venous compromise. Visible light spectroscopy provides continuous, noninvasive evaluation of tissue perfusion. The authors hypothesized that visible light spectroscopy is a more sensitive and specific monitoring method for early detection of postoperative flap compromise than intermittent hand-held Doppler and clinical examination.The authors prospectively conducted a controlled study evaluating the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the T-Stat Model 303 VLS oximeter versus that of intermittent Doppler and clinical examination. The authors prospectively collected and analyzed patient data, complications, reoperations, flap failures, and tissue oxygen saturation.Sixty-eight patients with 81 flaps completed the study. The majority of flaps (86.4 percent) were either transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous or deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps. The mean tissue oxygen saturation for all flaps in the study was 56.7 ± 7.1 percent (range, 39.4 to 72.1 percent) and did not differ significantly with patient comorbidity or flap type. During the course of the study, three flaps were returned to the operating room for exploration because of a perfusion abnormality, and the resulting salvage rate was 100 percent. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of visible light spectroscopy were found to be greater than both intermittent Doppler and clinical examination.Visible light spectroscopy is a reliable, continuous adjunct to free tissue transfer monitoring with advantages over intermittent hand-held Doppler and clinical examination.Diagnostic, II.

A significant percentage of patients who undergo segmental mandibulectomy for head and neck cancer will develop a new or recurrent cancer or osteoradionecrosis, necessitating a second mandibulectomy and reconstruction. In this scenario, many surgeons are reluctant to perform a reconstruction with an osseous flap because of the presumed increased morbidity and complexity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of performing a second free fibula flap reconstruction after repeated segmental mandibulectomy.The authors retrospectively reviewed their prospectively maintained departmental database for mandible reconstructions performed between 1991 and 2016, identifying patients who had two sequential free fibula flap reconstructions. Patient, disease, and treatment characteristics were recorded and analyzed.Twenty patients underwent a second free fibula flap reconstruction after a second mandibulectomy. The median follow-up was 72.5 months (range, 16 to 243 months). Preoperative virtual planning was used more often for the second fibula flap compared with the first (50 percent versus 10 percent; p = 0.004). The mean operative times were statistically similar for the first versus second fibula flap (673 minutes versus 586 minutes, respectively; p = 0.13). The postoperative complication rates (50 percent versus 30 percent, respectively; p = 0.19) and functional outcomes were similar between the first and second fibula flap reconstructions.Despite the increased technical complexity, the use of a second free fibula flap after repeated segmental mandibulectomy appears to be safe and to confer no higher risk than that for the first fibula flap.Therapeutic, IV.

Tracking world cases of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is currently limited to patient registries at a few academic centers, dependent upon patient referral and case reports in the literature. The purpose of this study was to review and compare federal database adverse event reports of breast implant-associated ALCL encompassing the major breast implant markets worldwide.Federal implantable device regulatory bodies were contacted and database queries were performed for 40 countries. Demographics, device characteristics, pathology, treatment modalities, and outcomes were assessed when available.For the countries queried, 363 unique cases were reported for breast implant-associated ALCL. Search terms "anaplastic" and "ALCL" were queried of the U.S. Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database and yielded 258 unique cases as of September 2015, of which only 130 had pathologic markers performed. Implant surface was textured significantly more than smooth (50 percent versus 4.2 percent; p = 0.0001). Treatment, when reported (n = 136), included explantation [n = 125 (91.9 percent)], chemotherapy [n = 42 (30.8 percent)], radiation therapy [n = 25 (18.4 percent)], and/or stem cell transplant [n = 9 (6.6 percent)], and five deaths were reported.Federal reporting of breast implant-associated ALCL has limitations in providing clinical history, treatment, and oncologic follow-up. Worldwide and country-specific total and textured implant sales data are needed to determine critical incidence and prevalence analysis. International multi-institutional collaborations and centralized tissue consortiums working in concert with federal authorities are necessary to acquire accurate complete data on breast implant-associated ALCL.

BACKGROUND The authors' purpose was to evaluate the effects of body mass index, as defined by World Health Organization criteria, on complications and patient-reported outcomes in implant-based and autologous breast reconstruction. METHODS Complications and BREAST-Q patient-reported outcomes were analyzed 2 years after breast reconstruction for women from 11 participating sites. Separate mixed-effects regressions were performed to assess body mass index effects on outcomes. RESULTS A total of 2259 patients (1625 implant-based and 634 autologous) were included. Women with class II/III obesity had higher risks of any complication in both the implant (OR, 1.66; p = 0.03) and autologous (OR, 3.35; p < 0.001) groups, and higher risks of major complications in both the implant (OR, 1.71, p = 0.04) and autologous (OR, 2.72; p = 0.001) groups, compared with underweight/normal weight patients. Both class I (OR, 1.97; p = 0.03) and class II/III (OR, 3.30; p = 0.001) obesity patients experienced higher reconstructive failures in the implant cohort. Class I obesity implant patients reported significantly lower Satisfaction with Breasts scores (mean difference, -5.37; p = 0.007). Body mass index did not significantly affect patient-reported outcomes for autologous reconstruction patients. CONCLUSIONS Obesity was associated with higher risks for complications in both implant-based and autologous breast reconstruction; however, it only significantly affected reconstruction failure and patient-reported outcomes in the implant reconstruction patients. Quality-of-life benefits and surgical risk should be presented to each patient as they relate to her body mass index, to optimize shared decision-making for breast reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Risk, I.

Background: Lymphedema is a debilitating clinical condition predominantly affecting survivors of cancer. It adversely affects patients' quality of life and results in substantial cost burdens to both patients and the healthcare system. Specialist lymphedema care is optimally provided within integrated clinical programs that align the necessary specialties to provide patient-focused, multidisciplinary, structured, and coordinated care. This article examines our experience building a specialist lymphedema academic program. Methods: We describe the critical components necessary for constructing a multidisciplinary comprehensive academic lymphedema program. Furthermore, lessons learned from our experience building a successful lymphedema program are discussed. Results: Building a comprehensive academic lymphedema program requires institutional support and engagement of stakeholders to establish the necessary infrastructure for comprehensive patient care. This includes the infrastructure for outpatient clinical assessment, diagnostic investigations, radiological imaging, collection of outcomes metrics, non-surgical treatment delivered by lymphedema-specialist therapists, surgical procedures using specialized equipment, and integration of an outpatient framework for comprehensive patient evaluation during follow-up at standardized time intervals. Conclusions: This article examines our experience building a multidisciplinary comprehensive academic lymphedema program and provides a structured roadmap to benefit others that are embarking on this mission.

Management of chest wall defects after oncologic resection is challenging due to multifactorial etiologies. Traditionally, skeletal stabilization in chest wall reconstruction (CWR) was performed with synthetic prosthetic mesh. The authors hypothesized that CWR for oncologic resection defects with acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is associated with a lower incidence of complications than synthetic mesh.Consecutive patients who underwent CWR using synthetic mesh (SM) or ADM at a single center were reviewed. Only oncologic defects involving resection of at least one rib and reconstruction with both mesh and overlying soft tissue flaps were included in this study. Patients' demographics, treatment factors, and outcomes were prospectively documented. The primary outcome measure was surgical-site complications (SSCs). The secondary outcomes were specific wound-healing events, cardiopulmonary complications, reoperation, and mortality.This study investigated 146 patients [95 (65.1%) with SM; 51 (34.9%) with ADM] who underwent resection and CWR of oncologic defects. The mean follow-up period was 29.3 months (range 6-109 months). The mean age was 51.5 years, and the mean size of the defect area was 173.8 cmThe ADM-CWR patients experienced fewer SSCs than the SM-CWR patients. Surgeons should consider selectively using ADM for CWR, particularly in patients at higher risk for SSCs.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) most commonly follows an indolent course; however, a subset of patients display more advanced disease marked by recurrent and disseminated growth refractory to treatment. This study evaluated outcomes of advanced disease, specifically bilateral disease, lymph node involvement, organ metastasis, and/or disease-related death.Published cases of BIA-ALCL from 1997 to 2018 and unpublished cases at the authors' institution were retrospectively reviewed, and patients with advanced disease were selected. Treatment and outcomes were compared against a control of BIA-ALCL subjects without advanced disease.Thirty-nine patients with advanced BIA-ALCL were identified who had bilateral disease (n = 7), lymph node and organ metastasis (stage IIB-IV, n = 24), and disease-related death (n = 8). Sixty-five patients were included in a comparison control group (stage 1A-1C). Treatment types for advanced disease patients were complete surgery, n = 16 (55.2%); limited surgery, n = 19 (65.5%); chemotherapy, n = 26 (89.7%); salvage chemotherapy, n = 11 (37.9%); radiation, n = 15 (51.7%); and autologous stem cell transplant, n = 6 (20.7%). The rates of complete remission for the bilateral and lymphadenopathy groups were 4 of 7 (57%, P0.001) and 16 of 24 (67%, P = 0.128), respectively. Compared with the control group, advanced disease patients had significantly longer time from diagnosis to definitive surgery (21 versus 8 months, P = 0.039) and a lower rate of complete surgery (59% versus 88%, P = 0.004).Advanced disease BIA-ALCL may be a consequence of a delay or suboptimal treatment of BIA-ALCL. Optimal adjuvant chemotherapy and indications for radiation for BIA-ALCL patients with advanced features are not yet clearly defined. Advanced disease is the end of the spectrum of cancer stages, and these patients substantiate the World Health Organization classification of BIA-ALCL as a lymphoma rather than benign or lymphoproliferative.

Purpose: The use of autologous fat grafting (AFG) is becoming increasingly common as an adjunct to breast reconstruction. However, there is a paucity of data comparing the varying processing devices. The goal of this study is to compare the outcomes of two commercially available AFG processing devices. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent AFG using dual filter (Puregraft®) or single filter (RevolveTM) processing systems between 2016 and 2019. Propensity score matching was utilized to adjust for confounding. A total of 38 breasts from the Puregraft® group were matched with 38 breasts from the RevolveTM system. Results: Matching was successful in achieving a similar distribution of baseline characteristics between the two groups. The mean number of AFG sessions was comparable between the two groups (p=0.37) with a similar median total volume (Puregraft®, 159 ml vs. RevolveTM, 130 ml, p=0.23). Complication rates were similar between the two devices (Puregraft®, 26%; RevolveTM,18%; p=0.47). Patients with at least one complication had higher overall AFG volume (median, 200 vs.130 ml, p=0.03) and number of sessions (mean, 2.4 vs.1.8, p=0.009) compared to those without any postoperative complication. Conclusion: The decision for which processing system to use for autologous fat grafting should be based on surgeon preference as overall complication rates were comparable between two commonly used commercially available systems. Future studies are underway to decipher whether either system has superior graft retention, cosmetic or patient reported outcomes.

Previous studies suggest that bridged mesh repair for abdominal wall reconstruction may result in worse outcomes than mesh-reinforced, primary fascial closure, particularly when acellular dermal matrix is used. We compared our outcomes of bridged versus reinforced repair using ADM in abdominal wall reconstruction procedures.This retrospective study included 535 consecutive patients at our cancer center who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction either for an incisional hernia or for abdominal wall defects left after excision of malignancies involving the abdominal wall with underlay mesh. A total of 484 (90%) patients underwent mesh-reinforced abdominal wall reconstruction and 51 (10%) underwent bridged repair abdominal wall reconstruction. Acellular dermal matrix was used, respectively, in 98% of bridged and 96% of reinforced repairs. We compared outcomes between these 2 groups using propensity score analysis for risk-adjustment in multivariate analysis and for 1-to-1 matching.Bridged repairs had a greater hernia recurrence rate (33.3% vs 6.2%, P .001), a greater overall complication rate (59% vs 30%, P = .001), and worse freedom from hernia recurrence (log-rank P .001) than reinforced repairs. Bridged repairs also had a greater rate of wound dehiscence (26% vs 14%, P = .034) and mesh exposure (10% vs 1%, P = .003) than mesh-reinforced abdominal wall reconstruction. When the treatment method was adjusted for propensity score in the propensity-score-matched pairs (n = 100), we found that the rates of hernia recurrence (32% vs 6%, P = .002), overall complications (32% vs 6%, P = .002), and freedom from hernia recurrence (68% vs 32%, P = .001) rates were worse after bridged repair. We did not observe differences in wound healing and mesh complications between the 2 groups.In our population of primarily cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center bridged repair for abdominal wall reconstruction is associated with worse outcomes than mesh-reinforced abdominal wall reconstruction. Particularly when employing acellular dermal matrix, reinforced repairs should be used for abdominal wall reconstruction whenever possible.

Complex head and neck reconstruction often mandates free tissue transfer to achieve the most optimal outcomes. Unfortunately, such challenging cases are not without risks of complications, the most dreaded of which is loss of the free flap. Aside from loss of the free flap, there are several other potential complications that can result following head and neck reconstruction. Certain complications are avoided with careful planning, others require significant revisions and in certain cases another free flap. This article presents the experience managing a series of unique complications following free flap head and neck reconstruction.

Prior abdominal wall radiotherapy (XRT) adversely affects wound healing, but data are limited on how prior XRT may affect abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether prior abdominal wall radiotherapy is associated with a higher incidence of complications following AWR for a hernia or oncologic resection defect. We performed a retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent complex AWR using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) at a single center. We compared outcomes between patients who underwent prior XRT that directly involved the abdominal wall and those who did not receive XRT. Propensity score match-paired and multivariate analyses were performed. A total of 511 patients (130 [25.4 %] with prior XRT; 381 [74.6 %] without prior XRT) underwent AWR with ADM for repair of a complex hernia or oncologic resection defect. Mean follow-up was 31.4 months, mean XRT dose was 48.9 Gy, and mean time between XRT and reconstruction was 19.2 months. XRT AWR patients underwent more flap reconstructions (14.6 vs. 5.0 %, P

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare T-cell lymphoma arising around breast implants. Public awareness has increased following a safety communication warning of the association of breast implant-associated ALCL by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2011. Difficulty with determining an accurate assessment of risk, including diagnosis, or standardized treatment regimen has led surgeons to commonly omit preoperative discussion of this rare and frequently misunderstood cancer. Risk disclosure is a form of respect for patient autonomy, and informed consent has positive practical and moral consequences for the practice of plastic surgery. A model of breast implant-associated ALCL informed consent implementation and health care provider education are reviewed with 1-year process follow-up at a tertiary cancer center. Breast implant-associated ALCL should be included during preoperative counseling on the risks of breast implantation when obtaining informed consent. Pertinent aspects of decision-making include disease awareness, presenting symptoms, and resources for concerned patients. Education of health care professionals and provision of patient-focused materials ensures effectiveness of the informed consent process.

Surgical mesh has become an indispensable tool in hernia repair to improve outcomes and reduce costs; however, efforts are constantly being undertaken in mesh development to overcome postoperative complications. Common complications include infection, pain, adhesions, mesh extrusion and hernia recurrence. Reducing the complications of mesh implantation is of utmost importance given that hernias occur in hundreds of thousands of patients per year in the United States. In the present review, the authors present the different types of hernia meshes, discuss the key properties of mesh design, and demonstrate how each design element affects performance and complications. The present article will provide a basis for surgeons to understand which mesh to choose for patient care and why, and will explain the important technological aspects that will continue to evolve over the ensuing years.Le treillis chirurgical est devenu indispensable pour réparer les hernies, car il améliore les résultats et réduit les coûts. Cependant, les treillis sont en constant développement afin de vaincre les complications postopératoires. Parmi les complications courantes, soulignons l’infection, la douleur, les adhérences, l’extrusion du treillis et la récurrence des hernies. Il est essentiel de réduire les complications liées à l’implantation des treillis, car des centaines de milliers de patients souffrent de hernies chaque année aux États-Unis. Dans la présente analyse, les auteurs présentent les divers types de treillis pour hernie, en exposent les principales propriétés et démontrent l’effet de chaque élément de conception sur le rendement et les complications. Le présent article aidera les chirurgiens à choisir le treillis pour leurs patients et exposera les aspects technologiques importants qui continueront d’évoluer au cours des prochaines années.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released draft guidance documents on human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products regulations. These proposed guidance documents can impact the practice of plastic surgery in the area of tissue grafting procedures. This article describes the relevant issues in these draft guidance documents, and presents the comments provided to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Summary Background Large chest wall resections can result in paradoxical chest wall movement leading to prolonged ventilator dependence and major respiratory impairment. The purpose of this study was to determine as to which factors are predictive or protective of complications in massive oncologic chest wall defect reconstructions. Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of consecutive patients who underwent immediate reconstruction of massive thoracic oncologic defects (≥5 ribs) was performed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified risk factors. Results We identified 59 patients (median age, 53 years) with a mean follow-up of 36 months. Rib resections ranged from 5 to 10 ribs (defect area, 80–690 cm2). Sixty-two percent of the patients developed at least one postoperative complication. Superior/middle resections were associated with increased risk of general and pulmonary complications (71.4% vs. 35.3%; OR 4.54; p = 0.013). The 90-day mortality rate following massive chest wall resection and reconstruction was 8.5%. Two factors that were significantly associated with shorter overall survival time were preoperative XRT and preoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.021 and p Conclusions Patients with massive oncological thoracic defects have a high rate of reconstructive complications, particularly pulmonary, leading to prolonged ventilator dependence. Superior resections were more likely to be associated with increased pulmonary and overall complications. The length of postoperative recovery was significantly associated with the size of the defect, and larger defects had prolonged hospital stays. Because of the large dimensions of chest wall defects, almost half of the cases required flap coverage to allow for appropriate defect closure. Understanding the unique demands of these rare but challenging cases is critically important in predicting patient outcomes.

The use of synthetic mesh (e.g., polypropylene [PP] mesh) and biologic (e.g., porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM)) for the repair of abdominal wall musculofascial has limitations associated with an increased risk of complications and finite properties, respectively. Silk fibroin (SF)-based scaffolds are fabricated with decorin blends (SFD) to create a matrix platform with the desired structure-property function to be translated to the clinic to address patient-specific needs. PADM and SFD composites with SFD or PADM facing the peritoneal cavity were tested in an in vivo incisional ventral hernia repair model using female Hartley guinea pigs. At week 4, gross observation of adhesion grade and strength showed that the SFD, PADM, and composites resulted in fewer and weaker adhesions than did PP mesh (p < 0.05). Mechanical properties at the musculofascial-implant interface in the SFD group were similar to those of the native abdominal wall. SFD group exhibited homogeneous three-dimensional cell infiltration, vascularization, and tissue remodeling in implants. In conclusion, SFD promotes musculofascial regeneration.

Traditionally, laparotomy closures, large tumor ablations, congenital anomalies, and trauma led to unacceptable rates of ventral hernia and abdominal wall morbidity. Primary fascial coaptation and mesh reinforcement of hernia defects have been demonstrated to significantly reduce both short- and long-term hernia recurrence rates in prospective series. However, wide abdominal defects can present a challenge where fascial approximation is not possible under physiologic tension. In 1990, Ramirez and colleagues introduced the technique of components separation and brought about one of the greater paradigm shifts forward in abdominal wall reconstruction [1]. Components separation exploits the anatomic planes of the abdomen to create musculofascial advancement flaps which assists in fascial closure. Long-term outcomes support components separation for maintaining the strength and integrity of the abdominal wall while preserving innervated muscle function without tension [2–4]. This chapter focuses on planning, techniques, and outcomes of components separation.

Compared with conventional ventral hernia repair, there are several additional considerations germane to the oncologic abdominal wall reconstruction, including the management of radiation soft-tissue injury, the management of bacterial contamination, and the location and extent of the defect. Herein, we review some of the unique challenges associated with oncologic abdominal wall reconstruction and introduce a new classification schema to assist the reconstructive surgeon in performing these complex cases.

Lateral abdominal wall defects, while rare, present a more challenging problem than commonly encountered ventral defects due to the complexity of the anatomy, physiologic forces, and impact of muscle denervation. The lateral abdominal wall encompasses a large surface area ranging from the costal margin superiorly to the iliac crest inferiorly and from the linea semilunaris anteriorly to the paraspinous musculature posteriorly. The ratio of muscle to fascia/aponeurosis is much higher, which makes repair through muscle tissue versus fascia less secure. Furthermore, these defects are subject to asymmetric forces caused by the independent contraction of anterior and posterior muscle units, which lead to unbalanced strain and hernia progression. These features necessitate the use of wide underlay mesh load bearing repairs supported by the static pillars of the abdominal wall. Management can be further complicated when defects extend beyond the defined boundaries, requiring surgical repair to be adapted based on the border structures involved. Primary fascial coaptation may not be as easily accomplished, and therefore careful planning is important to ensure stable coverage of exposed mesh.

Background Autologous fat grafting (AFG) is increasing in popularity to address a variety of defects. There is interest in developing techniques to harvest, process, and inject fat to improve clinical outcomes as well as operative efficiency. Objectives The purpose of this pilot study is to compare the rate of graft processing of two commercially available systems for graft preparation. Methods Twenty consecutive cases using an active filtration system (system-AF) were observed followed by 20 consecutive cases using a passive filtration system (system-PF) to compare efficiency rate. Fat processing rate was quantified in milliliters/minute. Results Forty patients underwent AFG with no differences in patient characteristics between the groups. There was 1 incidence of palpable fat necrosis per group (5%). For all patients, this was the first fat grafting procedure; 20% of patients (n = 4 per group) had additional fat grafting. Overall, the rate of adipose tissue preparation was significantly higher with system-AF compared to system-PF (19.8 mL/min vs 5.3 mL/min, P ≤ 0.001). The resulting percent of graftable fat was comparable (AF: 41% vs PF: 42%; P = 0.83). Conclusions Time and motion studies such as this provide a means to systematically document each of the steps involved in fat grafting in a reliable fashion. The authors demonstrate a significantly higher rate of lipoaspirate processing using an active filtration system compared to a passive system. Further large-scale studies of the efficacy and cost analysis of AFG are a necessary component of determining best practices in the field. Level of Evidence: 2