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Background: Postoperative infection of breast implants can lead to implant removal and other complications. This study aimed to investigate the presence of costal cartilage infection following breast implant surgery and the diagnostic role of PET/CT in identifying this rare complication., Patients and Methods: A retrospective study included 16 patients with persistent infections after breast implant removal surgery. Patients underwent PET/CT scans before surgery, and surgical plans were made based on PET/CT findings. Surgical procedures were guided by PET/CT, and specimens were collected for pathological examination and microbiological culture. Follow-up assessments were performed at 1, 3, and 12 months postoperatively., Results: Among the 16 patients, 11 were diagnosed with costal cartilage infection, whereas 5 had subcutaneous soft tissue infections. PET/CT accurately identified costal cartilage infection in all cases and localized the infected costal cartilage in the majority of cases. Microbiological culture results showed various pathogens. All patients were cured with one or staged surgery., Conclusion: Costal cartilage infection following breast implant surgery is a significant concern. PET/CT plays a crucial role in the accurate diagnosis and localization of infected costal cartilage, aiding in appropriate surgical management. Patients should be closely monitored for the possibility of costal cartilage infection when experiencing persistent symptoms after breast implant surgery., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the internal fixation of sternum with titanium plate for the treatment of sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery., Methods: A retrospective study of 26 patients from Jan 2009 to Dec 2011 was carried out. All the 26 cases with sternal wounds infection after cardiac surgery, were treated by internal fixation with titanium plates., Results: All the patients had chronic infection, lasting for more than 3 months. 3 patients received vacuum-assisted closure treatment after complete debridement. All the wounds were covered with pectoral major muscle flap. All the wounds healed completely with no recurrence of infection., Conclusions: Internal fixation of sternum with titanium plate can increase the stability. It helps to improve the treatment efficacy of sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery.

Objective: To report the reduction mammaplasty with vertical incision and superior wide pedicle., Methods: Typical Lejour mosque-dome design was performed. The inferior part of glandular tissue and skin were excised. The nipple-and-areola complex (NAC) was elevated to normal position with superior wide pedicle. The breast morphology was modified with vertical scar left., Results: 46 patients were treated. 4 patients had unilateral breast reduction. 14 breasts had wound dehiscence. 3 breasts received debridement, others were treated conservatively with dressings. No complete NAC necrosis occurred., Conclusions: The reduction mammaplasty with vertical incision and superior wide pedicle is a safe and effective method with a low risk of NAC necrosis.

Objective: To evaluate the oncologic safety, indications and aesthetic results for skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and immediate breast reconstruction (IBR)., Method: One hundred and twenty-nine breast cancer patients treated by SSM + IBR from October 1999 to May 2007 were reviewed. Reconstructive techniques included latissimus dorsi flaps (38 patients), implants only (2 patients), latissimus dorsi flaps plus implants (61 patients), pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps (25 patients) and deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flaps (3 patients). Aesthetic results were judged by patients' self-evaluation., Results: Mean duration of hospitalization was 18.6 days. Time of first chemotherapy was 5.2 days after operation. Eleven patients (11/63, 17.5%) developed capsular contracture and 24 patients (24/99, 24.2%) developed seroma in the donor site. Nine patients (9/28, 32.1%) developed partial fat necrosis in TRAM and DIEP flaps. The satisfaction with the aesthetic results of the reconstructive breast was significantly lower in irradiated patients than non-irradiated ones. Median follow-up time was 11 months. Five patients developed local recurrence and 7 patients with metastasis., Conclusions: SSM with IBR can be used for the 0 to II a stage breast cancer patients, with surgical oncologic and aesthetic satisfaction. Radiotherapy has an adverse effect on the reconstructive breast. Delayed or delayed-immediate reconstructions are recommended for patients indicated to postoperative radiotherapy.

Objective: To study the prevention and treatment on the donor site sequelae after autologous breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap., Methods: 88 patients received breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap between May 1999 and Nov 2004 were concerned. We analyzed the donor site sequelae by objective and subjective evaluation and we assessed the functional condition. Results Dorsal hematoma developed in 1 patient. There are 7 patients with dorsal seromas and 2 of them developed capsules; 5 patients with mild skin exfoliate and 1 patient with dry skin necrosis, 2 winged shoulders. No infection and no hypertrophic scars appeared in donor site. There is no significant functional limitation and no influence in daily life., Conclusions: The main complication after autologous breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap was seromas and it can be controlled to decrease. There is no severe complication. It's a worthy method in autologous breast reconstruction in oriental people.

Objective: The inverted "T" operation is a typical and classic method for breast hypertrophy. Although having good results, it leaves significant scar and tends to have bottom-out deformity with time. The purpose of this study is to introduce our experience in vertical mammaplasty., Methods: The typical Lejour's design was used. The lower part of the breast was excised. The nipple-alveolar complex was elevated to a proper position with the superior dermal-glandular pedicle. Only vertical scar was left after the skin was closed., Results: 24 patients were treated using this method. The results were satisfactory except unilateral nipple-alveolar complex necrosis occurred in one patient. Another patient had a minor revision for the dog-ear 6 months after breast reduction., Conclusions: Vertical reduction mammaplasty is effective with reduced scar and highly satisfactory results. It deserves recommendation.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the compound of Dan-shen root and azone for scar treatment., Methods: The rat skin in vitro and the human skin in vitro and vivo were separately examined their permeability of the mixture of the Dan-shen root and azone. The 301 patients with hypertrophic scar were randomly divided into two groups: one treated with elastic cloth paste (including silicone) contained in Dan-shen root with azone, and the another treated with only elastic cloth paste (including silicone)., Results: The permeability of Dan-shen root with azone, passing through the rat skin in vitro and the human skin in vitro and vivo was significantly higher than both the distilled water and the normal saline (P < 0.05). In the clinical study for treatment of the hypertrophic scars, the efficient rate of the group with the Dan-shen root with azone was significantly higher than the control (91.4% vs. 71.3%) (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The Dan-shen root with azone could be easier to permeate the skin and more effective to treat the hypertrophic scar.

Objective: To investigate a new surgical method to treat unilateral limb lymphedem after radical mastectomy., Methods: 10 cases of upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy were treated using flap transfer (the lateral thoracic skin flap or latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap combined with liposuction)., Results: After the treatment, the upper limb perimeter reduced in varied degrees. Nuclear lymphatic radiography showed notable changes in lymphatic circulation. The effective results were steady during the follow-up of 3-18 months., Conclusion: Flap transplantation combined with liposuction is a useful treatment for limb lymphedema from radical mastectomy.