Utilizing the Total Design Method in medicine: maximizing response rates in long, non-incentivized, personal questionnaire postal surveys

INTRODUCTION

Maximizing response rates in questionnaires can improve their validity and quality by reducing non-response bias. A comprehensive analysis is essential for producing reasonable conclusions in patient-reported outcome research particularly for topics of a sensitive nature. This often makes long (≥7 pages) questionnaires necessary but these have been shown to reduce response rates in mail surveys. Our work adapted the "Total Design Method," initially produced for commercial markets, to raise response rates in a long (total: 11 pages, 116 questions), non-incentivized, very personal postal survey sent to almost 350 women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 346 women who had undergone mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction from 2008-2014 (inclusive) at Addenbrooke's University Hospital were sent our study pack (Breast-Q satisfaction questionnaire and support documents) using our modified "Total Design Method." Participants were sent packs and reminders according to our designed schedule.

RESULTS

Of the 346 participants, we received 258 responses, an overall response rate of 74.5% with a useable response rate of 72.3%. One hundred and six responses were received before the week 1 reminder (30.6%), 120 before week 3 (34.6%), 225 before the week 7 reminder (64.6%) and the remainder within 3 weeks of the final pack being sent. The median age of patients that the survey was sent to, and the median age of the respondents, was 54 years.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we have demonstrated the successful implementation of a novel approach to postal surveys. Despite the length of the questionnaire (nine pages, 116 questions) and limitations of expenses to mail a survey to ~350 women, we were able to attain a response rate of 74.6%.

Infection of PTFE mesh 15 years following pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction: mechanism and aetiology

The pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap procedure is still widely used for breast reconstruction. The repair of the flap harvest site in the transverse rectus abdominis muscle and sheath is often assisted by the use of prosthetic meshes. This decreases the risk of abdominal wall weakness and herniation but, being a foreign body, it also carries the risk of infection. In this report, we describe the case of a 63-year-old patient who, whilst receiving chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer, presented with an infected polytetrafluoroethylene mesh 15 years after pedicled TRAM flap immediate breast reconstruction. This necessitated mesh removal to treat the infection. Following a thorough review of the English literature, this is the longest recorded presentation of an abdominal prosthetic mesh infection. The mechanism and aetiology of such a late complication are discussed.

Innovative combination of therapeutic mammoplasty and expandable-implant breast augmentation for immediate partial breast reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

Therapeutic mammoplasty is used in the treatment of suitably-sized and appropriately-located breast cancers to achieve adequate cancer excision, resulting in well-shaped but smaller breasts. In patients wishing to maintain or increase their breast size, simultaneous augmentation will be required.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 48-year-old female underwent an "augmentation-therapeutic mastopexy". She required mastectomy for a multifocal cancer of the right breast and breast conservation for a unifocal localised cancer in the upper part of the left breast. She requested right immediate breast reconstruction and hoped for larger breasts than she had. Due to complications during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the right reconstruction plan was changed from a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap to an implant-based technique. On the left, an extended superomedial pedicle therapeutic mammoplasty was combined with a subpectoral augmentation using an expandable-implant.

DISCUSSION

The use of expandable-implants for reconstruction of partial mastectomy defects in combination with therapeutic mammoplasty has not been reported. This case report shows that such "augmentation-therapeutic mastopexy" is feasible.

CONCLUSION

A "novel" oncoplastic technique herein termed "augmentation-therapeutic mastopexy" is described for partial breast reconstruction during the treatment of a patient with bilateral breast cancer. It enabled adequate treatment of her cancer while reshaping the breast and achieving the desired larger breast size. It should be considered in selected breast-conservation patients who wish to maintain or increase their breast size.

Oncologic safety of conservative mastectomy in the therapeutic setting

Conservative mastectomy is a form of nipple-sparing mastectomy which is emerging as a surgical option for selected breast cancer patients. This technique differs from subcutaneous mastectomy which is well established as a technique for risk reduction but leaves behind a finite remnant of retro-areolar breast tissue. Clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy and safety of breast conservation therapy for smaller localised breast tumors whereby a variable amount of surrounding normal tissue is excised with administration of breast radiotherapy post-operatively. Conservative mastectomy aims to remove all breast tissue with dissection continued into the core of the nipple. However, the indication for conservative mastectomy remains to be defined but generally includes tumors of modest size located at least 2 cm away from the nipple. Patients undergoing conservative mastectomy do not necessarily receive adjuvant radiotherapy and this may only be intra-operative irradiation of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). Preservation of the NAC as part of a skin-sparing mastectomy in patients who might otherwise require standard mastectomy is of unproven safety from an oncologic perspective but is associated with enhanced cosmetic outcomes and quality-of-life. The advent of conservative mastectomy has coincided with a trend for "maximal surgery" with bilateral extirpation of all breast tissue in conjunction with immediate breast reconstruction. It is essential there is no compromise of local recurrence and survival in terms of ipsilateral breast cancer treatment. Further studies are required to clarify the indications for conservative mastectomy and confirm oncologic equivalence to either wide local excision and breast irradiation or conventional/skin-sparing mastectomy with sacrifice of the nipple areola complex.

Creative Use of Contralateral Combined Myocutaneous Free Flap for Empyema Cavity

Treatment of chronic postpneumonectomy empyema is a reconstructive problem that is always complicated by previous thoracic surgical procedures. Free flaps may be used because they effectively obliterate remaining pleural cavity dead space. Combined muscle free flaps with common vascular pedicles are viable alternatives when single muscle flaps do not possess adequate bulk. This case describes a contralateral combined latissimus dorsi-serratus anterior myocutaneous free flap with anastomoses to thoracodorsal vessels used for correction of chronic empyema. We also describe successful correction of a posterolateral chest wall defect using the adjacent axillary system as a recipient vessel. An accompanying skin paddle also enabled reliable cutaneous coverage of the external defect.

Decision Making in Double-Pedicled DIEP and SIEA Abdominal Free Flap Breast Reconstructions: An Algorithmic Approach and Comprehensive Classification

INTRODUCTION

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap is the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. However, using a single vascular pedicle may not yield sufficient tissue in patients with midline scars or insufficient lower abdominal pannus. Double-pedicled free flaps overcome this problem using different vascular arrangements to harvest the entire lower abdominal flap. The literature is, however, sparse regarding technique selection. We therefore reviewed our experience in order to formulate an algorithm and comprehensive classification for this purpose.

METHODS

All patients undergoing unilateral double-pedicled abdominal perforator free flap breast reconstruction (AFFBR) by a single surgeon (CMM) over 40 months were reviewed from a prospectively collected database.

RESULTS

Of the 112 consecutive breast free flaps performed, 25 (22%) utilised two vascular pedicles. The mean patient age was 45 years (range = 27-54). All flaps, but one (which used the thoracodorsal system), were anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels using the rib-preservation technique. The surgical duration was 656 min (range = 468-690 min). The median flap weight was 618 g (range = 432-1275 g) and the mastectomy weight was 445 g (range = 220-896 g). All flaps were successful and only three patients requested minor liposuction to reduce and reshape their reconstructed breasts.

CONCLUSION

Bipedicled free abdominal perforator flaps, employed in a fifth of all our AFFBRs, are a reliable and safe option for unilateral breast reconstruction. They, however, necessitate clear indications to justify the additional technical complexity and surgical duration. Our algorithm and comprehensive classification facilitate technique selection for the anastomotic permutations and successful execution of these operations.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic level IV.

Infrared evaluation of the heat-sink bipolar diathermy dissection technique

BACKGROUND

The use of the bipolar diathermy dissection technique is widespread amongst surgeons performing flap perforator dissection and microvascular surgery. The 'heat-sink' modification uses a DeBakey forcep as a heat sinking interposition between the bipolar tip and the main (vascular or flap) pedicle aiming to protect it from the thermal effects of the bipolar diathermy. This study examines the thermal effects of bipolar cautery upon the microvasculature and investigates the efficacy of heat sinking as a thermally protective technique in microsurgical dissection.

METHODS

A chicken thigh microsurgical training model was used to examine the effects of bipolar cautery. The effects of bipolar were examined using high definition, real-time infrared thermographic imaging (FLIR Systems) and temperature quantitatively assessed at various distances away from the point of bipolar cautery. Comparison was made using the heat sink technique to determine if it conferred a thermoprotective effect compared to the standard technique without heat sink.

RESULTS

Using paired t-test analysis (SPSS) the heat sink modification of the bipolar dissection technique was found to have a highly statistically significant effect (P < 0.000000001) in reducing the conductive temperature along the vascular pedicle. This protective effect kept temperatures comparable to controls.

CONCLUSION

Bipolar cautery is an extremely safe method of electrosurgery, however when its use is required within 3 mm of important vascular architecture, the heat-sink method is a viable and easy technique to prevent thermal spread and limit potential coagulopathic changes.

Pre-operative thrombotic complications of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: Implications for immediate breast reconstruction

Thrombotic complications arising during the treatment of breast cancer can impact the breast reconstruction pathway. We set out to review the details of cases of thromboembolism occurring during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and peri-operatively to study the impact of the event and its management on subsequent breast reconstruction.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of seven patients who had experienced a thrombotic event during their treatment of breast cancer between 2008 and 2012, who then proceeded to breast reconstruction. We recorded size and grade of tumour, neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic regimen, details of port insertion, planned reconstruction, thrombotic event and its management and the surgery performed and outcome.

RESULTS

All patients received chemotherapy via central venous access and went on to present with local symptomatic thrombosis. They were managed with anticoagulant regimens at the time of mastectomy and reconstruction, which were unique for each patient. The results revealed delays to surgery and modifications to planned reconstruction.

DISCUSSION

The majority of patients developing thrombotic complications go on to achieve successful reconstruction. There is significant variation in the anticoagulation management in this patient group. Identification of optimal anticoagulant regimes and the possibilities for prophylaxis may prove key in informing surgeons when planning the reconstructive process.

CONCLUSION

An awareness of the effects of thrombotic events in this patient group is important in terms of developing an understanding of its impact on the performance of reconstruction, on the management of anticoagulation peri-operatively and on monitoring for post-operative complications.

Cryptogenic stroke following abdominal free flap breast reconstruction surgery

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Air embolism can have catastrophic effects in PFO patients due to right-left shunting.

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Major operations carry higher risks of vascular air entrapment from operative field.

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Physicians should be aware of a probable cerebrovascular accident secondary to PFO.

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Routine use of CVP lines in free flap breast reconstructions should be reconsidered.

INTRODUCTION

Abdominal free flap breast reconstruction is regarded as the gold standard method of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction by many. It is a major surgery which can be associated with varied systemic complications. To date, there have been no reports of cerebrovascular complications in the literature which examine the possible relation between thromboembolism and patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 54-year old female with a pre-existing PFO developed a stroke following bilateral mastectomies and immediate free flap breast reconstruction on postoperative day 5. This was attributed to an air embolus caused by central venous pressure line removal. After uneventful intra and early postoperative periods, the patient had collapsed suddenly on day 5 and become unresponsive immediately following the removal of a central venous line. Brain magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a cerebrovascular accident. This resolved within 48 h following therapeutic heparinisation. A clinical diagnosis of paradoxical embolism was made and she was subsequently referred to the cardiologists for angiographic closure of the PFO.

DISCUSSION

The case study herein reported gives an account that PFO can have considerable health implications in the early postoperative period and conceivably intraoperatively in patients undergoing major reconstructive surgeries.

CONCLUSION

Surgeons and cardiologists should be aware of this cerebrovascular complication secondary to PFO following major reconstructive surgery such as microvascular breast reconstruction. It also serves to challenge microvascular surgeons to reconsider routine use of central venous pressure lines in free flap patients who might otherwise have good peripheral vessels for postoperative fluid and antibiotic administration.

Successful use of a gastrocnemius flap for an exposed PTFE femorodistal graft: a case report

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition requiring aggressive management to minimise the associated increased morbidity and mortality. Femoro-distal bypass grafting is used in patients with extensive occlusion affecting the crural arteries and poor limb function, but is associated with infection, wound dehiscence and graft exposure. We report a case of a 73-year-old male with history of PVD and occluded ipsilateral femoro-distal bypass graft who underwent limb salvage surgery with a left 6 mm heparin-bonded polytetrafluoroethylene femoro-distal bypass graft in September 2011. He later presented with exposure of the graft over the lateral aspect of the knee following wound dehiscence. During surgery, the exposed portion of the graft was covered by a lateral gastrocnemius muscle flap with an overlying split thickness skin graft. Minor donor site healing problems were noted, but he otherwise made an excellent recovery. While gastrocnemius muscle flaps have been used to cover soft tissue tibial defects secondary to sarcoma and exposed knee joint prostheses, our case adds to the limited literature demonstrating successful salvage of an exposed synthetic graft as a viable alternative to amputation. We therefore recommend prompt referral to plastic services for the management of these complex wounds.

Avoiding pitfalls in open augmentation rhinoplasty with autologous L-shaped costal cartilage strut grafts for saddle nose collapse due to autoimmune disease: the Cambridge experience

INTRODUCTION

Saddle nose deformity due to autoimmune diseases such as Wegener's Granulomatosis and Relapsing Polychondritis is aesthetically, functionally and psychologically distressing for patients. However, "reliable" options for surgical correction remain limited in the literature. We present our experience of augmentation rhinoplasty in this patient population focussing on the techniques and pitfalls of L-shaped costal cartilage grafting.

METHODS

Five patients undergoing rhinoplasty for saddle nose deformity due to an autoimmune condition were identified over an 11-year period at a major tertiary centre. All patients were in remission from their condition at surgery and underwent L-shaped costal cartilage grafting at augmentation rhinoplasty. Case notes were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

All patients achieved a marked improvement in nasal position, shape and contour and were very pleased with their overall appearance. The average length of follow up was 2.8 years. There were no infections, graft exposure or warping. No resorption of cartilage was observed and there have been no recurrent deformities.

CONCLUSION

This case series describes a possible approach to corrective rhinoplasty in patients with saddle nose deformity caused by autoimmune disease, highlighting the key technical steps and potential pitfalls of intraoperative and perioperative care in this population. The approach is straightforward, reproducible, and achieved pleasing aesthetic outcomes and high patient satisfaction. Given careful planning and meticulous execution, L-strut cartilage grafts for augmentation rhinoplasty to correct saddle nose deformity in these patients is of great benefit.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Study Level IV, case series with pre/post test.

Indications and outcomes of the components separation technique in the repair of complex abdominal wall hernias: experience from the cambridge plastic surgery department

OBJECTIVES

The components separation technique (CST) is a widely described abdominal wall reconstructive technique. There have, however, been no UK reports of its use, prompting the present review.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2012, 13 patients who underwent this procedure by a single plastic surgeon (C.M.M.) were retrospectively evaluated. The indications, operative details, and clinical outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 7 women and 6 men in the series with a mean age of 53 years (range: 30-80). Patients were referred from a variety of specialties, often as a last resort. The commonest indication for CST was herniation following abdominal surgery. All operations except 1 were jointly performed with general surgeons (for bowel resection, stoma reversal, and hernia dissection). The operations lasted a mean of 5 hours (range: 3-8 hours). There were no major intra- and postoperative problems, except in 1 patient who developed intra-abdominal compartment syndrome, secondary to massive hemorrhage. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic improvement in their abdominal contours. None of the patients have developed a clinical recurrence after a mean follow-up of 16 months (range: 3-38 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The components separation technique is an effective method of treating large recalcitrant hernias but appears to be underutilized in the United Kingdom. The management of large abdominal wall defects requires a multidisciplinary approach, with input across a variety of specialities. Liaison with plastic surgery teams should be encouraged at an early stage and the CST should be more widely considered when presented with seemingly intractable abdominal wall defects.

Plastic surgical management of the contralateral breast in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy can be reliably undertaken using many different techniques. Although excellent cosmetic results can be achieved without contralateral balancing surgery, many unilateral breast reconstructions require a balancing procedure on the contralateral breast in order to achieve symmetry; the ultimate goal in breast reconstruction. This article attempts to summarise the existing literature on the plastic surgical management of the contralateral breast. It also outlines the multifactorial and complex issues involved in the planning and undertaking of such surgery with illustrative examples. The implications for future oncological management and radiological surveillance following the procedure are also discussed in brief.

Pyoderma gangrenosum arising in a breast reduction scar: seven years post-procedure

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an unusual skin condition causing inflammation and sterile ulceration. It may occur in the context of a systemic disease or in otherwise healthy patients following trauma. Treatment is immunosuppression. Surgical debridement may worsen the disease. Post-surgical PG of the breast is rare and in previous reports has occurred within days or weeks of surgery. We report a highly unusual case of PG occurring at an incision site seven years after reduction mammoplasty.

Free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap used for management of post-pneumonectomy space empyema

Various solutions exist for management of post-pneumonectomy space empyema. We describe the use of a free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap to fill the space and close a pleural window. Previously, flaps involving abdominal muscle or omentum have been used for this purpose. Abdominal surgery to harvest such flaps can impair ventilatory mechanics. The DIEP flap--harvested from the abdomen, and composed primarily of skin and muscle avoids this problem, thus is a desirable technique in patients with impaired lung function. We believe this is the first report of the DIEP flap to close a postpneumonectomy empyema space.

"Emergency" definitive reconstruction of a necrotising fasciitis thigh debridement defect with a pedicled TRAM flap

INTRODUCTION

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a rare, severe, rapidly progressing and life-threatening synergistic infection primarily affecting the superficial fascia. A novel method of definitive and aesthetic reconstruction of NF thigh defects by using a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap without recourse to temporising skin grafts is presented.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 30-year-old parous woman presented in extremis with fulminant NF of her left anteromedial thigh. Following emergency radical debridement and intensive care stabilisation she was reconstructed 48h later in a single stage with a pedicled TRAM flap islanded on the ipsilateral deep inferior epigastric vessels. There was excellent contour restoration of her thigh and coverage of the exposed femoral vessels.

DISCUSSION

Pedicled flaps based on the rectus abdominis muscle provide a large, readily available reconstructive option for correction of substantial regional defects as herein illustrated. They are robust when based on dominant inferior vascular pedicle with a long reach and wide arc of rotation when designed transversely (as a TRAM flap).

CONCLUSION

This case also illustrates that definitive flap reconstruction of NF can be successfully undertaken in the emergent setting, thereby negating the need for large areas of skin grafting which can lead to contractures with consequent functional impairment and suboptimal aesthetic results.