A brief history of minimally invasive plastic surgery

Subcutaneous Endoscopy in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Background Scar visibility is a major deterrent to patients seeking reconstructive surgery. Endoscopic surgery can address a wide range of problems, from minimizing or concealing scars to improving access and outcomes in certain situations. This case series includes a wide range of reconstructive surgery problems addressed by subcutaneous endoscopic surgery. Having one or more trained assistants is a major deterrent to the performance of endoscopic surgery by the lone practitioner. The single (or two-port technique for muscle harvest) used in most cases simplifies subcutaneous endoscopic surgery. Methods A single-port endoscopy technique, with a 4-mm, 30-degree side viewing telescope and sheath, optical camera and cold light source, was used. Case records were reviewed for access incisions, procedure abandonment, postoperative pain, complications, and patient satisfaction. Results A total of 53 endoscopic surgical episodes between 2003 and 2013 were reviewed. Using a single port, most cases were done successfully. The access site was changed peroperatively in one case. Complications included transient nerve palsy in one case, which recovered completely. There was minimal intraoperative bleeding. Postoperative pain was low except in one case and managed with minimal analgesia. Patient satisfaction was high in all cases. Conclusions Subsurface endoscopy done on a wide range of reconstructive surgery procedures and resulted in minimal scars and high patient satisfaction.

Improving Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes in Syndromic Patients With Webbed Neck Deformity: Utilizing a Staged Endoscopic-Assisted Approach to Improve the Posterior Hairline and Decrease Scar Burden

INTRODUCTION

Webbed neck deformity (WND) can have significant functional and psychosocial impact on the developing child. Surgical correction can be challenging depending on the extent of the deformity, and patients often also have low posterior hairlines requiring simultaneous correction. Current surgical techniques include various methods of single-stage radical excision that often result in visible scar burden and residual deformity. There is currently no general consensus of which technique provides the best outcomes.

METHODS

A modified approach to WND was designed by the senior author aimed to decrease scar burden. Endoscopic-assisted fasciectomy was performed with simultaneous posterior hairline reconstruction with local tissue rearrangement camouflaged within the hair-bearing scalp. Staged surgical correction was planned rather than correction in a single operation. A retrospective review was performed to evaluate all patients who underwent this approach over a 2-year period.

RESULTS

Two patients underwent the modified approach, a 17-year-old female with Noonan syndrome and a 2-year-old female with Turner syndrome. Both patients showed postoperative improvement in range of motion, contour of the jaw and neckline, and posterior hairline definition. Patients were found to have decreased scar burden compared with traditional techniques.

DISCUSSION

A staged, combination approach of endoscopic-assisted fasciectomy and strategic local tissue reconstruction of the posterior hairline to correct WND achieves good functional and aesthetic results and good patient satisfaction. This modification should be considered when managing WND.