Umbilical Reconstruction Techniques: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

There are many instances in which sacrificing the umbilicus is unavoidable. Umbilical reconstruction (umbiliconeoplasty) is an important surgical procedure to complete the abdomen's reconstruction and to give again a pleasant cosmetic appearance.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a complete overview of all surgical techniques for umbiliconeoplasty described in the literature.

METHODS

PubMed database was queried using 'umbilical and reconstruction', 'umbilicus and reconstruction', 'navel and reconstruction', 'umbiliconeoplasty', 'neo-omphaloplasty' or 'umbilicaneoplasty' to select the papers dealing with the reconstruction of the umbilicus.

RESULTS

Sixty different techniques for the reconstruction of the missing umbilicus were described in 77 papers. Local skin flaps and the purse-string suture technique were the most frequently described techniques. The Three flaps technique, the Four flaps technique and the 2 Lateral rectangular pedicle lateral flaps technique were the most popular local flap techniques. Indications ranged from congenital pediatric defects to reconstruction during abdominoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Several surgical techniques were described for umbilicus reconstruction. While there is not a universal algorithm for the choice of the technique, the surgeon may decide which technique to use based on other surgeons' experiences reports.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Muscle-Sparing Skin-Reducing Breast Reconstruction with Pre-Pectoral Implants in Breast Cancer Patients: Long-Term Assessment of Patients' Satisfaction and Quality of Life

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed tumor in women; globally, it accounts 23% of all cancer deaths. Breast reconstruction after oncologic surgery has become crucial to enhance patients' quality of life and alleviate the psychological distress related to the disease. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life and esthetic satisfaction of breast cancer patients undergoing muscle-sparing skin-reducing breast reconstruction (MS-SR) with pre-pectoral implants.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients who met definite oncological and reconstructive criteria were enrolled in the study. Specific questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR23) were administered preoperatively, 1, and 12 months after MS-SR breast reconstruction to evaluate patients' QoL. Satisfaction with procedure and related Quality of Life were assessed through BREAST-Q questionnaire preoperatively and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Sixty-three breast cancer patients underwent MS-SR. Seventy-eight procedures were carried out; in 15 patients a bilateral reconstruction was performed. One month after surgery, both EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 average scores demonstrated a slight drop since preoperative values, but a significant improvement in QoL was documented 12 months after BR (p < 0.05). BREAST-Q test showed significant psychophysical and esthetic satisfaction 12 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Muscle-sparing skin-reducing breast reconstruction is an established and reliable technique. EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR23 and BREAST-Q scores showed an improvement of patients' QoL and esthetic satisfaction. Reduction of pain and other surgery-related symptoms are cornerstones of patient well-being. Both physicians and patients should build a thorough awareness of the silver lining of muscle-sparing skin-reducing breast reconstruction based on the high safety profile and highly satisfactory patient-reported results.

Nipple-Areola Complex Reconstruction

The reconstruction of the nipple–areola complex is the last step in the breast reconstruction process. Several techniques have been described over the years. The aim of this review is to provide clarity on the currently available reconstructive options.

Allogeneic and Alloplastic Augmentation Grafts in Nipple-Areola Complex Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Pooled Outcomes Analysis of Complications and Aesthetic Outcomes

BACKGROUND

With advancements in materials engineering, many plastic surgeons have looked to allogeneic tissue and alloplastic materials as a possible source of structure for long-lasting nipple-areola complex reconstruction. Furthermore, in light of the recent mandate from the Food and Drug Administration restricting the marketing and direct indication of acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) in breast reconstruction, we sought to highlight the overall safety and efficacy demonstrated in the existing literature surrounding all alloplastic materials in nipple-areola complex reconstruction. In this study, the authors conduct a systematic review and pooled outcomes analysis on allogenic and alloplastic implant materials utilized to achieve long-lasting nipple projection stratified by specific material used and respective outcomes.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic review on allogenic and synthetic materials data utilized in nipple reconstruction was conducted utilizing Medline/PubMed database. Articles were stratified by (1) alloplastic material, as well as (2) objective and patient-reported outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 592 nipple-areola complexes on 482 patients were featured in 15 case series. In all studies, alloplastic or allograft material was utilized to achieve and maintain nipple projection. Subjective measurements revealed a patient satisfaction rate of 93.3% or higher with the majority of patients being very satisfied with their reconstruction. The alloplastic and allograft implants analyzed had an overall complication rate of 5.3% across all materials used. The most common complication reported was flap or graft necrosis with a pooled rate of 2.5%. Overall, the Ceratite implant presented with the highest complication rate (18%) including flap/graft necrosis (13%) and extrusion of the artificial bone (5%). Other rigid implants such as the biodesign nipple reconstruction cylinder reported complications of extrusion (3.6%), projection loss requiring revision (2.5%), wound dehiscence/drainage (1.5%), flap or graft necrosis (1.0%) and excessive bleeding (0.5%). ADM implants had reported complications of both insufficient projection (0.8%) and excessive projection (1.6%), which required surgical revision. Injectable materials had minimal reported complications of pain during injection (0.8%) with Radiesse and a false-positive PET scan result (0.8%) with DermaLive.

CONCLUSIONS

Allogeneic and alloplastic grafts are a reliable means of achieving satisfactory nipple projection, with a relatively low overall complication profile. The use of Ceratite (artificial bone) led to the highest complication rates. Further clinical studies are necessary to better understand the feasibility and longer-term outcomes of the use of allogeneic and synthetic augmentation grafts to improve nipple projection.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

A Nipple-Areolar Complex Reconstruction in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Using a Local Flap and Full-Thickness Skin Graft

INTRODUCTION

Nipple-areolar complex reconstruction is the final step of the reconstructive procedure in breast cancer patients. Nowadays, a combination of a local flap for nipple reconstruction and skin grafting or tattooing for areola reconstruction is deemed a first choice. In this paper, we are combining the techniques of local flap and full-thickness skin graft from the upper inner thigh for simultaneous reconstruction of the nipple and areola.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January, 2016 to December, 2017, 23 female patients with an absent unilateral nipple-areolar complex due to post-oncological mastectomy and immediate implant-based breast reconstruction were subjects of the study. On an out-patient clinic basis, the percentage of the nipple projection loss was calculated at the intervals of 3 , 6 and 12 months postoperatively. At the final visit, the patient's subjective satisfaction on the reconstructed areola compared to the normal contralateral side was evaluated using a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Over the course of time, the mean nipple projection loss was 20.16 ± 12.88, 31.78 ± 11.63 and 34.69 ± 12.01% at 3 , 6 and 12 months postoperatively, respectively. Patients' overall satisfaction on the grafted areola was as follows; the largest number of patients (8 patients) had a 'good' satisfaction 12-months postoperatively. Out of 21 patients, those who considered the result to be 'poor' and 'disappointing' each accounted for 1 and 3 patients.

CONCLUSION

The combination of nipple-areolar complex reconstruction technique introduced in this study has proven to be a safe and efficacious alternative in patients with implant-based reconstruction requiring small- to medium-sized nipple projection, especially when the skin envelope is too tight for a local flap only.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Face Rejuvenation: a new combinated protocol for biorevitalization

INTRODUCTION

The slowing of the aging process is subject of great research and attention in modern society, particularly aging of face. Processes involved are very complex. Mesotherapy. hyaluronic acid and carbon dioxide injection can be used for biorevitalization and skin rejuvenation.

METHODS

Three groups were made and 62 patients were enrolled. Patients with superficial wrinkles of the face, neck and/or décolleté, without presence of nasolabial folds and marionette wrinkles were included in group 1. Patients with superficial/medium depth wrinkles of the face, neck and/or décolleté, with moderate nasolabial folds but no marionette wrinkles were included in group 2. Patients with deep wrinkles of the face, with deep nasolabial folds and marionette wrinkles were included in group 3. Patients were treated with three different protocols that included injections of amino acids, vitamins and hyaluronic acid in association with carbon dioxide injection. We submitted the PAIS and GAIS scales and we analyzed the scores obtained with Wilcoxon's and Kolmogorov-Smirnov's tests. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) softare was used. The p-value was considered acceptable if inferior to 0,05 (p>0,05).

RESULTS

In according with these tests, the differences of values at one week and at the end of the study are significant (p<0,05) for both PAIS and GAIS. No side effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Protocol treatment used in this study gave statistically valid results in the rejuvenation of face for mild, moderate and severe aging.

Nipple-Areola Complex Reconstruction

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand how to determine nipple-areola complex positioning on the reconstructed breast. 2. Understand the multitude of local flap and distant graft options for nipple-areola complex reconstruction. 3. Draw at least three fundamental nipple-areola complex reconstruction patterns. 4. Understand the forces that are responsible for flattening of the reconstructed papule. 5. Understand the current techniques used in secondary nipple-areola complex reconstructions.

SUMMARY

Nipple-areola complex reconstruction and tattooing represent the final two stages of breast reconstruction. Nipple-areola complex reconstruction is typically accomplished with the use of local flaps, local flaps with augmentation grafts, or a combination thereof. Regardless of the technique used, however, all nipple-areola complex reconstructions lose a degree of projection over time. Options for secondary reconstruction include the use of local tissue flaps alone or in combination with acellular biological matrices.

Autolytic debridement and management of bacterial load with an occlusive hydroactive deressing impregnated with polyhexamethylene biguanide

Background:

Debridement and control of bacterial load are key-points of wound care. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of autolytic debridement and management of bacterial load (bioburden) of an occlusive hydro-active dressing impregnated with polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB).

Methods:

We used an occlusive dressing of hydro-active for leg ulcers’ treatment (TenderWet-plus® – Hartmann). Inclusion criteria were: presence of a fibrinous ulcer with multiple etiopathogenesis, in absence of clinical infection, no hypersecretion and diameter within 5 cm. Swab for bacterial bioburden control were made at start of the study, after 3 and 7 days. We made also a measurement of the amount of granulation tissue and of pain with VAS scale; bacterial bioburden control inside the dressing was made too.

Results:

28 leg ulcers were treated (12 venous, 5 diabetic, 8 thraumatic, 3 mixed) in 25 patients. The ulcer has been completely covered with fibrin in almost all cases and the bacterial load was represented mainly by Staphylococcus aureus (80% of the cases) with a load within 10.000UFC/plate in 81,5% of the cases. Control at 3 and 7 days have shown the appearance of granulaton tissue up to 67,8% of the wound surface. Bacterial bioburden (load) remained constant in 50% of the cases, decreased in 15%, increased in 35% of the cases.

Conclusion:

TenderWet-plus® has proven to be effective and quick in autolytic debridement and at the same time be able to handle the bacterial load in most cases. It can then be used for home treatment. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Tendon Transfer Surgery: Focus on…

Median and Ulnar nerve palsy is a devastating condition that compromise hand function. A procedure of tendon transfer may be helpful to restore the movements by linking palsy muscles to other muscles able to contract. Scientific discoveries and technological innovations have profoundly changed this kind of surgery; studies on sarcomeres, for example, changed the concept of tensioning. To date we know that muscle strength and its contraction capacity depends on many factors (not only tensioning) such as sarcomeres length, cellular cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix composition: all of these factors interact together and in a ways not still fully understood, determining the complex concept of "movement." Technology made possible the production of smaller and more complex prostheses so to open new frontiers for modulation of the tendon length during grasping. These devices, currently studied on computer models, on cadaver or on animals, behaved great impetus to research but are still not suitable for implantation in humans. Challenges are still numerous: for example obtain more biocompatible implantable device, find new surgical approach, new ways to obtain better results for this kind of patients.

Use of ultraportable vacuum therapy systems in the treatment of venous leg ulcer

BACKGROUND

The high incidence of venous leg ulcers and the difficult to give a complete healing involves in an increase of costs for National Health System. Main therapies to obtain a fast healing are compressive bandages, treatment of abnormal venous flow and in-situ-strategies of wound care. Negative pressure therapy does not conventionally used, because these systems not allow the use of compression bandages. Recently the development of ultraportable devices has improved the compliance and the results.

METHODS

Ten patients with venous chronic ulcer on the lower extremities were recruited for this study: all patients had venous leg ulcers from at least one year. We treated the patients with autologous partial thickness skin graft and subsequently we applied NANOVA device included in compressive bandage. We used NANOVA for fourteen days and after we made traditional medications. We submitted a questionnaire to evaluate the impact of dressing and NANOVA device in the quality of life of patients.

RESULTS

The device contributed to the formation of granulation tissue and increased the success rate of autologous skin graft without limiting mobility of patient. In addition to this, we have been able to perform compression bandages thanks to small size of this device. Eight ulcers healed within 90 days of medication.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that ultraportable negative pressure systems are useful devices for treatment of venous leg ulcers because them allows to realize a compressive bandage without mobility limitations.

Skin graft donor site: a procedure for a faster healing

BACKGROUND

The authors want to evaluate the efficacy of fibrillary tabotamp dressing in skin graft-donor site. A comparison was made with Vaseline gauzes. Tabotamp is an absorbable haemostatic product of Ethicon (Johnson and Johnson) obtained by sterile and oxidized regenerated cellulose (Rayon). It is used for mild to moderate bleeding.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

276 patients were subject to skin graft and divided into two group: Group A and Group B. The donor site of patients in Group A was medicated with fibrillary tabotamp, while the patients of Group B were medicated only with Vaseline gauze. We recorded infection, timing of healing, number of dressing change, the pain felt during and after the dressing change with visual analog scale (VAS) and a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Patients allocated in Group A healed faster than the Group B. Questionnaires and VAS analysis showed lower pain felt, lower intake of pain drugs and lower infection rate in the Group A than the Group B. Analysis of coast showed lower dressing change in Group A than the Group B.

CONCLUSION

We believe that the use of tabotamp is a very viable alternative to improve healing.