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 .

Histoplasmosis of the Upper Extremities: Clinical Case, Treatment Algorithm, and Systematic Review

Background: Histoplasmosis of the upper extremities is extremely rare, and there is no consensus in its management. The aim of this study was to present a case report and literature review of histoplasmosis in the upper extremities to provide the best treatment recommendation and to increase awareness of this disease. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed in PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases with the search terms "(Tenosynovitis AND histoplasmosis)" OR "(Upper limbs AND histoplasmosis)" OR "(Upper extremities AND histoplasmosis)" OR "((finger OR arm OR hand OR forearm OR wrist) AND histoplasmosis)." Manuscripts were included in the study if they described diagnosis of histoplasmosis in the bone, joint, synovia, or tendons of the upper extremities. Results: In all, 14 manuscripts and 15 cases of histoplasmosis of the upper extremities from 1992 to 2015 met the inclusion criteria. Eight (53.3%) patients were diagnosed with tenosynovitis, 5 (33.3%) with osteomyelitis, 1 (6.7%) with carpal tunnel syndrome, and 1 (6.7%) with joint wrist abscess. Immunosuppression, travel history, previous diagnosis with histoplasmosis, and persistent symptoms may suggest infectious causes. Surgery and medical treatment together are recommended to optimize outcomes compared with single treatment alone. Conclusions: Histoplasmosis of the upper extremities may have various clinical presentations, including tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and joint wrist abscess. The type of surgical approach may depend on the etiology of disease. Increased awareness and knowledge of the clinical signs, symptoms, and effective treatment modalities will help decrease possible complications, such as tendon rupture and functional impairment of the upper extremities.

Clinical Case of Acute Non-Traumatic Hand Compartment Syndrome and Systematic Review for the Upper Extremity

Background: While trauma to the upper extremity is known to cause acute compartment syndrome (ACS), nontraumatic causes of ACS of the upper extremity are rare. Nontraumatic ACS of the upper extremity can lead to adverse outcomes if not recognized early. There are limited reports of spontaneous ACS published in the literature. The aim of this comprehensive systematic review is to increase awareness among plastic surgeons and hand surgeons of this acute event and provide an algorithmic approach to management in the acute setting through an illustrative case example. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review of published literature was conducted in the Medline/PubMed database with the search terms, "compartment syndrome," "extremity," "spontaneous," "nontraumatic," and "atraumatic" without timeframe limitations. Articles were identified and included in this review based on ACS localization in the upper extremity and etiology of nontraumatic, spontaneous origin. Results: Sixteen publications and 19 total cases of nontraumatic ACS of the upper extremity from 1993 to 2016 met our search criteria. A bleeding disorder was the etiology in three cases, systemic anticoagulation in three cases, infection in six cases, and unknown in three cases. The remaining four cases included systemic sclerosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, and McArdle disease. Conclusions: Nontraumatic causes of ACS of the upper extremity include infection, anticoagulation therapy, and bleeding disorders. Even though trauma is the most common cause of ACS, clinicians should be aware of these other potential causes of ACS in the nontraumatic setting. Appropriate medical and surgical intervention should be done to avoid potential adverse outcomes.

Oil injection for cosmetic enhancement of the upper extremities: a case report and review of literature

Here the authors report a case of complications occured after injection of a site enhancement oil in the upper extremity for cosmetic muscles’ volume enhancement and a literature review on the topic. The medical and sports communities should be aware of the secondary effects of site enhancement oils use, which could bring to severe complications. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Disparities in Access to Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Background and objectives: This study aimed to determine if age, race, region, insurance, and comorbidities affect the type of breast reconstruction that patients receive. Materials and methods: This analysis used the Florida Inpatient Discharge Dataset from 1 January 2013 to 30 September 2017, which contains deidentified patient-level administrative data from all acute care hospitals in the state of Florida. We included female patients, diagnosed with breast cancer, who underwent mastectomy and a subsequent breast reconstruction. We performed an χ² test and logistic regression in this analysis. Results: On the multivariable analysis, we found that age, race, patient region, insurance payer, and Elixhauser score were all variables that significantly affected the type of reconstruction that patients received. Our results show that African American (odds ratio (OR): 0.68, 95%CI: 0.58–0.78, p < 0.001) and Hispanic or Latino (OR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.72–0.93, p = 0.003) patients have significantly lower odds of receiving implant reconstruction when compared to white patients. Patients with Medicare (OR: 1.57, 95%CI: 1.33–1.86, p < 0.001) had significantly higher odds and patients with Medicaid (OR: 0.61, 95%CI: 0.51–0.74, p < 0.001) had significantly lower odds of getting autologous reconstruction when compared to patients with commercial insurance. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that, in the state of Florida over the past years, variables, such as race, region, insurance, and comorbidities, play an important role in choosing the reconstruction modality. More efforts are needed to eradicate disparities and give all patients, despite their race, insurance payer, or region, equal access to health care.

National Comprehensive Analysis of Characteristics of Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the least common subtype of cutaneous melanoma and typically occurs on the palms, soles, and nails. Tumor characteristics and disease severity in the US population are not well understood. Our aim was to analyze the characteristics of ALM of the extremities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We queried the National Cancer Database to identify patients with the diagnosis of ALM and common malignant melanoma located in the extremities (CMME). We compared demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics between patients with ALM and those with CMME. Statistical analysis was performed with chi-squared test and multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

We identified 5,203 patients with ALM and 118,485 with CMME. When compared with patients with CMME, those with ALM were more likely to be older than 80. years at diagnosis [odds ratio (OR)=2.85, 95% confidence intervaI (CI)=2.12-3.82; p<0.001], have stage III disease (OR=4.22, 95% CI=1.47-12.16; p=0.01), and have ulceration (OR=1.52, 95% CI=1.33-1.74; p<0.001). Moreover, patients with ALM were less likely to have a mitotic count of 1/mm2 or greater (OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.48-0.67; p<0.001). No statistical difference was found for sex, lymph node involvement, regression, and use of surgery, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy between groups.

CONCLUSION

Age, disease stage, ulceration, and mitotic count are independent factors associated with ALM. Knowledge of the disease characteristics may allow for better diagnosis and understanding of disease pathophysiology.

Adipose-derived stem cells in wound healing of full-thickness skin defects: a review of the literature. J Plast Surg Hand Surg 2020;54:263-279. [PMID: 32427016 DOI: 10.1080/2000656x.2020.1767116]

The complex process of wound healing can be delayed in circumstances when the natural niche is extremely altered. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) seem to be a promising therapy for these type of wounds. We aim to describe the studies that used ADSC for wound healing after a full-thickness skin defect, the ADSC mechanisms of action, and the outcomes of the different ADSC therapies applied to date. We performed a review by querying PubMed database for studies that evaluated the use of ADSC for wound healing. The Mesh terms, adipose stem cells AND (skin injury OR wound healing) and synonyms were used for the search. Our search recorded 312 articles. A total of 30 articles met the inclusion criteria. All were experimental in nature. ADSC was applied directly (5 [16.7%]), in sheets (2 [6.7%]), scaffolds (14 [46.7%]), skin grafts (3 [10%]), skin flaps (1 [3.3%]), as microvesicles or exosomes (4 [13.3%]), with adhesives for wound closure (1 [3.3%]), and in a concentrated conditioned hypoxia-preconditioned medium (1 [3.3%]). Most of the studies reported a benefit of ADSC and improvement of wound healing with all types of ADSC therapy. ADSC applied along with extracellular matrix, stromal cell-derived factor (SDF-1) or keratinocytes, or ADSC seeded in scaffolds showed better outcomes in wound healing than ADSC alone. ADSC have shown to promote angiogenesis, fibroblast migration, and up-regulation of macrophages chemotaxis to enhance the wound healing process. Further studies should be conducted to assure the efficacy and safety of the different ADSC therapies.

Paget disease of the breast: A national retrospective analysis of the US population

BACKGROUND

Paget's disease of the breast is rare. The National Cancer Database (NCDB) is one of the largest tumor databases in the United States.

METHODS

We queried the NCDB to identify male and female patients with Paget's disease of the breast who were treated from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2015. No age limitations were applied. Descriptive statistical analysis and survival analysis were performed.

RESULTS

We analyzed the demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics of 7,191 patients with Paget's disease of the breast. The median (range) age was 64 (20-90) years. Only 2.1% of patients were men, and 85.4% were white. The most common treatment was complete mastectomy (65.3%), followed by partial mastectomy (30.3%). Tumor destruction was performed in 0.1% of patients, and 4.3% of patients did not undergo any surgery. We examined survival in the subset of 6,864 patients who were treated surgically with complete mastectomy or partial mastectomy. The 5-year survival rate after surgery was 82.5% (95% CI, 81.1%-83.9%). Factors associated with shorter survival were older age, black race/ethnicity, higher tumor grade, regional lymph node metastasis, higher cancer stage, metastatic cancer, and larger tumor size.

CONCLUSIONS

Paget's disease of the breast usually affects patients older than 60 years, and the most common treatment is complete mastectomy. The 5-year overall survival rate of patients with Paget's disease of the breast is greater than 80% but is lower among older and black people.

Breast cancer in women: a descriptive analysis of the national cancer database

Background and aim of the work:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. National Cancer Database (NCDB) is one of the largest tumor databases of the United States. This study aimed to evaluate the features of breast cancer in women from a large updated database.

Methods:

We describe and analyze the frequencies and percentages of the clinical and pathological features of women diagnosed with breast cancer registered in NCDB, in a period from 2004 to 2015.

Results:

A total of 2,423,875 women were diagnosed with breast cancer between 2004 and 2015. The nationally representative analysis demonstrated that the incidence of breast cancer among women increased over the years. Upper-outer quadrant was the most frequent primary tumor site, and the intraductal carcinoma was the most frequent histology. The prevalence of breast cancer increased with age. The most frequent grade at diagnosis was grade II. Broadly, invasive characteristics were noted more frequently in younger patients. Left and right breast were affected with almost the same frequency, with a slight predominance of the left breast. The most frequent surgical treatment was a partial mastectomy. Reconstruction with implant was the most frequent choice. Post-mastectomy radiation therapy was administered in the majority of patients.

Conclusions:

To the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the largest descriptive analysis to date on the clinical and pathological features of breast cancer in a population-based database. The increase in incidence over the years indicates an important need for etiologic research and innovative approaches to improve breast cancer prevention. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Chronic Tenosynovitis of the Upper Extremities Caused by Mycobacterium kansasii : A Clinical Case and Systematic Review of Literature

Background  Chronic tenosynovitis of the upper extremities caused by Mycobacterium kansasii ( M. kansasii ) is uncommon, but symptoms may overlap with other more common diseases. Late diagnosis and treatment can lead to disfiguration of structures and rupture of tendons, resulting in worse cosmetic outcomes after reconstruction. Methods  We present a clinical case and literature review of M. kansasii in patients with chronic tenosynovitis of upper extremities. PubMed was queried for cases of upper extremities tenosynovitis caused by M. kansasii . The keywords " M. kansasii ," "tenosynovitis" and synonyms were used for search in different combinations. Manuscripts, with no specific data or another condition, where the infection was not located in the upper extremities, were reviews, or not in English, were excluded from the study. Results  We described 23 reported cases of tenosynovitis of the upper extremity caused by M. kansasii . An immunosuppressed state was present in eight (34.8%) cases, and 12 (52.2%) patients received immunosuppressive treatment. A long-time period between the first appearance of symptoms and the definitive diagnosis was identified (median: 7 months, interquartile range: 9). The most frequent symptoms were local swelling (65.2%), pain (56.5%), mass effect (26%), and stiffness (13%). Tendon rupture was found in three (13%) patients as a complication of the disease. Moreover, seven (30.4%) patients underwent previous surgeries to try to relieve the symptoms before definitive diagnosis was achieved. Conclusion M. kansasii is an important differential causal pathogen for tenosynovitis of the upper extremities. Although rare, raising awareness about this infectious disease is imperative to avoid inadequate management and hazardous aesthetic sequelae.

Wide Excisional Surgery in Invasive Melanoma Treatment: Factors Driving Non-compliance With National Guidelines

BACKGROUND/AIM

Margin size during wide excisional surgery for invasive melanoma treatment have been established by national guidelines. This study identified factors associated with wider than recommended excisional margins and its impact on survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried to identify patients with primary invasive melanoma. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Overall survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

A total of 26,440 patients were included in the analysis. Melanomas located on the trunk were more likely to be treated using wider than recommended excisional margins for certain Breslow depth groups (p<0.05), while the opposite was true for those being treated in an academic/research program (p<0.05). The practice of taking wider than recommended margins was not associated with improved survival.

CONCLUSION

Tumor location and facility type influence non-compliance with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Lack of survival benefit in patients with wider excisional margins seems to support guideline recommendations.

Residual Tumor on Wide Excisional Margins After Treatment of Invasive Melanoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

The surgical management of invasive melanoma has been debated for many years and recommended excisional margins have been established. We aimed to describe the factors and survival related to the presence of residual tumor in patients with invasive melanoma lymph nodes negative.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective study by querying the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2015. Associations were tested using a multivariate analysis. Overall survival was compared using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

A total of 26,440 patients met the inclusion criteria. For Breslow depth groups ≤1 mm and >2 mm, older age and location in the head and neck were factors associated to residual tumor in margins (p<0.05), whereas only location in the head and neck was associated to residual tumor for patients with Breslow depth between 1.01-2.00 mm (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of the factors associated with the residual tumor will help establish a patient-centered management and decrease the recurrence of disease.

High-pressure injection injury: a case report and systematic review

High-pressure delivery devices for paint and other substances can lead to severe injuries of the hand without immediate surgical debridement. We present a case of a high-pressure paint gun injury treated surgically with full resolution of function. A systematic review of the literature details outcomes of similar injuries.

What Factors Define Limb Salvage or Amputation Surgery in Osteosarcoma of the Upper Extremities?

BACKGROUND/AIM

Controversy exists between performing limb salvage or amputation to treat osteosarcoma of the upper extremities. Our aim was to review the characteristics associated with limb amputation due to osteosarcoma of the upper extremities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A descriptive study was performed by querying the National Cancer Database from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2015. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-squared test and a multivariate logistic regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 777 patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the upper extremities who underwent surgery met the inclusion criteria. Patients between 61 and 80 years were less likely to undergo limb amputation. Moreover, facilities located in the South Atlantic region, and stage IV of the disease were factors independently positively associated with amputation.

CONCLUSION

Patients in facilities located in the South Atlantic region and those with stage IV disease were more likely to undergo amputation.

Influence of Facility Characteristics on Access to Breast Reconstruction: A 12-Year National Cancer Database Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIM

This study aimed to analyze facility characteristics contributing to disparities in breast reconstruction access in the United States.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2015 were extracted from the National Cancer Database on patient, facility and treatment, and tumor characteristics. A total of 858,594 patients met the inclusion criteria of the study, including 553,517 (64.5%) patients who underwent mastectomy only (without breast reconstruction) and 305,077 (35.5%) patients who received breast reconstruction (implants or autologous tissue).

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed that the odds of reconstruction were higher in Integrated Network Cancer Programs and Academic/Research Programs compared to Community Cancer Programs. Patients treated in the South, Midwest, and West regions had lower odds of reconstruction. Interestingly, patients treated in more than one Commission on Cancer facility had a higher likelihood of reconstruction.

CONCLUSION

Facility characteristics and location impact on access to breast reconstruction.

Eyelid Melanoma in the United States: A National Cancer Database Analysis

BACKGROUND

Eyelid melanoma (EM) is a rare condition that accounts for <1% of all cutaneous melanomas. In this analysis, patients diagnosed with EM in the United States were compared to those with other melanomas in the head and neck.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was used to select patients with head and neck melanoma from 2004 to 2015.

RESULTS

A total of 137,233 patients met the criteria of the study. Among them, 2694 were diagnosed with EM (2%) and 134,539 in other head and neck locations (98%). Regarding the patients with EM, the mean age was 68.56 years (standard deviation 14.04). A greater number of them were treated in Academic/Research Programs (53.6%), insured by Medicare (55.7%), tumor in situ (52.2%), stage 0 (49%), and without ulceration (75.9%). The mean time to treatment commencement was 18.96 days for EM compared to 14.4 days for other melanoma in the head and neck regions (P < 0.001). There was a greater proportion of EM in female patients (odds ratio [OR] 2.371 [2.191-2.566], P < 0.001), compared to male; age greater than 80 years (OR 1.622 [1.360-1.934], P < 0.001) compared to 0 to 49 years. Moreover, EM was an independent predictor for treatment in Academic/Research Programs (OR 1.258 [1.160-1.365], P < 0.001) and diagnosis at autopsy (OR 1.414 [1.083-1.847], P = 0.011) compared to other melanoma in the head and neck region.

CONCLUSION

These novel findings have the potential to guide clinical decision making in head and neck melanoma management.

Factors that Influence Chemotherapy Treatment Rate in Patients With Upper Limb Osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Chemotherapy is the mainstay treatment of osteosarcoma. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors that affect the rate of chemotherapy treatment of osteosarcoma patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried the National Cancer Database for bone cancer patients. We included patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the upper extremities regardless of age and sex. With bivariate and multivariate models, we analyzed the demographic, facility, and tumor-specific characteristics, comparing the group that received chemotherapy with those that did not.

RESULTS

Female patients (OR=0.567; 95%CI=0.337-0.955), non-White patients (OR=0.485; 95%CI=0.25-0.939), and patients with government insurance (OR=0.506; 95%CI=0.285-0.9) had lower odds of receiving chemotherapy treatment than male, white, and privately insured patients. Patients with stages II (OR=4.817; 95%CI=2.594-8.946) and IV disease (OR=0.457; 95%CI=1.931-10.286) had higher odds of receiving chemotherapy than those with stage I disease.

CONCLUSION

Age, sex, race and insurance affected the rate of chemotherapy treatment in patients with upper limb osteosarcoma.

Survival Disparities in Male Patients With Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

We evaluated factors associated with mortality among men with breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used the National Cancer Database to identify men with breast cancer and evaluated factors associated with mortality, using a Cox regression model.

RESULTS

Black patients experienced an increased risk of death from any cause compared to white patients [hazard ratio (HR)=1.19, 95%CI=1.05-1.37]. Patients with government insurance had a greater risk of death compared to privately insured patients (HR=1.57, 95%CI=1.41-1.75). When compared to patients with an income of >$46,000, those with an income <$30,000 presented an increased risk of death (HR=1.35, 95%CI=1.14-1.60). Finally, patients treated at a comprehensive community cancer program (HR=1.129, 95%CI=1.021-1.248), community cancer program (HR=1.164, 95%CI=1.010-1.343), or integrated network cancer program (HR=1.216; 95%CI=1.056-1.401) experienced elevated risk of death compared to those treated at academic/research-programs.

CONCLUSION

Race, insurance, income, education, and facility type are associated with the risk of mortality in male patients with breast cancer.

Osteosarcoma of the Upper Extremities: A National Analysis of the US Population

BACKGROUND/AIM

Osteosarcoma of the upper extremities is rare, and characteristics in this location have not been described before. We aimed to analyze the characteristics and survival rate of osteosarcoma of the upper extremities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed by querying the National Cancer Database. Statistical analysis was performed using a multivariate logistic regression model and Kaplan-Meier log-rank tests for survival.

RESULTS

A total of 991 patients were diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the upper extremities. Most tumors were osteogenic and osteoblastic (66.8%), larger than 8 cm (47.9%), high grade (64.3%), lymph node-negative (7.9%), and without metastasis to lungs (39.0%). Osteosarcomas of the hand and wrist were less likely to be high-grade when compared to osteosarcomas of the forearm, arm, and shoulder.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study help us to approach patients promptly and avoid total amputation, increasing functionality and prognosis of the disease.

Desmoplastic Melanoma: Clinical Characteristics and Survival in the US Population

Objective

Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is a rare variant of invasive malignancy of the skin pigmented cells. We present a comprehensive study reporting on US demographics, disease characteristics, and survival, to contribute to the current knowledge and raise awareness of this rare disease.

Materials and methods

The demographics of DM patients diagnosed from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2015, were obtained by querying the National Cancer Database. The characteristics of DM were compared with common malignant melanoma (CMM) using univariate and multivariate regression models. Five-year overall survival (OS) curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analyses and the Cox proportional regression model.

Results

Our query found 5,895 patients diagnosed with DM and 292,939 patients with CMM. DM tended to present at an older age, a more advanced stage, and with a Breslow depth greater than 4 mm at diagnosis (P<.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a five-year OS for DM and CMM of 75% and 76%, respectively, without any statistical difference (P=.07). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that age at diagnosis and comorbidities were independent predictors of five-year OS for DM (P<.001).

Conclusions

Older age, advanced stage, and higher Breslow depth were found to be independent positive factors associated with DM.