Complications after abdominal surgery and breast implant pelvic positioning: case report and literature review

The recommended treatment for patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) or other pelvic neoplasms often comprises extensive abdominal surgery and radiation therapy (RT). The major complications of these treatments are radiation enteritis and empty pelvis syndrome, which is the displacement of bowel loops in the pelvic dead space created after the intervention. To avoid these complications, diverse methods of pelvic floor reconstruction have been attempted, one of them being the silicon breast prosthesis pelvic placement. Since literature is scarce on complications secondary to breast implant placement in the pelvis, we consider our case an unusual presentation of this entity offering the availability of novel information.

Capsular Contracture in Breast Implant Surgery: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?

Capsular contracture is the leading complication after surgery with breast implants. A lot of progress has been made investigating this complication over the years, and knowledge has been gained on this complication. Currently, the exact cause for capsular contracture is still unclear. It has been hypothesized that immunobiological factors (i.e., immunological and bacterial factors) and several risk factors play a central role in its development. In this paper, we give an overview of the known immunological factors that have been investigated in contracted and non-contracted capsules, as well as the role of bacterial formation around breast implants. We also report on risk factors that might increase the risk of capsular development. Lastly, it provides the latest research on this matter and discusses future perspectives as follow-up research is needed to unravel the pathogenic process leading to capsular contracture. This knowledge is of interest to establish medical therapies in order to prevent such side effects. Overall, capsular contracture seems to be a multifactorial condition consisting of several risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: 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 .

Successful salvage of an infected breast prothesis by changing from continuous to intermittent suction under continuous irrigation

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Continuous irrigation does not always salvage infected breast implants.

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It is unclear whether continuous or intermittent suction is more effective.

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We salvaged a breast implant by changing from continuous to intermittent suction.

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Intermittent suction worked well in this patient and it is worthy of further studies.

Introduction

Implant-based breast reconstruction is a widely performed procedure. However, prostheses are susceptible to infection and there are currently no established guidelines on treatment. In the present case, a prosthesis was salvaged by changing from continuous irrigation and suction to continuous irrigation and intermittent suction. This case report has been reported in line with the SCARE criteria [1].

Presentation of case

A 50-year-old female patient underwent implant-based breast reconstruction following surgery for breast cancer. One month later, the left breast prosthesis was infected with abscesses. Surgical treatment and continuous irrigation were performed as postoperative therapy. However, recurrent infection was detected a few days after surgery. Continuous irrigation was changed to continuous irrigation with intermittent aspiration, which successfully controlled the infection.

Discussion

Factors that limit the effectiveness of continuous irrigation and aspiration have not yet been identified. Inflow/discharge shunt routes may be established in continuous aspiration, and, thus, sufficient cleaning may not be possible. On the other hand, the storage of water throughout the wound in intermittent aspiration may facilitate cleaning.

Conclusion

Intermittent suction worked well in this patient and, thus, warrants further study.

Double Space Augmentation Mastopexy-A Reflection After 15 Years

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of breast ptosis using mastopexy associated with the inclusion of a silicone prosthesis in a single surgical procedure is a challenge for surgeons. The aim of this study is to describe the 15-year experience with the placement of silicone breast implants in double, subfascial and submuscular space, in the treatment of patients with breast ptosis, and to analyze the aesthetic results of patients who underwent such surgeries.

METHOD

During the 15-year period, between 2005 and 2020, 640 mastopexies were performed with the inclusion of silicone breast implants in double space, with high-profile round polyurethane prostheses whose volumes ranged from 135 to 435 ml, in patients with grade 2 and 3 breast ptosis.

RESULTS

The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 55 years and the average age was 34 years. The postoperative follow-up time was 18 months. 400 patients (62.5%) had grade II ptosis, whereas 240 of them (37.5%) had grade III ptosis. The main complications were: 19 cases (3%) of residual sagging skin, 19 cases (3%) of unsightly scars, 12 cases (2%) of partial areola necrosis. There was no case of infection or seroma. There were 330 primary surgeries (52%) and 310 secondary surgeries (48%).

CONCLUSION

After 15 years of performing mastopexy with prosthesis in double space, both in primary and secondary surgeries, it can be concluded that the technique reached its maturity providing good long-term results with the maintenance of the projection of the upper pole of the breast and low recurrence of ptosis in the lower pole and low rate of complications.

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.

[Comparing outcomes of Immediate Breast reconstruction with and without use of radiotherapy]

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer and its treatment remains a public health problem. There is still a lack of epidemiological data concerning complications and aesthetic results bound to radiotherapy after an immediate breast reconstruction. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction regardless to the use of radiotherapy (history of radiotherapy or adjuvant radiation therapy), in order to determine risk factor of complications and bad aesthetic results.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study between January 2014 and December 2016 at the hospital "Gustave Roussy" in Paris, concerning breast cancer patients who needed immediate breast reconstruction after total mastectomy. The primary endpoint was to assess the failure rate of reconstruction and the aesthetic result, the secondary endpoint assessed the early and late rate of complications. We realized a multivariate analysis in order to identify risks factors that may predict complications.

RESULTS

Three hundred and thirty three patients have been included: 157 in the "radiotherapy group" compared to 176 in the "no radiotherapy group". Preoperative characteristics were comparable. Average follow-up was between 1 and 3years without missing. Patients who benefited from radiotherapy had an equal risk failure of reconstruction. The subgroup analysis revealed non-significant differences: 12.7% failure rate reconstruction in the "radiotherapy group" vs. 12.5%. We could notify a better rate of "excellent results" in the "no radiotherapy group": 35% vs. 8.2%. Secondary outcomes were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy related to immediate breast reconstruction didn't increase the failure rate of reconstruction or aesthetic results, comparatively to non-irradiated patients. It is therefore permissible to suggest an immediate breast reconstruction to any patients which would benefit from a total mastectomy followed by radiotherapy; in order to prevent them from a secondary breast reconstruction, who could be physically and psychologically more impactful.