High-dose-rate Interstitial Brachytherapy Boost with a Pedicled Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap for Myxofibrosarcoma of the Arm

Summary: A 71-year-old man was found to have a 7.4 × 2.9 × 7.0 cm myxofibrosarcoma of the right medial arm close to neurovascular structures. He received 50 Gray (Gy) of preoperative external beam radiation. Radical resection resulted in a 15 × 10 cm defect. Nine brachytherapy catheters were placed, and a pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was used in reconstruction. Final pathology confirmed myxofibrosarcoma, high grade. The tumor was <1 mm from 2 margins. A total of 17.5 Gy of brachytherapy was delivered to the surgical bed from postoperative days 7 to 9. The flap developed fat necrosis distally which eventually required surgical debridement on postoperative day 58. It subsequently healed well and maintained good function of the limb. The patient remains under surveillance without evidence of recurrence

Preclinical Performance of the Combined Application of Two Robotic Systems in Microsurgery: A Two-center Study

Background:. Recent advancements in the development of robotic devices increasingly draw the attention toward the concept of robotic microsurgery, as several systems tailored to open microsurgery are being introduced. This study describes the combined application of a novel microsurgical robot, the Symani, with a novel robotic microscope, the RoboticScope, for the performance of microvascular anastomoses in a two-center preclinical trial. Methods:. Six novices, residents, and experienced microsurgeons (n = 18) performed five anastomoses on 1.0-mm-diameter silicone vessels with a conventional versus combined robotic approach, resulting in 180 anastomoses. Microsurgical performance was evaluated, analyzing surgical time, subjective satisfaction with the anastomosis and robotic setup, anastomosis quality using the anastomosis lapse index score, microsurgical skills using the Structured Assessment of Microsurgery Skills score, and surgical ergonomics using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment score. Results:. All participants significantly improved their performance during the trial and quickly adapted to the novel systems. Surgical time significantly decreased, whereas satisfaction with the anastomosis and setup improved over time. The use of robotic systems was associated with fewer microsurgical errors and enhanced anastomosis quality. Especially novices demonstrated accelerated skill acquisition upon robotic assistance compared with conventional microsurgery. Moreover, upper extremity positioning was significantly improved. Overall, the robotic approach was subjectively preferred by participants. Conclusions:. The concept of robotic microsurgery holds great potential to improve precision and ergonomics in microsurgery. This two-center trial provides promising evidence for a steep learning curve upon introduction of robotic microsurgery systems, suggesting further pursuit of their clinical integration

Cutaneous Breast Radiation-associated Angiosarcoma: Anterior Chest Wall Reconstruction Options Following Extra-radical Resection

Background:. Radiation-associated angiosarcoma (RAAS) of the breast is a rare complication following breast irradiation with high rates of recurrence and death. To improve survival, we have advocated for an extra-radical resection where the entire irradiated skin and subcutaneous tissue is excised. This results in very large chest defects for which we describe our reconstructive experience. Methods:. We performed a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with RAAS and treated with extra-radical resection followed by immediate reconstruction between 1999 and 2017. We analyzed reconstructive options, complications rates, length of stay, and operative times. Results:. Extra-radical resections were performed in 35 patients. We reconstructed these large defects with abdominal advancement flaps with split-thickness skin grafting in 25 patients and added a pedicled latissimus dorsi or omental flap in the 10 other patients. Skin grafts took well over the irradiated pectoralis major muscle with a median take rate of over 90%. Average operative times were 150 minutes for those treated with an abdominal advancement flap and skin grafting with a median length of stay of 5 days for all patients. Conclusion:. Large anterior chest soft-tissue defects caused by extra-radical resections leaves defects too large to be covered by traditional breast reconstruction flaps. Abdominal advancement, latissimus dorsi muscle, and omental flaps along with skin grafts can be safely performed while leaving other traditional options open for future breast reconstruction

Kidney Dysfunction After Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

Background. Kidney dysfunction is a major complication after nonrenal solid organ transplants. Transplantation of vascularized composite allografts (VCA) has yielded successful midterm outcomes despite high rates of acute rejection and greater requirements of immunosuppression. Whether this translates in higher risks of kidney complications is unknown. Methods. Ninety-nine recipients of facial or extremity transplants from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and the International Registry on Hand and Composite Tissue Transplantation (IR) were reviewed. We assessed immunosuppression, markers of renal function over time, as well as pretransplant and posttransplant renal risk factors. Results. Data were obtained from 10 patients from BWH (age at transplant, 42.5 ± 13.8 years) and 89 patients (37.8 ± 11.5 years) from IR. A significant rise in creatinine levels (BWH, P = 0.0195; IR, P < 0.0001) and drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) within the first year posttransplant was observed. The BWH and IR patients lost a mean of 22 mL/min GFR and 60 mL/min estimated GFR in the first year, respectively. This decrease occurred mostly in the first 6 months posttransplant (BWH). Pretransplant creatinine levels were not restored in either cohort. A mixed linear model identified multiple variables correlating with renal dysfunction, particularly tacrolimus trough levels. Conclusions. Kidney dysfunction represents a major complication posttransplantation in VCA recipients early on. Strategies to mitigate this complication, such as reducing calcineurin inhibitor trough levels or using alternative immunosuppressive agents, may improve long-term patient outcomes. Standardizing laboratory and data collection of kidney parameters and risk factors in VCA patients will be critical for better understanding of this complication