Growing demand for silicone breast explants: a new scenario for breast surgery

Introduction: Removal of silicone breast implants is a surgery with increasing notoriety. Advances in studies on BIA-ALCL lymphoma (Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) and inflammatory/autoimmune pathologies related to implants, such as ASIA syndrome (Autoimmune Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants), has generated discomfort in many patients who opt for their removal. This demand brings to the surgeon an often challenging scenario, in which it is necessary to return the breasts to an anatomical and aesthetically pleasing shape after the removal of this material. The objective is to demonstrate surgical strategies for silicone breast explantation.Methods: Twenty patients who underwent breast explantation between September 2020 and March 2021 were evaluated, including simple explants and those associated with mastopexy. The surgical indication was the explicit demand of the patients, motivated by complaints such as fear of associated pathologies, aesthetic dissatisfaction, discomfort in the breasts, systemic symptoms, desire not to have more implants, capsular contracture, rotation or rupture thereof. Surgical techniques are described.Results: A simple explant was performed in 7 patients, and an explant with mastopexy was performed in 13. In 17 patients, it was associated with fat grafting. Capsulectomy was performed in all cases. We use the inferior pedicle dermoglandular flap in mastopexies to preserve breast tissue associated with fat grafting.Conclusion: The techniques described can restore a satisfactory shape to the breasts, with low complication rates and a good level of patient acceptance. Although the pathologies related to silicone implants have shown to be statistically rare, we must be attentive to symptoms and capable of offering surgical options for the explant

Neo-omphaloplasty in anchor-line abdominoplasty performed in patients who have previously undergone bariatric surgery

INTRODUCTION: In formerly morbidly obese individuals, major weight loss after bariatric surgery leads to the development of extensive areas of sagging skin with large fat deposits that mainly affect the limbs, several regions of the trunk, and the anterior abdominal wall in particular. The gold standard procedure, anchor-line abdominoplasty (also known as inverted T), is performed with the simultaneous removal of the navel followed by neo-umbilicoplasty during surgery. In the present report, we describe our experience with neo-omphaloplasty in anchor-line abdominoplasty performed in patients who previously underwent bariatric surgery. The neo-omphaloplasty mainly consists of 2 skin flaps bilaterally positioned at the extremities of the skin incision, facilitating a natural appearance of the navel after they are sutured to the fascia. METHODS: From March 2011 to June 2012, 50 patients, who previously underwent bariatric surgery and had stable body weight for at least 6 months, were operated on at the Plastic Surgery Service of the Clinics Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Campinas. RESULTS: In the 50 patients, the neo-umbilicus was positioned at a location that was preoperatively established, and these patients exhibited characteristics similar to individuals who had not undergone abdominal surgeries. There was no evidence of dehiscence, necrosis, stenosis, suture line enlargement in the neo-umbilicus, or seroma formation in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: When neo-omphaloplasty is performed using 2 skin flaps conventionally positioned in the abdominal wall, at a distance varying between 16 and 18 cm from the xiphoid process, the aesthetic outcomes are similar to the natural appearance of the navel. This technical approach is quick and easy to implement.INTRODUÇÃO: As grandes perdas ponderais pós-cirurgia bariátrica resultam, nos ex-obesos mórbidos, em grande flacidez cutânea nas áreas mais volumosas, com maiores depósitos adiposos nos membros, nas diversas regiões do tronco e, particularmente, na parede anterior do abdome. A abdominoplastia em âncora, também chamada tipo T invertido, tem sido o procedimento de eleição pelos especialistas, com ressecção concomitante do umbigo, seguida da neoumbilicoplastia no ato operatório. O objetivo do presente estudo é descrever nossa experiência com a técnica de neo-onfaloplastia no decurso das abdominoplastias em âncora em pacientes pós-cirurgia bariátrica, que consiste, basicamente, na utilização de 2 retalhos cutâneos, bilateralmente posicionados nas bordas da pele incisada, que, suturados à fáscia, determinam a umbilicação de aspecto natural. MÉTODO: Entre março de 2011 e junho de 2012, foram operados, pela Disciplina de Cirurgia Plástica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Campinas, 50 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia bariátrica prévia, com estabilização do peso corpóreo por, no mínimo, 6 meses. RESULTADOS: Nos 50 pacientes operados, o neoumbigo ficou posicionado no local estabelecido pré-operatoriamente, apresentando características semelhantes às de indivíduos sem histórico de cirurgia abdominal prévia. Não ocorreram deiscência, necrose, estenose, alargamento das linhas de sutura no neoumbigo ou seromas nessa série de casos. CONCLUSÕES: A neo-onfaloplastia com emprego de 2 retalhos cutâneos e padronização de seu posicionamento na parede abdominal, distante 16 cm a 18 cm do apêndice xifoide, permitiu resultado estético compatível com o aspecto natural da cicatriz umbilical. Essa abordagem técnica é de fácil e rápida execução.11411