Landscape of oncoplastic breast surgery across Poland

Techniki onkoplastyczne i rekonstrukcyjne stanowią podstawowe narzędzia pracy współczesnych chirurgów piersi. Celem badania było ustalenie rodzajów rekonstrukcji onkoplastycznych przeprowadzanych w ośrodkach leczenia raka piersi w Polsce. Drogą e-mailową rozesłano kwestionariusz zawierający 18 pytań do członków Polskiego Towarzystwa Chirurgii Onkologicznej oraz Polskiego Towarzystwa Chirurgii Plastycznej, Rekonstrukcyjnej i Estetycznej poprzez ich portale internetowe. Liczba pacjentek z rakiem piersi poddawana operacji sięgała od 120 do 904 rocznie w każdym z ośrodków. Wykonywano głównie operacje oszczędzające pierś (breast conserving surgery - BCS) z wyjątkiem jednego ośrodka (zakres 50 – 70%). Jednoczasową rekonstrukcję piersi (immediate breast reconstruction - IBR) wykonywano w 6-42% zabiegów. Najczęstszym rodzajem IBR była dwuetapowa rekonstrukcja z użyciem ekspandera i wszczepieniem implantu lub jednoetapowa rekonstrukcja przy użyciu implantu z lub bez wszczepienia siatki syntetycznej. Najczęściej wykonywanym zabiegiem odroczonej rekonstrukcji piersi (delayed breast reconstruction - DBR) była dwuetapowa rekonstrukcja z użyciem ekspandera i następnie z wszczepieniem implantu. W żadnym z badanych ośrodków nie wykonywano rekonstrukcji z użyciem wolnego płata. W ośrodku chirurgii plastycznej wykonywano rekonstrukcję z wykorzystaniem płata perforatorów głębokich naczyń nabrzusznych dolnych (DIEP). W ośrodkach onkologicznych wykonywano rekonstrukcje z użyciem płatów uszypułowanych. W wybranych ośrodkach stosowano bezkomórkowe macierze skórne (ADM) oraz przeszczep tkanki tłuszczowej. Oceniono wyniki na podstawie opinii pacjentów (patient-reported outcome measures - PROM) oraz powikłania po zabiegach. Nasze wyniki mogą stanowić podstawę do dalszego doskonalenia umiejętności, akredytacji, zbierania danych i audytu, w tym oceny na podstawie opinii pacjentów. Istnieje również pilna potrzeba rozwiązania problemu nierówności w refundacji procedur w różnych państwach Europy.Oncoplastic and reconstructive techniques are essential tools in the armamentarium of contemporary breast surgeons. The aim of the study was to identify oncoplastic reconstructive patterns in breast cancer centers across Poland. A questionnaire of 18 questions was sent by email to the members of the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology and the Polish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Esthetic Surgery via their dedicated websites. The numbers of breast cancer patients operated on in each center ranged from 120 to 904 per year. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) predominated in all but one center (range 50-70%). Immediate breast reconstructions (IBR) accounted for 6-42% of procedures, The most frequent type of IBR was either a two-stage expander followed by a permanent implant or one-stage implant- based with or without synthetic mesh. The most frequent type of delayed breast reconstruction (DBR) was a two-stage expander followed by implant-based reconstruction. None of the surveyed cancer centers performed free flap reconstruction. Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps were performed in the plastic surgery department. Reconstructions based on pedicled flaps were performed in cancer centers. Acellular dermal matrices (ADM) and fat transfer were used in selected centers. In the clinical scenario of adjuvant radiotherapy, delayed breast reconstruction was favored. The full range of oncoplastic BCS was performed. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) and complications were assessed. Our findings can act as a platform for further improvement in skills, certification, data collection and audit, including patient reported expectation measures. There is also an urgent need to address pan-European inconsistencies in procedural reimbursement

Incomplete excision of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the head and neck region: to wait, or not to wait?

Introduction : Recurrence rates for incompletely excised basal cell carcinoma (BCC) vary widely in the literature. Clinical observation is a commonly accepted method of follow up, however such management of these lesions still remains controversial. Aim : To evaluate the rate and factors associated with the recurrence of BCC of the head and neck region after incomplete excision. Material and methods : Medical records of 135 patients with 156 incompletely excised BCCs of the head and neck region were analyzed retrospectively. The primary outcome was the rate of recurrence. Additionally, a correlation of recurrence to clinical and morphological factors was analyzed. Results : Recurrence occurred in 72 (46%) lesions. The mean interval to recurrence was 20 months. In each category of factors, the highest relative risk of recurrence was correlated to: location on the scalp – 2.27, diameter over 2 cm – 1.21, nodular clinical form – 1.29, morpheaform histopathological type – 1.67, recurrent lesion – 1.88, irradicality of excision in the lateral margin – 1.24 and closure of the skin defect with the split-thickness skin graft – 1.42 relative risk. Conclusions : Observation is an acceptable management option as less than a half of incompletely excised BCCs recurred and needed further treatment. As 85% of recurrences occur within 3 years after operation, clinical observation should be particularly careful during this period, however long-term recurrence should not be underestimated

Internet and Social Media as a Source of Information About Plastic Surgery: Comparison Between Public and Private Sector, A 2-center Study

Background:. The popularity of social media among plastic surgeons and patients has increased in the last years. We conducted this study to explore the differences in patients’ social media habits between public and private aesthetic plastic surgery practice. Methods:. A 2-cohort study was conducted in aesthetic plastic surgery clinic and public department of plastic and surgery by surveying consecutive first-time patients. Results:. Two hundred patients completed a 18-question survey at a private aesthetic plastic surgery clinic. The questionnaire was also filled by 113 patients at a public plastic surgery department. Facebook was the most popular social media platform in both groups. Word of mouth from other patients and the clinic’s website were the most-valued source of information about the surgeon and surgical procedure for patients of both studied groups. Patients from the aesthetic group were mainly women from small towns; they were significantly younger and better educated and used Instagram more frequently than patients from public group. The aesthetic group patients focused significantly more often on the surgeon’s credentials and on before and after photographs. They appreciated social media as a source of information for patients significantly more than public group patients who stated that social media were the worst source of information. Conclusions:. Word of mouth from other patients remains the most-valued source of information about plastic surgery. However, proper use of social media and building online image in a professional manner can provide attract more patients to the aesthetic plastic surgery practice