Strategies in complex reconstructions of the scalp and forehead: a series of 22 cases

INTRODUCTION: The cephalic region is exposed to various insults from the environment. Extensive lesions in the scalp are a great challenge for plastic surgeons, because the low mobility of the skin in this region hampers its closure. A great variety of techniques have been used to close defects on the scalp and forehead. Ideally, scalp closure should provide a better functional and aesthetic outcome, as well as low morbidity at the donor site. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2014, we performed a retrospective clinical study involving a series of 22 patients with advanced tumors of the scalp or forehead, or with extensive post-trauma skin loss. RESULTS: Reconstructive surgeries with 11 local scalp flaps (bi- or tri-pedicled), three coronal forehead flaps, and eight free flaps were performed. One patient experienced late partial loss of a free flap after radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Various techniques can be used to reconstruct the scalp and forehead; each case should be assessed individually. The present study indicated that flaps are safe and that they confer low morbidity at the donor area. These results were satisfactory and in agreement with the literature analyzed

Analysis of the participation of a university hospital in a national program for breast reconstruction

Introduction: Despite advances in conservative surgeries, mastectomy is still a commonly performed procedure. However, many patients are unable to undergo immediate reconstruction. Such patients are integrated into a growing queue for restorative surgery. With the intention of reducing this demand, surgical Task Force programs were created. The objective of this study was to analyze the results of the second National Task Force of Breast Reconstruction (NTFBR), performed at the Plastic Surgery Service of Walter Cantídio University Hospital (SCPMRHUWC). Method: A prospective cohort study was conducted, in which 16 patients underwent breast reconstruction at SCPMRHUWC. The patients were followed up for 6 months, and their data were tabulated and analyzed. Results: All 16 female patients underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy. The patients' ages ranged from 39 to 72 years. Among the early complications, seroma in the dorsal region (13%), partial necrosis of the mastectomy skin (6%), partial dehiscence of the operative wound (13%), and necrosis of the large dorsal flap (6%) were observed. None of the patients had late complications. The period of hospitalization ranged from 1 to 5 days. All patients who were in the SCPMR-HUWC queue for surgery were operated on. Conclusions: In this study, a high degree of satisfaction was verified by the operated patients, and good results were obtained with few functional complications. Thus, we conclude that the Task Force of breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a viable alternative in terms of public health

Complications of immediate breast reconstruction after total mastectomy using conical and non-conical prostheses

Introduction: In the biennium 2016-2017, approximately 2,160 new cancer cases were identified by the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (Instituto Nacional do Câncer; INCA) for the state of Ceará and 57,960 new cases for every 100,000 women in Brazil. Breast reconstruction with alloplastic implants presents early and late surgical complications directly or indirectly related to the surgical technique used to perform mastectomy and implantation of the synthetic material. This study aimed to analyze the complications found in a group of patients submitted for immediate breast reconstruction using conical and non-conical prostheses. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective, observational cohort study that analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent skin-sparing total mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction using conical and non-conical prostheses, performed by the Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery Service at the HUWC of the Federal University of Ceará from January 2016 to 2018. Results: A total of 13 (54.1%) patients presented with complications. The conical prostheses showed the highest number of complications, i.e., 7 (63.6%) patients, whereas only 6 (46.1%) patients with non-conical prostheses had complications. Conclusion: Our study showed a higher frequency of complications with the use of conical prostheses when compared to non-conical prostheses, mainly due to the formation of a sore area at the tip of the conical prosthesis that resulted in extrusion

Effectiveness of Pessoa’s universal technique for single marking in mastoplasty performed while training plastic surgeons

Introduction: Reduction mastoplasty is still a challenging procedure for plastic surgeons. The Objective is to show the results of the treatment of different degrees of breast hypertrophy using Pessoa's single marking technique performed while training plastic surgeons. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 95 patients underwent reduction mastoplasty using Pessoa's technique. The cohort included patients with breast ptosis, hypertrophy, gigantomastia, and/ or breast asymmetry. The procedures were performed by first-, second-, and third-year residents. The exclusion criteria were psychological disorders, morbid obesity, and/or indication for prosthesis implantation without skin and/or areola reduction. The analyzed factors were age, sex, final size, patient's degree of satisfaction, complications, and difficulties experienced by the residents in performing the surgery. Results: All patients were women aged between 21 and 61 years. Of the patients, 90.53% reported being very satisfied; 5.26%, satisfied; 3.16%, poorly satisfied; and 1.05%, dissatisfied. The complications observed were necrosis of the nipple-areola complex (1.05%), epidermolysis (11.58%), and suture dehiscence (9.47%). The rate of difficulty experienced by the residents varied between 11.1% and 55.6%, depending on the step of the surgical procedure. Conclusions: A high degree of satisfaction was reported by both the patients and residents. The results confirm the effectiveness of the technique while training residents

Chest wall reconstruction using abdominal rectus and latissimus dorsi muscle flaps: case report

INTRODUCTION: Chest wall reconstruction remains one of the great plastic surgery repair challenges. The present work aims to report on cases of chest wall reconstruction using myocutaneous flaps after wall resection due to tumor/osteomyelitis. METHODS: Four patients were included, among which three presented with osteomyelitis and the other presented with sarcoma; both of these conditions affected the chest wall. Each patient underwent wall resection and reconstruction using myocutaneous flaps from the latissimus dorsi (two cases) and abdominal rectus (two cases). RESULTS: The flaps used were sufficient for skin-muscle covering and maintained good vitality. Partial flap injury occurred in one case. Chest cavity stability was preserved. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the above flaps to repair chest defects was satisfactory with the aim of covering the skin and providing well-vascularized muscles, the latter of which was fundamental to preventing local infection

Reconstrução de polegar utilizando o segundo pododáctilo: Thumb reconstruction using the second pododactyl

Introdução: O polegar permite uma grande amplitude de movimentos essenciais para as atividades cotidianas. Portanto, a amputação traumática do primeiro quirodáctilo provoca um significativo comprometimento estético e funcional. Nesses casos, a reconstrução do polegar utilizando dedo do pé constitui-se como opção terapêutica, devendo-se avaliar cada caso individualmente. Objetivos: Descrever e avaliar as técnicas cirúrgicas realizadas em dois pacientes com transferência do segundo pododáctilo para a mão devido à amputação traumática. Caso clínico: Dois pacientes do sexo masculino foram submetidos a cirurgias de reconstrução do polegar com transferência do segundo pododáctilo para a mão numa clínica privada localizada na cidade de Fortaleza – Ceará. O primeiro paciente teve amputação total, inclusive do metacarpo, já o segundo teve amputação de falange média e distal. Em ambos os casos, utilizou-se o segundo pododáctilo para a reconstrução do polegar. No pós-operatório tardio, os pacientes evoluíram estética e funcionalmente bem. Considerações finais:  O transplante de dedos do pé para a mão, em casos de trauma, como a amputação do polegar, apesar da sua complexidade e dos riscos de complicações, apresenta resultados estéticos e funcionais favoráveis ao paciente

O retalho hipogástrico cutâneo no cão: modelo para o aprendizado experimental de microcirurgia

O treinamento em microcirurgia constitui-se de diversas etapas, uma delas é a prática em animais. Retalhos microcirúrgicos cutâneos no cão são pouco descritos na literatura médica. Objetivo: O presente trabalho propõe um modelo de retalho hipogástrico cutâneo no cão centrado nos vasos circunflexos laterais. Métodos: Foram utilizados nove cães de raças e idades desconhecidas e peso variando entre 8 e 15kg. Descrevem-se com detalhes todos os passos seguidos no procedimento. O fluxo das anastomoses foi comprovado por observação direta, teste de enchimento (empty-and-refill test) imediatamente após as microanastomoses, por doppler após uma hora do procedimento e por avaliação clínica (coloração do retalho e sangramento após furo com agulha). Resultados: Todos os retalhos mostraram-se viáveis pelos critérios acima descritos. Conclusão: Este é um instrumento valioso para os que desejam aprender microcirurgia de forma autodidata, pois o modelo é dotado de todos os requisitos necessários para o aprendizado de microcirurgia experimental

Retalho TRAM com dissecção mínima para reconstrução mamária Minimal dissection for tram flap breast reconstruction

INTRODUÇÃO: Após sua publicação, o uso do retalho miocutâneo transverso do reto-abdominal para reconstrução de mama (TRAM) tem sido o procedimento com tecido autólogo mais popular para reconstrução mamária, porém não livre de complicações da área doadora. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados onze pacientes submetidas à mastectomia e à reconstrução mamária imediata com retalho TRAM e dissecção mínima da área doadora, utilizando-se pontos de adesão e drenagem a vácuo. Os autores avaliaram as complicações pós-operatórias da área doadora. RESULTADOS: Nenhum caso de seroma, hematoma, infecção, abaulamento de abdome ou hérnia foi identificado, houve uma deiscência de ferida operatória e um relato de desconforto. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que os pontos de adesão e o sistema de drenagem diminuem as complicações da área doadora do retalho TRAM.BACKGROUND: After the TRAM flap for breast reconstruction have been published, become the most popular autologous breast reconstructive procedure, although not free of donor site complications. METHODS: Eleven patients underwent to immediately postmastectomy breast reconstruction with TRAM flap and minimal dissection on donor site using quilting suture's and closed suction drainage were analyzed. The authors had evaluated prospectively the abdominal complications of the donor site. RESULTS: None of the patients developed seroma, hematoma, wound infection, abdominal bulge or hernia. One patient developed partial skin loss, and one patient developed discomfort. CONCLUSION: The quilting suture's plus closed suction drainage decrease the complications outcomes at TRAM donor site