Success rates of re-excision after positive margins for invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

Rates of positive margins after surgical resection of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) are high (ranging from 18 to 60%), yet the efficacy of re-excision lumpReceptor subtypeectomy for clearing positive margins is unknown. Concerns about the diffuse nature of ILC may drive increased rates of completion mastectomy to treat positive margins, thus lowering breast conservation rates. We therefore determined the success rate of re-excision lumpectomy in women with ILC and positive margins after surgical resection. We identified 314 cases of stage I-III ILC treated with breast conserving surgery (BCS) at the University of California, San Francisco. Surgical procedures, pathology reports, and outcomes were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistics and Cox-proportional hazards models. We evaluated outcomes before and after the year 2014, when new margin management consensus guidelines were published. Positive initial margins occurred in 118 (37.6%) cases. Of these, 62 (52.5%) underwent re-excision lumpectomy, which cleared the margin in 74.2%. On multivariate analysis, node negativity was significantly associated with successful re-excision (odds ratio [OR] 3.99, 95% CI 1.15-13.81, p = 0.029). After 2014, we saw fewer initial positive margins (42.7% versus 25.5%, p = 0.009), second surgeries (54.6% versus 20.2%, p < 0.001), and completion mastectomies (27.7% versus 4.5%, p < 0.001). In this large cohort of women with ILC, re-excision lumpectomy was highly successful at clearing positive margins. Additionally, positive margins and completion mastectomy rates significantly decreased over time. These findings highlight improvements in management of ILC, and suggest that completion mastectomy may not be required for those with positive margins after initial BCS

A Bipedicled Flap for Closure of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap Donor Site.

Anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flaps have become reliable options for head-to-toe reconstruction. Although perforator anatomy is fairly predictable, in cases of eccentric perforator location, we proposed shifting the entire flap laterally and preserving a medial bipedicled flap between the original incision and the new medial flap margin. This facilitates primary donor site closure instead of harvesting a flap larger than anticipated. We conducted a retrospective chart review of ALT flaps performed between 2007 and 2019 and identified patients who underwent bipedicled closure of the donor site. Demographics, flap characteristics, and surgical technique were evaluated. Six patients had bipedicled donor site closure related to primary perforators located lateral to the original flap design. The mean defect size was 91 cm2, and bipedicled flap width ranged from 4 to 6 cm. All donor sites were closed primarily. Five of the donor thigh sites healed without complications, and 1 patient had superficial delayed healing of the medial bipedicled incision, which healed with local wound care. The ALT has become an invaluable flap in microsurgical reconstruction, yet it is not without limitations. Primary donor site closure is generally not feasible for larger flaps, thus necessitating skin grafting of the donor site and/or prolonged wound care. Our technique facilitates primary closure of the donor site in patients who otherwise would have required harvest of a larger than necessary flap based on eccentric perforator anatomy. The medial bipedicled flap is straightforward, reproducible, and allows for modifications of the original flap design to better fit the defect

A Bipedicled Flap for Closure of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap Donor Site.

Anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flaps have become reliable options for head-to-toe reconstruction. Although perforator anatomy is fairly predictable, in cases of eccentric perforator location, we proposed shifting the entire flap laterally and preserving a medial bipedicled flap between the original incision and the new medial flap margin. This facilitates primary donor site closure instead of harvesting a flap larger than anticipated. We conducted a retrospective chart review of ALT flaps performed between 2007 and 2019 and identified patients who underwent bipedicled closure of the donor site. Demographics, flap characteristics, and surgical technique were evaluated. Six patients had bipedicled donor site closure related to primary perforators located lateral to the original flap design. The mean defect size was 91 cm2, and bipedicled flap width ranged from 4 to 6 cm. All donor sites were closed primarily. Five of the donor thigh sites healed without complications, and 1 patient had superficial delayed healing of the medial bipedicled incision, which healed with local wound care. The ALT has become an invaluable flap in microsurgical reconstruction, yet it is not without limitations. Primary donor site closure is generally not feasible for larger flaps, thus necessitating skin grafting of the donor site and/or prolonged wound care. Our technique facilitates primary closure of the donor site in patients who otherwise would have required harvest of a larger than necessary flap based on eccentric perforator anatomy. The medial bipedicled flap is straightforward, reproducible, and allows for modifications of the original flap design to better fit the defect

An Innovative Risk-Reducing Approach to Postmastectomy Radiation Delivery after Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

IntroductionPostmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) has known deleterious side effects in immediate autologous breast reconstruction. However, plastic surgeons are rarely involved in PMRT planning. Our institution has adopted a custom bolus approach for all patients receiving PMRT. This offers uniform distribution of standard radiation doses, thereby minimizing radiation-induced changes while maintaining oncologic safety. We present our 8-year experience with the custom bolus approach for PMRT delivery in immediate autologous breast reconstruction.MethodsAll immediate autologous breast reconstruction patients requiring PMRT after 2006 were treated with the custom bolus approach. Retrospective chart review was performed to compare the postirradiation complications, reconstruction outcomes, and oncologic outcomes of these patients with those of previous patients at our institution who underwent standard bolus, and to historical controls from peer-reviewed literature.ResultsOver the past 10 years, of the 29 patients who received PMRT, 10 were treated with custom bolus. Custom bolus resulted in fewer radiation-induced skin changes and less skin tethering/fibrosis than standard bolus (0% vs 10% and 20% vs 35%, respectively), and less volume loss and contour deformities compared with historical controls (10% vs 22.8% and 10% vs 30.7%, respectively).ConclusionsCustom bolus PMRT minimizes radiation delivery to the internal mammary vessels, anastomoses, and skin; uniformly doses the surgical incision; and provides the necessary radiation dose to prevent recurrence. Because custom bolus PMRT may reduce the deleterious effects of radiation on reconstructive outcomes while maintaining safe oncologic results, we encourage all plastic surgeons to collaborate with radiation oncologists to consider this technique

Medial Femoral Condyle Free Flap Reconstruction of Complex Foot and Ankle Pathology.

BackgroundComplex hindfoot pathology may benefit from vascularized bone flap reconstruction rather than traditional bone grafting techniques. Medial femoral condyle (MFC) flaps provide vascularized periosteum, skin, and corticocancellous bone.MethodsA retrospective, single-institution cohort study of consecutive MFC flaps performed for complicated hindfoot reconstruction between 2013 and 2019 was reviewed. Radiologic follow-up assessed osseous union and clinical outcomes were evaluated with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score. Thirty MFC flaps were performed in 28 patients for complex hindfoot pathology. Twenty-seven flaps had adequate clinical and radiographic follow-up (mean 15.8 months).ResultsThe majority presented with avascular necrosis (83%) and failed prior operations (67%, mean 3.1). Most hindfoot procedures involved arthrodesis (n = 24, 80%); tibiotalocalcaneal (n = 11) and talonavicular (n = 7) most frequently. Mean osseous flap volume was 10.3 cm3 (range 1.7-18.4 cm3); one flap required takeback for venous congestion but no total flap losses occurred. Primary osseous union was initially achieved in 20 patients (74%, mean 217 days). Six flaps developed interface nonunion; 5 underwent revision arthrodesis and ultimately achieved union in 24/27 flaps (89%, mean 271 days). Risk factors for nonunion were body mass index (BMI) >30 (P = .017) and prior arthrodesis (P = .042). Mean AOFAS hindfoot scores increased significantly from 52.3 preoperatively to 70.7 postoperatively (P < .001). Subscore analysis demonstrated significant improvement in postoperative pain scores from 14.2 to 27.3 out of 40 (P < .001).ConclusionThe MFC free flap provided vascularized bone for complicated foot and ankle reconstruction with relatively low donor site morbidity, promising osseous union results, and improved functional outcomes.Level of evidenceLevel IV, retrospective case series

Success rates of re-excision after positive margins for invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

Rates of positive margins after surgical resection of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) are high (ranging from 18 to 60%), yet the efficacy of re-excision lumpReceptor subtypeectomy for clearing positive margins is unknown. Concerns about the diffuse nature of ILC may drive increased rates of completion mastectomy to treat positive margins, thus lowering breast conservation rates. We therefore determined the success rate of re-excision lumpectomy in women with ILC and positive margins after surgical resection. We identified 314 cases of stage I-III ILC treated with breast conserving surgery (BCS) at the University of California, San Francisco. Surgical procedures, pathology reports, and outcomes were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistics and Cox-proportional hazards models. We evaluated outcomes before and after the year 2014, when new margin management consensus guidelines were published. Positive initial margins occurred in 118 (37.6%) cases. Of these, 62 (52.5%) underwent re-excision lumpectomy, which cleared the margin in 74.2%. On multivariate analysis, node negativity was significantly associated with successful re-excision (odds ratio [OR] 3.99, 95% CI 1.15-13.81, p = 0.029). After 2014, we saw fewer initial positive margins (42.7% versus 25.5%, p = 0.009), second surgeries (54.6% versus 20.2%, p < 0.001), and completion mastectomies (27.7% versus 4.5%, p < 0.001). In this large cohort of women with ILC, re-excision lumpectomy was highly successful at clearing positive margins. Additionally, positive margins and completion mastectomy rates significantly decreased over time. These findings highlight improvements in management of ILC, and suggest that completion mastectomy may not be required for those with positive margins after initial BCS

Expanding Candidacy for Nipple-sparing Mastectomy in Women with Large or Ptotic Breasts: Staged Reconstruction Outcomes.

Development of the nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) technique has dramatically improved breast reconstruction, and preservation of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) positively influences patient satisfaction. However, women with large, ptotic breasts have historically not been candidates for NAC preservation due to impaired perfusion of the NAC leading to NAC loss. Although reduction mammoplasty has been reported as a strategy to increase candidacy for NSM, success rates and surgical outcomes for this staged approach are not well described in heterogeneous clinical scenarios.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent reduction mammoplasty followed by NSM at our institution between January 2014 and September 2020. Clinical and surgical characteristics were collected. All surgical complications, including NAC loss rates, were analyzed.ResultsForty-one patients (74 breasts) underwent staged NSM during the defined time period. The average time between breast reduction mammoplasty and NSM was 213 days. Overall, 94.6% of NSM resulted in successful nipple preservation. There was no significant difference in the time interval from breast reduction mammoplasty to NSM between patients who had NAC loss (208 days) and those who did not (213 days, P = 0.87). Increasing age was significantly associated with risk of NAC loss (P = 0.002) in our cohort.ConclusionsIn women with breast ptosis (which precludes safe NSM), it is possible to first offer reduction mammoplasty to preserve the NAC for future NSM. Our data suggest that 3 months between staged procedures is a safe time frame

Direct-to-Implant Versus 2-Stage Breast Reconstruction: Which Technique Is Better? An Analysis of 104 Patients at a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND: Two-stage (TS) implant-based reconstruction is the most commonly performed method of reconstruction after mastectomy. A growing number of surgeons are offering patients direct-to-implant (DTI) reconstruction, which has the potential to minimize the number of surgeries needed and time to complete reconstruction, as well as improve health care utilization. However, there are conflicting data regarding the outcomes and complications of DTI, and studies comparing the 2 methods exclusively are lacking. METHODS: Patients undergoing implant-based reconstruction after mastectomy within a large interstate health system between 2015 and 2019 were retrospectively identified and grouped by reconstruction technique (TS and DTI). The primary outcomes were a composite of complications (surgical site occurrences), health care utilization (reoperations, unplanned emergency department visits, and readmissions), and time to reconstruction completion. Risk-adjusted logistic and generalized linear models were used to compare outcomes between TS and DTI. RESULTS: Of 104 patients, 42 underwent DTI (40.4%) and 62 underwent TS (59.6%) reconstruction. Most demographic characteristics, and oncologic and surgical details were comparable between groups ( P \u3e 0.05). However, patients undergoing TS reconstruction were more likely to be publicly insured, have a smoking history, and undergo skin-sparing instead of nipple-sparing mastectomy. The composite outcome of complications, reoperations, and health care utilization was higher for DTI reconstruction within univariate (81.0% vs 59.7%, P = 0.03) and risk-adjusted analyses (odds ratio, 3.78 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-13.9]; P \u3c 0.04). Individual outcome assessment showed increased mastectomy flap necrosis (16.7% vs 1.6%, P \u3c 0.01) and reoperations due to a complication (33.3% vs 16.1%; P = 0.04) in the DTI cohort. Although DTI patients completed their aesthetic revisions sooner than TS patients (median, 256 days vs 479 [ P \u3c 0.01]; predicted mean difference for TS [reference DTI], 298 days [95% CI, 71-525 days]; P \u3c 0.01), the time to complete reconstruction (first to last surgery) did not differ between groups (median days, DTI vs TS, 173 vs 146 [ P = 0.25]; predicted mean difference [reference, DTI], -98 days [95% CI, -222 to 25.14 days]; P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients, DTI reconstruction was associated with higher complications, reoperations, and health care utilization with no difference in time to complete reconstruction compared with TS reconstruction. Further studies are warranted to investigate patient-reported outcomes and cost analysis between TS and DTI reconstruction