Reconstruction of the abdominal wall: a case series

INTRODUCTION: Patients with abdominal wall defects present challenging complications that require the use of advanced surgical approaches. METHODS: This primary, retrospective, and descriptive study evaluated patients who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction at the Plastic Surgery Service of the Clinics Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco. RESULTS: The medical records of 18 patients were reviewed, including 15 women (83.3%) and 3 men (16.7%), with a mean age of 41 years (range, 16-79 years). Seventeen patients (94.4%) had a history of previous surgery. The causes of abdominal injury were cesarean section in eight cases (44.4%), oncologic surgery in six (33.3%), trauma surgery in two (11.1%), and bariatric surgery in two (11.1%). The etiology of the defect was necrotizing fasciitis in eight cases (44.4%), incisional hernia in four (22.2%), trauma in two (11.1%), surgical wound dehiscence in two (11.1%), abdominal wall neoplasia in two (11.1%), and total thickness defect in one (5.5%). The surgical interventions included the component separation technique in seven cases (38.9%), simple VY advancement flap in six (33.3%), closure with abdominoplasty in three (16.7%), and tissue expander in two (11.1%). Four patients (22.2%) presented complications. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal wall defects are challenging cases for plastic surgeons, as their treatment is difficult, but the results are satisfactory even in the most severe cases

Neoomphaloplasty with cutaneous graft

INTRODUCTION: The umbilical scar is due to the fall of the umbilical stump that occurs a few days after birth. Its presence, shape, and location on the abdominal wall provide the individual with an aesthetic and sensual connotation. METHODS: A primary prospective interventional study. The sample was of convenience, from February 2006 to June 2016, and included patients of both sexes attending the outpatient clinic of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Pernambuco (HC-UFPE), a private clinic . The inclusion criteria were patients with abdominoplasty indications presenting with compromised circulation to the skin of the umbilical and periumbilical region caused by hernia defects in this area. The study followed the criteria of Helsinki and the patients signed an Informed Consent Form. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients underwent surgery and good integration of the grafted skin was observed. This resulted in an umbilical scar with a natural appearance and without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Neoomphaloplasty with a cutaneous graft is easy to perform and, in the long term, has shown to provide good aesthetic results, especially in thick abdominal flaps, thus proving to be an additional technical option for neoomphaloplasty procedures

Mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap: case series

Introduction: Mandibular reconstruction is a complex procedure aimed at correcting defects of the lower third of the face and achieving functional rehabilitation, including chewing and oral competence. Fibula free flap is the first choice for the reconstruction of segment defects of the adjacent mandible and soft tissue. Methods: A retrospective clinical study was conducted from January 2005 to July 2017, analyzing the medical records of patients undergoing microsurgical reconstructions after resection of head and neck neoplasms at the plastic surgery service of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco (HC-UFPE). Results: This study included six patients, of which three were men (50%), aged between 12 and 48 years and with a mean age of 24 years. In 83% of the cases, reconstructions were performed with osteomyocutaneous fibula free flaps (in one case, there was no need for skin island flap). We observed an adequate coverage of the large defects analyzed, with good functional and aesthetic appearance in all cases. Immediate reconstruction was performed in 83% of cases. The fibula and receptive area were prototyped in two cases. Conclusion: Fibula free flaps are a great alternative for head and neck reconstruction. Our initial experience and literature show satisfactory results, partially restoring the shape and function of the affected areas

Comparison of surgical techniques for prominent ear correction: Mustardé versus Converse

Introduction: prominent ears, popularly called "flappy ears," represent the most common congenital deformity of the external ear, affecting approximately 5% of the population. Methods: Primary, prospective and intervention study comparing the results of patients undergoing the surgical procedure to correct prominent ears using the Converse and the Mustardé techniques, performed at the Plastic Surgery Service of the Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Pernambuco (HC) -UFPE). Results: Twenty patients were evaluated, 10 with the Converse technique, and 10 with the Mustardé technique, from June 2016 to December 2017. Both groups showed a decrease in auricular mastoid distances at the end of the observation period, ranging from 6.67 to 14.6 mm, depending on the surgical technique and the evaluation point, but without statistical significance. Regarding the average auricular mastoid distances at the end of the observation period, a difference of a maximum of 6.3 mm was observed between the evaluated groups, but without statistical significance. Regarding the symmetry of the ears within the same group, the maximum mean level of asymmetry in the Mustardé and Converse groups was 0.9 mm and 0.5 mm, respectively. However, the percentage of loss of correction of the measures obtained surgically during the observation period in both groups ranged between 15 and 19%, without statistical significance. Regarding complications, there was 1 (10%) case of hematoma in the Mustardé group. Conclusion: Converse and Mustardé techniques did not show statistical differences in the results

Comparative analysis of mastectomies and breast reconstructions performed in the Brazilian Unified Health System in the last 5 years

Introduction: Breast cancer is the second most common malignant neoplasm in women in Brazil. A great challenge for health professionals and to reconcile the waiting line for both oncological and reconstructive surgeries. The objective is to evaluate the last 5 years of breast cancer surgeries compared to the number of reconstructive surgeries performed in the same period. Methods: This is a descriptive study with a transversal and retrospective approach on mastectomies, segmentectomies and breast reconstructions performed at SUS, between the years 2015 and 2020. According to the procedures and codes chosen and tabulated in the Microsoft Excel 365 software, the data were collected in the SUS data transfer service. Results: 204,569 breast cancer surgeries were performed, with 57% segmentectomies/quadrantectomies and 43% mastectomies. In the same period, 17,927 reconstructive plastic breast surgeries were performed with implants after mastectomy, with only 20.52% of mastectomized women undergoing immediate reconstruction with implants. Conclusion: The number of reconstructive breast surgeries in Brazil is below the ideal level, leaving most women mastectomized with sequelae for a long time

Festoons, edema, and malar bags: is there a consensus on aesthetic treatment?

Introduction: Periorbital changes are some of the first detectable signs of aging. The most outstanding currently, refers to the rejuvenation of this region, involving the treatment from the eyebrows to the transition orbital-malar, where are festoons, edemas, and malar bags. However, this management is complex, involving several approaches: invasive or noninvasive techniques. Thus, this review aims to describe the scientific evidence of the most current techniques used in the treatment of festoons, edema, and malar bags and to evaluate the complications related to each modality. Methods: The research was carried out in three databases, PubMed, Cochrane, and LILACS - using the descriptors "bolsa malar," "malar mounds," "festoons" and "malar bags" in the period from 2014 to 2019, in English and Portuguese. Results: We selected 13 articles; most of the studies were retrospective reviews (76.9%), seven dealt with noninvasive techniques, three about invasive, and three on the association of techniques. Regarding the procedures described, the noninvasive ones were represented by the use of Kinesio tape, tetracycline injection, doxycycline and hyaluronic acid, and the use of microneedling with radiofrequency. The invasive ones were represented by microaspiration, myocutaneous flap, subperiosteal lift of the middle face, and direct excision. Conclusion: There are numerous techniques for treating festoon and malar bags, but it is up to the plastic surgeon to know its advantages and disadvantages to decide the most appropriate in each situation. Thus, there is no consensus, but it is vital to diagnose correctly to indicate the best treatment

Innervation of the nipple-areolar complex after reduction mammaplasty: a histological study

INTRODUCTION: The periareolar dermal release maneuver in mammoplasty promotes better mobility of the nipple-areola complex. However, there are doubts on possible nerve damages in this kind of topography. This quantitative analysis compared the nerve branches density from the medial, lateral and caudal side-flow of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). METHODS: This was a prospective study. The study included 26 women who have undergone a mammaplasty reduction using the Pitanguy's classic technique. The dermis fragments collected from the medial, lateral and caudal sides were properly prepared and subjected to a histological study in order to determine the nerve branches density in each studied sides. RESULTS: Of 26 studied patients, 42.3% had a higher nerve branches density in the lateral side; 38.5%, on the medial side and 19.2% on the caudal side. The statistical analysis used to evaluate whether there was a predominance of one side where the dermis has been sectioned showed that the proportion comparison test was not significant (p = 0.304). CONCLUSION: The comparative analysis has shown that there is no preponderance of nerve density in any periareolar dermis side

Antibioticoprofilaxia de cirurgia bariátrica com cefazolina em infusão contínua: determinação da concentração no tecido celular subcutâneo

A infecção de sítio cirúrgico (ISC) ocorre em aproximadamente 1 a 22% das cirurgias bariátricas. A utilização do antibiótico profilático de maneira adequada é um ponto chave para prevenir a ISC. Um dos fatores que pode estar envolvido neste maior índice de infecção seria a baixa concentração de antibiótico profilático atingida no tecido adiposo dos pacientes obesos severos. Objetivos: Dosar a Cefazolina, no tecido celular subcutâneo, de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica, que receberam dose de 2g na indução anestésica, associada a 1g contínuo durante a cirurgia e avaliar se existe relação entre a concentração obtida e o índice de massa corpórea (IMC) dos pacientes. Métodos: Dezoito pacientes foram avaliados durante o período de Outubro/2011 a Maio/2012. Amostras de tecido celular subcutâneo, obtidas no início e ao final das cirurgias destes pacientes, foram analisadas através de cromatografia a líquido de alta eficiência para determinar a concentração da cefazolina. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes foi de 39,4±11,6 anos e o IMC médio foi de 40,5±3,98. A concentração de Cefazolina encontrada no tempo inicial foi de 6,66±2,56μg/ml, e ao término da cirurgia foi de 7,93±2,54μg/ml. Os pacientes com IMC<40kg/m2 apresentaram concentração inicial de Cefazolina 48% maior e concentração final 47% maior do que os pacientes com IMC≥40kg/m2. Conclusões: Nas cirurgias bariátricas com até três horas de duração, o acréscimo de uma dose de 1g de Cefazolina, em infusão endovenosa contínua, à atual dose recomendada de 2g na indução anestésica, propicia concentração no tecido celular subcutâneo acima da concentração inibitória mínima para as principais agentes causadores de ISC. Os pacientes com IMC<40kg/m2 apresentaram concentrações de Cefazolina significativamente maiores dos que os pacientes com IMC≥40kg/m2

Reconstrução tridimensional da face nos tumores avançados com invasão da fossa craniana anterior

OBJETIVO: Analisar as indicações cirúrgicas e o seguimento pós operatório, ressaltando as complicações e efetividade da abordagem multidisciplinar, para os tumores avançados da base do crânio. MÉTODO: Análise retrospectiva de 46 prontuários de pacientes submetidos à ressecção de tumores invadindo a fossa craniana anterior e reconstruídos com retalhos microcirúrgicos, operados entre março de 1990 e julho de 2002. Todos os pacientes foram operados pelo núcleo de cirurgia de base do crânio do INCA. RESULTADOS: As estruturas mais envolvidas na ressecção foram por ordem: a órbita (76,5%), seio maxilar (76,5%), seio esfenoidal (63,8%), paredes da cavidade nasal (59,5%) e palato (42,5%). A dura-máter estava acometida em 32,6% dos casos. A reconstrução microcirúrgica utilizando os retalhos do músculo reto abdominal foi empregada em 93,5 % dos casos. A taxa de sucesso dos transplantes livres foi de 97,8%. As complicações ocorreram em 58,6% dos pacientes e as mais freqüentes foram: infecções locais (21,7%), fístulas liquóricas (15,2%), meningite (6,5%) e hematoma (6,5%). CONCLUSÕES: A reconstrução com técnica microcirúrgica permite que se realizem ressecções alargadas destes tumores com limites seguros e índices de complicações aceitáveis, permitindo a estes pacientes uma melhoria da qualidade de vida e da sobrevida, com baixo índice de recidiva