Donor-site complications are not uncommon, but paying careful attention to patient comorbidities when selecting an operative approach (bilateral versus unilateral, free TRAM versus DIEP, and so on) can minimize postoperative abdominal complications. Furthermore, the results corroborate the recent literature suggesting there is little functional difference in patients receiving muscle-sparing free TRAM versus DIEP reconstructions.

Incorporating mesh into rectus fascia repair in free and muscle-sparing free TRAM flap cases significantly reduces the rate of postoperative abdominal complications to levels equivalent to those for DIEP flap reconstructions. The authors advocate deciding intraoperatively between DIEP and muscle-sparing free TRAM flap dissections based on ease of dissection and whichever offers optimal safety and flap perfusion. Routine use of mesh in donor-site repair will decrease postoperative abdominal morbidity in unilateral and bilateral cases.

Advanced age should not be considered a risk factor for microvascular breast reconstruction. Because ASA status did predict overall surgical complications, surgeons should consider the patients' overall health status in deciding whether to operate.

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Background Polymyxin B (PMX-B) is a polycationic antibiotic, known to bind the lipid A portion of endotoxin, a cell wall component found exclusively in gram negative bacteria (GNB). An extracorporeal hemoperfusion device (TORAYMYXIN) has been developed: PMX is covalently bound on the surface of an insoluble carrier material so that the endotoxin can be inactivated in the blood without exerting its toxicity on the brain and kidney The aim of this study was to clarify the efficacy, safety and clinical effects of direct hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin-B fiber column (DHP-PMX) in solid organ transplanted patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Methods From June 2004 to May 2005, 15 patients (10 men and 5 women), mean age 55 years old (46–65 range), underwent kidney or liver transplantation and developed severe sepsis or septic shock, as defined by the Consensus Conference of American College Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM) criteria. GNB were detected in all the patients receiving conventional treatments including antibiotic therapy, vasopressive or inotropic agents, and ventilation support. The DHP-PMX treatment was performed three times in each patient. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, dosage of vasopressor/inotropic drugs were assessed at baseline and after each treatment. Results No adverse events occurred. From baseline to 3rd treatment, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was increased (from 63±5 to 83±4 mmHg), while the dosage of dobutamine (from 7.5±3 to 3±2 mcg/kg/min) and noradrenaline (from 1.3±0.45 to 0.05±0.02 mcg/kg/min) were reduced. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio increased (from 234±38.47 to 290±107.48 mmHg). Conclusion The use of DHP-PMX in association with conventional therapy may be an important aid in patients with sepsis.

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