Background: Oncoplastic breast reduction shares similar aims and principles with esthetic surgery. Superomedial breast reduction provides harmony, symmetry, and satisfactory lower pole projection, but long-term outcomes are not consistently good. We describe our experience with a new hammock-shaped flap, which was combined with superomedial pedicle breast reduction to improve long-term outcomes by enhancing pedicle support and preventing ptosis recurrence. Methods: From January 2017 to June 2018, 10 patients underwent unilateral breast reduction (n = 7) or bilateral esthetic reduction (n = 3) by a novel approach combining a superomedial pedicle and a perforator-based inferior advancement flap. The flap is based on the inframammary fold (IMF) and fixed to the pectoralis major fascia and the pedicle like a hammock. Preoperative and postoperative (1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months) measurements included sternal notch-to-superior areola border length, nipple-to-IMF length, and lower pole convexity. Patients rated their satisfaction with breast shape, size, nipple-areola complex position, and lower pole projection at 12 months using a condensed form of the BREAST-Q questionnaire. Results: Esthetic outcomes at 12 and 18 months were good in all patients. There were no complications. Postoperative measurements were stable throughout follow-up. The BREAST-Q scores indicated that most patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their breast(s). Conclusions: This preliminary series demonstrates that the hammock flap, which is performed with autologous tissue, allows changing IMF position, it is safe, effective, and provides improved pedicle fixation and positioning. This technical refinement seems to afford good long-term outcomes in patients undergoing superomedial pedicle breast reduction and mastopexy.
Background The main aim of reconstructive surgery (RS) is to restore the integrity of soft tissues damaged by trauma, surgery, congenital deformity, burns or infection. Microsurgical techniques consist of harvesting tissues that are separated from the vascular sources of the donor site and anastomosed to the vessels of the recipient site. In these procedures, there are some preoperative modifiable factors that have the potential to influence the outcome of the flap transfer and its anastomosis. Methods Chronic inflammatory anaemia (ACD) is a constant condition in patients who have undergone RS and correlates with the perfusion of the free flap. In RS, it is important to maintain good tissue oxyporesis, avoiding blood hyperviscosity. From January 2017 to September 2019, we studied 16 patients (16 males, mean age 38 years) who underwent microsurgical procedures for RS. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels, Corpuscular Indexes, Transferring saturation (TSAT) ferritin concentrations and creatinine clearance have been measured the first day after surgery (T0), after the first week (T1) and after five weeks (T2). At T0 all patients showed low hemoglobin levels (average 7.4 g/dl, STD 0,71range 6,2-7,4 g dL-1), with an MCV of 72, MCH 28, MCHC 33, RDW 16, Sideremy 35, Ferritin 28, Ret% 1,36, TRF 277 and Creatinine Clearance 119. . We assessed all patients for clinical status, medical history and comorbidities before starting therapy. Results. In collaboration between the two departments, we started a therapeutic protocol with erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESAs) (Binocrit 6000 UI/week) and intravenous iron every other day, on the second day after surgery. Thirteen patients received ESAs and FCM (500-1000 mg per session), three patients received ESAs and iron gluconate (1 vial every other day). No patients received blood transfusions. No side effects were observed and, most importantly, no limb or flap rejection. Conclusions Preliminary data from our protocol show an optimal therapeutic response in a surgical setting with limited data in the scientific literature. The enrolment of further patients will allow us to validate this therapeutic protocol with statistically significant data.
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