Compared to the conventional group, enhanced aesthetic results with consecutive reduction of secondary refinements could be achieved when using our modified flap harvesting and shaping techniques, as well as our methods for reducing contour deformities after rib resection and for overcoming donor site morbidities.

SummaryBackgroundAutologous breast reconstruction is an integral part in the treatment of breast cancer. While computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an established preoperative diagnostic tool for microsurgeons, no study has so far evaluated and compared five different imaging methods and their value for the reconstructive team. In order to determine the feasibility of each of the tools for routine or specialized diagnostic application, the methods’ efficiency and informative value were analyzed.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed imaging data of 41 patients used for perforator location and assessment for regional perfusion and vessel patency in patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP), transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap (TRAM), or transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap (TMG). Five different imaging techniques were used: hand held Doppler (HHD), CT angiography (CTA), macroscopic indocyanine green (ICG) video angiography, microscope-integrated ICG video angiography, and laser Doppler imaging (LDI).ResultsCTA proved to be the best tool for preoperative determination of the highly variable anatomy of the abdominal region, whereas HHD showed the same information on perforator localization with some false-positive results. Intraoperative HHD was an excellent tool for dissection and vessel patency judgment. Microscope-integrated ICG was an excellent tool to document the patency of microanastomoses. In our series, macroscopic perfusion measurement with ICG or LDI was only justified in special situations, where information on perfusion of abdominal or mastectomy flaps was required. LDI did not add any additional information.ConclusionPreoperative assessment should be performed by CTA with verification of the perforator location by HHD. Intraoperative HHD and microscope-integrated ICG contribute most toward the evaluation of vessel patency. ICG and LDI should only be used for special indications.

Therapeutic, III.

BackgroundExtravasation of cytotoxic drugs is a serious complication of systemic cancer treatment. Still, a reliable method for early assessment of tissue damage and outcome prediction is missing. Here, we demonstrate that the evaluation of blood flow by indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in the extravasation area predicts for the need of surgical intervention.MethodsTwenty-nine patients were evaluated by ICG angiography after extravasation of vesicant or highly irritant cytotoxic drugs administered by peripheral i.v. infusion. Tissue perfusion as assessed by this standardized method was correlated with clinical outcome.ResultsThe perfusion index at the site of extravasation differed significantly between patients with reversible tissue damage and thus healing under conservative management (N = 22) versus those who needed surgical intervention due to the development of necrosis (N = 7; P = 0.0001). Furthermore, in patients benefiting from conservative management, the perfusion index was significantly higher in the central extravasation area denoting hyperemia, when compared with the peripheral area (P = 0.0001).ConclusionsIn this patient cohort, ICG angiography as indicator of local perfusion within the extravasation area was of prognostic value for tissue damage. ICG angiography could thus be used for the early identification of patients at risk for irreversible tissue damage after extravasation of cytotoxic drugs.

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Purpose As critical parameter after extravasation of cytotoxic vesicants, anthracyclines were determined in removed tissue from patients requiring surgical intervention due to tissue necrosis. We monitored their distribution within the affected lesion to establish a possible dose–toxicity relation. Methods From six patients scheduled for surgery, removed tissue flaps were systematically analysed by HPLC (epirubicin: 5 subjects; doxorubicin: 1 subject). Results After extravasation, tissue concentrations were highly variable with an individual anthracycline distribution pattern ranging from a few nanograms up to 17 µg per 100 mg tissue, which indicated a substantial difference in tissue sensitivity among patients. The resection borders coincided with the extension of the erythema and guided the surgical intervention after demarcation of the lesion, which occurred usually 2 or 3 weeks after extravasation. At that time, drug was hardly detected at the resection borders. Wound drains were negative for the extravasated drugs while showing a time profile of vascular growth factors and inflammatory cytokines, which was highly similar to routine surgery. In all six patients, surgical debridement with immediate wound closure led to healing within approximately 2 weeks, when therapy was resumed in all patients with reasonable time delay. Conclusion Surgical intervention after demarcation of the extravasation lesion allows for almost uninterrupted continuation of treatment independent of the amount of extravasated anthracycline. As even minor amounts of the vesicants may trigger tissue necrosis, preventive measures merit the highest priority.

Primary cutaneous Actinomycosis is a rare entity and the combination of AI and Actinomycosis has never been reported before. Failure to detect superinfections of AI lesions with slow-growing pathogens like Actinomyces spp. might contribute to high recurrence rates after immunosuppressive therapy of AI. The present case underlines the potentially multifactorial pathogenesis of the disease and the importance of considering and treating potential infections before initiating immunosuppressive regimens for AI patients.

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