Background:Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is an emerging and growing field. Little is known about the prevalence and distribution of the adult potential donor population in the United States now that it falls under the oversight of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).Methods:We assessed the UNOS database from 2008 to 2015 to estimate the prevalence and distribution of adult potential vascularized composite allograft donors. Donor inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed in a way to minimize risk to recipients and were applied to the dataset. Donors were categorized by factors that influence vascularized composite allograft matching including ABO blood type, cytomegalovirus status, and ethnicity (correlate for skin color) and sorted by UNOS region.Results:Just under half of all brain dead donors met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Blood type O, cytomegalovirus+, White donors represented the most frequent donor profile while blood type AB, cytomegalovirus-, Asian donors were the least common. UNOS region 3 had the most and region 1 had the least potential VCA donors per year. Nearly all potential VCA donors were solid organ donors with the liver being the most commonly donated solid organ in this population.Conclusions:A large portion of the solid organ donor pool would qualify as adult vascularized composite allograft donors in the current UNOS system. These data will assist transplant teams in determining the prevalence and distribution of vascularized composite allograft donors for their individual patients awaiting composite allografts based on relevant matching characteristics in addition to standard transplant criteria.

Background:Historically, external ear melanomas have been treated aggressively, due to early perceptions suggesting they had poor prognosis and aggressive biological behavior. More recent evidence has not supported these notions.Methods:We completed a complete review of the literature involving malignant melanoma of the external ear. We then completed a quantitative analysis on seventy-three cases from 8 reports that contained case-level data, assessing factors that influence recurrence, and assessing characteristics of the melanomas based on histological subtype. Baseline and outcomes data for all 20 studies were then compiled but not statistically evaluated.Results:In our subanalysis, patients who had recurrence were significantly more likely to have had wedge resection versus wide-local excision, and those with no recurrence were more likely to have undergone wide local excision. Nodular tumors had significantly greater thickness. Overall, conservative excisions provided excellent outcomes.Conclusions:Conservative treatment for external ear melanoma produces satisfactory outcomes. There is no evidence to support the use of radical amputation and little evidence to support the removal of cartilage or perichondrium. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is warranted only with positive nodes. There is no role for elective neck dissection. The roles for chemo/radiation therapy are unclear and guidelines for other cutaneous melanomas should be followed.

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Background: Breast reconstruction is associated with improved quality of life after mastectomy. Options for breast reconstruction include autologous and implant-based methods. Although autologous reconstruction is more technically challenging and requires longer operative time, it is thought of as the gold standard. Our study examined differences in 90-day readmission rates between implant-based and autologous breast reconstruction using discharge data from the National Readmission Database, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Methods: The National Readmission Database was used to identify patients undergoing postmastectomy breast reconstruction. Patients were selected using ICD-10 PCS codes linked to autologous and implant-based reconstruction. Ninety-day readmission rates were determined. After matching the two groups on a 1:1 basis for baseline comorbidities and demographics, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to variables associated with higher readmission rates. Results: The leading diagnoses associated with readmissions were infectious and pulmonary. After one to one matching, autologous breast reconstruction, private insurance versus Medicaid, and income quartile 4 versus 1 were all less likely to be readmitted within 90 days of discharge. Patients with a high Charlson index and those with a longer length of initial hospital stay are significantly more likely to be readmitted within 90 days. Conclusions: Patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction were 23% less likely to be readmitted within 90 days from discharge. Fewer comorbidities, shorter length of hospital stay, and higher socioeconomic status are also associated with lower readmission rates following breast reconstruction.

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