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Background
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an emergent disease that threatens patients with texturized breast implants. Major concerns about the safety of these implants are leading to global changes to restrict the utilization of this product. The principal alternative is to perform breast augmentation utilizing smooth implants, given the lack of association with BIA-ALCL. The implications and costs of this intervention are unknown.
Objectives
The authors of this study determined the cost-effectiveness of smooth implants compared with texturized implants for breast augmentation surgery.
Methods
A tree decision model was utilized to analyze the cost-effectiveness. Model input parameters were derived from published sources. The capsular contracture (CC) rate was calculated from a meta-analysis. Effectiveness measures were life years, avoided BIA-ALCL, avoided deaths, and avoided reoperations. A sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the model.
Results
For avoided BIA-ALCL, the incremental cost was $18,562,003 for smooth implants over texturized implants. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was negative for life years, and avoided death and avoided reoperations were negative. The sensitivity analysis revealed that to avoid 1 case of BIA-ALCL, the utilization of smooth implants would be cost-effective for a risk of developing BIA-ALCL equal to or greater than 1:196, and there is a probability of CC with smooth implants equal to or less than 0.096.
Conclusions
The utilization of smooth implants to prevent BIA-ALCL is not cost-effective. Banning texturized implants to prevent BIA-ALCL may involve additional consequences, which should be considered in light of higher CC rates and more reoperations associated with smooth implants than with texturized implants.
Garengeot's hernia corresponds to the presence of the appendix within a femoral hernia, associated or not with acute appendicitis. The diagnosis of this uncommon situation is usually done during surgery. Furthermore, the clinical presentation as necrotizing fasciitis is a rare condition. We report a 54 years old obese hypertensive woman with rheumatoid arthritis of 40 years of evolution treated with methotrexate and prednisone. She consulted for pain and erythema in the right inguinal region. Laboratory revealed leukocytosis and an elevated C-reactive Protein. Suspecting a cellulitis, the patient was admitted for antimicrobial therapy. A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed a perforated acute appendicitis in an inguinal hernia with extensive pelvic cellulitis associated with signs of fasciitis. At surgery, an extensive groin and pubic fasciitis was evident, with a necrotic and perforated appendix within a femoral hernia. Surgical debridement, open appendectomy, and femoral hernioplasty without mesh were carried out. Vacuum-assisted closure was installed in the coverage defect. Three surgical debridement procedures were required for the closure of the wound. Two weeks after the first surgical procedure, the patient was discharged in good condition. During the follow-up, she evolved with a surgical wound dehiscence, which was managed with wound dressings until closure.
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