The survey showed a clear trend toward the increasing use of local anesthetics in cosmetic surgery of the head and neck. Although the use of prilocaine and lidocaine prevailed, adverse cardiovascular reactions in up to 8.1 percent seem high for cosmetic procedures. Furthermore, the need of additional intraoperative top-up infiltration adds to an uncontrolled cumulative effect and patient discomfort. On the basis of their positive 2 years of experience with ropivacaine, the authors strongly believe that ropivacaine offers significant advantages, both in efficacy and prolonged duration of analgesia, while reducing the risk for adverse side effects due to lesser toxicity. This observation deserves further investigation in an established comparative study.
BackgroundBilateral breast reconstruction utilising autologous free tissue transfer is a complex procedure with multiple options for donor tissue available. Autogenous breast reconstruction techniques have evolved over the last three decades to meet this goal. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of patients undergoing bilateral breast reconstruction with DIEAP, TRAM or SIEA flaps.Material/MethodsA prospective study was performed in our Interdisciplinary Breast Centre from July 2004 until December 2011 in 144 patients. Demographic information, diabetes mellitus type I status, tobacco use, tumor stage, primary/secondary reconstruction, operative technique, adjuvant therapy received, length of follow-up, and complications were evaluated. Complications were divided into donor site and recipient site. To investigate which risk factors were independently related to flap loss (complete or partial), multiple linear regression analysis was performed.ResultsThe study identified 144 patients who had bilateral breast reconstruction with DIEAP, TRAM or SIEA flaps. For all flaps (n=248), outcome included 98.4% survival and 0.7% vein microanastomosis revision. Recipient site complications included 1.6% complete flap loss, 0.8% fat necrosis, 2.9% partial skin loss/dehiscence flap necrosis and 2.0% haematoma rate. Donor site complications included 3.7% partial skin loss/dehiscence. There was evidence of abdominal bulges in TRAM patients (1.1%) but no hernias in any patients. BMI is a major determinant of flap loss (complete or partial) in these patients.ConclusionsThe primary goal of bilateral breast reconstruction is to provide a treatment option that can create a natural, symmetric breast mounds with minimal donor-site morbidity following bilateral mastectomies. These results support weight loss therapy prior to bilateral breast reconstruction.
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