Long-term follow-up of donor site morbidity after defect coverage with Integra following radial forearm flap elevation

Background: The radial forearm flap (RFF) is known for its excellent and reliable results regarding defect coverage though donor site morbidity represents a persisting problem. Integra is widely used in reconstructive surgery. This study aims to assess long-term outcomes regarding functionality and cosmesis after donor site coverage with respect to esthetic appearance, scar quality, and wrist function as well as ability to work after donor site coverage with Integra and split-thickness skin. Methods: The prospective follow-up exam, after a mean time of 23.8months, enrolled 13 patients. Identification of patients' comorbidities and evaluation of the subjective esthetic outcome, sensibility, cold intolerance, and scar instability was assessed by a questionnaire. In clinics, designed Pinch test assessed scar tissue mobility over the flexor tendons. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was calculated; wrist function and grip strength were determined. Results: The satisfaction score for the esthetic appearance of the donor site was in average 3.42 ± 0.44. Two patients experienced an unstable scar and cold intolerance. The VSS resulted in a value of 4.2 representing a good result. The pinch test revealed an average scar mobility of 8mm without any tendon adhesions. Active range of motion of the wrist was equal to the non-operated site as was grip strength. The pinch test showed a significant negative correlation with the VSS making it a reliable tool to measure scar quality. Conclusion: Long-term results show an esthetic and functional successful defect coverage of the RFF donor site by the use of Integra and split-thickness skin. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study

Long-term follow-up of donor site morbidity after defect coverage with Integra following radial forearm flap elevation

BACKGROUND The radial forearm flap (RFF) is known for its excellent and reliable results regarding defect coverage though donor site morbidity represents a persisting problem. Integra is widely used in reconstructive surgery. This study aims to assess long-term outcomes regarding functionality and cosmesis after donor site coverage with respect to esthetic appearance, scar quality, and wrist function as well as ability to work after donor site coverage with Integra and split-thickness skin. METHODS The prospective follow-up exam, after a mean time of 23.8 months, enrolled 13 patients. Identification of patients' comorbidities and evaluation of the subjective esthetic outcome, sensibility, cold intolerance, and scar instability was assessed by a questionnaire. In clinics, designed Pinch test assessed scar tissue mobility over the flexor tendons. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was calculated; wrist function and grip strength were determined. RESULTS The satisfaction score for the esthetic appearance of the donor site was in average 3.42 ± 0.44. Two patients experienced an unstable scar and cold intolerance. The VSS resulted in a value of 4.2 representing a good result. The pinch test revealed an average scar mobility of 8 mm without any tendon adhesions. Active range of motion of the wrist was equal to the non-operated site as was grip strength. The pinch test showed a significant negative correlation with the VSS making it a reliable tool to measure scar quality. CONCLUSION Long-term results show an esthetic and functional successful defect coverage of the RFF donor site by the use of Integra and split-thickness skin. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study

Reduction mammoplasty in adolescents and elderly: A ten year case series analyzing age related outcome with focus on safety and complications

INTRODUCTION Reduction mammoplasty alleviates symptoms of macromastia in various ways. Current study results mainly identify perioperative risk factors for middle aged patients. We investigated a large series of consecutive breast reductions procedures to study whether patients' age at the time of operation is related to the postoperative outcome. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all non-oncologic breast reduction procedures at a single institution over a ten year time period, analyzing patients (age, BMI, comorbidities, medication) and operation specific characteristics' (pedicle, nipple-to-sternal notch, resection weight, complications) to identify risk factors related to patients' age at the time of operation. Patients were therefore divided into three groups, according to their age (group I ≤ 20 years, group II ≥60 years, group III 21 to 59 years). RESULTS 539 patients were included in the study, in total 1065 reduction mammoplasties were performed over a ten year period. The overall complication rate was 33% (n = 175). Excluding minor complications, the total complication rate was 9.5% (n = 51). High body mass index (≥30 kg/m2) (p = 0.02) could be identified as a statistically significant risk factor for major and minor complications. Smoking (p = 0.09) and age ≥ 60 years (p = 0.08) showed a tendency toward higher risk for major and minor complications. CONCLUSION This study shows an increased risk for complications when performing reduction mammoplasty in older patients, presumably due to the higher prevalence of comorbidities in this patient group as compared to young patients

Phalloplasty in Female-to-Male Transsexuals by Gottlieb and Levine's Free Radial Forearm Flap Technique—A Long-Term Single-Center Experience Over More than Two Decades

Background The free radial forearm flap phalloplasty is the most utilized method for penile reconstruction. Among the techniques described in the literature, evidence for the flap design after Gottlieb and Levine is poor. Methods From January 1993 until December 2015, 402 phalloplasties were performed in our clinic. Among the 247 free radial forearm flap phalloplasties, 232 free radial forearm flap phalloplasties were performed after Gottlieb and Levine in 229 patients. Operation and patient-specific characteristics were evaluated. Results This study presents the highest number of free radial forearm flap phalloplasties after Gottlieb and Levine. The rate of total flap failure was 3%; 46% of the patients were heavy smokers. Urinary fistulae and strictures are common. The revision rate for urinary fistulae and/or strictures was 1.3 per patient. The number of postoperative complications, such as bleeding (14.2%), thrombosis of the flap requiring revision (11.2%), or delayed wound healing (16.8%) was considering the high rate of nicotine abuse (45.9%) reasonable. Conclusion The free radial forearm phalloplasty in the design by Gottlieb and Levine is well established at our institution and has proven safe and reliable since 1993. The operative results are satisfactory for both patients and surgeons even in the presence of relevant comorbidities and heavy smoking. We acknowledge the long ordeal and psychological pressure that our patients suffer from, before presenting in our outpatient clinic.</jats:p