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ABSTRACT: Breast reconstruction rates remain low, at 5%-15% of mastectomy patients, despite the safety and high patient satisfaction of these procedures. Reasons for this are multifactorial, including the attitudes and biases of the referring breast surgeon, as well as patient factors. The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes of general surgeons towards breast reconstruction.
We surveyed 369 general surgeons in Wisconsin with questions about breast surgery. Responses from 135 (36%) surgeons were analyzed.
Seventy-three percent of the respondents performed at least some breast surgery and were eligible for the study. For a little over 50% of the general surgeons surveyed, breast surgery made up less than 10% of their practice. Fifty-one percent never performed a skin-sparing mastectomy. A large number of breast surgeons (40%) did not refer all mastectomy patients for reconstruction. Reasons cited for not referring patients included the concerns over cancer recurrence and advanced patient age. Reasons for patients not undergoing reconstruction included patient's refusal, need for radiation therapy, delaying adjuvant oncologic treatment, patient factors, and having no plastic surgeon available locally.
The decision by a patient to undergo breast reconstruction involves many complex factors. As a specialty, we should focus on improving the availability of breast reconstructive surgeons and educating referring surgeons and patients about reconstructive indications and options in order to positively affect the utilization of breast reconstruction.
WMJ: official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin 10/2008; 107(6):292-7.
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ABSTRACT: Office-based plastic surgery with general anesthesia has several benefits compared with hospital-based surgery. Office-based procedures can be done in a safe, cost- and time-efficient manner, with improved convenience for both the surgeon and the patient. A review and discussion of outpatient plastic surgery procedures at the Marina Outpatient Surgery Center in Marina del Rey, California, was performed.
Seminars in Plastic Surgery 05/2007; 21(2):99-101.
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ABSTRACT: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis has proven to be an effective treatment for upper airway obstruction related to micrognathia. Changes in the aerodigestive space can help facilitate tracheostomy removal in children and prevent tracheostomy in newborns. However, this may also precipitate changes in the ability to orally feed. There are few data on early postoperative feeding and growth rate following mandibular lengthening. The authors found evidence of growth rate decline and feeding difficulty in pediatric patients following mandibular distraction osteogenesis.
Ten pediatric patients underwent mandibular distraction osteogenesis for treatment of upper airway obstruction. Outcomes in resolution of upper airway obstruction, oral feeding success, and growth rate were analyzed. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 28 months.
All 10 patients had complete resolution of upper airway obstruction. The length of distraction ranged from 10 to 17 mm. Three patients demonstrated a feeding disorder after mandibular distraction osteogenesis, defined as requiring a long-term (>1 month) alternate feeding method (gastric tube in two patients and gastric gavage in one). Seven of 10 patients exhibited an early decline in growth rate following distraction. Data used to determine growth rate changes were weight measurements at the time of distraction, at the time of distractor removal (6 to 8 weeks after distraction), and at 6 and 12 months after the date of distraction initiation.
These results suggest that infants and children undergoing mandibular lengthening by distraction osteogenesis should be carefully monitored for postdistraction feeding disorder and growth rate disturbance.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery 08/2006; 118(2):476-82. · 2.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Vascular anomalies are lesions seen in all surgical disciplines, particularly in pediatric patients. Specialization in vascular anomalies involves a team effort, with the team consisting of plastic surgeons, general surgeons, neurosurgeons, pediatricians, interventional radiologists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, hematologists, and pathologists. Inconsistent nomenclature in the literature has historically resulted in confusion about classification, diagnosis, and treatment. A biologic classification system has emerged, based on clinical observations, natural history, and cellular features, which separates vascular anomalies into two broad categories: vascular tumors and vascular malformations. For many vascular anomalies, photodocumentation, psychosocial support, and communication are important throughout the treatment course.
Clinics in Plastic Surgery 05/2005; 32(2):171-86. · 1.42 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Abdominoplasty has traditionally been described in the literature as an operation that is performed in a hospital setting, although more recently it is likely that most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. To date, there have been very few large series illustrating the safety and efficacy of abdominoplasty performed in outpatient surgery centers.
This study reports the complications and revisions of outpatient abdominoplasties in a large patient population.
The charts of 519 consecutive abdominoplasty procedures performed at a single outpatient surgical center over the past 10 years (1996-2006) were reviewed. Follow-up was 6 months to 10 years, with an average of 4.3 years. Mean age at the time of operation was 43 years; range 19 to 74 years. Gender, smoking history, American Society of Anesthesiologists risk score, body mass index, type of abdominoplasty, and concurrent procedures were recorded. Each patient's chart was reviewed to assess complication and revision rates, including deaths, venous thromboembolism events, wound dehiscence, infection, seroma, hematoma, and scarring unacceptable to the patient or surgeon.
The most common complication was seroma (10.6%), followed by unacceptable scarring of the abdominal or umbilical incisions (7.9%). The most common reason for revision was abdominal scar revision (6.4%). Most patients had concurrent additional procedures at the time of abdominoplasty, most commonly lipoplasty (91%). There was no statistically significant difference in complications or revisions when comparing groups based on age, body mass index, operating room time, smoking status, full abdominoplasty versus a less complex procedure such as a "mini" or floating umbilical abdominoplasty or simultaneous procedures. Men were significantly less likely to have a complication when compared with women.
This large retrospective study of 519 consecutive abdominoplasty procedures performed on an outpatient basis demonstrates that abdominoplasties may be performed safely and effectively at an accredited outpatient surgery facility.
Aesthetic surgery journal / the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery 27(3):269-75.
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ABSTRACT: Recommendations for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis have been published in the plastic surgery literature. However, no comprehensive survey of the overall incidence of VTE among plastic surgery patients has been undertaken.
This study was performed to determine the incidence of VTE in plastic surgery patients, to delineate which procedures have the most risk for VTE, and to establish whether published guidelines are utilized by plastic surgeons.
An e-mail survey was sent to 3797 plastic surgeons based in the United States. Of those queried, 1106 (29%) completed the questionnaire. Respondents were asked to report VTE events in their patients over the last 24 months. There were 8 patient-based questions about VTE prophylaxis to determine the preferred method used.
Overall, 329 VTE events were identified. The most commonly associated procedures were abdominoplasty with another procedure (87 events) and abdominoplasty alone (71 events). Whether abdominoplasty is performed alone or combined with another procedure, the survey revealed similar rates of VTE per 10,000 patients (36 events per 10,000 patients). Plastic surgeons' prophylaxis methods vary, and 38% of the respondents were not aware of the published recommendations.
Based on our study, abdominoplasty with or without a second procedure has the highest incidence of VTE events among plastic surgery procedures. Combining abdominoplasty with another procedure does not increase the risk for VTE. A significant number of plastic surgeons are not aware of the published recommendations, and there is no consistent VTE prophylaxis used by the plastic surgeons who responded to the survey.
Aesthetic surgery journal / the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery 26(5):522-9.
