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MRA of the skin: mapping for advanced breast reconstructive surgery

Thimmappa, N D; Vasile, J V; Ahn, C Y; Levine, J L; Prince, M R
Autologous breast reconstruction using muscle-sparing free flaps are becoming increasingly popular, although microvascular free flap reconstruction has been utilised for autologous breast reconstructions for >20 years. This innovative microsurgical technique involves meticulous dissection of artery-vein bundle (perforators) responsible for perfusion of the subcutaneous fat and skin of the flap; however, due to unpredictable anatomical variations, preoperative imaging of the donor site to select appropriate perforators has become routine. Preoperative imaging also reduces operating time and enhances the surgeon's confidence in choosing the appropriate donor site for harvesting flaps. Although computed tomography angiography has been widely used for preoperative imaging, concerns over excessive exposure to ionising radiation and poor iodinated contrast agent enhancement of the intramuscular perforator course has made magnetic resonance angiography, the first choice imaging modality in our centre. Magnetic resonance angiography with specific post-processing of the images has established itself as a reliable method for mapping tiny perforator vessels. Multiple donor sites can be imaged in a single setting without concern for ionising radiation exposure. This provides anatomical information of more reconstruction donor site options, so that a surgeon can design a flap of tissue centralised around the best perforator, as well as a back-up perforator, and even a back-up flap option located on a different region of the body. This information is especially helpful in patients with a history of scar tissue from previous surgeries, where the primary choice perforator is found to be damaged or unsuitable intraoperatively. In addition, chest magnetic resonance angiography evaluates recipient site blood vessel suitability including vessel diameters, course, and branching patterns. In this article we provide a broad overview of various skin flaps, clinical indications, advantages and disadvantages of each of these flaps, basic imaging technique, along with advanced sequences for visualising tiny arteries in the groin and in the chest. Post-processing techniques, structure of the report and how automation of the reporting system improves workflow is described. We also describe applications of magnetic resonance angiography in postoperative imaging.
PMID: 29499911
ISSN: 1365-229x
CID: 2966072

Evolution in Monitoring of Free Flap Autologous Breast Reconstruction After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: Is There a Best Way?

Frey, Jordan D; Stranix, John T; Chiodo, Michael V; Alperovich, Michael; Ahn, Christina Y; Allen, Robert J; Choi, Mihye; Karp, Nolan S; Levine, Jamie P
BACKGROUND:Free flap monitoring in autologous reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) remains controversial. We therefore examined outcomes in NSM with buried free flap reconstruction versus free flap reconstruction incorporating a monitoring skin paddle. METHODS:Autologous free flap reconstructions with NSM performed from 2006 to 2015 were identified. Demographics and operative results were analyzed and compared between buried flaps and those with a skin paddle for monitoring. RESULTS:221 free flaps for NSM reconstruction were identified: 50 buried flaps and 171 flaps incorporating a skin paddle. Most common flaps used were deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) (64%), profunda artery perforator (PAP) (12.1%), and muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flaps (10.4%). Autologous reconstructions with a skin paddle had significantly greater BMI (p=0.006). Mastectomy weight (p = 0.017) and flap weight (p<0.0001) were significantly greater in flaps incorporating a skin paddle. Comparing outcomes, there were no significant differences in flap failure (2.0% vs. 2.3%, p=1.000) or percentage of flaps requiring return to the operating room (6.0% vs. 4.7%, p=0.715) between groups. Buried flaps had an absolute greater mean number of revisional procedures per NSM (0.82) compared to the skin paddle group (0.44), however rates of revision procedures per NSM were statistically equivalent between the groups (p=0.296). CONCLUSIONS:While buried free flap reconstruction in NSM has been shown to be safe and effective, our technique has evolved to favor incorporating a skin paddle, which allows for clinical monitoring and can be removed at the time of secondary revision.
PMID: 29659449
ISSN: 1529-4242
CID: 3042962

Breast Tissue Expanders with Magnetic Ports: Clinical Experience at 1.5 T

Thimmappa, Nanda Deepa; Prince, Martin R; Colen, Kari L; Ahn, Christina Y; Dutruel, Silvina P; Boddu, Srikanth R; Greenspun, David T; Vasile, Julie V; Chen, Constance M; Usal, Hakan; Rohde, Christine H; Redstone, Jeremiah S; LoTempio, Maria M; Lerman, Oren Z; Nath, Anik K; Allen, Robert J; Levine, Joshua L
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate breast tissue expanders with magnetic ports for safety in patients undergoing abdominal/pelvic magnetic resonance angiography before autologous breast reconstruction. METHODS: Magnetic resonance angiography of the abdomen and pelvis at 1.5 T was performed in 71 patients in prone position with tissue expanders with magnetic ports labeled "MR Unsafe" from July of 2012 to May of 2014. Patients were monitored during magnetic resonance angiography for tissue expander-related symptoms, and the chest wall tissue adjacent to the tissue expander was examined for injury at the time of tissue expander removal for breast reconstruction. Retrospective review of these patients' clinical records was performed. T2-weighted fast spin echo, steady-state free precession and gadolinium-enhanced spoiled gradient echo sequences were assessed for image artifacts. RESULTS: No patient had tissue expander or magnetic port migration during the magnetic resonance examination and none reported pain during scanning. On tissue expander removal (71 patients, 112 implants), the surgeons reported no evidence of tissue damage, and there were no operative complications at those sites of breast reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance angiography of the abdomen and pelvis in patients with certain breast tissue expanders containing magnetic ports can be performed safely at 1.5 T for pre-autologous flap breast reconstruction perforator vessel mapping. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
PMID: 27879583
ISSN: 1529-4242
CID: 2314482

The Profunda Artery Perforator Flap Experience for Breast Reconstruction

Allen, Robert J Jr; Lee, Z-Hye; Mayo, James L; Levine, Joshua; Ahn, Christina; Allen, Robert J Sr
BACKGROUND: The profunda artery perforator flap was first introduced for breast reconstruction in 2010. In this article, the authors analyze the results of all profunda artery perforator flaps performed by their group to date. METHODS: A retrospective review was completed of consecutive profunda artery perforator flaps performed by the senior author (R.J.A.) from 2010 to 2014. Patient demographics, indications, operative techniques, flap specifics, complications, and number of operations were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients have undergone 164 profunda artery perforator flap operations for breast reconstruction since 2010. Reconstructions were performed following breast cancer management (59.5 percent), following prophylactic mastectomy for cancer risk reduction (35.7 percent), and for congenital breast deformity (4.8 percent). The average age of the patients was 48 years (range, 24 to 64 years) and their average body mass index was 22.5 kg/m. Average flap weight was 367.4 g and average pedicle length was found to be 10.2 cm. The success rate of the profunda artery perforator flap was greater than 99 percent, with a 3 percent take-back rate and only one flap loss recorded. Complications included hematoma (1.9 percent), seroma (6 percent), fat necrosis (7 percent), and donor-site infection (1.9 percent). CONCLUSIONS: The profunda artery perforator flap is an excellent option for breast reconstruction. Advantages include a reliable blood supply, long pedicle, thick donor tissue, and a favorable donor site. Currently, the profunda artery perforator flap is second only to the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator among flaps used by the authors for breast reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
PMID: 27391834
ISSN: 1529-4242
CID: 2287702

To Resect or Not to Resect: The Effects of Rib-Sparing Harvest of the Internal Mammary Vessels in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction

Wilson, Stelios; Weichman, Katie; Broer, P Niclas; Ahn, Christina Y; Allen, Robert J; Saadeh, Pierre B; Karp, Nolan S; Choi, Mihye; Levine, Jamie P; Thanik, Vishal D
Background The internal mammary vessels are the most commonly used recipients for microsurgical breast reconstructions. Often, the costal cartilage is sacrificed to obtain improved vessel exposure. In an effort to reduce adverse effects associated with traditional rib sacrifice, recent studies have described less-invasive, rib-sparing strategies. Methods After obtaining institutional review board's approval, a retrospective review of all patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction at a single institution between November 2007 and December 2013 was conducted. Patients were divided into two cohorts for comparison: rib-sacrificing and rib-sparing internal mammary vessel harvests. Results A total of 547 reconstructions (344 patients) met inclusion criteria for this study. A total of 64.9% (n = 355) underwent rib-sacrificing internal mammary vessel harvest. Cohorts were similar in baseline patient characteristics, indications for surgery, and cancer therapies. However, patients undergoing rib-sparing reconstructions had significantly shorter operative times (440 vs. 476 minutes; p < 0.01), and significantly less postoperative pain on postoperative day (POD) 1 (2.8/10 vs. 3.4/10; p = 0.033) and POD2 (2.4/10 vs. 3.0/10; p = 0.037). Furthermore, patients undergoing rib-sparing techniques had greater incidence of fat necrosis requiring excision (12.5 vs. 2.8%; p < 0.01) and a trend toward higher incidence of hematoma, venous thrombosis, and arterial thrombosis when compared with rib-sacrificing patients. Conclusions Rib-sparing harvest of internal mammary vessels is a feasible technique in microsurgical breast reconstruction. However, given the significant increase in fat necrosis requiring surgical excision, the trend toward increased postoperative complications, and no significant difference in postoperative revision rates, the purported benefits of this technique may fail to outweigh the possible risks.
PMID: 26258918
ISSN: 1098-8947
CID: 2061682

To Resect or Not to Resect: The Effects of Rib-Sparing Harvest of the Internal Mammary Vessels in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction

Wilson, Stelios C; Weichman, Katie; Broer, P Niclas; Ahn, Christina Y; Allen, Robert; Saadeh, Pierre B; Karp, Nolan S; Choi, Mihye; Levine, Jamie P; Thanik, Vishal D
ORIGINAL:0013173
ISSN: 1529-4242
CID: 3589902

Oncologic Outcomes After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: A Single-Institutional Experience

Frey, Jordan D; Alperovich, Michael; Chun Kim, Jennifer; Saadeh, Pierre B; Hazen, Alexes; Levine, Jamie P; Ahn, Christina Y; Allen, Robert; Choi, Mihye; Schnabel, Freya R; Karp, Nolan S; Guth, Amber A
ORIGINAL:0013191
ISSN: 1529-4242
CID: 3590102

Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction in Thin Patients: The Impact of Low Body Mass Indices

Weichman, Katie E; Tanna, Neil; Broer, P Niclas; Wilson, Stelios; Azhar, Hamdan; Karp, Nolan S; Choi, Mihye; Ahn, Christina Y; Levine, Jamie P; Allen, Robert J Sr
Background The purpose of this investigation was to examine patients with low body mass index (BMI) regarding the feasibility to perform autologous breast reconstruction in such patients, as well as to determine optimal donor sites and evaluate outcomes accordingly. Patients and Methods All patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction were divided into three cohorts based on BMI. Group 1 included patients with BMI greater than or equal to 22 kg/m2 and was defined "low-normal BMI." Patients with BMI 22 to 25 kg/m2 were placed in Group 2, labeled as "high-normal BMI." Group 3, defined as "overweight," included patients with BMI greater than 25 kg/m2, but less than 30 kg/m2. Patients were then analyzed based on demographics, breast cancer history, intraoperative details, complications, and revisionary surgeries. F-tests, chi-square goodness-of-fit tests, and Freeman-Halton extension of the Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. Results During the study period, a total of 259 reconstructions were performed. Group 1 included 30 patients (n = 49 flaps), Group 2 included 58 patients (n = 98 flaps), and Group 3 included 69 patients (n = 112 flaps). Patients undergoing nipple-areolar sparing mastectomy were more likely to be in Groups 1 (39% [n = 19]) and 2 (37% [n = 37]) as compared with Group 3 (14.2% [n = 16]) (p < 0.001) as compared with the overweight cohort. Patients with increasing BMI were more likely to undergo abdominally based free flaps as compared with alternative donor sites (Group 1 = 2.26, Group 2 = 7.9, Group 3 = 27 [p < 0.001]). Conclusions Abdominally based free flaps are possible in the majority of patients, however alternative harvest sites have to be used more frequently in low BMI patients.
PMID: 24911411
ISSN: 1098-8947
CID: 1033522

Autologous breast reconstruction: preoperative magnetic resonance angiography for perforator flap vessel mapping

Agrawal, Mukta D; Thimmappa, Nanda Deepa; Vasile, Julie V; Levine, Joshua L; Allen, Robert J; Greenspun, David T; Ahn, Christina Y; Chen, Constance M; Hedgire, Sandeep S; Prince, Martin R
Background Selection of a vascular pedicle for autologous breast reconstruction is time consuming and depends on visual evaluation during the surgery. Preoperative imaging of donor site for mapping the perforator artery anatomy greatly improves the efficiency of perforator selection and significantly reduces the operative time. In this article, we present our experience with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for perforator vessel mapping including MRA technique and interpretation. Methods We have performed over 400 MRA examinations from August 2008 to August 2013 at our institution for preoperative imaging of donor site for mapping the perforator vessel anatomy. Using our optimized imaging protocol with blood pool magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, multiple donor sites can be imaged in a single MRA examination. Following imaging using the postprocessing and reporting tool, we estimated incidence of commonly used perforators for autologous breast reconstruction. Results In our practice, anterior abdominal wall tissue is the most commonly used donor site for perforator flap breast reconstruction and deep inferior epigastric artery perforators are the most commonly used vascular pedicle. A thigh flap, based on the profunda femoral artery perforator has become the second most used flap at our institution. In addition, MRA imaging also showed evidence of metastatic disease in 4% of our patient subset. Conclusion Our MRA technique allows the surgeons to confidently assess multiple donor sites for the best perforator and flap design. In conclusion, a well-performed MRA with specific postprocessing provides an accurate method for mapping perforator vessel, at the same time avoiding ionizing radiation.
PMID: 24875438
ISSN: 1098-8947
CID: 1450582

Temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of peripartum cardiomyopathy in the United States: A nationwide population-based study [Meeting Abstract]

Kolte, D; Khera, S; Aronow, W S; Palaniswamy, C; Mujib, M; Ahn, C; Jain, D; Gass, A; Ahmed, A; Panza, J A; Fonarow, G C
Background: The reported incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in the United States varies widely. Furthermore, limited information is available on the temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of PPCM. Objectives: To determine the overall incidence and complication rates of PPCM, and to analyze temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of PPCM in the United States. Methods: We queried the 2004 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all women aged 15 to 54 years with the diagnosis of PPCM using ICD-9-CM codes 674.5x. Temporal trends in incidence (per 10,000 live births), maternal major adverse events (MAE defined as in-hospital mortality, cardiac arrest, heart transplant, mechanical circulatory support, acute pulmonary edema, thromboembolism or implantable cardioverter defibrillator/permanent pacemaker implantation), cardiogenic shock, and length of stay were analyzed. Results: From 2004 to 2011, we identified 34,219 women aged 15 to 54 years with PPCM. The overall PPCM rate was 10.3 per 10,000 (or 1 in 968) live births. PPCM incidence increased from 8.5 to 11.8 per 10,000 live births (ptrend<0.001) during the study period. MAE occurred in 13.5% of patients. The most common complication in women with PPCM was thromboembolism (6.6%). The incidence of other complications was - in-hospital mortality in 1.3%, cardiac arrest in 2.1%, heart transplant in 0.5%, use of mechanical circulatory support in 1.5%, acute pulmonary edema in 1.8%, ICD/PPM placement in 2.9%, and cardiogenic shock in 2.6% There was no temporal change in MAE rate, except a small increase in in-hospital mortality [0.7% in 2004 to 1.8% in 2011, adjusted OR (per year) 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.14, ptrend=0.006] and use of mechanical circulatory support [0.9% in 2004 to 2.2% in 2011, adjusted OR (per year) 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.14, ptrend=0.002]. Cardiogenic shock increased from 1.0% in 2004 to 4.0% in 2011 [adjusted OR (per year) 1.16, 95% CI 1.11-1.21, ptrend<0.001]. Mean length of stay decreased during the study !
EMBASE:71669794
ISSN: 1941-7713
CID: 1362572