Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become useful adjuncts in the treatment of patients with end-stage heart failure. LVAD implantation is associated with a unique set of problems; one such problem is device infection. We report our experience with flap salvage of infected and/or exposed LVAD hardware. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2016, 49 patients underwent LVAD implantation at our institution. Patients were then categorized by infectious status: systemic infection not directly involving the LVAD device, hardware infection responsive to antibiotics, and exposure of LVAD hardware or device infection refractory to antibiotics requiring debridement and flap coverage. RESULTS: Approximately 50% of device-related infections resolved with either oral or intravenous antibiotics while the other 50% necessitated debridement and coverage with healthy tissue. In total, 12 patients (24%) developed a device-related infection ranging from superficial driveline cellulitis to purulent pocket infections. Seven patients (14%) required extensive debridement and/or flap coverage. CONCLUSION: Early debridement and coverage of exposed hardware are crucial to successfully treating these LVAD infections.

History of smoking has been implicated as a risk factor for reconstructive complications in nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM), however there have been no direct analyses of outcomes in smokers and nonsmokers. All patients undergoing NSM at New York University Langone Medical Center from 2006 to 2014 were identified. Outcomes were compared for those with and without a smoking history and stratified by pack-year smoking history and years-to-quitting (YTQ). A total of 543 nipple-sparing mastectomies were performed from 2006 to 2014 with a total of 49 in patients with a history of smoking. Reconstructive outcomes in NSM between those with and without a smoking history were equivalent. Those with a smoking history were not significantly more likely to have mastectomy flap necrosis (p = 0.6251), partial (p = 0.8564), or complete (p = 0.3365) nipple-areola complex (NAC) necrosis. Likewise, active smokers alone did not have a higher risk of complications compared to nonsmokers or those with smoking history. Comparing nonsmokers and those with a less or greater than 10 pack-year smoking history, those with a > 10 pack-year history had significantly more complete NAC necrosis (p = 0.0114, <0.0001). Those with <5 YTQ prior to NSM trended toward an increased rate of complete NAC necrosis (p = 0.0752). Outcomes for those with a < 10 pack-year smoking history or >5 YTQ prior to NSM were equivalent to those without a smoking history. We demonstrate that NSM may be safely offered to those with a smoking history although a > 10 pack-year smoking history or <5 YTQ prior to NSM may impart a higher risk of reconstructive complications, including complete NAC necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing implant-based reconstruction in the setting of postmastectomy radiation therapy suffer from increased complications and inferior outcomes compared with those not irradiated, but advances in radiation delivery have allowed for more nuanced therapy. The authors investigated whether these advances impact patient outcomes in implant-based breast reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified all implant-based reconstructions performed at a single institution from November of 2010 to November of 2013. These data were cross-referenced with a registry of patients undergoing breast irradiation. Patient demographics, treatment characteristics, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-six patients (533 reconstructions) were not irradiated, whereas 83 patients (125 reconstructions) received radiation therapy; mean follow-up was 24.7 months versus 26.0 months (p = 0.49). Overall complication rates were higher in the irradiated group (35.2 percent versus 14.4 percent; p < 0.01). Increased maximum radiation doses to the skin were associated with complications (maximum dose to skin, p = 0.05; maximum dose to 1 cc of skin, p = 0.01). Different treatment modalities (e.g., three-dimensional conformal, intensity-modulated, field-in-field, and hybrid techniques) did not impact complication rates. Prone versus supine positioning significantly decreased the maximum skin dose (58.5 Gy versus 61.7 Gy; p = 0.05), although this did not translate to significantly decreased complication rates in analysis of prone versus supine positioning. CONCLUSIONS: As radiation techniques evolve, the maximum dose to skin should be given consideration similar to that for heart and lung dosing, to optimize reconstructive outcomes. Prone positioning significantly decreases the maximum skin dose and trends toward significance in reducing reconstructive complications. With continued study, this may become clinically important. Interdepartmental studies such as this one ensure quality of care. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

A global outbreak of invasive Mycobacterium chimaera infections after cardiac surgery has recently been linked to bioaerosols from contaminated heater-cooler units. The majority of cases have occurred after valvular surgery or aortic graft surgery and nearly half have resulted in death. To date, infections in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have not been characterized in the literature. We report two cases of device-associated M. chimaera infection in patients with continuous-flow LVADs and describe challenges related to diagnosis and management in this population.

Background Higher body mass index (BMI) has been shown to increase postoperative complications in autologous breast reconstruction. However, the correlation with flap weight is unknown. Here, we explore the relationship of flap weights and complication rates in patients undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction. Methods Retrospective chart review identified all patients undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction with abdominally based flaps at a single institution between November 2007 and April 2013. Breasts with documented flap weight and 1-year follow-up were included. Patients undergoing stacked deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps were excluded. Breasts were divided into quartiles based on flap weight and examined by demographics, surgical characteristics, complications, and revisions. Results A total of 130 patients undergoing 225 flaps were identified. Patients had a mean age of 50.4 years, mean BMI of 27.1 kg/m2, and mean flap weight of 638.4 g (range: 70-1640 g). Flap weight and BMI were directly correlated. Flaps were divided into weight-based quartiles: first (70-396 g), second (397-615 g), third (616-870 g), and fourth (871-1640 g). There were no associations between flap weight and incidences of venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis, hematoma, flap loss, fat necrosis, or donor site hernia. However, increased flap weight was associated with increased rate of donor site wound healing problems in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions Increased flap weight is not associated with added flap complications among patients undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction, however, patients with flaps of 667.5 g or more are more likely to have donor site healing problems. The success and evidence contrary to previous studies may be attributed to surgeon intraoperative flap choice.

In recent years, the issues of the transgender population have become more visible in the media worldwide. Transgender patients at various stages of their transformation will present to urologic clinics requiring general or specialized urologic care. Knowledge of specifics of reconstructed anatomy and potential unique complications of the reconstruction will become important in providing urologic care to these patients. In this article, we have concentrated on describing diagnosis and treatment of the more common urologic complications after female-to-male reconstructions: urethrocutaneous fistulae, neourethral strictures, and symptomatic persistent vaginal cavities.

BACKGROUND: Given the complexity of microsurgical breast reconstruction, there are many opportunities to improve both surgical efficiency and outcomes. The use of two operating surgeons has been employed, but the outcomes are unproven. In this study, the authors compare the outcomes of patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction with one operating surgeon to those with two surgeons. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction between July of 2011 and January of 2014 at a single academic institution was conducted. Patients were divided into two cohorts: those undergoing reconstruction with one surgeon and those having reconstruction with two surgeons. Once identified, patients were analyzed and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients underwent 248 microsurgical breast reconstructions during the study period. One hundred three patients (170 flaps) had two surgeons and 54 patients (78 flaps) had one surgeon. Patients undergoing unilateral and bilateral reconstructions with two surgeons had decreased mean operating room time by 60.1 minutes and 134 minutes (p < 0.001) and length of stay by 1.8 days and 1.3 days (p < 0.05), when compared to a single surgeon. Additionally, patients with one surgeon were more likely to have postoperative donor-site breakdown at 5.1 percent (n = 4) versus 0.6 percent (n = 1) (p = 0.0351). CONCLUSIONS: The use of two operating surgeons has demonstrable effects on the outcomes of microsurgical breast reconstruction. The addition of a second surgeon significantly decreases operating room time and shortens hospital length of stay in both unilateral and bilateral reconstruction. It also significantly decreases donor-site wound healing complications. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

BACKGROUND: The microvascular free fibula flap has become the gold standard for reconstruction of complex mandibular defects since its description by Hidalgo in 1989. Prior studies have demonstrated its safety and efficacy in the pediatric population. However, this reconstructive method is often used only as a last resort for correction of congenital mandibular hypoplasia, after failure of bone grafting and distraction osteogenesis. The authors describe our experience using this technique, facilitated by virtual planning and prefabricated cutting jigs, for children with severe congenital mandibular hypoplasia. METHODS: All patients with mandibular reconstruction with a fibula flap in children with congenital mandibular hypoplasia between 2009 and 2014 by the senior authors were identified. Each patient underwent preoperative computed tomography scanning and virtual surgical planning to create custom cutting jigs for creation of the mandibular defect and fibular osteotomies. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative medical records were examined in detail. RESULTS: Five patients age 10 to 18 with congenital mandibular hypoplasia and Pruzansky Grade III mandibles underwent microvascular free fibula flap for mandibular reconstruction during this period. Flap success rate was 100%. All patients underwent subsequent revision procedures to improve symmetry or for hardware removal. The 4 patients in our series who required dental implants were able to have them placed into their mandibular reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative virtual planning and prefabricated cutting jigs allow for precise complex fibula reconstruction of the mandible in the pediatric population. Additionally, virtual planning facilitates concomitant orthognathic procedures in patients with hemifacial microsomia. Our early success in this patient population leads us to suggest that while the free fibula can be safely and successfully used after multiple prior surgical interventions in the same anatomic region, it can also be a powerful tool for primary correction of congenital mandibular hypoplasia.

In select patients with advanced disease resulting in large composite tissue defects, consideration is often given to multiple flap reconstruction. The authors propose an alternative option. Using virtual surgical planning the authors demonstrate how modest sacrifice in projection translates into a substantial decrease in the volume and surface area of soft tissue needed, in turn maximizing soft tissue coverage with a single fibula free flap. The authors used 3-dimensional virtual surgery to simulate angle-to-angle reconstructions using free fibula flaps. The reference 3-segment reconstruction was done using symphyseal projection to the plane perpendicular to the anterior nasal spine, a customary landmark. Additional simulations were then performed using recessed projections 0.5 mm, 1 cm, 1.5 cm, and 2 cm posterior to anterior nasal spine plane. Program analytics were used to calculate the surface area and volume of the floor of mouth. With projection recessed by 1 cm, surface area decreased 22% to 14 cm. With projection recessed by 2 cm, surface area decreased 44% to 10 cm. With a 3-segment construct converted to a 2-segment construct, surface area decreased 22% to 14 cm. This demonstrates for the first time an official analysis of an intraoperative modification that sacrifices little and gains a lot. Ultimately, 1 compound flap can be used in extensive reconstructions with increased confidence that it will not be overly stressed.

Increased upper airway resistance from postoperative changes after major head and neck surgery may cause elevated transtracheal pressures and result in tracheostomy speaking valve intolerance. This may be particularly true among patients with baseline pulmonary disease. We describe a patient recovering from oral cancer resection and flap reconstruction who demonstrated prolonged ventilator dependence and tracheostomy speaking valve intolerance with abnormal tracheal manometry. We attempted to improve speaking valve tolerance through the adaptation of a valve modification intended to reduce transtracheal pressures. Drilling holes into the 1-way speaking valve allowed for excess air egress and resulted in normalization of transtracheal pressures with improved speaking valve tolerance. This 1-way speaking valve modification may serve as a simple method to allow for earlier restoration of voicing and potentially reduce the number of ventilator- dependent days in this patient population.