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Browsing by Author "Lester, Mary E."
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Item 177. Prophylactic Absorbable Antibiotic Beads For High Risk Implant-based Reconstruction: A Single Institution Pilot Study(Wolters Kluwer, 2023-05-19) Ahmed, Shahnur; Lee, Jason T. C.; Roth, Dylan D.; Liu, Steven; Fisher, Carla S.; Fan, Betty; Imeokparia, Folasade; Ludwig, Kandice; Lester, Mary E.; Hassanein, Aladdin H.; Surgery, School of MedicinePURPOSE: Infections are problematic in implant-based reconstruction after mastectomies. Infection rates have been reported to be as high as 31%. Strategies to reduce the risk of infection include various antibiotic irrigation solutions, “no-touch” techniques, optimizing sterility, and empiric antibiotic use for skin flora coverage. Absorbable antibiotic beads have been well described for other indications, including orthopedic and pressure sore reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of prophylactic biodegradable antibiotic beads during pre-pectoral and sub-pectoral implant-based breast reconstruction following mastectomy. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction post-mastectomy between 2019 to 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I were deemed “high risk” by the senior author and received biodegradable antibiotic beads (1 gram vancomycin, 240 mg gentamicin) during tissue expander or implant reconstruction (pre-pectoral or subpectoral) while Group II (control) had no antibiotic beads. Demographic data, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), implant plane (pre-pectoral or sub-pectoral), smoking and use of mesh were recorded. Outcome variables included postoperative cellulitis or infection requiring oral or intravenous antibiotics and tissue expander loss at 90 days. RESULTS: In our study period, 19 patients (36 total implants/expanders) received biodegradable antibiotic beads during implant-based breast reconstruction (Group I). There were 174 patients (290 total expanders) who did not receive antibiotic beads (Group II). Patients in Group I had a history of previous expander/implant infection in 73.6%. Pre-pectoral placement of implants occurred in 84.2% of patients in Group I and 74.1% in Group II. Diabetes was prevalent in 15.8% of Group I compared to 5.7% seen in Group II patients. The mean BMI in Group I was 30.5 kg/m2 compared to 27.8 kg/m2 in Group II (p-value 0.88). Implant infection rate of Group I at 90 days was 8.3% (3/36 total expanders) compared to 8.6% (25/290 total expanders) in Group II. Implant loss in Group I was 5.5% (2/26 total expanders) compared to 7.6% (22/290) in Group II. CONCLUSION: The incidence of infection in high risk patients who have absorbable antibiotic beads placed during the time of reconstruction appears to be normalized to the control group in this pilot study, suggesting that absorbable antibiotic beads may decrease postoperative infection complications. Future studies may further clarify its benefit in selected groups.Item A Novel Framework for Optimizing Efficiency and Education in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction(Wolters Kluwer, 2023-11-27) Lester, Mary E.; Berns, Jessica; Dawson, Steven; Newsom, Keeley; Hartman, Brett; Hassanein, Aladdin H.; Surgery, School of MedicineDeep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps are becoming the most frequent choice for autologous breast reconstruction. There are many benefits to DIEP flaps, but the procedures can be lengthy and have a steep learning curve. The balance of efficiency and education can be difficult to achieve. A framework was implemented to focus on both efficiency and education at each stage of the DIEP flap procedure. The author's methods to improve efficiency include a two-team approach with assigned roles for faculty and residents. The roles are consistent across the institution. Methods to enhance education include practice in a laboratory-based microsurgical training course and assigning goals for the rotation. Trainees include independent and integrated plastic surgery residents without microsurgical fellows. Bilateral DIEPs are performed with two attendings, and unilateral DIEPs, with one attending. A retrospective review identified patients undergoing DIEP flap reconstruction from 2017 to 2020. Outcome measures include operative time and complications, which are comparable to previously published data. Focusing on education allows residents to learn each stage of the case. The authors present a framework for training residents in DIEP flap reconstruction to optimize efficiency and education.Item Abstract 68: The False Positive Rate Of Transcutaneous Tissue Oximetry Alarms In Microvascular Breast Reconstruction Rises After 24 Hours(Wolters Kluwer, 2020-05-13) Tran, Phu C.; DeBrock, Will; Lester, Mary E.; Hartman, Brett C.; Socas, Juan; Hassanein, Aladdin H.; Medicine, School of MedicinePurpose: Transcutaneous tissue oximetry is widely used as an adjunct for postoperative monitoring after microvascular breast reconstruction and has been shown to improve flap salvage rates. Despite a high sensitivity at detection of postoperative vascular issues, alarms from probe malfunctions/ and or positioning can generate unnecessary nursing calls, concerns, and evaluations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the false positive rate of transcutaneous tissue oximetry monitoring over the postoperative period and assess changes in its utility over time. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction out our institution were assessed between 2017-2019. Inclusion criteria included use of transcutaneous tissue oximetry for monitoring. Variables of interest were transcutaneous tissue oximetry alarms that triggered nursing calls, flap loss, re-exploration, and salvage rates. Results: The study included 175 patients (286 flaps). The flap loss rate was 1.0% (3/175). A total of twelve patients (6.8%) required re-exploration, with a 67.0% flap salvage rate. Nine of these patients required exploration within 24 hours. The 3 takebacks after 24 hours were not for vascular compromise but were for abdominal wall hematoma, increasingly sanguineous drain output, and exam concerning for hematoma. Within the 24-hour postoperative period, 43 tissue oximetry alarms triggered nursing calls; 7 alarms (16.2%) were confirmed to be for flap issues secondary to vascular compromise. After 24 hours, 44 alarms were triggered, none of which were associated with flap compromise. The false positive rate of the alarm within 24 hours was 83.7% (36/43) compared to 100% (44/44) after 24 hours (p= 0.01). Conclusions: Transcutaneous tissue oximetry is a helpful adjunct to the clinical exam in the postoperative monitoring of flaps in microsurgical breast reconstruction. The false positive rate significantly rises after 24 hours. The benefit may not outweigh the concerns, labor, and effort that results from alarms after postoperative day 1. We recommend considering discontinuing transcutaneous tissue oximetry monitoring after 24 hours.Item Comparison of Breast Reconstruction Outcomes Using Oxychlorosene versus Triple Antibiotic Solution for Pocket Irrigation(Wolters Kluwer, 2022-08-18) Bamba, Ravinder; Tran, Phu C.; Mailey, Brian A.; Lin, Jenny; DeBrock, William; Dawson, Steven; Sinha, Mithun; Hartman, Brett C.; Hadad, Ivan; Lester, Mary E.; Hassanein, Aladdin H.; Surgery, School of MedicineBackground: Breast pocket irrigation with antiseptic solutions is performed to reduce contamination with breast implants. The optimal antiseptic irrigation solution and the efficacy of individual practices are unclear. Oxychlorosene sodium is frequently used at our institution. Oxychlorosene is bactericidal with a mechanism of action of oxidation and hypochlorination. The purpose of our study was to compare the outcomes of oxychlorosene sodium irrigation with triple antibiotic solution (TAS) in implant-based breast reconstruction. Methods: All patients who underwent implant-based reconstruction after mastectomy were reviewed. The primary predictive variable was type of solution used for pocket irrigation (TAS or oxychlorosene). Outcome variables included surgical site infection, device removal, and wound complications. Results: Between 2013 and 2018, 331 implant-based breast reconstructions were performed. Of these, 62% (n = 206) received oxychlorosene for surgical pocket irrigation (group I), and 38% (n = 125) received TAS (group II). Group I had an 11.7% (n = 24) 90-day surgical site infection rate, with 4.9% (n = 10) requiring oral antibiotics, 2.4% (n = 5) requiring intravenous antibiotics without device removal, and 4.4% (n = 9) requiring prosthetic removal. Group II had an 11.2% (n = 14) 90-day infection rate, with 5.6% (n = 7) requiring oral antibiotics, 2.4% (n = 3) requiring intravenous antibiotics without device removal, and 3.2% (n = 4) requiring removal (P = 0.90). When comparing the cost of oxychlorosene irrigation with TAS irrigation, oxychlorosene was less expensive. Conclusions: Oxychlorosene and TAS have similar surgical site infection rates in prosthetic breast reconstruction. Ease of preparation and cost make oxychlorosene a more favorable option for antibiotic irrigation in reconstructive breast surgery with prosthetic devices.Item Evaluation of an Extended-duration Chemoprophylaxis Regimen for Venous Thromboembolism after Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction(Wolters Kluwer, 2021-08) Pittelkow, Eric M.; DeBrock, Will C.; Mailey, Brian; Ballinger, Tarah J.; Socas, Juan; Lester, Mary E.; Hassanein, Aladdin H.; Medicine, School of MedicinePatients undergoing free flap breast reconstruction are at a high risk for venous thromboembolism based upon Caprini scores. Guidelines for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis recommend high-risk groups receive extended chemoprophylaxis for several weeks after gynecological, orthopedic, and surgical oncology cases. Extended prophylaxis has not been studied in free flap breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of free flap breast reconstruction patients who received extended venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis with those who received standard inpatient-only prophylaxis. Methods: Patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction were divided into two groups: standard VTE prophylaxis (Group I) and extended prophylaxis (Group II). Both groups received prophylactic subcutaneous heparin or enoxaparin preoperatively and enoxaparin 40 mg daily postoperatively while inpatient. Group II was discharged with a home regimen of enoxaparin 40 mg daily for an additional 14 days. Results: In total, 103 patients met inclusion criteria (36 patients in Group I, 67 patients in Group II). The incidence of VTE was 1.5% in Group II compared with 2.8% in Group I (P = 0.6). There was no difference in reoperative hematoma between Group I (n = 0) and Group II (n = 1) (P = 0.7). Total flap loss was 2.2%. Conclusions: Although this retrospective pilot study did not show statistical significance in VTE between those receiving extended home chemoprophylaxis (1.5% incidence) compared with inpatient-only chemoprophylaxis (2.8%), the risk of bleeding complications was similar. These results indicate that a larger, higher powered study is justified to assess if an extended home chemoprophylaxis protocol should be standard of care post free flap breast reconstruction.Item Prophylactic Absorbable Antibiotic Beads for High-risk, Implant-based Prepectoral Reconstruction(Wolters Kluwer, 2023-10-16) Ahmed, Shahnur; Lee, Jason T. C.; Roth, Dylan; Sinha, Mithun; Fisher, Carla; Fan, Betty; Imeokparia, Folasade; Ludwig, Kandice; Lester, Mary E.; Hassanein, Aladdin H.; Surgery, School of MedicineInfections are problematic in postmastectomy implant-based reconstruction with infection rates as high as 30%. Strategies to reduce the risk of infection have demonstrated various efficacies. A prolonged course of systemic, oral antibiotics has not shown evidence-based benefit. Although absorbable antibiotic beads have been described for orthopedic procedures and pressure wounds, their use has not been well studied during breast reconstruction, particularly for prepectoral implant placement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the selective use of prophylactic absorbable calcium sulfate antibiotic beads during high-risk implant-based, prepectoral breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Patients who underwent implant-based, prepectoral breast reconstruction between 2019 and 2022 were reviewed. Groups were divided into those who received antibiotic beads and those who did not. Outcome variables included postoperative infection at 90 days. A total of 148 patients (256 implants) were included: 15 patients (31 implants) who received biodegradable antibiotic beads and 133 patients (225 implants) in the control group. Patients who received antibiotic beads were more likely to have a history of infection (66.7%) compared with the control group (0%) (P < 0.01). Surgical site infection occurred in 3.2% of implants in the antibiotic bead group compared with 7.6%, but this did not reach statistical significance. The incidence of infection in high-risk patients who have absorbable antibiotic beads placed during the time of reconstruction seems to be normalized to the control group in this pilot study. We present a novel use of prophylactic absorbable antibiotic beads in prepectoral breast implant reconstruction.Item Trends in Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction(Springer Nature, 2024-04-28) Ahmed, Shahnur; Hassanein, Aladdin H.; Lester, Mary E.; Manghelli, Joshua; Fisher, Carla; Imeokparia, Folosade; Ludwig, Kandice; Fan, Betty; Surgery, School of MedicineBackground and objective: Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) is emerging as a useful adjunct after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), leading to a decrease in lymphedema rates from 30 to 3-13% in breast cancer patients. ILR requires coordination between two surgical specialties for oncologic ALND and microsurgical axillary lymphatic anastomosis. This study aimed to assess the trends in the frequency of ILR performed after ALND at our institution. Methods: This study involved a retrospective review of breast cancer patients undergoing ALND with and without ILR at our institution (2017-2022). Data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatments received were gathered and analyzed. Results: A total of 316 patients underwent ALND at our institution and 30.7% (97/316) of them received ILR. There was no significant difference in clinical breast cancer stages between patients who underwent ALND with or without ILR (p>0.05). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given to 51.1% (112/219) of patients with ALND only compared to 60.8% (59/97) of patients who underwent ALND with ILR (p=0.09). All patients received adjuvant radiation therapy. ILR was performed after ALND in 4.2% (2/47) in 2017, 25.8% (3/58) in 2018, 17.6% (12/68) in 2019, 35% (21/60) in 2020, 56.9% (41/72) in 2021, and 54.5% (6/11) in 2022. When comparing the first year of the ILR program with the last year of the study period, the odds ratio of receiving ILR after ALND was 1.8 (p=0.04). Conclusions: The frequency of performing ILR after ALND in breast cancer patients at our institution witnessed a substantial increase during the study period. The implementation of an established ILR program at an institution can increase procedure uptake accompanied by continued growth in utilization.Item The Virtual Visiting Professor: Temporary Form of COVID-19 Social Distancing or Potential Paradigm Shift?(American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2021-10) Bamba, Ravinder; Tran, Phu C.; Lester, Mary E.; Wooden, William A.; Gordillo, Gayle M.; Hadad, Ivan; Hassanein, Aladdin H.; Medicine, School of Medicine