Friday 22 August 2008

Journal of the American College of Surgeons v.207 no.1 Jul 2008

Breast-conserving surgery using projection and reproduction techniques of surgical-position breast MRI in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Jul 2008 (epub: 14 Apr 2008), vol. 207, no. 1
p. 62-8
Sakakibara-Masahiro, Nagashima-Takeshi, Sangai-Takafumi, Nakamura- Rikiya et al
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In this study, we report a breast-conserving surgery (BCS) approach that uses projection and reproduction techniques of breast MRI obtained in the surgical position to the breast surface in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. STUDY DESIGN: Between February 2005 and January 2007, a total of 104 patients with operable breast cancer at our hospital had surgical- position breast MRI examinations. The 24 patients with relatively localized DCIS received BCS using the projection and reproduction techniques of the surgical-position breast MRI. During the same time period, 28 patients with relatively localized DCIS in whom prone- position breast MRI was performed, had conventional BCS using mammography-guided hookwires. In this study, we compared the surgical outcomes of our surgical approach with those of the conventional approach in a total of 52 patients with relatively localized DCIS. RESULTS: Average volume of the pathologic specimens in the new technique group (27.5 cm(3)) was substantially smaller than that in the conventional BCS group (57.6 cm(3), p = 0.0007). In addition, the positive margin rate was substantially lower in the new technique group (12.5%) than in the conventional BCS group (39.3%; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that BCS can be done guided by the precise projection and reproduction techniques of the lesion obtained by surgical-position breast MRI. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BCS technique for DCIS in this manner. Our surgical approach can be clinically useful in surgical planning and management in patients with DCIS.

Autologous breast reconstruction: the Vanderbilt experience (1998 to 2005) of independent predictors of displeasing outcomes.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Jul 2008 (epub: 05 May 2008), vol. 207, no. 1, p. 49-56
Greco-Joseph-A-3rd, Castaldo-Eric-T, Nanney-Lillian-B, Wu-Y-C, Donahue-Rafe et al
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Optimal surgical outcomes are dependent on an appreciation of comorbid conditions that may handicap results. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to delineate risk factors for complications after autologous breast reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: An institutional database was constructed of patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction from 1998 to 2005. Variables captured included age, diabetes and smoking status, prereconstruction radiation therapy, concomitant breast resection, preoperative albumin, flap type, and body mass index (BMI; based on World Health Organization classifications: BMI>25, overweight; >30, obese). The primary outcome was noninfectious wound complications (NIWC), a novel classification based on the extent of tissue derangement and need for operative intervention. Secondary outcomes were wound infection, hematoma, hernia, and fat necrosis. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The analysis included 200 flaps (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM)=171; latissimus dorsi=29) in 180 patients. There were 19 infections (9.5%), 3 total flap losses (1.5%) , 14 hematomas (7%), and 11 donor-site hernias (6%). The incidences of fat necrosis and any NIWC were 18% and 36%, respectively. Mean followup was 13.1 months (range 1.1 to 51.7 months). Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that obesity (BMI>30) is a statistically significant independent risk factor for any NIWC (hazards ratio=6.58; 95% CI, 2.85 to 15.18; p <>or=3; hazard ratio=6.23; 95% CI 2.15 to 18.05; p < 0.01). Increased BMI predicts NIWC, NIWC requiring operative intervention, and wound infection (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that obesity is a strong predictor of simple and complex NIWC and of wound infection after autologous breast reconstruction. Obese patients should be counseled about their significantly increased risk of experiencing these unwanted outcomes.