The Telemark Breast Score: A Reliable Method for the Evaluation of Results after Breast Surgery
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:
September 2016 - Volume 138 - Issue 3 - p 390e–400e
Begic, A; Stark, B
Background: Validated instruments for assessing results after breast surgery are sparse. The authors present here a method used for the past 10 years at their institution for evaluation of outcome after breast-conserving surgery and microsurgical breast reconstruction. Methods: The Telemark Breast Score is a method based on standard two-dimensional photographs assessing the outcome after breast surgery in terms of volume, shape, and symmetry. Three panels comprising two plastic surgeons, two breast surgeons, and two nurses tested the Telemark Breast Score on 346 patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery for cancer and 31 other patients who underwent deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstruction. All patients were assessed at least 1 year after their operation. Consistency of agreement between and within the panels was studied. Results: Interobserver and intraobserver reliability was good after consensus discussion. Good rating stability was shown using test-retest measurements. Conclusion: The Telemark Breast Score is an inexpensive, statistically reliable method and can be applied for quality control after breast surgery.
Friday, 16 September 2016
Is Single-Stage Prosthetic Reconstruction Cost Effective? A Cost-Utility Analysis for the Use of Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction Relative to Expander-Implant Reconstruction in Postmastectomy Patients
Is Single-Stage Prosthetic Reconstruction Cost Effective? A Cost-Utility Analysis for the Use of Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction Relative to Expander-Implant Reconstruction in Postmastectomy Patients
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:
September 2016 - Volume 138 - Issue 3 - p 537–547
Krishnan NM et al
Background: Prosthetic breast reconstruction is most commonly performed using the two-stage (expander-implant) technique. However, with the advent of skin-sparing mastectomy and the use of acellular dermal matrices, one-stage prosthetic reconstruction has become more feasible. Prior studies have suggested that one-stage reconstruction has economic advantages relative to two-stage reconstruction despite a higher revision rate. This is the first cost-utility analysis to compare the cost and quality of life of both procedures to guide patient care. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases to include studies directly comparing matched patient cohorts undergoing single-stage or staged prosthetic reconstruction. Six studies were selected examining 791 direct-to-implant reconstructions and 1142 expander-implant reconstructions. Costs were derived adopting both patient and third-party payer perspectives. Utilities were derived by surveying an expert panel. Probabilities of clinically relevant complications were combined with cost and utility estimates to fit into a decision tree analysis. Results: The overall complication rate was 35 percent for single-stage reconstruction and 34 percent for expander-implant reconstruction. The authors’ baseline analysis using Medicare reimbursement revealed a cost decrease of $525.25 and a clinical benefit of 0.89 quality-adjusted life-year when performing single-stage reconstructions, yielding a negative incremental cost-utility ratio. When using national billing, the incremental cost-utility further decreased, indicating that direct-to-implant breast reconstruction was the dominant strategy. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the authors’ conclusions. Conclusions: Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction is the dominant strategy when used appropriately. Surgeons are encouraged to consider single-stage reconstruction when feasible in properly selected patients.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:
September 2016 - Volume 138 - Issue 3 - p 537–547
Krishnan NM et al
Background: Prosthetic breast reconstruction is most commonly performed using the two-stage (expander-implant) technique. However, with the advent of skin-sparing mastectomy and the use of acellular dermal matrices, one-stage prosthetic reconstruction has become more feasible. Prior studies have suggested that one-stage reconstruction has economic advantages relative to two-stage reconstruction despite a higher revision rate. This is the first cost-utility analysis to compare the cost and quality of life of both procedures to guide patient care. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases to include studies directly comparing matched patient cohorts undergoing single-stage or staged prosthetic reconstruction. Six studies were selected examining 791 direct-to-implant reconstructions and 1142 expander-implant reconstructions. Costs were derived adopting both patient and third-party payer perspectives. Utilities were derived by surveying an expert panel. Probabilities of clinically relevant complications were combined with cost and utility estimates to fit into a decision tree analysis. Results: The overall complication rate was 35 percent for single-stage reconstruction and 34 percent for expander-implant reconstruction. The authors’ baseline analysis using Medicare reimbursement revealed a cost decrease of $525.25 and a clinical benefit of 0.89 quality-adjusted life-year when performing single-stage reconstructions, yielding a negative incremental cost-utility ratio. When using national billing, the incremental cost-utility further decreased, indicating that direct-to-implant breast reconstruction was the dominant strategy. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the authors’ conclusions. Conclusions: Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction is the dominant strategy when used appropriately. Surgeons are encouraged to consider single-stage reconstruction when feasible in properly selected patients.
Does the Use of Incisional Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Prevent Mastectomy Flap Necrosis in Immediate Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction?
Does the Use of Incisional Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Prevent Mastectomy Flap Necrosis in Immediate Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction?
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:
September 2016 - Volume 138 - Issue 3 - p 558–566
Kim, DY et al
Background: Mastectomy flap necrosis is one of the most common and significant complications in immediate expander-based breast reconstruction. Negative-pressure wound therapy is widely used for open wounds but is not commonly used for closed incisional wounds. However, the postoperative use of incisional negative-pressure wound therapy is demonstrated to reduce complication rates. The authors evaluate the incidence of mastectomy flap necrosis in patients with incisional negative-pressure wound therapy after immediate expander-based breast reconstruction compared with the incidence in patients with conventional dressing. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to identify patients who underwent immediate expander-based breast reconstruction between January of 2010 and February of 2015 at a single institution. Patients were divided into a conventional dressing group and an incisional negative-pressure wound therapy group. Patient demographics, intraoperative findings, and complications were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 228 breasts (206 patients) were included in this study. Of these, the incisional negative-pressure wound therapy group included 45 breasts (44 patients) and the conventional dressing group included 183 breasts (162 patients). The incisional negative-pressure wound therapy group had a lower overall complication rate (11.1 percent versus 27.9 percent; p = 0.019), overall mastectomy flap necrosis rate (8.9 percent versus 23.5 percent; p = 0.030), and major mastectomy flap necrosis rate (2.2 percent versus 13.7 percent; p = 0.031) compared with the conventional dressing group. Conclusions: Incisional negative-pressure wound therapy reduced the incidence of mastectomy flap necrosis. This simple and reliable dressing technique can be effective in preventing mastectomy flap necrosis in immediate expander-based breast reconstruction.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:
September 2016 - Volume 138 - Issue 3 - p 558–566
Kim, DY et al
Background: Mastectomy flap necrosis is one of the most common and significant complications in immediate expander-based breast reconstruction. Negative-pressure wound therapy is widely used for open wounds but is not commonly used for closed incisional wounds. However, the postoperative use of incisional negative-pressure wound therapy is demonstrated to reduce complication rates. The authors evaluate the incidence of mastectomy flap necrosis in patients with incisional negative-pressure wound therapy after immediate expander-based breast reconstruction compared with the incidence in patients with conventional dressing. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to identify patients who underwent immediate expander-based breast reconstruction between January of 2010 and February of 2015 at a single institution. Patients were divided into a conventional dressing group and an incisional negative-pressure wound therapy group. Patient demographics, intraoperative findings, and complications were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 228 breasts (206 patients) were included in this study. Of these, the incisional negative-pressure wound therapy group included 45 breasts (44 patients) and the conventional dressing group included 183 breasts (162 patients). The incisional negative-pressure wound therapy group had a lower overall complication rate (11.1 percent versus 27.9 percent; p = 0.019), overall mastectomy flap necrosis rate (8.9 percent versus 23.5 percent; p = 0.030), and major mastectomy flap necrosis rate (2.2 percent versus 13.7 percent; p = 0.031) compared with the conventional dressing group. Conclusions: Incisional negative-pressure wound therapy reduced the incidence of mastectomy flap necrosis. This simple and reliable dressing technique can be effective in preventing mastectomy flap necrosis in immediate expander-based breast reconstruction.
The Subtleties of Success in Simultaneous Augmentation-Mastopexy
The Subtleties of Success in Simultaneous Augmentation-Mastopexy
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:
September 2016 - Volume 138 - Issue 3 - p 585–592
Doshier, Laura J et al
Background: Many have challenged the safety of performing breast augmentation and mastopexy simultaneously. However, staging these procedures incurs the increased risk and inconvenience of two periods of anesthesia and recuperation. The authors set out to evaluate the occurrence of complications across the populations of patients undergoing (1) combined augmentation-mastopexy, (2) isolated augmentation, and (3) isolated mastopexy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of one surgeon’s consecutive series of each of these procedures from 2000 to 2009 was conducted. Preoperative risk factors were characterized. Sixteen different complications were examined, and those necessitating operative revision were tracked. Statistical analysis was performed looking for significant differences between the surgical groups. Results: No instances of infection, tissue loss, or implant exposure occurred among the 297 patients over an average follow-up period of 15.5 months. The isolated mastopexy group did not provide sufficient data for statistical comparison. Tissue-related complications were most common in the combined procedure group. The operative revision rate for isolated augmentation was 7.97 percent compared with a combined procedure revision rate of 12.4 percent (p = 0.28). Conclusions: The majority of complications in this series comparing simultaneous augmentation-mastopexy to isolated augmentation were minor. Complications requiring operative revision were not found to be significantly different between the two groups. There was a much lower reoperation rate (12.4 percent) with the combined procedure compared with a 100 percent reoperation rate when the procedure is staged. Thus, the authors feel the combined procedure can safely be part of every plastic surgeon’s practice.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:
September 2016 - Volume 138 - Issue 3 - p 585–592
Doshier, Laura J et al
Background: Many have challenged the safety of performing breast augmentation and mastopexy simultaneously. However, staging these procedures incurs the increased risk and inconvenience of two periods of anesthesia and recuperation. The authors set out to evaluate the occurrence of complications across the populations of patients undergoing (1) combined augmentation-mastopexy, (2) isolated augmentation, and (3) isolated mastopexy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of one surgeon’s consecutive series of each of these procedures from 2000 to 2009 was conducted. Preoperative risk factors were characterized. Sixteen different complications were examined, and those necessitating operative revision were tracked. Statistical analysis was performed looking for significant differences between the surgical groups. Results: No instances of infection, tissue loss, or implant exposure occurred among the 297 patients over an average follow-up period of 15.5 months. The isolated mastopexy group did not provide sufficient data for statistical comparison. Tissue-related complications were most common in the combined procedure group. The operative revision rate for isolated augmentation was 7.97 percent compared with a combined procedure revision rate of 12.4 percent (p = 0.28). Conclusions: The majority of complications in this series comparing simultaneous augmentation-mastopexy to isolated augmentation were minor. Complications requiring operative revision were not found to be significantly different between the two groups. There was a much lower reoperation rate (12.4 percent) with the combined procedure compared with a 100 percent reoperation rate when the procedure is staged. Thus, the authors feel the combined procedure can safely be part of every plastic surgeon’s practice.
Low risk of recurrence in elderly patients treated with breast conserving therapy in a single institute
Low risk of recurrence in elderly patients treated with breast conserving therapy in a single institute
The Breast December 2016 Volume 30, Pages 19- 25
van der LeijF et al
To guide decision making in preventing over- or under-treatment in older breast cancer patients who have undergone breast conserving surgery, we analyzed prognostic factors and risk of recurrence in a consecutive series of patients ≥ 65 years old with breast cancer and identified subgroups that may benefit or not from more intensive treatment.
The Breast December 2016 Volume 30, Pages 19- 25
van der LeijF et al
To guide decision making in preventing over- or under-treatment in older breast cancer patients who have undergone breast conserving surgery, we analyzed prognostic factors and risk of recurrence in a consecutive series of patients ≥ 65 years old with breast cancer and identified subgroups that may benefit or not from more intensive treatment.
Prognostic significance of preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT for breast cancer subtypes
Prognostic significance of preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT for breast cancer subtypes
The Breast December 2016 Volume 30, Pages 5–12
Higuchi T et al
Adjuvant treatments for operable breast cancers are determined according to subtypes defined based on estrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. The ER+/HER2− subtype can be divided into luminal A and luminal B usually by Ki67 expression levels. Although tumor size, lymph node metastasis and tumor grade have been widely accepted in daily clinical practice, the identification of further prognostic indicators especially in the ER+/HER2− subtype is warranted.
The Breast December 2016 Volume 30, Pages 5–12
Higuchi T et al
Adjuvant treatments for operable breast cancers are determined according to subtypes defined based on estrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. The ER+/HER2− subtype can be divided into luminal A and luminal B usually by Ki67 expression levels. Although tumor size, lymph node metastasis and tumor grade have been widely accepted in daily clinical practice, the identification of further prognostic indicators especially in the ER+/HER2− subtype is warranted.
Therapeutic attitude towards internal mammary chain drainage in patients with breast cancer
Therapeutic attitude towards internal mammary chain drainage in patients with breast cancer
The Breast December 2016 Volume 30, Pages 1–4
García KF et alInternal mammary chain (IMC) is one of the main local lymph drainages in breast cancer. However, internal mammary chain sentinel lymph node biopsy (IMC-SLNB) is not always performed.The purpose of this research is to evaluate the outcomes of IMC-SLNB in our institution from 2008 to 2014. We analyzed 1346 women with breast cancer. Six-hundred twenty-two sentinel node biopsies were carried out, one out of ten in IMC territory. Adjuvant radiotherapy in this area was added when positive.IMC-SLNB is feasible, it may change tumour stage, modify adjuvant therapy and change prognosis in selected patients.
The Breast December 2016 Volume 30, Pages 1–4
García KF et alInternal mammary chain (IMC) is one of the main local lymph drainages in breast cancer. However, internal mammary chain sentinel lymph node biopsy (IMC-SLNB) is not always performed.The purpose of this research is to evaluate the outcomes of IMC-SLNB in our institution from 2008 to 2014. We analyzed 1346 women with breast cancer. Six-hundred twenty-two sentinel node biopsies were carried out, one out of ten in IMC territory. Adjuvant radiotherapy in this area was added when positive.IMC-SLNB is feasible, it may change tumour stage, modify adjuvant therapy and change prognosis in selected patients.
From technological advances to biological understanding: The main steps toward high-precision RT in breast cancer
From technological advances to biological understanding: The main steps toward high-precision RT in breast cancer
The Breast October 2016Volume 29, Pages 213–222
Leonardi MC et al
Radiotherapy improves local control in breast cancer (BC) patients which increases overall survival in the long term. Improvements in treatment planning and delivery and a greater understanding of BC behaviour have laid the groundwork for high-precision radiotherapy, which is bound to further improve the therapeutic index. Precise identification of target volumes, better coverage and dose homogeneity have had a positive impact on toxicity and local control. The conformity of treatment dose due to three-dimensional radiotherapy and new techniques such as intensity modulated radiotherapy makes it possible to spare surrounding normal tissue.
The Breast October 2016Volume 29, Pages 213–222
Leonardi MC et al
Radiotherapy improves local control in breast cancer (BC) patients which increases overall survival in the long term. Improvements in treatment planning and delivery and a greater understanding of BC behaviour have laid the groundwork for high-precision radiotherapy, which is bound to further improve the therapeutic index. Precise identification of target volumes, better coverage and dose homogeneity have had a positive impact on toxicity and local control. The conformity of treatment dose due to three-dimensional radiotherapy and new techniques such as intensity modulated radiotherapy makes it possible to spare surrounding normal tissue.
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