Oncoplastic Technique for the Elimination of the Lateral “Dog Ear” During Mastectomy

Abstract: Following a mastectomy, both the cosmetic and functional results can be impaired by the presence of a lateral “dog ear.” This is a particular problem in women with a large body habitus giving an increased amount of adipose tissue lateral to the breast. The standard approaches to this operation of horizontal or oblique incisions often results in an uncomfortable, unsightly lateral “dog ear”. We describe a modification to the standard mastectomy incision that allows extensive excision of the lateral adipose tissue, re‐draping the skin over the chest wall, thus eliminating the “dog ear.” The mastectomy is performed through two oblique incisions originating in the axillary skin crease encompassing the nipple areolar complex, followed by extensive lateral fat excision. A distance of 2–3 cm is kept between the superior limit of the two incisions. At closure the lateral skin flap is advanced superiomedially on the chest wall without tension. This simple and reproducible technique improves cosmesis and patient satisfaction following modified radical mastectomy by eliminating the lateral “dog ear.”     

Endoscopic-assisted transaxillary removal of a midline anterior epidermoid cyst.

A 3-year-old boy presented with a 3 x 3 cm dermoid cyst in the midline of the anterior chest wall. This was successfully removed, using an endoscopic-assisted technique, through a single incision placed in the anterior axillary fold, avoiding the need for a mid-sternal incision. This technique and its application to paediatric soft-tissue surgery are discussed.     

经腋窝与胸前径路da Vinci Si机器人甲状腺腺叶切除二例

目的 探讨da Vinci Si机器人甲状腺手术不同径路的安全性.方法 2014年1月济南军区总医院用da Vinci Si外科手术系统完成甲状腺腺叶切除2例.1例取腋窝径路,于患侧腋窝沿腋前线取切口约5 cm,对侧锁骨中线乳头上方取横切口约8 mm,建立皮下隧道至术区,经腋窝切口置入da Vinci Si外科手术系统摄像臂及1、2号器械臂,经8 mm trocar置入3号器械臂.另一例取胸前径路,于胸骨切迹下约12 cm处建立观察孔12 mm,双侧锁骨中线乳晕上方处建立操作孔8 mm,观察孔置入摄像臂,操作孔置入1、2号器械臂,术中止血及腺体切除均采用超声刀,标本用取物袋取出,术毕于术区留置负压引流管并关闭手术切口.结果 2例患者均成功实施机器人甲状腺腺叶切除术,无中转开放或腔镜手术,无手术并发症,术中估计出血量10 ～20 mL,平均手术时间为163 min,平均引流量90.5 mL.病理诊断分别为结节性甲状腺肿和甲状腺滤泡性腺瘤.术后测甲状旁腺素及血清钙磷均在正常范围.结论 经腋窝与胸前径路机器人甲状腺腺叶切除安全可行,手术美容效果好.     

先天乳腺不发育伴轻度鸡胸行隆乳术治疗的临床效果评价

目的 评价隆乳术治疗先天乳腺不发育、乳腺发育不良及胸大肌发育不良伴轻度鸡胸畸形临床效果.方法 对10例先天乳腺不发育、乳腺发育不良及胸大肌发育不良伴轻度鸡胸的女性行隆乳术.先在体表标出剥离范围及畸形部位,经双腋窝切口,直达皮下组织,向内分离至胸大肌外侧缘,于胸大肌后间隙,置入硅凝胶乳房假体.结果 10例于隆乳术后,随访1年,均未见发生局部感染、假体移位、心肺功能异常等并发症,前胸壁鸡胸畸形外观有明显改善.结论 应用隆乳术治疗先天性乳腺不发育、乳腺发育不良及胸大肌发育不良并伴有轻度鸡胸,操作方便、手术损伤小、效果满意.既美化乳房外观又掩饰了鸡胸畸形,具有双重手术效果,值得推广.     

先天乳腺不发育伴轻度鸡胸行隆乳术治疗的临床效果评价

目的 评价隆乳术治疗先天乳腺不发育、乳腺发育不良及胸大肌发育不良伴轻度鸡胸畸形临床效果.方法 对10例先天乳腺不发育、乳腺发育不良及胸大肌发育不良伴轻度鸡胸的女性行隆乳术.先在体表标出剥离范围及畸形部位,经双腋窝切口,直达皮下组织,向内分离至胸大肌外侧缘,于胸大肌后间隙,置入硅凝胶乳房假体.结果 10例于隆乳术后,随访1年,均未见发生局部感染、假体移位、心肺功能异常等并发症,前胸壁鸡胸畸形外观有明显改善.结论 应用隆乳术治疗先天性乳腺不发育、乳腺发育不良及胸大肌发育不良并伴有轻度鸡胸,操作方便、手术损伤小、效果满意.既美化乳房外观又掩饰了鸡胸畸形,具有双重手术效果,值得推广.     

先天乳腺不发育伴轻度鸡胸行隆乳术治疗的临床效果评价

目的 评价隆乳术治疗先天乳腺不发育、乳腺发育不良及胸大肌发育不良伴轻度鸡胸畸形临床效果.方法 对10例先天乳腺不发育、乳腺发育不良及胸大肌发育不良伴轻度鸡胸的女性行隆乳术.先在体表标出剥离范围及畸形部位,经双腋窝切口,直达皮下组织,向内分离至胸大肌外侧缘,于胸大肌后间隙,置入硅凝胶乳房假体.结果 10例于隆乳术后,随访1年,均未见发生局部感染、假体移位、心肺功能异常等并发症,前胸壁鸡胸畸形外观有明显改善.结论 应用隆乳术治疗先天性乳腺不发育、乳腺发育不良及胸大肌发育不良并伴有轻度鸡胸,操作方便、手术损伤小、效果满意.既美化乳房外观又掩饰了鸡胸畸形,具有双重手术效果,值得推广.     

The pinwheel technique: an adjunct to the periareolar approach in gynecomastia resection.

The most common surgical approach to gynecomastia is through Webster's intra-areolar incision. The authors have modified the excisional phase of the operation to facilitate the delivery of a large mass of breast tissue through a relatively small incision. The essential features of this procedure are (1) delineation of the perimeter of the breast on the pectoral fascia; (2) elevation of the anterior chest wall skin and subcutaneous tissues over the entire breast mass; (3) serial application of Kocher clamps at the perimeter of the breast and, with gentle traction, sequential lysis of the peripheral and posterior attachments of the breast mass; and (4) delivery of the the mass simultaneously through the periareolar incision, as the dissection proceeds, until the entire specimen is exteriorized. The specimen then consists of the entire breast mass encircled by a pinwheel-like arrangement of Kocher clamps. Thirty-one patients (61 gynecomastic breasts) were operated using this method. En bloc tissue specimens weighing as much as 285 g were removed without the need for dividing the specimen or extending the single incision. The authors recommend this technique, which is straightforward and efficacious with minimal blood loss and good postoperative cosmesis.     

Anterior Axillary Muscle-Sparing Thoracotomy for Lung Transplantation

We have been using an anterior axillary muscle-sparing thoracotomy to perform single-lung transplantation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The incision allows excellent exposure and may lead to improved chest wall and shoulder girdle mechanics, which may allow for a faster recovery. This incision has become our preferred approach in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring single-lung transplantation who have not had a previous ipsilateral thoracic operation.     

Differences in wound healing between ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty and suction-assisted lipoplasty in inverted T-pattern breast reduction surgery and chest wall contouring

Background: Inverted T-pattern breast reduction does not directly address axillary or lateral chest wall fullness. Lipoplasty of this tissue has been advocated by some surgeons to reduce additional scarring. Objective: A prospective study was designed to examine the differences in wound healing of the breast reduction skin flaps when ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) and suction-assisted lipoplasty (SAL) were each used as an adjunct to inverted T-pattern breast reduction surgery. Methods: The prospective study involved 15 consecutive nonsmoking female patients undergoing a standard inferior pedicle, central mound breast reduction and contouring of the lateral chest wall. Contouring of the left lateral chest wall and axilla was done with UAL and contouring of the right lateral chest wall with SAL. Lipoplasty was not used elsewhere in the breast tissue. The height and length of skin ischemia or necrosis at the inverted T incision was measured at postoperative day 2 or 3. Patients were placed on dressing changes and followed frequently until fully healed. Results: The amount of breast tissue removed and the amount of UAL/SAL axillary aspirate were not significantly different from side to side (for the mean UAL side, tissue 828 ± 190 g and aspirate 195 ± 102 mL; for the mean SAL side, tissue 780 ± 187 g and aspirate 194 ± 94 mL; P > .05). The mean area of lateral skin flap ischemia at the inverted T incision was significantly less on the UAL side than on the SAL side (UAL, 47 ± 128 mm²; SAL, 361 ± 500 mm²; P = 0.02). The time to complete skin wound healing of the lateral flap was significantly less in the UAL-treated flaps than in the SAL-treated flaps (UAL, 9.6 ± 8.6 days; SAL, 22.1 ± 22 days; P = .02). The study was terminated once these resounding differences in lateral skin flap necrosis and time of wound healing became obvious. Conclusions: UAL offers significant benefits in comparison with SAL as an adjunct to standard breast reduction surgery for contouring of lateral chest wall fullness.     

Monoblock Thoracobrachioplasty in Males: A Proposed Technique Mimicking the Pectoral Fold

A growing number of men with massive weight loss are seeking improvement of arm deformity extending through the axilla and on to the chest. Although contouring techniques addressing the male arm and anterior chest deformities as separate entities have been described, when a combination of those techniques is performed, the surgical outcomes may lead to improper placement of the resultant scars. The authors propose an upper body-contouring treatment by monoblock thoracobrachioplasty aimed at correcting chest, axilla, and arm deformities in men through a single continuous incision, resulting in a thoracic scar placed right on the pectoral fold. The described surgical approach provides excellent chest contour and simultaneously addresses the upper extremity and axillary contour deformities in men after massive weight loss. The final position of the scar on the thorax corresponds to the inferior pectoral groove, resembling the division of two aesthetic units in the thorax and resulting in anatomically favorable scar positioning. A limitation of this proposed technique is the potential retraction of the axillary part of the continuous scar that may need revision. Careful preoperative evaluation and markings followed by intraoperative skillful handling are needed to prevent complications. The procedure appears relatively simple and easy to perform but requires a learning curve for previewing the ideal positioning of the resultant scar to obtain aesthetically favorable results. Monoblock thoracobrachioplasty mimicking the pectoral fold is a treatment option to be added to the armamentarium of techniques for postbariatric male patients.     

Repair of large chest wall defects using pedicle flaps

Three cases of chest wall resection illustrate the use of three different full thickness pedicle flaps which can be used to cover almost any area of the anterior chest wall. The medially based acromiothoracic flap was swung inferiorly to cover a lateral defect. Laterally based abdominal wall and axillary flaps were used to cover more medial defects. In case III bilateral axillary flaps were necessary to cover a huge central defect after resection of the anterior sternum and anterior cartilages of seven ribs for a sebaceous carcinoma.     

The muscle-sparing thoracotomy in infants and children.

Deformities of the chest wall, breast, shoulder girdle, and spine are well-documented sequelae of major thoracotomies that transect muscles, divide major motor nerves, resect ribs, or cause them to fuse. These deformities are probably aggravated by the growth process. This is why we make a plea for the routine use, in infants and children, of a muscle-sparing thoracotomy that will minimize these sequelae without sacrificing exposure. Major (lateral) thoracotomy by this technique involves these steps: (1) creating a transverse incision below the tip of the scapula, or a vertical axillary incision; (2) elevating the skin flaps to expose the muscles; (3) retracting the latissimus dorsi posteriorly; (4) retracting the serratus anterior and scapula superiorly; (5) disinserting the lower origins of the serratus if required only; (6) opening the desired intercostal space; (7) reapproximating the ribs without crowding, using a pericostal suture that is passed along the inferior rib subperiosteally, to avoid any compression on the neurovascular bundle; and (8) allowing the muscles to fall back into place, reattaching the serratus insertions as indicated. Lessened postoperative pain and improved respiratory function are additional benefits.     

经腋前线单切口腔镜辅助乳腺手术切除肿瘤的临床研究

【摘要】 目的 探讨经腋前线单切口腔镜辅助乳腺手术切除肿瘤的临床疗效。方法〓选取2015年1月至2016年1月我院收治的70例乳腺纤维瘤患者,按照手术方法的不同将其分为两组,观察组35例患者行经腋前线单切口腔镜辅助乳腺手术切除肿瘤,对照组35例患者经乳晕切口行常规手术,对比两组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间的手术相关参数以及术后并发症发生率。结果〓两组患者手术均顺利完成,术后均无皮肤淤斑及皮下积液等并发症。观察组患者在手术时间、术中出血量、切口长度、切口至病灶远端的距离、住院时间等手术相关指标上比较均明显优于对照组患者,并具有统计学意义;观察组患者中切口至病灶远端的距离≤8.0 cm的患者在手术时间及术中出血量上均小于切口至病灶远端的距离>8.0 cm患者,P<0.05,其他各项无显著性差异。结论〓经腋前线单切口腔镜辅助乳腺手术切除肿瘤相较于常规乳腺肿瘤切除术具有更好的安全性和临床疗效,患者术后恢复快,并发症发生率低。但采用距病灶过长的通道可能增加损伤。     

Arthroscopic All-Inside Repair of Tears of the Anterior Horn of the Lateral Meniscus

Presently, the outside-in or inside-out meniscal repair techniques are recommended for the repair of tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. However, an incision about 1 to 2 cm or more in length is needed, and the biomechanics of the lateral meniscus may be altered during motion. We have developed a new alternative repair technique to prevent this skin incision and preserve the normal biomechanics of the lateral meniscus during motion. We use 3 portals: a lateral patellofemoral axillary portal, a standard anterolateral portal, and an extreme far medial portal. We perform all-inside repair for tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus using suture hooks.     

Modification of the ilioinguinal approach

The classic ilioinguinal approach has become well established in the treatment of acetabular fractures. However, in certain cases with extensive low anterior column or anterior wall fractures less than optimal exposure may be obtained. The authors present a modification of the ilioinguinal approach by combining it with a Smith-Petersen approach with a modified skin incision. This provides improved visualization and access, especially in comminuted low anterior column and anterior wall fractures, may facilitate reduction maneuvers to the quadrilateral surface, and allows the option of intraarticular inspection. In addition, the risk of iatrogenic lateral femoral cutaneous nerve damage is diminished. In this article the technique of this modification is described and illustrated.     

A novel surgical correction through a small transverse incision for pectus excavatum

Surgical correction of pectus excavatum (PE) has been well established since Ravitch's publication in 1949. However, Ravitch's procedure, even if modified, was associated with the relatively radical nature of the operation. The aim of this study was to report our early experience and results in treatment of PE by a novel less invasive surgical technique through a small skin incision. From 1998 to 2003, a novel surgical correction through a small transverse incision was performed for 11 patients with PE, including 9 males and 2 females. The mean age was 9.2 years (range, 3 to 17 years). The less invasive surgical technique consisted of a small transverse skin incision over the deepest part of the PE deformity, subcutaneous dissection to the margin of the depressed deformity, elevation of pectoralis musculature from the midline toward the lateral border of the operative field, subperichondrial resection of the short segment (1 to 2 cm) of the involved costal cartilages, detachment of the xiphoid process and elevation of the sternum with sharp or blunt dissection, retrosternal titanium miniplate strutting, placement of drainage tubes in the mediastinum or pleural spaces, and closure of the operative wound. No sternal osteotomy was performed in this series. The average length of the skin incision was 3.2 cm. The number of the resected cartilages varied from 3 to 6 ribs on each side. The average blood loss was 41 mL (range, 10 to 80 mL), and the operation time was 3.1 hours. The duration of hospitalization was 4.4 days on average. There was no surgical complication or mortality. All patients were satisfied with their cosmesis, and no migration of the retrosternal strut was found in chest radiographs until the date of analysis. This less invasive surgical technique, which did not require osteotomy, could be effectively performed through a small skin incision and was associated with steady recovery of chest wall deformity, as well as excellent cosmetic results.     

The transverse musculocutaneous gracilis flap for chest wall reconstruction in male patients with Poland's syndrome

Poland's syndrome represents a congenital unilateral deformity of the breast, chest wall, and upper limb with extremely variable manifestations. In most cases, the problem is mainly cosmetic, and the reconstruction of the chest wall should use a method designed to be performed easily and to achieve minimal scarring and donor site morbidity. We describe using a transverse musculocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap for chest wall and anterior maxillary fold reconstruction in three male patients. In two patients, only the pectoralis major muscle was missing. In the third case, the ipsilateral latissimus dorsi muscle was also absent. The indication for surgical treatment was purely cosmetic. In all patients, a free TMG flap was performed to reconstruct the anterior axillary fold and the soft tissue defect. There was no flap loss, and all three patients had a clearly improved appearance of the chest wall. In this article, we demonstrate our experience with the use of a TMG flap for chest wall reconstruction in male patients with Poland's syndrome. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.     

‘J’ brachioplasty technique in massive weight loss patients

Abstract

Upper extremity body reshaping is a very frequent surgical procedure in massive weight loss patients. Many surgeons have presented different patterns of brachioplasty skin excision and a variety of adjunctive techniques, each of them claiming improvements in scar aesthetic, arm shape or overall safety of the procedure. In this pape,r we want to illustrate our personal brachioplasty technique for massive weight loss patients. Our incision design named ‘J’ Brachioplasty is described. Between March 2013 and March 2016, a retrospective study of patients with massive weight loss and clinical diagnosis of brachial ptosis undergoing surgical reconstruction with ‘J’ brachioplasty was performed. All patients were treated according to a standard surgical procedure described in detail in the paper. The presence of axillary and thoracic skin excess was also recorded for every subject, as well as clinical and surgical postoperative complications. A total number of 73 Caucasian underwent J-shaped brachioplasty. Our technique allowed us to treat both arm and thoracic skin excess with a single skin incision. Among our casuistic we had only two cases of postoperative bleeding and four cases of partial wound dehiscence due to tension. Seroma was reported only in one (female) patient. Despite the recent introduction our technique has proven to reach good results in massive weight loss patients.     

Combined thoracoscopic and open chest approach of lobectomy with inferior chest wall resection for advanced lung cancer

Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer invading a chest wall are surgical candidates if complete resection is possible. When a primary tumor locating the lower lobe invades an inferior chest wall, either a wide skin incision or double skin incisions to secure surgical views both for dissection of hilum and mediastinum and for inferior chest wall resection is necessary. Wider incision causes higher rate of wound necrosis and infection. We describe a combined approach of thoracoscopic and open chest surgery for lobectomy and inferior chest wall resection, respectively. Patient was a 68-year-old man with an advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Video-assisted thoracoscopic middle and lower lobectomies and mediastinal nodal dissection was completed via 5 ports. Chest wall resection including the posterior portion of the 9th and 10th ribs and the transverse process followed inferior postero-lateral thoracotomy. Postoperative course was uneventful. The present surgical approach can avoid a wide thoracotomy for an advanced lung cancer invading an inferior chest wall.     

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis palmaris: a periareolar approach

Severe hyperhidrosis palmaris represents a disabling problem for many patients. Thoracoscopic techniques that involve dissection and removal of the upper thoracic sympathetic chain are believed to result in the lowest incidence of recurrent symptoms. However, aside from an axillary incision, an additional upper anterior chest wall approach is usually required. Over the past 2 years, we have used a periareolar incision in eight patients to improve postoperative cosmesis for this benign condition.