Hypofractionation with simultaneous boost in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: A prospective evaluation of a case series and review of the literature

IntroductionTo evaluate acute toxicity and cosmetic outcomes of hypofractionated simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) as adjuvant treatment after breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy and to review the association of chemotherapy and short fractionation with boost.Materials and methodsPatients presenting early-stage breast cancer were enrolled in a phase II trial. All patients received VMAT-SIB technique to the whole breast and tumor bed in 15 fractions, for a total dose of 40.5 and 48 Gy. Acute and late skin toxicities and breast pain were recorded. Cosmetic outcomes were also assessed as excellent/good or fair/poor.ResultsBetween August 2010 and December 2015, 787 consecutive patients were treated and had at least 2 year follow-up. A subset of 175 patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy (median age of 55 years) and was analysed. The median follow up was 39 months (range 24–80). At the end of RT treatment, skin toxicity was G1 in 51.1% of patients, G2 in 9.7%. At 2 years of follow up, it was G1 in 13.5% of patients, no cases ≥ G2; cosmetic outcome was excellent in 63.5% and good in 36.5% of the patients. No significant difference compared to the patients without systemic therapy was observed.ConclusionHypofractionated VMAT-SIB in patients who had undergone adjuvant systemic therapy was safe and well tolerated in terms of acute and early late settings and cosmesis. Our data confirmed the results of other studies published on the association of hypofractionation and chemotherapy or concomitant boost.     

Cosmetic results after wire-guided biopsy of benign breast lesions

Background: There are surprisingly few reports about the cosmetic results of wire-guided biopsy of benign breast lesions as opposed to breast-conserving surgery and irradiation of early breast cancer (BCT).

Study Design: Twenty potential perioperative risk factors for adverse cosmetic results after wire-guided breast biopsy were prospectively evaluated in 101 patients undergoing the first single biopsy after suspicion of a malignant lesion that subsequently proved to be benign. The overall cosmetic result was evaluated by using 6 specific cosmetic indices individually scored 6 months after the breast biopsy.

Results: The overall cosmesis was excellent, good, fair, or poor in 48.5%, 26.7%, 12.9%, and 11.9% of cases, respectively. The corresponding figures according to appraisal by the patients were 22.8%, 58.4%, 17.8%, and 1.0%, respectively. Unsatisfactory (fair or poor) overall cosmetic results were related to excisions extending down to the fascia (p = 0.001) and postoperative complications (p = 0.018) in multivariate analysis. Notably, specimen volume had no significant impact on overall cosmesis, as opposed to cosmesis after BCT.

Conclusions: Cosmetic outcomes after wire-guided biopsy of benign breast lesions were excellent or good in at least 75% of cases. Excisions extending down to the pectoralis fascia and complications were associated with poor aesthetic outcomes.     

早期老年乳腺癌的保乳治疗

目的总结早期老年乳腺癌保乳治疗的临床疗效。方法保乳手术治疗23例早期老年乳腺癌患者,其中Ⅰ期7例,ⅡA期12例,ⅡB期4例,术中切除距肿块边缘2 cm以上乳腺,术后予放疗、化疗及激素治疗。结果随访3.5（2～5）年,未见复发及远处转移。采用Harris提出的四等分类法为美容评定标准,佳4例（17.4%）,良16例（69.6%）,一般2例（8.7%）,差1例（4.3%）,总优良率87.0%。结论保乳治疗早期老年乳腺癌具有机体创伤小、组织器官破坏少、美容效果好和保存功能的优点,在严格掌握手术适应证的前提下,并不增加复发及远处转移的风险。     

Factors Associated with Optimal Cosmetic Results at 36 Months in Patients Treated with Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) on the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) MammoSite® Breast Brachytherapy Registry Trial

Purpose

To evaluate factors associated with optimal cosmetic results at 36 months for early-stage breast cancer patients enrolled on the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) MammoSite^® Breast Brachytherapy registry trial.

Materials and Methods

1,440 patients (1,449 cases) with early-stage breast cancer undergoing breast-conserving therapy were treated with the MammoSite^® radiation therapy system (RTS) brachytherapy catheter to deliver adjuvant accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) (34 Gy in 3.4-Gy fractions). Cosmetic outcome was evaluated at each follow-up visit and dichotomized as excellent/good or fair/poor. Median follow-up for surviving patients was 43.0 months (range 0–73.0 months).

Results

The percentage of patients with good/excellent cosmetic results at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months were as follows: 94.5% (n = 950/1,005), 93.8% (n = 781/833), 93.1% (n = 683/734), and 90.4% (n = 520/575), respectively. Three-year absolute rates of good/excellent cosmesis were as follows: breast-related wound infection (BWI) (83.3%) versus no BWI (94%), <7 mm skin spacing (87.5%) versus ≥7 mm skin spacing (93.6%). Using multiple regression analysis, factors predictive of worse cosmetic outcome at 36 months included smaller skin spacing [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.12] and BWI (OR 0.33, CI 0.16–0.70). A predictive model developed showed that presence of a BWI, use of chemotherapy, and skin spacing had the most effect on cosmetic outcomes. However, in patients that did not develop a breast infection, skin spacing and use of chemotherapy had the most effect on cosmesis.

Conclusion

APBI delivered by MammoSite^® brachytherapy lead to good/excellent cosmesis in 93% of patients with 3-year follow-up. Breast wound infection, use of chemotherapy, and skin spacing were found to be the three most important predictors of cosmesis at 36 months in our cohort of patients.     

早期青年乳腺癌的保乳治疗

目的总结早期青年乳腺癌保乳治疗的临床疗效。方法采用保乳手术治疗26例早期青年乳腺癌患者,其中Ⅰ期8例,ⅡA期13例,ⅡB期5例。术中切除距肿块边缘2 cm以上乳腺,术后予放疗、化疗及内分泌治疗。结果均获随访,平均3.5（2-5）年,未见复发及远处转移。采用Harris提出的四等分类法为美容评定标准,佳4例（15.4%）,良17例（65.4%）,一般4例（15.4%）,差1例（3.8%）,优良率80.8%。结论保乳治疗早期青年乳腺癌具有痛苦小、美容效果好和保存功能的优点,在严格掌握手术适应证的前提下,并不增加复发及远处转移的风险。     

Cosmesis and local control after irradiation in women treated conservatively for breast cancer

One hundred twenty-two patients (124 tumor sites) with breast carcinoma (T1 to T3, N0 to N2, M0) were treated by a lumpectomy and radiation therapy at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, from June 1978 to December 1986. Irradiation to the breast and regional lymph nodes was carried out with cobalt 60 teletherapy in 2-Gy fractions to 50 Gy, followed by an additional boost of 10 Gy to the tumorectomy site with coned electrons. Cosmesis was analyzed by scoring the effects of surgery, as well as the effects of irradiation, and by photographic assessment. After a follow-up of 24 to 119 months (median, 36 months), 82% of the patients were found to have good or excellent cosmetic scores. There was a trend that favored better cosmetic results in younger patients and in patients with outer-quadrant lesions. No significant impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on the cosmetic outcome or on the complications of treatment was demonstrated. There were six local recurrences (5.2%), three of which were true recurrences and the other three that were new primary tumors; 11 distant failures (9%) occurred. The following side effects from irradiation developed in only 5 patients (4.1%): match-line fibrosis (n = 2), soft-tissue necrosis (n = 1), and persistent tenderness (n = 2). The conditions of the two patients with persistent tenderness responded favorably with conservative management. We concluded that a lumpectomy, followed by radiation therapy, provides good cosmetic results without compromising the local control rate. If adjuvant chemotherapy is planned, we recommend that it be administered before radiation therapy in favor of concomitant therapy with both modalities.     

早期乳腺癌保乳手术术中放疗59例

目的 研究早期乳腺癌保乳手术术中放疗的可行性,评价术后并发症、乳房美容效果及肿瘤复发事件.方法 2007年6月至2010年12月,115例患者做保乳手术,59例(研究组)做术中放疗,同期有56例(对照组)术后做全乳放疗,在术后1个月评估切口愈合状况及并发症;术后1年比较两组乳房美容效果;术后随访肿瘤复发及死亡事件.结果 研究组切口愈合天数为13 ～22d,对照组为9 ～14d.研究组2例出现切口脂肪液化,16例有切口水肿,对照组未见切口脂肪液化、水肿;两组均未出现术后切口感染或血肿.术后1年乳房美容评价:研究组41例中优秀或好的有36例、一般或差的5例;对照组37例中优秀或好的有25例、一般或差的有12例(P=0.031).随访3～42个月(中位24个月),研究组局部复发2例(3.39％),其中1例(1.7％)死亡;对照组局部复发1例(1.8％),无死亡.结论 早期乳腺癌保乳手术术中放疗安全可靠、美容效果好、局部控制满意.     

Plastic surgery and conservative treatment of breast cancer. Indications and results]

After conservative treatment for breast cancer, 75% of patients have good cosmetic results, but 20 to 25% of patients have a fair or a bad result. The tumor itself is responsible for some of these bad results (tumor volume, location in the inferior quadrants of the breast) but more often, failures are related to surgery and/or radiotherapy. Some patients will then ask for reconstructive surgery. It should always be preceded by a careful examination of the breast, both with an oncologic and a reconstructive approach. The techniques used are numerous, ranging from simple reexcision of the lumpectomy scar to mastectomy with immediate TRAM flap reconstruction. We believe that plastic surgery techniques should be used as soon as the initial lumpectomy, as they help to fill in the defect. In the case of a tumor located in the inferior quadrants, bad cosmetic results are twice as frequent as in the upper quadrants: we treated 16 of these patients with immediate bilateral breast reduction, reshaping the breast at the same time as the lumpectomy, and achieving symmetry of the contralateral breast. This technique did not interfere with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. When radiotherapy followed surgery, cosmetic results were good. Local and distant recurrences were not modified by the adjunction of a breast reduction to the lumpectomy. In 49 cases, we also proposed a bilateral breast reduction for larger tumors (T > 3 cm, bifocal cancer). 4-year local recurrence rate was less than 10%: this technique could help to extend the indications for conservative treatment for breast cancer. More cases and longer follow-up are necessary.     

Factors influencing cosmetic results after breast conserving management (Turkish experience)

We aimed to determine predictive factors affecting cosmetic results after breast conserving management in breast cancer. Data on 96 patients with 97 breast cancer cases, who had been admitted to Uluda? University M.A. Radiotherapy Center between October 1995 and December 1998 and managed with breast-conserving treatment, were analysed to determine the factors affecting cosmetic outcome. Possible factors affecting cosmesis were grouped as patient-related, tumor-related and treatment-related. Mann-Whitney U test was used in univariate analyses whereas logistic regression was used in multivariate analyses. Median follow-up time was 29.5 months ranging between 11 and 53 months and median age at admission was 50 (range 22-84). Cosmetic results were grouped in five categories; excellent; good; fair; poor and, very poor, using criteria, such as presence of fibrosis, telangiectasia, shape of breast, asymmetry, status of areola, pigmentation. Treated breasts were scored by the patients, three radiation oncologists and a breast surgeon independently. In the analysis performed using scores given by the patients, cases with scores 3 and above (unsatisfactory) were compared with cases with scores below 3 (satisfactory). Eighty-two patients (84%) considered cosmetic result as satisfactory (excellent/good) whereas 15 patients (16%) considered unsatisfactory (fair/poor/very poor). In univariate analysis using Mann-Whitney U test, type of surgery (P=0.0655) was the statistically significant factors affecting cosmetic results. In multivariate analysis using logistic regression, tumor quadrant (P=0.0060) and elapsed radiation therapy days (P=0.0090) were the most significant factors. Median values were taken into consideration for the scores given by the physicians and cases with scores 3 and above (unsatisfactory) were compared with cases with scores below 3 (satisfactory). Eighty-two cases were evaluated as satisfactory (84%) whereas 15 cases were unsatisfactory (16%). In this set of data, patient age (P=0.0144), menopausal status (P=0.0111), institution which surgery was performed (P=0.0045), type of surgery (P=0.0044), placement of metallic clips (P=0.0083) and skin fibrosis (P=0.038) were found to be significant in univariate analysis using Mann-Whitney U test. In multivariate analysis using logistic regression, institution where surgery took place (P=0.0015), menopausal status (P=0.0087) and telangiectasia (P=0.0657) were the most significant factors.     

The Effect of Radiation on Complication Rates and Patient Satisfaction in Breast Reconstruction using Temporary Tissue Expanders and Permanent Implants

The optimal method of reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) is controversial. This study evaluated patient satisfaction and complication rates among patients who received implant‐based breast reconstruction. The specific treatment algorithm analyzed included patients receiving mastectomy and immediate temporary tissue expander (TE), followed by placement of a permanent breast implant (PI). If indicated, RT was delivered to the fully expanded TE. Records of 218 consecutive patients with 222 invasive (85%) or in situ (15%) breast lesions from the Salt Lake City region treated between 1998 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed, 28% of whom received RT. Median RT dose was 50.4 Gy, and 41% received a scar boost at a median dose of 10 Gy. Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed to evaluate the cumulative incidence of surgical complications, including permanent PI removal. Risk factors associated with surgical events were analyzed. To evaluate cosmetic results and patient satisfaction, an anonymous survey was administered. Mean follow‐up was 44 months (range 6–144). Actuarial 5‐year PI removal rates for non‐RT and RT patients were 4% and 22%, respectively. On multivariate analysis (MVA), the only factor associated with PI removal was RT (p = 0.009). Surveys were returned describing the outcomes of 149 breasts. For the non‐RT and RT groups, those who rated their breast appearance as good or better were 63% versus 62%, respectively. Under 1/3 of each group was dissatisfied with their reconstruction. RT did not significantly affect patient satisfaction scores, but on MVA RT was the only factor associated with increased PI removal. This reconstruction technique may be considered an acceptable option even if RT is needed, but the increased complication risk with RT must be recognized.     

Long-term results of conservative surgery and radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ using lung density correction: the University of Michigan experience

The purpose of the study was to review the treatment outcomes of 198 patients treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and whole breast radiation therapy using lung density correction for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Between April 1985 and December 2002, 198 patients with 200 lesions diagnosed as DCIS (AJCC stage 0) were treated at the University of Michigan. All underwent BCS and whole breast radiotherapy. Median total follow-up was 6.2 years (range: 0.8-18.2). The 5- and 10-year cumulative rates of in-breast only failure were 5.9% (95% CI: 2.6-9.3%) and 9.8% (95% CI: 5.2-14.4%), respectively. Factors that significantly predicted for an increased risk of local failure were family history of breast cancer, positive or close surgical margins and age 相似文献   

Poor esthetic results after conservative treatment of breast cancer. Technics of partial breast reconstruction

A wide consensus exists today in favour of breast saving procedures for the surgical treatment of small breast cancers. The goal of conservative treatment is to preserve the shape of the breast and consequently to avoid the psychological consequences of the mutilation. In this respect, the final esthetic evaluation of conservative treatment is a major point to be considered after the oncological results. To evaluate these cosmetic results, 89 patients treated more than five years ago were analyzed on a standard picture protocol and rated according to a rigorous scale previously defined. In this group, 45% were rated as excellent, 34% as fair and 21% as poor. These results were compared to the cosmetic results of a second group of patients evaluated after the surgical stage of their conservative treatment in order to precise the morphological damage due to the surgical procedure. In the second group, 73% were rated as excellent, 20% as fair and 7% as poor. This study underlines the frequency of skin contractions (16%) and glandular defects (20%). Several rules are proposed to prevent such sequelae at the time of the tumorectomy. The difficulty of cosmetic improvement of the poor esthetic results is emphasized and the techniques of partial reconstructions are discussed in the light of our experience which includes 25 cases of partial reconstruction.     

Another light in the dark: review of a new method for the arthroscopic repair of triangular fibrocartilage complex

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is an anatomically and biomechanically important structure. Repair of radial-sided TFCC tear has previously been challenging. We designed a new method of radial-sided TFCC tear repair and found that it was also applicable for ulnar-sided TFCC tear repair. From October 2006 to December 2010, 10 patients underwent this operation and were reviewed: 9 men and 1 woman, with a mean age of 33.9 years. Average postoperative follow-up was 8 months. We graded results according to the Mayo modified wrist score. We rated 2 of the 10 patients (20%) as "excellent," 3 (30%) as "good," and 5 (50%) as "fair." The 5 patients who were rated as "fair" returned to regular jobs or had restricted employment. Based on this small sample, we recommend that this technique be considered an alternative method for TFCC repair.     

Local-regional breast cancer recurrence: prognostic groups based on patterns of failure

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of breast cancer patients sustaining local-regional failure as their first site of relapse in an effort to group patients into prognostic categories. Between January 1970 and December 1992, over 4,000 patients with breast cancer were treated at our facilities with mastectomy or conservative surgery with radiation therapy (CS + RT). Two hundred thirteen patients sustained local-regional relapse without evidence of distant metastasis as their first site of failure, and they served as the population base for this study. The 213 patients with local-regional recurrence of disease were distributed as follows: 68 patients relapsed in the ipsilateral breast following CS + RT within 5 years of original diagnosis (EARLYBR). Fifty-one patients relapsed in the ipsilateral breast after 5 years from original diagnosis (LATEBR). Thirty-five patients relapsed in the chest wall within 5 years following mastectomy (EARLCW). Eighteen patients relapsed in the chest wall later than 5 years following mastectomy, and 41 patients failed in the regional lymphatics following mastectomy or CS + RT (REGREC). Patients with breast relapses were generally treated with salvage mastectomy, and patients with chest wall or regional nodal relapses were treated with radiation to the chest wall, regional nodes, or both. Systemic therapy at the time of local-regional relapse was highly individualized, ranging from observation to tamoxifen to high-dose chemotherapy with transplantation. With a median follow-up of 14 years, the overall 10-year survival for all 213 patients was 61%, and the 10-year distant metastasis-free rate was 59%. Patients with a LATEBR had a relatively favorable prognosis with a 5-year postrelapse distant metastasis rate of 80%. Patients with EARLYBR and LATECW had a similar prognosis, with a 5-year postrelapse distant metastasis rate of 61% and 65%, respectively. Patients with an EARLCW had a 5-year distant recurrence-free rate following a local relapse of 42%. Ten-year survivals from original diagnosis were 62% and 50%, respectively, and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 56% and 52%, respectively. Patients suffering REGREC following mastectomy or CS + RT carried a poor prognosis with a 10-year survival of 33% and a 10-year distant metastasis-free rate of 30%. Patients sustaining local-regional relapse as a first site of failure may be divided into prognostic groups. Patients with LATEBR have a relatively favorable prognosis. Patients with EARLYBR and CWREC have a poorer prognosis with a distant metastatic rate of approximately 50% within 5 years of local-regional relapse. Patients with REGREC have the poorest prognosis. Placing patients with breast cancer and local-regional relapse into these prognostic categories may be helpful in decision making regarding the role of systemic therapy at the time of local-regional relapse.     

Combination of two local flaps for large defects after breast conserving surgery

PurposeOncoplastic surgery is a technique for wide excision of breast cancer without compromising the natural shape of the breast. We have combined two local flaps, referred to as a ‘combined local flap’, for large defects of the breast after a partial mastectomy.Patients and methodsTwenty-one patients with breast cancer underwent a partial mastectomy with immediate reconstruction when the surgical margin was positive and further excision was required or the tumor size was larger than the pre-operative evaluation. Reconstruction was consisted of a rotational local flap and a thoraco-epigastric flap (TEF), so-called a combined local flap. The cosmetic results were self-estimated after chemotherapy and radiotherapy according to a four-point scoring system.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 53.3 years and the mean tumor size was 2.2 cm. The mean excised breast volume was 133.8 mm³ and the percentage of excised volume was 20.4%. The cosmetic outcomes were judged as excellent, good, and fair in 11, 8, and 2 cases, respectively.ConclusionThe combined local flap, consisting of a rotational local flap and a TEF is a useful oncoplastic technique for large defects after breast-conserving surgery.     

BREAST CONSERVATION: LONG-TERM RESULTS FROM WESTMEAD HOSPITAL

Background : Breast conservation has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to mastectomy in early-stage breast cancer. The present study reviews the long-term outcome and toxicity after treatment of early breast cancer by conservative surgery and radiation. Methods : Between November 1979 and December 1989, 438 patients with Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) stage I or II breast cancer were treated with conservative surgery and radiation therapy (CS + RT) at Westmead Hospital. Surgery to the breast varied from a local excision to a quadrantectomy, depending on the preference of the referring surgeon. The axilla was surgically dissected in 299 patients (68%). All patients received postoperative breast irradiation. The whole breast was irradiated to 46–54 Gy (median dose, 50 Gy) using 6 Mev photons for 5–6.5 weeks. Boosts were given at the primary tumour site in 336 patients (78%), by electron therapy (88 patients), iridium-192 (247 patients) or photons (one patient). A total of 44 patients (10%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. Results : The median follow-up period for surviving patients was 84 months (range: 56–172 months). The 5-year actuarial rate of local recurrence was 6% (312 patients at risk), and the 10-year rate was 10% (52 patients at risk). Very young patients (aged 34 years at diagnosis) had a 5-year actuarial rate of local recurrence of 13% compared to 5% for older patients (P= 0.04). Neither the total dose to the primary site nor the boost technique influenced local recurrence. The 5-year freedom from distant relapse was 83%. The side effects included rib fractures (2%), symptomatic pneumonitis (3%), fatty necrosis or fibrosis requiring surgery (4%), and moderate-severe oedema of the arm (7%). Conclusions : The long-term data show that CS + RT for UICC stage I or II breast cancer results in low rates of local recurrence which are influenced by age at diagnosis, but not by radiation dose or boost technique. These results confirm those of other international series that CS + RT is a safe alternative to mastectomy for most women with operable breast cancer.     

Patellectomy as a salvage operation

One hundred seven patients were examined who had undergone patellectomies between 1965 and 1983 (113 patellectomies). The mean follow-up time was 10.5 years (3-17.5 years) and the average age of the patients 42.6 years. There were three distinct groups of operative techniques: (1) the purse-string technique in 40 patellectomies; (2) the vastus medialis technique in 24 patellectomies; (3) other techniques in 49 patellectomies. The indications for patellectomy were: chondromalacia, 56 cases; comminuted patellar fractures, 32 cases; arthritis, 17 cases; recurrent patellar dislocations, 8 cases. The patients were examined for pain, rage of motion, giving way, swelling, quadriceps strength, activity and cosmetic results (interview, physical examination, Cybex and radiographic study). In the purse-string technique group, 81% of the cases ended up with good or excellent results; in the vastus medialis group there were 79% and in the third group only 73% good or excellent results. Among the patellectomies for comminuted fractures, 75% had excellent results. The clinical outcome of patelletomy for arthritis is fair, for recurrent dislocation favorable, and for chondromalacia variable and not predictable.     

Factors determining esthetic outcome after breast cancer conservative treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that determine esthetic outcome after breast cancer conservative treatment, based on a consensual classification obtained with an international consensus panel. Photographs were taken from 120 women submitted to conservative unilateral breast cancer surgery (with or without axillary surgery) and radiotherapy. The images were sent to a panel of observers from 13 different countries and consensus on the classification of esthetic result (recorded as excellent, good, fair or poor) was obtained in 113 cases by means of a Delphi method. For each patient, data were collected retrospectively regarding patient characteristics, tumor, and treatment factors. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between these factors and overall cosmetic results. On univariate analysis, younger and thinner patients as well as patients with lower body mass index (BMI) and premenopausal status obtained better cosmetic results. In the group of tumor- and treatment-related factors, larger removed specimens, clearly visible scars, the use of chemotherapy and longer follow-up period were associated with less satisfactory results. On multivariate analysis, only BMI and scar visibility maintained a significant association with cosmesis. BMI and scar visibility are the only factors significantly associated with cosmetic results of breast cancer conservative treatment, as evaluated by an international consensus panel.     

Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach Robotic Thyroidectomy (BABA RT) Does Not Interfere with Breast Image Follow-Up

Background

Bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic thyroidectomy (BABA RT) is frequently performed and has excellent cosmetic results. However, there has been concern that subcutaneous tunneling in construction of the operation field might interfere with subsequent breast imaging. In this study, we evaluated whether BABA RT interferes with breast imaging by evaluating serial perioperative results of mammography and ultrasonography.

Methods

We selected female patients who underwent BABA RT between 2008 and 2012, and who also had mammography or ultrasonography pre- and postoperatively, and compared the results of pre- and postoperative imaging. The results of mammography and ultrasonography were reported according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS).

Results

A total of 175 nodules from 108 female patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 42.9 ± 9.7 years, and the median follow-up period was 34.1 months. Ninety-four patients (87.0%) underwent total thyroidectomy, and 101 patients (93.5%) had malignant thyroid disease. After BABA RT, mammography and ultrasonography were performed an average of 2.9 ± 2.0 times and 3.3 ± 2.0 times per person, respectively. Six patients required breast intervention according to mammography or ultrasonography after BABA RT, and all procedures were successfully conducted.

Conclusions

BABA RT did not cause diagnostic difficulties such as poor sonic window in subsequent breast imaging studies. Routine breast imaging studies for breast nodule follow-up could be performed without difficulties resulting from BABA RT.

     

Total knee arthroplasty in patients 40 years of age and younger with osteoarthritis

The results of 32 total knee arthroplasties performed for osteoarthritis in 32 patients who were 40 years of age or younger are reviewed. At a mean followup of 7.9 years (minimum, 5 years), the Knee Society knee scores increased from an average of 47 to 88 points, and the function scores increased from 45 to 70 points. Overall, Knee Society knee scores were considered good or excellent in 82% of patients (26 knees) and fair or poor in 18% (six knees). Postoperative function scores were good or excellent in only 40% (13 knees). The average postoperative flexion arc was 110 degrees. If patients involved in worker's compensation cases are excluded from analysis, the results improved substantially, with range of motion averaging 113 degrees, and Knee Society knee scores and function scores averaging 92 points and 77 points, respectively. Excluding the five patients involved in workmen's compensation cases, knee scores were good or excellent in 91% of patients (25 knees) and function scores were good or excellent in 50% of patients (14 knees). Three revisions were performed for aseptic failure; one additional patient has radiographic evidence of tibial loosening, representing an aseptic failure rate of 12.5% at 8 years. Although slightly higher than observed in older patients, this failure rate still may be considered acceptable for this population of patients with severely affected knees who are not considered candidates for nonarthroplasty surgery. Despite a slightly higher tendency for aseptic failures in this group of patients, cemented total knee arthroplasty may provide some patients younger than 40 years of age with severe debilitating and recalcitrant osteoarthrosis, an important option with reasonable mid- and long-term results.