Salvage of a DIEP Flap after Injury to the Inferior Epigastric Vessels after Laparoscopic Surgery.

The problem of previous laparoscopic scars specifically endangering the DIEP flap harvest for breast reconstruction has not been described yet. Even though in our center, preoperative imaging by means of an magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is routinely performed before a bilateral DIEP-flap reconstruction, it may not correspond with the intraoperative findings. This case was presented to increase awareness among plastic surgeons about the complications after laparoscopic surgery and to emphasize the importance of thorough history taking when performing a DIEP flap breast reconstruction after previous laparoscopic procedures.

Outcomes following lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) for 100 cases of lymphedema: results over 24-months follow-up.

Purpose: Lymphedema is a debilitating condition that significantly affects patient's quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes after lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) for extremity lymphedema.

Methods: A single-center prospective study on upper and lower extremity lymphedema patients was performed.

Intercostal nerve block of the anterior cutaneous branches and the sensibility of the female breast.

Introduction: Better sensation in the reconstructed breast improves the quality of life. Sensory nerve coaptation is a valuable addition to autologous breast reconstruction. There are few publications concerning the sensory nerves of the breast and the nipple-areola complex and reports are contradictory, so it is unknown which nerve is best suited as a recipient for coaptation.

Sensory Recovery of the Breast following Innervated and Noninnervated DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Background: The sensory recovery of the breast remains an undervalued aspect of autologous breast reconstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nerve coaptation on the sensory recovery of the breast following DIEP flap breast reconstruction and to assess the associations of length of follow-up and timing of the reconstruction.

Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted of all patients who underwent either innervated or noninnervated DIEP flap breast reconstruction and returned for follow-up between September of 2015 and July of 2017.

Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema and Genetic Predisposition: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Secondary lymphedema is a complication following breast cancer therapy and constitutes the main form of lymphedema in the western world. The purpose of the current study was to provide a clear overview of the genetic predisposition and secondary lymphedema. A systematic search was performed between February and June 2017 in MEDLINE and Embase.

What does a breast feel like? A qualitative study among healthy women.

Background: Restoring the body as normal as possible increases quality of life. Aesthetically, almost perfect breast reconstructions can be created. However, these reconstructed breasts have almost no sensation.

Near-infrared fluorescence image-guidance in plastic surgery: A systematic review.

Background: Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging technique, after administration of contrast agents with fluorescent characteristics in the near-infrared (700-900 nm) range, is considered to possess great potential for the future of plastic surgery, given its capacity for perioperative, real-time anatomical guidance and identification. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive literature review concerning current and potential future applications of NIRF imaging in plastic surgery, thereby guiding future research.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in databases of Cochrane Library CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE (last search Oct 2017) regarding NIRF imaging in plastic surgery.

Improvement of Symptoms after Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis in Patients with Abdominal Wall Lymphedema.

At our institution, we performed a lymphaticovenous anastomosis in patients with primary or secondary abdominal lymphedema. Patients report good outcomes and feel relieved of their complaints. To obtain good results, it is important to have decent knowledge on the anatomical state of the lymphatic system.

Quality of Life Questionnaires in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Patients: Review of the Literature.

Purpose: Lymphedema of the arm is one of the most common and underestimated side effects of breast cancer treatment. It is known to negatively affect the quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer survivors. However, there are multiple questionnaires used to measure QoL in lymphedema patients.

Effect of Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Review of the Literature.

Background: Lymphedema affects ∼15% of all patients after breast cancer treatment. The aim of this review was to assess the clinical effects (improvement in arm circumference and quality of life) of lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in treating breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).

Methods And Results: A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library in July 2017, to identify all studies on LVA for the treatment of BCRL.

Sensation of the autologous reconstructed breast improves quality of life: a pilot study.

Purpose: The number of breast cancer survivors continues to grow. Due to refinements in operating techniques, autologous breast reconstruction has become part of standard care. Impaired sensation remains a debilitating side effect with a significant impact on the quality of life.

Comparing the sensation of common donor site regions for autologous breast reconstruction to that of a healthy breast.

Introduction: Autologous breast reconstruction has become the standard care for breast cancer patients. Although excellent cosmetic results can be achieved, most reconstructed breasts fail to regain normal sensation. Nerve coaptation of the flap has been suggested to improve sensation; the effect of the donor flap native sensory threshold on the degree of sensory restoration is yet to be determined.

Innervated full thickness grafts in distal finger amputations.

Innervated full thickness graft will be presented as an option to reconstruct a fingertip defect which might result in better sensibility than standard reconstruction using a full thickness graft without innervation. Also, anastomosing the nerve stumps can decrease the chance of developing neuroma.

Lymphatico-venous anastomosis as treatment for breast cancer-related lymphedema: a prospective study on quality of life.

Purpose: Lymphedema is a chronic and disabling sequel of breast cancer treatment that can be treated by lymphatico-venous anastomosis (LVA). Artificial connections between the venous and lymphatic system are performed supermicrosurgically. This prospective study analyses the effect of LVA on quality of life.

Outcomes of vascularized versus non-vascularized lymph node transplant in animal models for lymphedema. Review of the literature.

Lymph node transfer has been performed to treat lymphedema for several years. The goal of this procedure is to provide a bridge between the lymphatic system distal and proximal to the lymph node dissection. There is a lack of consensus about the necessity of an additional vascular anastomosis for the transplanted lymph nodes.