The Lipo-DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Valuable Innovation for Maximizing Abdominal Tissue Volume.

Background: The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is universally considered the gold standard technique for breast reconstruction (BR), though it cannot always be proposed to patients with insufficient donor-site volume. We explore the efficacy of autologous fat transfer (AFT) of the Holm abdomen zone IV in the retropectoral plane during DIEP flap reconstruction (lipo-DIEP flap), to enhance the volume provided by the abdominal donor site in patients with low body mass index (BMI).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with BMI less than 25 kg/m and candidates for lipo-DIEP flap BR (group A) comparing them with a control group (group B) undergoing traditional DIEP flap BR with the same characteristics of the first group (BMI < 25 kg/m).

The FALD-V: A predictive formula for preoperative volume assessment of adipose tissue transplantation in FALD flap.

Background: The fat-augmented latissimus dorsi (FALD) flap is an evolution of the traditional latissimus dorsi (LD) flap, which allows to obtain a total autologous breast reconstruction (BR) avoiding the use of breast implants. The aim of this study was to develop a predictive preoperative formula in order to estimate and optimize the amount of fat to be transferred during FALD flap BR, using only anthropometric measurements.

Methods: We conducted a prospective clinical study between September 2020 and April 2023.

Diagnostic Agreement Between TEG5000 and TEG6S in the Assessment of Hemostasis in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Non-inferiority Study.

Thromboelastography (TEG) is a point-of-care test (POCT) used to analyze the hemostatic properties of whole blood. TEG® 5000and TEG® 6s (Haemonetics Corp, USA) measure the same parameters describing clot viscoelasticity using different methodologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate agreement between TEG5000 and TEG6s measurements.

The Ergonomic FALD Flap for One-stage Total Breast Reconstruction.

Background: The fat-augmented latissimus dorsi (FALD) flap combines this pedicled flap with immediate intraoperative fat transfer. Very little is described concerning its inset at the mammary site. Our efforts have concentrated on seeking the best flap orientation and skin-adipose paddle shaping, to improve the aesthetic outcome and to obtain a complete breast reconstruction (BR) in one stage.

Comparing the responses of countries and National Health Systems to the COVID-19 pandemic: a critical analysis with a case-report series.

This review aimed to compare the different responses of countries to the pandemic, their National Health Systems, and their impact on citizens' health. This work aimed to create a narrative plot that connects different discussion points and suggests organizational solutions and strategic choices in the face of the pandemic. In particular, this work focused on public health organizations, specifically the European Union and vaccination politics.

Narrow inferior-central septum-based pedicle: A safe technique to improve aesthetic outcomes in breast reduction.

Background: Inferior-central pedicle has some aesthetic drawbacks, including hypertrophic scar along the inframammary fold (IMF), squaring of the breast contours, and propensity to develop long-term 'bottoming-out.' This study aimed to verify if the narrow inferior-central (NIC) septum-based pedicle can allow the surgeon to improve aesthetic outcomes compared with the traditional inferior-central pedicle approach.

Methods: Forty breasts underwent NIC-based breast reduction (group A), and 37 underwent traditional inferior-central pedicles (group B).

Awake Breast Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background/aim: Awake surgery has become a valid alternative to general anesthesia in many surgery fields. This technique played a very important role during the COVID-19 period. The growing use of this technique has many advantages.

Fat-Augmented Latissimus Dorsi Flap for Secondary Breast Reconstruction in Small to Medium-Sized Irradiated Breasts.

Background: Secondary breast reconstruction (BR) is recognized as a challenging procedure, particularly when radiotherapy (RT) has previously been performed. The aim of this study was to compare operative data and aesthetic outcomes between secondary irradiated and immediate BR using the fat-augmented latissimus dorsi (FALD) flap.

Methods: The authors conducted a prospective clinical study between September of 2020 and September of 2021.

Chronic Encapsulated Intracerebral Hematoma as an Occasional Finding in Sudden Cardiac Death.

Chronic encapsulated intracerebral hematoma (CEIH) is a rare solid mass characterized by the presence of a fibrotic capsule that can present a variety of signs and symptoms due to the mass effect and hydrocephalus. It may be caused by post-traumatic or spontaneous bleeding as related to an adjacent aneurysm, angiomas or neoplasms. Differential diagnosis must be applied in order for it to mimic neoplasm or a vascular malformation.

Awake Breast Conservative Surgery: A Strategy to Shorten Surgical Waiting Lists During and Post COVID-19 Emergency.

Background/aim: SARS-CoV-2 with a dramatical worldwide spread, impacted greatly daily life and healthcare. In order to avoid delay in cancer treatment, many strategies and measures were implemented. The Awake breast surgery was a strategy implemented in our Unit during the pandemic, aimed to reduce operatory room occupancy and increase the number of procedures performed during the daily surgical session.

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) in a young transgender woman: A case report.

Introduction: Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare T-cell lymphoma occurring after breast implant procedures. As gender confirmation therapy (GCT) in male-to-female transgender (FT), up to 60-70 % of patients require breast augmentation and are at risk for BIA-ALCL. Hence, we report the youngest BIA-ALCL case in the Italian population and the first early-stage BIA-ALCL occurred in FT patients.

Role of Breast-Conserving Surgery on the National Health System Economy From and to SARS-COVID-19 Era.

Day surgery breast-conserving surgery (DS-BCS) is a surgical approach applied in many specialized breast surgery departments. This study demonstrates the benefits of this approach from the perspectives of patients and of the Hospital/National Health System compared to ordinary breast-conserving surgery (ORD-BCS) under general anesthetic. A comparison of costs and diagnosis-related group (DRG) reimbursement demonstrated improved cost-effectiveness in DS-BCS compared to ORD-BCS.

Erector Spinae Plane Block Serratus Plane Block in Breast Conserving Surgery: Α Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/aim: Erector spinae plane block (ESP Block) was introduced in 2016 as a surgical post-operative analgesia procedure. The present prospective, randomized trial aimed to compare ESP Block with serratus plane block (SPB) plus pectoral nerve blocks (PECS I) during breast conserving surgery (BCS).

Patients And Methods: Between February 2019 and March 2021, 104 patients undergoing BCS were randomized to receive either ESP block (ESP group n=54) or SPB+PECS I (SPB group=49).

Metabolic characteristics in patients with COVID-19 and no-COVID-19 interstitial pneumonia with mild-to-moderate symptoms and similar radiological severity.

Background And Aims: It is known that the highest COVID-19 mortality rates are among patients who develop severe COVID-19 pneumonia. However, despite the high sensitivity of chest CT scans for diagnosing COVID-19 in a screening population, the appearance of a chest CT is thought to have low diagnostic specificity. The aim of this retrospective case-control study is based on evaluation of clinical and radiological characteristics in patients with COVID-19 (n = 41) and no-COVID-19 interstitial pneumonia (n = 48) with mild-to-moderate symptoms.

Feasibility and Oncological Safety of Axillary Reverse Mapping in Patients With Locally Advanced Breast Cancer and Partial Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background/aim: Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) aims to identify and preserve arm drainage in order to prevent lymphedema following axillary lymph node dissection. Oncological-safety and feasibility are still debated, especially in patients with locally-advanced breast cancer (LABC). We report the first case of the AXMAP 1.

Advanced Stages and Increased Need for Adjuvant Treatments in Breast Cancer Patients: The Effect of the One-year COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background/aim: The COVID-19 lockdown includes restrictive measures and temporary health system reorganization. Resources were shifted to COVID-19 patients, screening programs were temporary suspended, and oncological care suffered slow-down. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of these measures on breast cancer patients.

Lymphocytes, Interleukin 6 and D-dimer Cannot Predict Clinical Outcome in Coronavirus Cancer Patients: LyNC1.20 Study.

Background/aim: Knowledge of Coronavirus 19 (COVID19) pathogenetic mechanisms is necessary to provide new treatment strategies. This study aims to assess how oncological disease impacts on the clinical course of COVID-19 patients.

Patients And Methods: From 1 March to 30 April 2020, 96 COVID-19 patients were classified according to clinical outcome as severe (n=67) and moderate (n=29).

Lockdown of Breast Cancer Screening for COVID-19: Possible Scenario.

Background/aim: Coronavirus disease is spreading worldwide. Due to fast transmission and high fatality rate drastic emergency restrictions were issued. During the lockdown, only urgent medical services are guaranteed.

Effect of Lockdown in Surgical Emergency Accesses: Experience of a COVID-19 Hospital.

Background/aim: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic imposed extraordinary restriction measures and a complete reorganization of the Health System. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on emergency surgical department accesses.

Patients And Methods: Patients admitted to surgical emergency departments was retrospectively recorded during the Lockdown (March 11, 2020-May 3, 2020) and compared with the same number of days in 2019 and immediately before Lockdown (January 16, 2020-March 10, 2020).

Awake breast cancer surgery: strategy in the beginning of COVID-19 emergency.

Introduction: COVID-19 is a declared worldwide pandemic. In our country, due to shortage of hospitals and beds in intensive care unit, oncological and breast cancer (BC) resources are temporarily shifted to COVID-19 patients. In addition, risk of cross-infections should be considered in these frail patients.

Impact of Awake Breast Cancer Surgery on Postoperative Lymphocyte Responses.

Background: Surgical stress and anesthesia affect the patient's immune system. Analysis of the lymphocyte response after breast-conserving surgery was conducted to investigate the differences between effects after general and local anesthesia.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-six patients with breast cancer were enrolled for BCS through local or general anesthesia.

Influence of antiviral therapy on the liver stiffness in chronic HBV hepatitis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of antiviral therapy on liver stiffness measurement (LSM).

Methods: Two hundred HBV patients were enrolled from four hospital centers in southern Italy; median age was 50.7 (25-75) males were 68%; 171 patients underwent to liver biopsy and 200 patients had LSM at baseline and 189 at the end of follow-up.

Breast Osteoblast-like Cells: A Reliable Early Marker for Bone Metastases From Breast Cancer.

Background: The development of bone metastasis from breast cancer results from a functional interaction between tumor cells and osteoclasts or osteoblasts. The main aim of this study was therefore to test the hypothesis that the appearance of breast osteoblast-like cells (BOLCs) in primary mammary lesions is a precursor (and hence an early predictor) of the formation of breast cancer metastases to bone.

Patients And Methods: In this study, we collected 64 breast infiltrating carcinomas, 50 breast benignant lesions, and 10 biopsies of bone metastasis selected from patients with infiltrated carcinoma.