Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Resistance in Surgical Site Infection After Immediate Tissue Expander Reconstruction of the Breast.

Background: A recent survey of plastic surgeons showed that the majority prescribed prophylactic antibiotics after hospital discharge for breast reconstruction. There is no clinical evidence that this practice reduces surgical site infection (SSI) after immediate tissue expander breast reconstruction. Furthermore, multiple studies have suggested that current antibiotic choices may not be appropriately covering the causative organisms of SSI.

Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Among Patients Seeking Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by a preoccupation with a slight or imagined defect in physical appearance. It has significant implications for patients who desire breast reconstruction, because patient satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome is a substantial contributor to the success of the procedure.

Objectives: The authors estimated the prevalence of BDD among women seeking breast reconstruction by surveying patients with the previously validated Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire (DCQ).

An outcome analysis of intraoperative angiography for postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

Background: Intraoperative angiography is a useful tool for predicting both tissue perfusion during postmastectomy breast reconstruction and mastectomy flap and free flap survival.

Objectives: The authors determine whether the routine use of laser-assisted indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography (SPY Imaging; LifeCell Corp, Branchburg, New Jersey) in breast reconstruction decreases the incidence of complications and whether this new technology is cost-effective.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for 184 consecutive patients who underwent breast reconstruction using intraoperative ICG angiography from April 2009 to December 2011 at Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia).

Patient motivations for choosing postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

Introduction: The number of women who undergo postmastectomy breast reconstruction is reported to be around 40% and, although increased from previous decades, seems lower than expected. The purpose of this report is to investigate and improve our understanding of women's motivations for choosing reconstruction.

Methods: We prospectively surveyed consecutive patients referred for possible reconstructive surgery at Emory University Hospital between December 2008 and September 2010.

Time to completion of nipple reconstruction: what factors are involved?

Background: Nipple reconstruction is often used as a marker for completion of the breast reconstructive process. The purpose of this study was to determine the average time to nipple reconstruction and the factors that influence this process.

Methods: All patients who underwent postmastectomy breast reconstruction at Emory University between 2005 and 2011 were reviewed.

Complications of latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction in overweight and obese patients.

Unlabelled: The latissimus dorsi flap (LDF) remains a widely used technique for postmastectomy autologous tissue breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on flap and donor-site complications in patients undergoing LDF reconstruction.

Methods: All patients at Emory University Hospital between 2005 and 2010 who underwent an LDF for breast reconstruction were included.

The effects of breast size in unilateral postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

Background: Postmastectomy breast reconstruction is offered to women with breast cancer regardless of body habitus and breast size. The decision regarding technique for breast reconstruction includes patient preference, risk factors, and physical characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between preoperative breast size and choice of reconstruction, choice of contralateral breast symmetry procedure, and incidence of complications.