Prophylactic antibiotic use in acellular dermal matrix-assisted implant-based breast reconstruction.

Background: Prophylactic antibiotics are used in acellular dermal matrix-assisted implant-based breast reconstructions. However, there are no universally accepted guidelines regarding the best regimen. This retrospective, multicentre study was designed to compare the different prophylactic antibiotic regimens in these patients in three hospitals across two NHS trusts over a five-year period.

Long-term outcomes of latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstructions: A single-centre observational cohort study with up to 12 years of follow up.

Introduction: The Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap (LDMF) is used in post-mastectomy reconstruction. This study has evaluated long-term (up to 12 years) surgical- and patient-reported outcomes from LDMF procedures.

Method: A retrospective analysis of consecutive LDMF procedures in two UK hospitals, performed between 2006 and 2016.

A comparison of patient satisfaction (using the BREAST-Q questionnaire) with bilateral breast reconstruction following risk-reducing or therapeutic mastectomy.

Introduction: Patients undergoing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction for cancer may be expected to have different perceptions of long-term outcomes compared with those who have this operation prophylactically.

Methods: Patients who underwent bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction from 2008 to 2014 at the Cambridge Breast Unit were identified from a prospective register and their notes were audited. They were classified according to their indication for surgery as follows: bilaterally therapeutic, bilaterally risk-reducing or combination.

Utilizing the Total Design Method in medicine: maximizing response rates in long, non-incentivized, personal questionnaire postal surveys.

Introduction: Maximizing response rates in questionnaires can improve their validity and quality by reducing non-response bias. A comprehensive analysis is essential for producing reasonable conclusions in patient-reported outcome research particularly for topics of a sensitive nature. This often makes long (≥7 pages) questionnaires necessary but these have been shown to reduce response rates in mail surveys.

The Comparison of Strattice and SurgiMend in Acellular Dermal Matrix-Assisted, Implant-Based Immediate Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Strattice (porcine derivative) and SurgiMend (bovine derivative) are the two most common acellular dermal matrices used in breast reconstruction in the United Kingdom. This retrospective study compared clinical outcomes in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction patients.

Methods: The study, conducted across three hospitals, included all patients who underwent immediate implant-based breast reconstruction using Strattice and SurgiMend.

Surgical treatment of perineal hidradenitis suppurativa with special reference to recognition of the perianal form.

Severe cases of hidradenitis suppurativa affecting the perineum and gluteal regions may be treated successfully by 'deroofing' the sinus and fistulae tracts. These lie in the dermis and are partly epithelialized by cells from involved hair follicles and disrupted sweat glands. Careful preservation of the floor of the tracts leads to re-epithelialization with disease-free skin.