• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.146-152
• /
• 2020

Background Preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the abdominal wall vessels is used when planning free flap breast reconstruction (FFBR) because it provides a surgical road map which facilitates flap harvest. However, there are few reports on the effect of abnormal findings on the operative plan. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of all FFBRs performed at a tertiary referral center over a 6-year period (November 2011 to June 2017). One consultant radiologist reported on the findings. Details on patient demographics, CTA reports, and intraoperative details were collected. Results Two hundred patients received preoperative CTAs. Fourteen percent of patients (n=28) had abnormal findings. Of these findings, 18% were vascular anomalies; 36% tumorrelated and 46% were "miscellaneous." In four patients, findings subsequently prevented surgery; they comprised a mesenteric artery aneurysm, absent deep inferior epigastric (DIE) vessels, bilateral occluded DIE arteries, and significant bone metastases. Another patient had no suitable vessels for a free flap and the surgical plan converted to a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. The remaining incidental findings had no impact on the surgical plan or appropriateness of FFBR. More than one in 10 of those with abnormal findings went on to have further imaging before their operation. Conclusions CTA in FFBR can have a wider impact than facilitating surgical planning and reducing operative times. Incidental findings can influence the surgical plan, and in some instances, avoid doomed-to-fail and unsafe surgery. It is therefore important that these scans are reported by an experienced radiologist.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.550-563
• /
• 1998

This study was designed to provide the basic data of effective nursing intervention for alleviation of psychosocial adjustment of patients in mastectomy after identifying the correlation between the spouse support, self esteem and psychosocial adjustment. The study subjects were 83 postmastectomy patients who visited the outpatient clinic at 3 university hospitals in Taegu city from September 10, 1997 to October 16 1997. Data was collected by researcher and face to-face interview was conducted. Nam's spouse support scale(1987), Rosenberg's self esteem instrument (1965), Derogatis' Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale were used. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, t -test and ANOVA with the SAS program. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The mean score for the spouse support of the subjects was 3.73, self esteem was 3.69 and psychosocial adjustment was 3.61points. 2. According to the patient's hope of breast reconstruction(t=2.04, p=0.0445), there was significant difference of self esteem. According to the patient's family number( t = 2.31, p = 0.0237), there was significant difference of the psychosocial adjustment. 3. Perceived spouse support and self esteem had statistically significant positive correlations(r= 0.5120, p=0.0001). Perceived spouse support and psychosocial adjustment had statistically significant positive correlations(r=0.4187, p=0.0001). Perceived self esteem and psychosocial adjustment had statistically significant positive correlations(r = 0.6296, p=0.0001). Therefore, to increase the level of psychosocial adjustment of patients in mastectomy, it will be effective to supportive nursing intervention by improving spouse support and enhancing self esteem.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.393-396
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Low - molecular - weight dextran is one of the most frequently used antithrombotic agents in microvascular surgery, but there is controversy if it has the real benefit in the clinical aspects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect associated with postoperative use of low - molecular - weight dextran in breast reconstruction by free TRAM flap patients. Methods: From January 2002 to October 2008, we reconstructed 88 cases of postmastectomy deformity using the free TRAM flap. The 88 cases were divided into two groups : a group with no use of dextran(66 patients, control group, Group A) and a postoperative low - molecular weight dextran loaded group(22 patients, Group B). We assessed number of flap survival, rate of complication like hematoma or seroma, total amount of drainage from operative wound, duration of drainage, and amount of transfusion in each group. Results: There was no total flap loss and every flap was survived. Total amount of drainage for post - operative 5 days were 857 ml in group A and 1101 ml in group B. Drain was kept for average of 7.3 days in group A and 8.7 days in group B. Packed red cell transfusions were made in average of 3.3 units for group A and 3.0 units for group B. Group B showed significantly higher values in former 2 comparative parameters than group A. Conclusion: There was no definitive advantage of anticoagulants in elective free - flap surgery in terms of success rate. However, groups with using anticoagulants had the increased bleeding tendency in immediate postoperative period. The routine use of anticoagulants in elective free - flap surgery should be reconsidered with postoperatively less bleeding and early recovery.