Plastic and reconstructive surgery
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Nov 1999
Factor XI deficiency: implications for management of patients undergoing aesthetic surgery.
We report our experience in patients with an abnormal partial thromboplastin time elevation due to factor XI deficiency (Rosenthal syndrome) who presented for aesthetic surgery consideration. Preoperative evaluation included a thorough history, physical examination, coagulation profile, and hematological consultation. Nine of 10 patients underwent 12 elective aesthetic procedures without undue intraoperative or postoperative bleeding. ⋯ High-risk patients were those with factor XI levels less than 15 percent, history of bleeding either spontaneously or with surgery, and a family history of bleeding diathesis from factor XI deficiency. Low-risk patients had fresh frozen plasma available for the procedure, whereas high-risk patients received fresh frozen plasma 2 hours before surgery. We conclude that (1) in these patients with abnormally high partial thromboplastin time values and no prior known bleeding disorder, we have identified factor XI deficiency as the prevalent coagulopathy; (2) partial thromboplastin time does not necessarily correlate with factor XI levels; (3) patients can be classified as high or low risk for elective surgery based on factor XI levels and prior surgical or family history; (4) recommendations for perioperative management can be made based on this risk profile; and (5) aesthetic surgery can be performed successfully and safely on patients with factor XI deficiency on a case-by-case basis when appropriate guidelines are enforced.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Nov 1999
The premature removal of tissue expanders in breast reconstruction.
The role of tissue expanders in breast reconstruction is well established. Little information exists, however, regarding the incidence and etiology of premature removal of the tissue expander before planned exchange to a permanent breast implant. The purpose of this study was to review our 10-year experience with tissue expander breast reconstruction and identify factors relating to the premature removal of the tissue expander. ⋯ Premature removal of the tissue expander was required in only 1.8 percent of the patients in this series. Infection was the most common complication necessitating an unplanned surgical procedure to remove the expander. This study demonstrates that the use of tissue expanders in breast reconstruction is reliable, with the vast majority of patients completing the expansion process.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Nov 1999
Comparative StudyLong-term comparison of a newly designed gold implant with the conventional implant in facial nerve paralysis.
Patients with complete facial nerve palsy are at risk for eye complications resulting from exposure of the cornea and loss of the blinking reflex. Failure of protection predisposes the patient to exposure keratitis, corneal abrasion and, in rare cases, blindness. The mainstays of non-surgical therapy are cumbersome, obscure vision, and are mostly helpful in patients with acute facial paralysis in whom recovery of orbicularis oculi function is expected. ⋯ A lower eyelid supporting procedure (conchal cartilage graft) should be performed simultaneously in patients with lagophthalmos of a moderate or severe degree to achieve complete closure of the eyelid. Use of a tall pillow decreased the incidence of eyelid opening during sleep. Double eyelid fold operations'were performed on the contralateral eyelid after 6 months, resulting in a symmetrical and beautiful eyelid.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Oct 1999
Comparative StudySurgical options for the early-stage breast cancer: factors associated with patient choice and postoperative quality of life.
Patients with early-stage breast cancer have three surgical options: lumpectomy with radiotherapy, mastectomy alone, and mastectomy with breast reconstruction. Our objective was to compare women in these three groups with respect to demographics, preoperative counseling, postoperative body image, and quality of life. Women having undergone surgery for stage 1 or 2 breast cancer between 1990 and 1995 were selected by random sampling of hospital tumor registries and were mailed a self-administered questionnaire, which included the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36. ⋯ Over 55, quality of life was lowest for lumpectomy patients on all subscales (p < 0.05 for all subscales except social functioning and role-emotional). Treatment choice may be related to age, race, education, and preoperative counseling. Whereas the effect of breast cancer on a woman's life is complex and individual, the type of surgery performed is a significant variable, whose impact may be related to patient age.
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The administration of conscious sedation by the plastic surgeon must be safe, efficient, and consistent. In the proper setting, with trained staff and appropriate backup, conscious sedation can allow optimal patient satisfaction with expedient recovery in addition to cost containment. The highly effective local anesthesia afforded by dilute, high-volume ("tumescent") infiltration extends the use of conscious sedation to cases previously performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation. ⋯ This analysis of outcome parameters identified two important and potentially avoidable causes of recovery delay following conscious sedation-oral premedication and nausea/emesis. Nausea and emesis were particularly problematic in that they were responsible for 11 of 15 (73 percent) unintended admissions. Preoperative sedation is valuable in certain circumstances, and its use is not discouraged; however, its benefits must be weighed against its unwanted effects, which can include a prolongation of recovery.