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Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome measure after ventral hernia repair (VHR). The Hernia-Related QOL Survey (HerQLes) is a specific survey tool for QOL after VHR. Studies comparing QOL in patients with biologic mesh repairs (BMRs) and synthetic mesh repairs (SMRs) are lacking.A survey based on the HerQLes was administered via e-mail to 974 patients who had undergone VHR at Stanford Medical Center. From 175 patients who were included in the study, the mean HerQLes scores and postoperative complications were compared between patients with suture repairs (SR), BMR, SMR, with and without component separation, and different types of SMR.Quality of life was lower in patients with hernias of 50 cm or greater, obesity, history of tobacco use, previous abdominal surgeries, hernia recurrences, and postoperative complications (P0.05). Patients with SR and SMR had a comparable QOL (71.58 vs 70.12, P = 0.75). In patients with Modified Ventral Hernia Working Group grade 2 hernias, a significantly lower QOL was found after BMR compared with SMR. Postoperative complications did not significantly differ between the groups. Recurrence rates were comparable between MR (10.4%) and SR (8.3%, P = 0.79), but higher in BMR (21.7%) compared with SMR (6.6%, P0.05).Previous abdominal surgeries, previous hernia repairs, tobacco use, and hernia sizes of 50 cm or greater negatively affect QOL after VHR. Our data indicate that QOL is comparable between patients with SMR and SR, however, is lower in patients with Modified Ventral Hernia Working Group grade 2 and BMR compared with SMR, raising the benefit of BMR in light of its higher cost into question.

BACKGROUND Delayed-immediate breast reconstruction has traditionally involved placement of tissue expanders (TE) in the subpectoral (SP) position. Development of acellular dermal matrices has renewed interest in the prepectoral (PP) pocket, which avoids extensive muscle manipulation. We compare complication rates between PP and SP TE placement in autologous delayed-immediate breast reconstruction. METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing autologous, delayed-immediate breast reconstruction at our institution (June 2009 to December 2018) was performed. Demographics, comorbidities, perioperative information, and complication incidence ≤12 months' follow-up were collected from first- and second-stage surgeries. Complications were modeled using univariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions. RESULTS A total of 89 patients met the inclusion criteria, and data from 125 breast reconstructions were evaluated. Complication rates following TE placement trended lower in the PP cohort (28.8% vs 37%, P = 0.34). Overall complication rates following autologous reconstruction were significantly lower for PP reconstructions (7.7% vs 23.3%, P = 0.02). Multivariable regression showed TE position (P = 0.01) was a significant predictor of ≥1 complication following autologous reconstruction. Time delay between first- and second-stage surgeries was greater for SP reconstructions (199.7 vs 324.8 days, P < 0.001). Postoperative drains were removed earlier in the PP cohort (8.6 vs 12.0 days, P < 0.001). Mean follow-up time was 331.3 days. CONCLUSIONS Prepectoral reconstruction in the delayed-immediate autologous reconstruction patient leads to significantly lower complication rates, shorter duration between first- and second-stage surgeries, and shorter times before removal of breast drains compared with SP reconstructions.

Primary cutaneous γδ T-cell lymphoma and hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a very rare disease process with only 41 cases of this type of lymphoma published to date. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who developed high-grade fevers and multiple nonhealing bilateral lower extremity ulcers associated with a recent diagnosis of Ackerman syndrome. Multiple lesion biopsies yielded a differential diagnosis including sarcoidosis and lupus panniculitis. Each biopsy site developed into a poorly healing wound. After extensive rheumatologic and dermatologic workup, failed courses of hyperbaric oxygen and corticosteroids, and the development of worsening fevers, the diagnosis of γδ T-cell lymphoma was made. The objective of this article was to illustrate a very rare case of a rapidly progressing cutaneous lymphoma while stressing the importance of a surgical approach to nonhealing wounds and biopsy in chronic wounds.An aggressive multidisciplinary approach including infectious disease, hematology/oncology, nephrology, plastic surgery, and interventional pulmonology was used. Medical approaches included several courses of corticosteroids and antineoplastics. Our surgical approach included numerous excision and debridements of her nonhealing ulcers with removal of necrotic tissue. It also included placement of cadaveric epidermal graft, and bovine tendon collagen cross-linked with glycosaminoglycans with a silicone matrix bilayer (Integra, Plainsboro, NJ) combined with multiple local myocutaneous advancement flaps. This approach demonstrated clinical improvement in wound healing. Pathological examination of several lesions included immunohistochemistry staining, flow cytometry, and molecular studies.The diagnosis of primary cutaneous γδ T-cell lymphoma was made based on a pathology specimen. Subsequent imaging showed numerous pulmonary nodules later determined to be pulmonary Aspergillosis. Additionally, she developed a constellation of clinical and laboratory features defined as the HPS. Despite medical therapy and improved wound healing, she died to seizures that left her comatose, thought to be secondary to central nervous system advancement of her HPS. The patient eventually died after care was withdrawn.Cutaneous forms of lymphoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical cutaneous lesions or nonhealing wounds. There should be no delay in performing a skin biopsy to obtain a tissue diagnosis. A surgical approach to wounds clearly demonstrates improved wound healing.