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Background: Ventricular assist devices (VAD) are implanted with a growing frequency in patients with end-stage heart failure. In spite of technical and therapeutic advances, there is still a high incidence of device infections and healing disturbances with a considerable mortality. Reconstructive plastic surgery is able to provide help in erradicating infections and covering defects., Patients and Methods: 11 patients with device infections and soft tissue defects were treated in our institution. All cases were treated with local myocutaneous or muscle flaps., Results: Three patients had postoperative haematomas which had to be revised surgically. One patient had a persistent fistula of mediastinal origin but without clinical symptoms of infection. One patient exhibited an enterocutaneous fistula after defect coverage., Conclusion: Patients with VADs have a high possibility of perioperative complications. Therefore a close interdisciplinary approach with plastic and cardiovascular surgeons is absolutely essential., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Muscle sparing TRAM flaps and DIEA perforator flaps are standard procedures for breast reconstruction. Recently CT-angiography has been established to evaluate perforator vessels pre-operatively. CT-angiography was introduced to our department in July 2009. In a retrospective analysis data of the last 20 patients (altogether 22 flaps) before CT-angiography introduction and the following 20 (also 22 flaps) patients after introduction of CT-angiography were analysed with regard to the ratio of TRAM to DIEP flaps, and the time required to raise the flaps. The same surgeon raised all flaps. As different surgeons performed dissection of the recipient site, anastomoses, and insertion of flaps, and patients received primary (with sentinel or complete lymphadenctomy) or secondary reconstructions, only the time required harvesting the flap was compared. Thus other influences on raising the flap were eliminated. DIEP flaps were harvested with one single perforator. If perfusion or was considered not to be safe via one single perforator a muscle sparing TRAM flap (ms2) was raised. Angiography was performed using a 64-slice multi-detector CT scanner. CT-angiography did not lead to an increased rate of DIEP flaps in relation to ms2-TRAM flaps. Harvesting time of all flap types with CT-angiography on average was 121 min, without CT-angiography 135 min. This was not significantly different. However, separate analysis of DIEP flaps and ms2-TRAM flaps revealed a significant advantage of CT-angiography based harvesting of DIEP flaps of 26 min: with CT-angiography 101 min vs. 127 min without CT-angiography (p<0.028). There were no significant differences for ms2-TRAM flaps. All scans showed course and branching, diameter and size of the inferior epigastric artery. If evident the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) was marked. Dosage was 292 mGy-606 mGy×cm dependent on body weight. CTDI was 6.8-14.7 mGy. CT-angiography is a reproducible and observer independent procedure that reliably demonstrates the inferior epigastric artery and its perforating branches. Sensitivity is considered to be 99,6%. Additionally the superficial inferior epigastric artery can be evaluated. In our patients the ratio of ms2-TRAM flaps to DIEP flaps was not affected by introducing CT-angiography. However, DIEP flap harvesting was significantly accelerated. Harvesting of ms2-TRAM flaps was not affected. It remains to be seen whether the observed time advantage is really essential for this operation. Preoperative imaging of the perforators allows establishing a detailed, observable and comprehensible operation strategy, which particularly facilitates surgical training and learning of perforator dissection., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background: Autologous breast reconstruction is predominantly performed using free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous or deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps. However, some patients are not suitable candidates for flaps from the lower abdomen. The transverse skin island of the gracilis muscle presents an additional option, as it includes tissue from the posterior upper thigh/lower buttock and thus delivers the amount of tissue necessary for breast reconstruction., Methods: In 2007, the authors' unit performed 73 free flaps for breast reconstruction subsequent to carcinoma, implant-related capsular fibrosis, and breast asymmetry. The transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap was used 32 times. The ventral margin was the greater saphenous vein, and the posterior margin was the midline of the inferior gluteal fold. The skin island could be harvested to a width of up to 30 cm and a height of up to 10 cm. The donor site was closed primarily., Results: Thirty-two flaps were performed in 20 patients. Mean follow-up was 6 months. Mean operating time was 220 minutes for unilateral and 325 minutes for bilateral cases. All flaps and donor sites healed uneventfully. An initially described "tight feeling" at the thigh ceased after 2 to 3 weeks. Persistent hypesthesia of the dorsal thigh was not noted. A major asymmetry of the thigh in unilateral transplantations was not apparent. After 6 months, all flaps were soft., Conclusions: The transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap is a safe, fast flap for reconstruction after benign and malignant breast disease. It combines a constant vascular pedicle with soft subcutaneous tissue that has breast-like characteristics.

Background: While free TRAM or DIEP flaps are still the most common techniques for autologous breast reconstruction, there are also other flaps which are suitable for patients who are not candidates for a TRAM/DIEP flap. In addition to the S-GAP or I-GAP, the transverse myocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap is an excellent alternative. The tissue utilised is taken from the medial thigh and inferior gluteal area. PATIENTS AND OPERATIONS: We have performed 37 TMG flap operations on 23 patients since 2007. The indications were breast cancer, asymmetry of the breasts and capsular fibrosis. The average age of our patients was 47 years. Incisions are similar to those of a transverse thigh lift. The flap is nourished by perforators from the gracilis and its proximal dominant pedicle. The landmark ventrally is the greater saphenous vein and midpoint of the inferior gluteal fold on the dorsal side. Its size can go up to 30 x 10 cm. Recipient vessels are the internal thoracic vessels. The donor site is closed primarily. All of our patients are immobilised for 2 days and were instructed to avoid sitting for 2 weeks., Results: 12 patients were reconstructed after breast cancer, 8 patients had a capsular fibrosis and 3 patients had an asymmetry. The follow-up period was 8 months. Mean operating time for unilateral reconstruction is 220 minutes, for bilateral reconstruction 325 minutes. The weight of the flaps varied from 220 to 440 grams. It takes approximately 30 minutes to harvest the flap. There was no flap loss. Some of the patients described a tight feeling on the thighs for 3 weeks. They described a hypaesthesia on the dorsal thighs. There was one delayed wound healing caused by haematoma., Conclusion: In our department, the TMG has become the most preferred flap for breast reconstruction besides the TRAM/DIEP. Especially slim patients with small breasts or a history of surgery on the abdominal wall are ideal candidates. The tissue from the medial thigh is very similar to the breast tissue. The constant vascular anatomy makes it easy to harvest the flap. The resulting scar is well hidden in the patients' underwear.

Hereditary thrombophilia sums up a large number of haemostatic disorders, which cause thrombosis independently to external influences. The main cases of hereditary thrombophilias are the hereditary antithrombin defect, the activated protein C resistance, the hereditary protein C defect, the hereditary protein S defect, the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, the hyperhomocysteinaemia, the increased factor VIII activity and the prothrombin-G20210A-polymorphism. We present a patient who was amputated in both breasts due to cancer. A bilateral microvascular TRAM-flap was planned as primary reconstruction on one breast and secondary reconstruction on the other breast. However in the operation the flap vessels revealed irreversible thromboses so that the intended reconstruction could not be completed in this operation. Postoperatively, a combined hereditary thrombophilia was diagnosed: heterocygote activated protein C resistance, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and hyperhomocysteinaemia.

The aim of the study was to evaluate social reintegration and patients' perception after breast reconstruction with the free TRAM/DIEP flap. Between 2004 and 2006, 100 patients with an average age of 48 years with breast cancer, capsular contracture and lymphangioma underwent single or second stage autologous tissue transfer. In 7 patients reconstruction was performed on both sides (altogether 107 flaps). The patients were seen for postoperative evaluation and were asked for their personal acceptance after reconstruction. Postoperatively, no instability of the abdominal wall was seen. 3 patients had a total flap loss, in 2 patients a partial loss was evident, 1 had a hematoma, 2 showed successfully treated thrombosis of the flap vein, and 2 patients suffered from wound healing problems at the flap and 4 patients at the abdomen. Aesthetic results concerning natural feeling and breast symmetry were graded as excellent and patients' satisfaction was high.

Background: Defects of the lower leg with exposed tendons or bone require either a local or free flap coverage. The distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flap has been proven to be a sufficient local flap alternative., Material and Method: Using this technique the muscle is perfused by the non dominant distal perforators. This allows the muscle to be transposed to more distal lesions. The muscle is then covered with meshed split skin graft. Between 2000 and 2004 12 patients with defects of the lower leg in the distal lower third have been treated by using this muscle flap. The defects were located over the tibial bone, the extensor tendons, the achilles tendon and the lateral malleolar region., Results: All muscles healed primarily, 4 patients had minor wound healing complications of the skin graft, which in all cases healed conservatively. The muscle and skin graft remained stable. Donor site morbidity is restricted to the scar in the lateral lower leg. Pronation of the foot is not impaired., Conclusion: These cases show that the distally based peroneus brevis muscle has a wide range of coverage and even allows a closure down to the calcaneal tuberosity. Additionally, a local flap management with a safe muscle transposition is an economic procedure with short operation time and decreased hospital stay. If the muscle does not cover the wound sufficiently, free flap surgery can still be performed.

Osteomyelitis of the sternum is a dreaded complication after sternotomy and is related to high mortality. Control of infection by radical debridement is the key to successful treatment. Instability of the thoracic cage can lead to a high complication rate. 16 Patients with an infected and unstable sternum underwent radical debridement with resection of the sternum and adjacent ribs. 6 Patients (group A) received an immediate defect coverage with a pedicled muscle flap. 10 Patients (group B) were treated with a vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.)-therapy until stabilization of their general condition and underwent defect coverage in a second operation. Healing of the flaps was uneventful in all cases despite minor problems. 5 patients of group A had severe complications with pulmonary or cardiac failure and thoracic instability which lead to prolonged periods of mechanical ventilation. 2 patients of this group died due to multi organ failure. All patients of group B survived and there were no major complications. All of the patients were free of recurrence from their osteomyelitis during follow-up. V.A.C.-therapy after radical resection of sternum osteomyelitis proved to be an effective measure to bridge time while optimizing the status of the patient and it's wound. With this approach we believe to have lowered the rate of major complications in this multi-morbid patient group by reducing the burden of one large operation and by improving thoracic stability.

Free microvascular abdominal tissue transfer (TRAM/DIEP) has become standard in breast reconstruction after mastectomy. A new indication for abdominal tissue transfer is severe capsular contracture after augmentation by implants. Capsular contracture following aesthetic or reconstructive augmentation mammaplasty occurs in only a small percentage of cases, but warrants adequate therapy. Between 1999 and 2003, six patients with an average age of 35 years with symptomatic capsular contracture after augmentation mammaplasty underwent autologous tissue transfer with the free TRAM/DIEP flap. The flap was harvested either with a perforator of the deep epigastric artery (DIEP) or as muscle sparing flap (TRAM) and was anastomosed to vessels of the subscapular system. Operation time was reduced by operating with two teams. Besides minor dog-ear deformities at the donor sites, no complications were noted. Postoperatively, neither, instability of the abdominal wall nor flap loss was seen. In some cases, a secondary mastopexy was necessary. Aesthetic results concerning natural feeling and breast symmetry were graded as excellent. In our experience, the free microvascular transfer of abdominal tissue (TRAM/DIEP flap) offers a treatment option for patients seeking alternatives other than repeated capsulectomies and implant changes for severe capsular contracture.

The therapy of factitious disorders is a challenge for the treating surgeon. Only a clear understanding of the underlying causes and a good doctor-patient relationship make a successful outcome possible. Discussion about a confrontation of the patient with the diagnosis and the best made of treatment is still in progress. Early diagnosis and the cooperation between surgeons and psychiatrists are the most important parts of dealing with factitious disorders. This article gives an overview of symptoms and therapies. Six case reports demonstrate possibilities of the disorder's appearance.