Between the years 2010 and 2012, the lifetime probability of developing female breast cancer was 12.3%, or approximately 1 in 8. Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Survival is increasing. Between 2005 and 2011, the 5-year relative survival was found to be 89%. This is thought to be due to both the increase in utilization of population-wide screening, as well as advances in treatment. Less than 10% of breast cancers can be attributed to an inherited genetic mutation. Breast cancer is more commonly associated with environmental, reproductive, and lifestyle factors, some of which are potentially modifiable.

Gastrointestinal complications in critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic pose a diagnostic and treatment dilemma. We present a case of a 74-year-old male who was brought to our emergency department with worsening shortness of breath, fever, and dry cough and was found to have COVID-19 pneumonia. Early in his hospital course, he was admitted to the intensive care unit, and was found to have significant abdominal distension with large amounts of simple fluid on bedside ultrasound. Bedside paracentesis returned succus and enteric feeds, and a methylene blue test confirmed a likely gastrointestinal perforation. The patients’ family refused surgical intervention and the patient underwent bedside drainage. This case represents several critical dilemmas clinicians faced during the recent surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The technique of autologous fat transplantation has been dramatically improved since its first introduction in 1893. This surgical approach has more recently been used in both the reconstructive and cosmetic setting, and has subsequently been the subject of much controversy. We sought to compose a detailed and systematic literature review of recent literature on the topic in order to provide surgeons with the data in an organized and easily accessible manner. We selected 19 studies and systematically documented trends in their methods, follow-up procedures, and outcomes, paying particular attention to complications. We chose to include studies that analyzed the outcomes of the surgical procedure in both reconstructive and cosmetic cases. Most authors reported satisfactory or greater results, and we concluded that it appears as though autologous fat transplantation to the breast is a safe option for patients seeking both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.