Background Poor cosmetic results with oncoplastic and implant‐based breast reconstruction have stimulated an interest in latissimus dorsi flap (LDF)‐based reconstruction. We reviewed the surgical techniques and outcomes of the LDF harvested with minimally invasive surgery. Methods A systematic search was conducted across PubMed‐MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid‐MEDLINE(R). Data on surgical outcomes were extracted. Results 31 articles were included reporting on 857 reconstructive procedures using a LDF harvested, 497 were endoscopic‐assisted LDF (EALDF) (58%) and 174 were robotic‐assisted LDF (RALDF) (20.3%). The average flap harvest time was 84.04‐min for EALDF and 106.14‐min for RALDF. With an EALDF, the incidence of haematoma, seroma, and wound dehiscence ranged between 0%–16.6%, 0%–48%, and 0%–6.2%, respectively. Using RALDF, the incidence of seroma was between 0%–26.1% and 0%–3.4% for haematoma. Conclusions While the indications for a LDF harvested with MIS are limited, its main advantage for breast reconstruction is the absence of the back scar.

Objective: Health services in Latin America have witnessed continuous expansion, improving access for patients requiring treatment for trauma and cancer. However, while demand for complex reconstruction is on the rise, the number of trained microsurgeons remains limited. The aim of this study is to investigate current experiences of plastic surgery residents with regard to microsurgery. It also aims to find out ways through which the number of trained microsurgeons in the region can be increased for better medical care. Methods:A cross-sectional survey was designed to obtain information regarding the exposure and training that plastic surgery residents receive during residency in Latin American countries. We ensured that our procedure followed the data protection rules laid down in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Results:We requested 129 microsurgeons in Latin American countries to respond to our survey questions. A total of 93 survey responses were received, corresponding to a response rate of 72.1%. An analysis of the survey data showed that in terms of hands-on microsurgical training, 79.6% of the respondents had previous experience of being involved in performing a microsurgical procedure. However, 59.1% of the respondents mentioned that this was part of their formal training program. The majority of respondents (74%) reported that they would not be confident in performing a microsurgical procedure unsupervised. About half, or 48.4% of the respondents said that they would consider applying for a microsurgery fellowship. However, only 63.4% reported that they had access to a fellowship program in their home country. Conclusion:Few resident plastic surgeons in Latin America are able to attain the required level of experience so as to feel comfortable acting as independent microsurgeons. Both time and effort are required to address this problem. A powerful tool to change this situation is to gain access to international microsurgical fellowships. An influx of returning trained microsurgeons can provide two benefits: (a) increasing the caseload in the short run, and (b) improving the training of plastic surgeons for future generations of doctors.

Background: Finger amputations are one of the most common traumas of daily life. Regularization of the digital stump is the most widely used option in the literature today. The aim of this study was to evaluate a valid functional and aesthetic alternative to amputation. Methods: We retrospectively investigated our prospective database‚ selecting the patients who underwent trimmed great toe flap reconstruction for the amputation of a digit from September 2019 to November 2021. All the operations were performed by the first author (L.T.

Summary: A 76-year-old man underwent an extensive resection for squamous cell carcinoma 2 years before, resulting in the loss of the superior half of the right ear, without any attempt at reconstruction. The decision was to reconstruct with a combined suprafascial tissue expansion, an alloplastic framework fabricated with porous polyethylene, and a radial artery free flap. At 1-year follow-up, the patient was satisfied with the result. We believe this represents a novel approach to be considered for partial ear reconstruction.