While autologous breast reconstruction has gained momentum over recent years, there is limited data on the structure and quality of care of microsurgical breast reconstruction in Germany. Using the breast reconstruction database established by the German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (DGPRÄC), the presented study investigated the overall outcomes of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstructions in Germany. Data of 3926 patients and 4577 DIEP flaps performed by 22 centers were included in this study. Demographics, patient characteristics, perioperative details and postoperative outcomes were accounted for. Centers performing < Ø 40 (low-volume (LV)) vs. ≥ Ø 40 (high-volume (HV)) annual DIEP flaps were analyzed separately. Overall, total and partial flap loss rates were as low as 2.0% and 1.1% respectively, and emergent vascular revision surgery was performed in 4.3% of cases. Revision surgery due to wound complications was conducted in 8.3% of all cases. Mean operative time and length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the HV group (LV: 385.82 min vs. HV: 287.14 min; LV: 9.04 (18.87) days vs. HV: 8.21 (5.04) days; both p < 0.05). The outcome and complication rates deduced from the national registry underline the high standard of microsurgical breast reconstruction on a national level in Germany.

Background: There has been increasing evidence in recent years that breast implants can, in rare cases, be associated with the development of an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). Methods: This review is based on relevant publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed for articles that appeared from the time of the initial description of breast-implant-associated ALCL onward (1997 to January 2018), and by a further search in German nationwide databases. Results: 516 pathologically confirmed cases of breast-implant-associated (BIA) ALCL were documented around the world until February 2018; seven of these arose in Germany and were reported to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bundesinstitut fur Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, BfArM). In approximately 80% of the affected women, the BIA-ALCL manifested itself as a late-developing seroma at the implant site; in the rest, as a solid tumor with or without an accompanying seroma. The mean implant exposure time ranged from 7 to 13 years on average. 16 fatalities have been reported worldwide. Among the 7 cases reported in Germany, four women had undergone breast reconstruction with implants after breast cancer surgery, and two had undergone breast augmentation surgery. In all patients, the entire capsule-and-implant unit was resected. One patient underwent chemotherapy and one further patient underwent chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Conclusion: The risk that a woman with breast implants will develop a primary anaplastic large-cell lymphoma is estimated at 0.35 to 1 case per million persons per year. The incidence of implant-associated ALCL is thus very low, yet nevertheless markedly higher than that of other primary lymphomas of the breast. Because of the low case numbers, recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of this entity have not been adequately evaluated. Treatment with primary curative intent for BIA-ALCL confers a much better prognosis than when performed for a systemic ALCL. Whenever a patient with a breast implant presents with a late-developing seroma, BIA-ALCL should be included in the differential diagnosis. This diagnosis is reportable.

Around 200 million women and girls worldwide are affected by female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C is a procedure that harms or alters the external female genitals for non-medical reasons, and is usually performed on children. Often, this procedure leads to severe consequences for the women’s physical and mental health. In a cross-sectional sample of 112 women seeking medical counseling, physical and mental health characteristics associated with FGM/C were examined and possible predictors for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women affected by FGM/C were identified. A total of 55.4% (n = 66) of the women reported symptom levels of probable PTSD. Predictors for higher PTSD symptomology were an older age at the time of the FGM/C procedure, feelings of guilt and the centrality of the event in the woman’s life. Thus, cognitive–emotional processing was found to play an important role in the emergence of PTSD in women suffering from FGM/C. However, interventions taking into consideration these characteristics are mostly lacking and need to be investigated further in the context of FGM/C.

Purpose of review: Breast reconstruction is established as integral part of the treatment. New materials, indications and surgical techniques are subject to rapid modification to further improve safety, quality and longevity. Recent findings: Skin-sparing-mastectomy is accepted as an appropriate alternative in risk-reducing and many breast cancer patients, further reducing conventional mastectomy patterns. Radiation in combination with reconstruction is still challenging with no clear advances reducing skin-toxicity. Autologous reconstructions, not only in radiation settings, are turning to a first line approach. A trend driven by improved techniques to minimize morbidity and flap-variations. Breast implant surfaces associated with a high risk of Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) are now withdrawn. The residual risk for the remaining implant styles is not known, but can be expected considerably lower than estimations published presently. In order to reduce local complications, supplemental material often in combination with prepectoral implant placement is advertised. The present evidence on long-term outcome is limited. Super-microsurgery treating lymphedema is evolving rapidly. Refinements of various techniques and their differential indication are under evaluation to standardize the procedures. Summary: Breast reconstruction evolved to a complex, specialized field with a multitude of options. A multidisciplinary team is required to fully utilize todays potential and offer optimal individual treatments.

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund Der Verlust der weiblichen Brust ist für betroffene Frauen extrem traumatisierend. Obwohl sich freie Lappenplastiken zum Goldstandard in der rekonstruktiven Brustchirurgie entwickelt haben, war es bisher nicht gelungen, ihre Überlegenheit im Hinblick auf die alternativen konventionellen Techniken zweifelsfrei zu belegen. Bis heute existieren keine Daten zur Versorgungssituation in Deutschland. Durch den Aufbau eines prospektiven Onlineregisters zur Brustrekonstruktion sollte die Versorgungsstruktur und -qualität systematisch erfasst und transparent dargestellt werden, um Defizite zu verbessern und mittelfristig eine flächendeckende Versorgung auf hohem Niveau zu ermöglichen. Methoden Hierfür hat die Deutsche Gesellschaft der Plastischen, Rekonstruktiven und Ästhetischen Chirurgen (DGPRÄC) eine internetbasierte Datenbank zur anonymisierten Erfassung der Behandlungsdaten aufgebaut. Im Rahmen einer Zertifizierung wurde die Strukturqualität, Erfüllung der Vorgaben und die Stringenz der eingegebenen Daten im Abgleich mit der krankenhausinternen Dokumentation überprüft. Bei positiver Bewertung wird das Qualitätssiegel der DGPRÄC vergeben. Ergebnisse Seit ihrer Einführung im Jahr 2012 liefert die Datenbank validierte Informationen. Waren zu Anfang nur wenige Abteilungen zur transparenten Darstellung ihrer Resultate bereit, wuchs deren Zahl in den vergangenen Jahren stetig an. Die Qualitätsdarstellung konnte bundesweit eine Vorreiterfunktion übernehmen und wird von Patienten und Kollegen als seriöse und verlässliche Informationsquelle genutzt. Die Internetseite der DGPRÄC weist die Zentren nach ihrer jeweiligen Qualifikation aus. Inzwischen ist es gelungen, in akzeptabler Nähe zu jedem onkologischen Brustzentrum einen qualifizierten plastisch-chirurgischen Ansprechpartner auszuweisen. Auch zeigen die Daten, dass in Deutschland auf einem international vergleichbaren Spitzenniveau gearbeitet wird. Schlussfolgerung Die Datenbank liefert einen Überblick über die verschiedenen Operationstechniken und damit die Möglichkeit einer seriösen Selbstkontrolle und wissenschaftliche Analyse. Dies hat dazu geführt, dass die Akzeptanz mikrochirurgischer Eingriffe und die Stellung der Plastischen Chirurgie in der rekonstruktiven Brustchirurgie erheblich gestiegen ist. Die notwendige finanzielle und personelle Ausstattung zur Etablierung der Datenbank wurde jedoch deutlich zu gering eingeschätzt.