Horch RE

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of microsurgery versus complex physical decongestive therapy in people with chronic breast cancer-related lymphoedema.…

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide, with surgical intervention, ranging from breast-conserving procedures to total mastectomy, representing a cornerstone of curative treatment. In this context…

Arteriovenous (AV) loop followed by free flap reconstruction remains a challenging and high-risk intervention and is therefore reserved for a selective patient population. It is unclear to what extent factors such as defect localization, ch…

[INTRODUCTION] Up to one-fifth of breast cancer survivors will develop chronic breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL). To date, complex physical decongestion therapy (CDT) is the gold standard of treatment. However, it is mainly symptomat…

The surgical-oncological treatment of pelvic and perineal malignancies is associated with a high complication rate and morbidity for patients. Modern multimodal treatment modalities, such as neoadjuvant radio-chemotherapy for anal or rectal…

[BACKGROUND] Mechanical anastomoses of blood vessels represent a major advance in modern surgery. Highly specialized instruments ensure the precise connection of blood vessels, enabling the immediate restoration of blood flow. Ring coupler …

[BACKGROUND] Body contouring surgery after massive weight loss is associated with different risk factors. Wound healing disorders and seromas commonly occur postoperatively. Bariatric interventions lead to massive weight loss with excess sk…

Shrinkage, a heat-induced process, reorganizes collagen fibers, thereby reducing wound surface area. This technique, commonly applied in surgeries like periareolar mastopexy and skin grafting, is well-established. Despite its widespread use…

Massive weight loss following bariatric surgery is often accompanied by functional impairments due to the resulting excess skin and soft tissues. To achieve both functional reconstruction and restoration of the body silhouette, it is impera…

[BACKGROUND] Arteriovenous (AV) loops help to overcome absent or poor-quality recipient vessels in highly complex microvascular free flap reconstruction cases. There are no studies on blood flow and perfusion patterns. The purpose of this s…

[BACKGROUND] Research is an integral part of academic medicine. In plastic surgery, it sets the course for innovations in the specialty. The purpose of this study is to present the research performance of plastic surgeons in Germany for the…

[BACKGROUND] There is still no consensus regarding the ideal zoning in abdominal-based autologous breast reconstruction using free DIEP or ms-TRAM flaps. In particular, the perfusion pattern of the flap according to the number of perforator…

Sufficient wound closure of large soft tissue defects remains a challenge for reconstructive surgeons. We aimed to investigate whether combined perforator propeller flaps (PPFs) are suitable to expand reconstructive options. Patients underg…

Background: Vascular patency is the key element for high flap survival rates. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the blood flow characteristics of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and muscle-sparing transverse rec…

Background: Deep inferior epigastric perforator and muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis muscle flaps are commonly used flaps for autologous breast reconstruction. CT-angiography allows to analyse the perforator course preoperatively.…

Adjuvant radiotherapy in breast cancer patients might enhance complications after autologous breast reconstruction, including thrombosis of the internal mammary artery (IMA) precluding its use as recipient vessel. This case report shows a s…

Although the involvement of plastic surgery has been deemed important in the treatment of sarcoma patients to avoid oncological compromises and ameliorate patient outcomes, it is not ubiquitously available. The accessibility of defect recon…

Peri-prosthetic breast infections pose a risk of severe complications after breast implant surgery. The need to remove the breast implant, control the infection and perform additional surgical procedures are the consequences. Reimplantation…

[BACKGROUND] Extracorporeal perfusion (EP) is moving into focus of research in reconstructive and transplantation medicine for the preservation of amputates and free tissue transplants. The idea behind EP is the reduction of ischemia-relate…

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…

Atrophy of tongue after free-flap reconstruction often leads to functional problems like dysphagia and articulation disorders. Lipotransfer might resolve this issue. We describe a case of repeated lipotransfer into an atrophied reconstructe…

Microsurgery in patients with advanced atherosclerosis is challenging. Calcified vessels can hinder microanastomosis, which precludes free flap reconstruction in those patients. We present a case of a female patient with stage 4 peripheral …

This study presents a novel surgical technique for the reconstruction of highly challenging large lower back defects. In this case, a 72-year-old man initially diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma received nephrectomy followed by the dissect…

Deep sternal wound infection (TSWI) is a potentially life-threatening complication that may occur after median sternotomy, contributing to prolonged hospital stay and increased health care costs. Bacterial infection is often characterized b…

[PURPOSE] Symptomatic macromastia causes physical and psychological problems that can lead to restrictions in the patients' social and working lives and a reduced quality of life. Associated medical treatments also have a considerable impac…

[BACKGROUND/AIMS] Macromastia can cause physical and psychological problems. Conservative treatments such as physiotherapy and painkillers lead to substantial long-term costs, without any proven medical benefit. In contrast, surgical treatm…

[BACKGROUND]  Since 2015/16 the DGPRÄC collects, evaluates and publishes the research activities of academic sections, departments and clinics for plastic surgery at university hospitals in Germany, in order to raise the awareness of plasti…

Capsular contracture remains a challenge in plastic surgery and represents one of the most common postoperative complications following alloplastic breast reconstruction. The impact of the surface structure of silicone implants on the forei…