TY - JOUR
T1 - Early Discontinuation of Breast Free Flap Monitoring
T2 - A Strategy Driven by National Data
AU - Baltodano, Pablo A.
AU - Schalet, Grant
AU - Rezak, Kristen
AU - Aliu, Oluseyi
AU - Weinberg, Maxene
AU - Ata, Ashar
AU - Agag, Richard L.
AU - Patel, Ashit
AU - Ricci, Joseph A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Background: Multiple single-institution studies have revealed that breast free flap compromise usually occurs within the first 48 postoperative hours. However, national studies analyzing the rates and timing of breast free flap compromise are lacking. This study aimed to fill this gap in knowledge to better guide postoperative monitoring. Methods: All women undergoing breast free flap reconstruction from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2012 to 2016 database were analyzed to determine the rates and timing of free flap take-back. Take-backs were stratified by postoperative day through the first month. Multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of free flap take-back. Results: A total of 6792 breast free flap patients were analyzed. Multivariable analysis revealed that body mass index of 40 kg/m2or higher, hypertension, American Society of Anesthesiologists class of 3 or higher, steroid use, and smoking were independent predictors of take-back (p < 0.05). Take-back occurred at the highest rate during postoperative day 1, dropped significantly by postoperative day 2 (p < 0.001), and remained consistently low after postoperative day 2 (<0.6 percent daily). The identified risk factors significantly increased the likelihood of take-back on postoperative day 1 (p < 0.05), with a trend noted on postoperative day 2 (p = 0.06). Fewer than 0.4 percent of patients (n = 27) underwent take-back on postoperative day 2 without having risk factors. Conclusions: This is the first national study specifically analyzing rates, timing, and independent predictors of breast free flap take-back. The data support discontinuing breast free flap monitoring by the end of postoperative day 1 for patients without risk factors, given the very low rate of take-back for such patients during postoperative day 2 (≤0.4 percent). CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.
AB - Background: Multiple single-institution studies have revealed that breast free flap compromise usually occurs within the first 48 postoperative hours. However, national studies analyzing the rates and timing of breast free flap compromise are lacking. This study aimed to fill this gap in knowledge to better guide postoperative monitoring. Methods: All women undergoing breast free flap reconstruction from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2012 to 2016 database were analyzed to determine the rates and timing of free flap take-back. Take-backs were stratified by postoperative day through the first month. Multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of free flap take-back. Results: A total of 6792 breast free flap patients were analyzed. Multivariable analysis revealed that body mass index of 40 kg/m2or higher, hypertension, American Society of Anesthesiologists class of 3 or higher, steroid use, and smoking were independent predictors of take-back (p < 0.05). Take-back occurred at the highest rate during postoperative day 1, dropped significantly by postoperative day 2 (p < 0.001), and remained consistently low after postoperative day 2 (<0.6 percent daily). The identified risk factors significantly increased the likelihood of take-back on postoperative day 1 (p < 0.05), with a trend noted on postoperative day 2 (p = 0.06). Fewer than 0.4 percent of patients (n = 27) underwent take-back on postoperative day 2 without having risk factors. Conclusions: This is the first national study specifically analyzing rates, timing, and independent predictors of breast free flap take-back. The data support discontinuing breast free flap monitoring by the end of postoperative day 1 for patients without risk factors, given the very low rate of take-back for such patients during postoperative day 2 (≤0.4 percent). CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.
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U2 - 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007052
DO - 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007052
M3 - Article
C2 - 32842096
AN - SCOPUS:85089930297
SN - 0032-1052
VL - 146
SP - 258E-264E
JO - Plastic and reconstructive surgery
JF - Plastic and reconstructive surgery
IS - 3
ER -