July 2022 – Sizing up breast surgery

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July 2022 • Volume 16, No. 7

From the Editor

About 15 years ago my cousin, then around 50 years old, underwent breast reduction surgery. It was something she had wanted to do for years to address tingling and pain in her neck and down her back. The surgery went well, her breasts were reduced by a total of two pounds, the tingling and pain went away immediately, and she felt more comfortable in her clothes. She was thoroughly happy with the results and has never looked back.

People have cosmetic or reconstructive breast surgeries for many different reasons, from health concerns to comfort to aesthetics and self-esteem.

In 2020—a year when the number of all cosmetic procedures fell as a result of COVID closures—the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that 193,073 people had breast augmentation, 87,051 breast lift, 33,574 breast reduction (aesthetic), and 18,575 breast reduction in men.  That’s not counting the reconstructive procedures, such as breast reconstruction (137,808) and 63,746 breast reduction (reconstructive patients).  That’s a lot of surgery.

So this issue brings you some resources on the subject. Did you know that the history of breast reconstruction dates back to the 1800s? (More recently, the development of silicone-gel filled implants (replacing a variety of former methods, such as injections of glycerine, ox cartilage and more) has its own interesting history. Read on for some basic information, news and videos about breast surgeries.

Our Student in the Spotlight is Niki Perkins, RN, BSN, CNOR, of Gladwyne, PA. 

And scroll down for jobs we’ve collected for you and NIFA’s favorite links.

Take care,


Julie Lancaster, Editor

Breast Surgery Basics

  • Options in Cosmetic Surgery for Breasts (Mammoplasty) – WebMD’s summary of types of breast surgeries available and what the different types entail. Read article…
  • Breast Surgery: Options – The Cleveland Clinic’s summary of the basics, but with more information about what the patient can expect. Read article…

News

Goodbye Silicone? A New Era of Breast Reconstruction Is on the Horizon

This recent article in The Guardian by Ida Emilie Steinmark explores a new technology, about to enter human trials, in which 3D-printed implants grow new breast tissue. Read more . . .

Current Advances in Breast Reconstruction

A podcast with Cleveland Clinic Akron General plastic surgeon Sarah Bishop, MD, about recent advances in reconstructive surgery after breast cancer. Listen or read full transcript . . .

 

Videos

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery. Gabriel Del Corral, MD, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with the MedStar Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery team at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, performs a DIEP flap breast reconstruction and a breast augmentation on a breast cancer survivor. Watch video . . .

 

Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift. A live plastic surgery from the Loudoun Center for Plastic Surgery, in the Washington DC metroplex, Ashburn, VA. Michael J. Brown, MD, performs a breast augmentation with silicone gel implants and breast lift. Watch video . . .

 
 

Breast Reconstruction with Fat Grafting. Dr. Joel Aronowitz is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Los Angeles and medical director of the Tower Wound Care Centers. In this video his patient, Jennifer, shares her breast cancer story. She was diagnosed with DCIS and opted for a skin and nipple sparing mastectomy, followed by an all natural fat grafting breast reconstruction (instead of the more popular flap or implant reconstruction). Watch video . . .

Student Spotlight: Niki Perkins

Credentials
RN, BSN, CNOR

Student Status
Recent graduate of NIFA’s RNFA program

City & State
Potsdam, NY

Current Position
Circulator

Where did you get your RN degree?
SUNY (State University of New York), Canton, NY

How did you come to choose perioperative nursing?
I spent some time in the hospital as a child after breaking multiple bones, and I met some really great nurses that gave me the best care and inspired me to become like them.

What is the scariest moment you’ve ever seen at the table?
When I was training a new nurse and we were positioning a patient prone on the Wilson frame, the CRNA and MD were both not helping and the patient almost fell off the bed. Luckily, the scrub tech broke scrub to help grab the patient. Finally, the MD and CRNA started to participate.

What is one technique or RNFA trick you’ve learned from NIFA that you will use for life?
I was struggling to start a one-handed tie, and learning to create a near and far has greatly impacted my ability to successfully start the one-handed tie.

How do you feel having your RNFA will impact your life/career?
It will increase job opportunities for me as I plan to become an NP in the periop setting.

Jobs Front

Click here for the RNFA job postings we’ve collected for you this month.

NIFA – Office Hours

Monday-Thursday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm

Practice Resources

Here are several of the most-in-demand sites for our students, prospective students and grads:


MD Edge Surgery News: Specialty News and Commentaries, Videos and More
RNFA Scope of Practice by State (PDF)
ACS List of Cases that Require an Assistant at Surgery, 2020 (PDF)
Perioperative Nurse Links (state nursing boards & professional associations)
APRN Nurse Links

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are strictly those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NIFA. NIFA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of statements made by our contributors and does not accept any liability for error or omission. It is the responsibility of all perioperative personnel to work within and adhere to their facility bylaws and individual scope of practice.

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