THE WELCH COMPANY
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111-2496
415 781 5700
rodwelch@pacbell.net


S U M M A R Y


DIARY: September 28, 2005 03:30 PM Wednesday; Rod Welch

Millie meets plastic surgeon on mastectomy and reconstruction treat IBC.

1...Summary/Objective
2...Agenda Plastic Surgery Options Benefits and Risks
3...Contemporaneous Reconstructive Surgery Reduce Risk of IBC Relapse
4...Experience Treating IBC Surgical Closure for Very Wide Mastectomy
5...IBC Relapse Reduce Risk Very Wide Mastectomy Contemporneaous osure
6...Kaiser Surgical Team Very Experienced Close Collaboration Treat IBC
7...Contemporaneous Reconstructive Surgical Closure 20 Hour Operation
8...20 Hours Risks Mistakes Contemporaneous Reconstructive Surgical Closure
9...Study Success IBC Treated with Mastectomy and Reconstructive Surgery
........23 Patients Mastectomy 14 Immediate Reconstruction 18 TRAM
........Median Survival 44 Months 6 Local Recurrence 10 Distant Failure
........30% No Recurrence After Mastectomy Immediate Reconstruction
........19 Months Median Disease Free After Mastectomy + Reconstruction
10...Planning Pre-op 5 Risks Require Prepare for Adjustments
11...Due Diligence Time Out Risks Performing Surgery Post-op Recovery
12...Risks of Pulmonary Emboli, Source Tissue Defective and Reexcision
....1...Local control - primary care physician cites risk of relapse
....2...IBC risks surgical wound won't heal, despite favorable
13...Coumadin Suspended Pulmonary Emboli PE Risks Death During Surgery
14...Plastic Surgeon Coumadin Treatments Stopped Risks PE During Surgery
15...Pulmonary Emboli PE Risks Death During Surgery When Coumadin Suspended
........IBC Relapse Requires Intact Tissue for Treatment
........Mastectomy IBC Relapse Chemotherapy Reduced Effectiveness
........Stomach Tissue Inadequate Harvest for Breast Reconstruction
........Blood Vessels Mastectomy Reduces Chemotherapy Effectiveness
........Clear Margins Biopsy During Surgery Very Wide Mastectomy
16...Conservative Treatment Enables Recovery Options Avoid Solve Problems
17...Postpone Breast Reconstruction to Avoid Risks of Complex Surgery
18...Post-op Problems Standard Closure More Options for Adjustments
19...Standard Closure Very Wide Mastectomy Preserves Reconstruction Option
20...Written Report Confirm Understandings Medical Planning from Meeting
21...Meeting Notes Written Report Confirm Understandings Medical Planning

ACTION ITEMS.................. Click here to comment!

1...Can biopsy analysis be performed during the 10 - 20 hour

CONTACTS 

SUBJECTS
Meeting Plastic Surgeon Evaluate Mastectomy Left Breast and Plastic S    5

0403 -
0403 -    ..
0404 - Summary/Objective
0405 -
040501 - Follow up ref SDS 17 E863, ref SDS 10 E863.
040502 -
040503 - The plastic surgeon helped clarify opportunities and risks for local
040504 - control to avoid IBC relapse with mastectomy and reconstruction of the
040505 - left breast.  The lead surgeon set the purpose of meeting with an
040506 - agenda to guide discussions. ref SDS 0 8H5J  The doctor reviewed plans
040507 - for skin biopsies to determine the area of very wide mastectomy for
040508 - clear margins. ref SDS 0 QS65  The plastic surgeon has a lot of
040509 - experience collaborating with the surgeon to treat IBC patients using
040510 - Kaiser's team care practice. ref SDS 0 243H  The doctor expects that
040511 - immediate reconstruction to reduce risks of relapse by replacing
040512 - previously infected and radiated skin could require a 20 hour
040513 - operation. ref SDS 0 244K  Examination during the meeting revealed
040514 - that tissue from the abdomen might be inadequate for reconstructing
040515 - the left breast due to prior surgery during the 1960s, and so tissue
040516 - may have to be taken from another area of the body. ref SDS 0 UJ6G
040517 - Research on the Internet found a small study on breast reconstruction
040518 - contemporaneous with mastectomy surgery for IBC patients, ref SDS 0
040519 - 269G; median disease-free survival was 19 months with median overall
040520 - survival of 44 months. ref SDS 0 ZW5X  Due diligence has identified
040521 - five (5) major risks in case management for Millie's patient history,
040522 - and these present conflicting solutions. ref SDS 0 UZ7K  The plastic
040523 - surgeon recommends conservative treatment measures, ref SDS 0 LA6G,
040524 - using a standard closure, and wait for findings from biopsy during
040525 - mastectomy to decide on reconstruction. ref SDS 0 245N  The doctor
040526 - will submit a report to confirm understandings from the meeting today.
040527 -
040528 -
040529 -
040530 -
040531 -
040533 -  ..
0406 -
0407 -
0408 - Progress
0409 -
040901 - Agenda Plastic Surgery Options Benefits and Risks
040902 -
040903 - Follow up ref SDS 17 WI6K.
040904 -
040905 - Meeting the plastic surgeon today was scheduled by the surgeon to
040906 - review planning on 050923 for a mastectomy, ref SDS 17 F144, proposed
040907 - by the primary care physician on 050913 to strengthen local control.
040908 - ref SDS 14 T646
040910 -  ..
040911 - Agenda for meeting includes...
040912 -
040913 -        1.  Scope of surgery........................ ref SDS 0 QS65
040914 -        2.  Closing surgical wound.................. ref SDS 0 244K
040915 -        3.  Problems during surgery................. ref SDS 0 246G
040916 -        4.  Post-op risks........................... ref SDS 0 JT9N
040917 -        5.  Planning to address risks............... ref SDS 0 UZ7K
040918 -
040919 -
040920 -
040921 -
040922 -
040923 -
040925 -  ..
0410 -
0411 -
0412 - 1547
0413 -
041301 - The nurse came into the examination room and reported that the doctor
041302 - is trying to contact the surgeon to discuss the purpose of the meeting
041303 - today.
041305 -  ..
041306 - The nurse received an extract of the record from meeting with the
041307 - surgeon on 050923 showing prior discussion on the scope of surgery,
041308 - for a very wide mastectomy. ref SDS 17 NT9G  This submission
041309 - highlights Kaiser's requirements from the Healthwise Handbook for due
041310 - diligence on shared decisions about surgery, which can be addressed
041311 - during the meeting today. ref SDS 17 UL8K
041313 -  ..
041314 - About 10 minutes later the plastic surgeon came into the examination
041315 - room and reported having been briefed by the surgeon.  She brought
041316 - with her the patient submittal just given to the nurse, ref SDS 0
041317 - 7D7N, and thanked Millie for background to prepare for the meeting.
041318 - The plastic surgeon also brought a binder with photographs showing
041319 - mastectomy surgery closures, including plastic surgery solutions under
041320 - consideration today.
041322 -  ..
041323 - This meeting lasted about an hour, with the doctor giving excellent
041324 - advice and explanations of options and risks.
041325 -
041326 -
041327 -
041328 -
0414 -

SUBJECTS
Experience IBC Surgical Closure for Very Wide Mastectomy

0603 -
060401 -  ..
060402 - Contemporaneous Reconstructive Surgery Reduce Risk of IBC Relapse
060403 - Experience Treating IBC Surgical Closure for Very Wide Mastectomy
060404 - IBC Relapse Reduce Risk Very Wide Mastectomy Contemporneaous osure
060405 - Kaiser Surgical Team Very Experienced Close Collaboration Treat IBC
060406 -
060407 - Follow up ref SDS 17 NT9G.
060408 -
060409 - The doctor initially indicated concurrence with planning on 050923 for
060410 - a "very wide mastectomy" guided by surgical biopsies, ref SDS 17 NT9G,
060411 - and in order to determine the diameter of skin for removing the area
060412 - previously radiated in 2002, and then later infected with IBC in 2003
060413 - - 2005, but now regressed since about 050727. ref SDS 10 YY7F  The
060414 - doctor seemed aware from collaboration with the general surgeon that
060415 - the purpose of a very wide mastectomy is to remove previously infected
060416 - skin which may still contain microscopic cancer cells that risk
060417 - relapse, if left in place, and further to perform contemporaneous
060418 - reconstruction of the left breast with skin tissue from other
060419 - locations, e.g., hip, stomach, back, which are free of cancer cells,
060420 - thereby reducing risk of relapse, while also allowing additional
060421 - radiation treatments, if relapse should none-the-less occur, as
060422 - presented in Doctor Grissom's 2nd opinion received on 050920,
060423 - ref SDS 15 GT3M, and discussed with the general suregon in a meeting
060424 - on 050923. ref SDS 17 KF6I
060425 -
060426 -    [...below, Doctor Smith proposes postponing reconstructive surgery
060427 -    to reduce risks of relapse be postponed until after initial simple
060428 -    mastectomy surgery is accomplished successfully. ref SDS 0 245N
060430 -     ..
060431 -    [On 051010 Doctor Grissom explains purpose of very wide mastectomy
060432 -    with contemporaneous breast reconstruction for a patient presenting
060433 -    with secondary IBC and no evidence of distant metastasis for 4
060434 -    years is for local control that could yield a cure. ref SDS 22 GW5K
060436 -  ..
060437 - The doctor appears approximately 40 years old, and described a long
060438 - working relationship of close collaboration treating patients with the
060439 - referring surgeon, commenting today something along the lines of being
060440 - the surgeon's "right hand man" for mastectomy operations.  The doctor
060441 - further seemed to describe considerable experience and familiarity
060442 - performing reconstructive plastic surgery to treat IBC cases,
060443 - including closure of surgical wounds from "very wide mastectomy" being
060444 - considered in this case.
060446 -  ..
060447 - Millie expressed confidence in Kaiser's team care practice of close
060448 - collaboration, described by the doctor.  Significant experience of
060449 - surgeon working closely with plastic surgeon to treat IBC strengthens
060450 - chances of success performing a complex operation being considered at
060451 - this time.  The primary care physician noted on 050329 that Millie's
060452 - surgeon is the most experienced in the Walnut Creek hospital for
060453 - treating breast cancer. ref SDS 9 IE8O  Earlier on 050324, the surgeon
060454 - explained that IBC is a very rare condition, and noted that the
060455 - surgery department in Walnut Creek may see one patient a year
060456 - afflicted with IBC.  The surgeon related having possibly treated an
060457 - IBC patient once in the past five (5) years. ref SDS 8 QJ35
060458 -
060459 -
060460 -
060461 -
0605 -

SUBJECTS
Primary Closure DIEP Flap or TRAM Breast Reconstruction Risk Fatigue

0703 -
070401 -  ..
070402 - Contemporaneous Reconstructive Surgical Closure 20 Hour Operation
070403 - 20 Hours Risks Mistakes Contemporaneous Reconstructive Surgical Closure
070404 -
070405 - The doctor handed Millie a printed document on the DIEP flap plastic
070406 - surgery procedure that reflect her discussions with the general
070407 - surgeon on the scope of surgery in this case to reduce the chance of
070408 - relapse, per above. ref SDS 0 QS65
070410 -  ..
070411 - There was no time devoted to read nor discuss this printed document
070412 - received during the meeting today.
070414 -  ..
070415 - The doctor explained that a DIEP flap mastectomy closure is commonly
070416 - performed in Belgium and/or was developed in Belgium.  There was also
070417 - some discussion of a TRAM closure for mastectomy surgery.  At some
070418 - point the doctor showed a photograph from her binder to illustrate a
070419 - patient treated with either a DIEP or a TRAM, and the doctor noted
070420 - that a full breast reconstruction would occur with the method shown in
070421 - the picture.
070423 -  ..
070424 - The doctor examined Millie below the belly button, and asked about a
070425 - surgical scar.  Mil explained a prior gynocological procedure in the
070426 - early 1970s.  The doctor advised that this prior surgery presents a
070427 - risk for performing plastic reconstructive surgery that tissue from
070428 - the stomach would be inadequate, and that this problem cannot be
070429 - determined until the operation is performed.
070431 -  ..
070432 - There was no discussion of other options for obtaining reconstructive
070433 - tissue, e.g., from the back for a TRAM flap, cited on the Internet for
070434 - Imaginis...
070436 -             ..
070437 -            Transverse Rectus Abdominus Muscle (TRAM)
070439 -               ..
070440 -              http://imaginis.com/breasthealth/reconstruction.asp#types
070441 -
070442 - ...which says in part...
070443 -
070444 -        The second main type of breast reconstruction, muscle flap
070445 -        reconstruction, involves using a patient's own tissue to
070446 -        rebuild the contour of the breast. Tissue may be taken from
070447 -        the back, stomach, or buttocks. Muscle flap operations leave
070448 -        scars both from where the tissue was taken and on the
070449 -        reconstructed breast. In a free TRAM (Transverse Rectus
070450 -        Abdominis Muscle) flap procedure, the surgeon transfers some
070451 -        abdominal skin, fat, and a small piece of muscle under the
070452 -        skin to the intended breast area. The tissue from abdomen is
070453 -        usually enough to create a breast shape. If not, a saline
070454 -        implant may also be inserted. In a back tissue (latissimus
070455 -        dorsi) reconstructive flap, a surgeon transfers muscle and
070456 -        skin from the patient's back to the intended breast area. This
070457 -        creates a pocket where an implant is usually inserted.
070459 -         ..
070460 -        Muscle flap procedures take much longer than implant
070461 -        operations, lasting about four to five hours, and patients
070462 -        typically stay in the hospital three to four days, compared to
070463 -        one day with the implant operation. Though the recovery is
070464 -        slower, the breast usually looks and feels more natural to
070465 -        most women.
070467 -  ..
070468 - Another Internet location for....
070469 -
070470 -        Breast Reconstruction with Tissue Flaps
070471 -        By Houston, Texas Plastic Surgeon & Cosmetic Surgeon,
070472 -        Dr Mark. Schusterman
070473 -
070474 -              http://www.alwaysyouthful.com/tram-flap-tissue-flap-specialist.asp
070475 -
070476 - ...describes the DIEP flap procedure...
070477 -
070478 -            Deep Interior Epigastric Perforator Flap (DIEP)
070480 -         ..
070481 -        For patients needing only a small amount of tissue to
070482 -        reconstruct the breast mound or those needing bilateral
070483 -        reconstruction, the DIEP Flap offers some advantages. The DIEP
070484 -        Flap is a free flap of skin, blood vessels and fat only, and
070485 -        no muscle. Like the Free TRAM Flap, tissue is harvested from
070486 -        your lower abdomen, but only the overlying skin, fat and blood
070487 -        vessels are removed. The rectus abdominus muscle is left
070488 -        intact and in place.
070490 -  ..
070491 - The record is not clear on whether primary closure of a "very wide
070492 - mastectomy" being considered in this case would require a "...small
070493 - amount of tissue..." for reconstruction, which seems to be described
070494 - for a DIEP flap in Doctor Schusterman's article.
070496 -  ..
070497 - The doctor seemed to say today during the meeting at Kaiser that
070498 - surgery for a "very wide mastectomy" to treat an IBC patient on
070499 - relapse, and further that primary closure of the surgical wound with
070500 - concurrent reconstructive plastic surgery to achieve results shown in
070501 - the doctor's photograph, per above, ref SDS 0 245H, and for the
070502 - purpose of reducing the risk of relapse, per above, ref SDS 0 QS65,
070503 - would require a complex, 20 hour operation.  She said this is a major
070504 - operation that entails a lot of risk for mistakes due fatigue and to
070505 - variables that require spontaneous adjustments during the operation.
070506 - This aligns generally with Doctor Grissom's 2nd opinion consultation
070507 - on 050912 that Millie's condition of IBC on relapse, with inflammation
070508 - having spread beyond the breast is very severe, and requires a major,
070509 - complex solution with a 10 hour surgery and contemporaneous
070510 - reconstruction to achieve near-to-long-term remission with hiatus from
070511 - chemotherapy to relieve debilitating side effects. ref SDS 13 V150
070512 - Other authorities describe a 4 - 6 hour operation, though none mention
070513 - the scope of a "very wide mastectomy," which may take longer for
070514 - closure.
070515 -
070516 -
070517 -
070518 -
070519 -
0706 -

SUBJECTS
Study Survival Disease-free 19 Months IBC Treated with Mastectomy Re
Research Criteria on Surgery for Mastectomy to Reduce Chance of Relap    1

1504 -
150501 -  ..
150502 - Study Success IBC Treated with Mastectomy and Reconstructive Surgery
150503 -
150504 - Research on the Internet found a study that seems to show survival
150505 - statistics for IBC patients after mastectomy and reconstructive
150506 - surgery....
150507 -
150508 -              http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10703855&dopt=Abstract
150510 -         ..
150511 -        Esthetic reconstruction after mastectomy for inflammatory
150512 -        breast cancer: is it worthwhile?
150514 -         ..
150515 -        Department of General and Oncologic Surgery, City of Hope
150516 -        National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
150518 -         ..
150519 -        BACKGROUND:  Because inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) has been
150520 -        viewed as a malignancy with a poor likelihood of longterm
150521 -        survival, few women have been offered esthetic reconstruction
150522 -        after mastectomy for IBC.  Recent advances in multimodality
150523 -        therapy have improved the outcomes for women with this disease.
150524 -        The purpose of this review was to assess the results of
150525 -        esthetic breast reconstruction in the population with IBC.
150527 -         ..
150528 -        STUDY DESIGN:  Review of medical records at the City of Hope
150529 -        National Medical Center for the 10-year period ending in May
150530 -        1997, revealed 23 women who underwent elective esthetic breast
150531 -        reconstruction after mastectomy for IBC.  The records of these
150532 -        patients were reviewed retrospectively.  Patients requiring
150533 -        reconstruction for large surgical chest wall defects were not
150534 -        included in the review.
150535 -
150537 -         ..
150538 -        23 Patients Mastectomy 14 Immediate Reconstruction 18 TRAM
150539 -        Median Survival 44 Months 6 Local Recurrence 10 Distant Failure
150540 -        30% No Recurrence After Mastectomy Immediate Reconstruction
150541 -        19 Months Median Disease Free After Mastectomy + Reconstruction
150542 -
150543 -        RESULTS:  Treatment for IBC included mastectomy in all
150544 -        patients, chemotherapy in 22, and chest wall radiation therapy
150545 -        in 14.  Immediate reconstruction was performed at the time of
150546 -        mastectomy (n = 14) or was delayed (n = 9).  The types of
150547 -        reconstruction included transverse rectus abdominis
150548 -        musculocutaneous flap (n = 18), latissimus dorsi flap (n = 2),
150549 -        or prosthetic mammary implant reconstruction (n = 3).  Seven
150550 -        women chose to undergo additional reconstruction procedures
150551 -        (ie, nipple reconstruction) after their initial reconstruction.
150552 -        With a median followup of 44 months for survivors, 16 patients
150553 -        developed recurrence after reconstruction.  Of these, 6 were
150554 -        local recurrences and 10 were distant failures.  Seven patients
150555 -        are currently alive with no evidence of disease, 4 are
150556 -        currently alive with disease, and 12 have died as a result of
150557 -        breast cancer.  The median disease-free survival after
150558 -        reconstruction was 19 months.  The median overall survival
150559 -        after reconstruction for all patients was 22 months.  The only
150560 -        negative predictor of survival was a positive surgical margin
150561 -        at mastectomy.
150563 -         ..
150564 -        CONCLUSIONS:  The significant emotional and esthetic benefits
150565 -        of breast reconstruction should be available to women with IBC.
150566 -        In light of the improving prognosis of IBC with current
150567 -        aggressive multimodality treatment, reconstructive procedures
150568 -        should be offered as part of comprehensive therapy
150569 -
150570 -
150571 -
150572 -
150573 -
150574 -
1506 -

SUBJECTS
Planning Pre-op Identify Risks and Prepare for Adjustments Due Dilig
Local Control Conservative Treatment Planning Primary Care Physician

1704 -
170501 -  ..
170502 - Planning Pre-op 5 Risks Require Prepare for Adjustments
170503 - Due Diligence Time Out Risks Performing Surgery Post-op Recovery
170504 - Risks of Pulmonary Emboli, Source Tissue Defective and Reexcision
170505 -
170506 - Five (5) major risks have been identified for conservative treatment
170507 - options to avoid risks of relapse.  Conflicting solutions presented
170508 - for alternate treatment scenarios require due diligence to carefully
170509 - assess risks and benefits in choosing a course of action...
170511 -         ..
170512 -    1.  Local control - primary care physician cites risk of relapse
170513 -        without mastectomy surgery during a "window of opportunity"
170514 -        after IBC subsides with chemotherapy, shown by favorable
170515 -        examinations and tests, reported on 050729. ref SDS 11 5B9K
170516 -        Local control reduces risk of metastatic disease from spinning
170517 -        of control, explained by primary care physician on 050913.
170518 -        ref SDS 14 5T4J
170520 -         ..
170521 -        Balancing this risk is patient history showing local and
170522 -        regional control improved with chemotherapy, reported on
170523 -        050727. ref SDS 10 YY7F
170524 -
170525 -
170526 -
1706 -

SUBJECTS
Planning Pre-op Identify Risks and Prepare for Adjustments Due Dilig
Surgical Wound Won't Heal Because IBC Still Active Despite PET and S

1904 -
190501 -         ..
190502 -    2.  IBC risks surgical wound won't heal, despite favorable
190503 -        examinations, and tests cited by the primary care physician on
190504 -        050729. ref SDS 11 5B9K  Even if pending PET test, ordered by
190505 -        primary care physician on 050913, ref SDS 14 T699, and
190506 -        perimeter biopsies, ordered by the surgeon on 050923,
190507 -        ref SDS 17 SZ6M, find no evidence of disease, there remains a
190508 -        risk of relapse while off chemotherapy during surgery and
190509 -        recovery, noted by the surgeon on 050727, ref SDS 10 R34I, and
190510 -        restated during the meeting on 050923. ref SDS 17 KF6I  This
190511 -        risk may reflect persistent CA 15-3 cancer marker above normal
190512 -        the past few months, reported by primary care physician on
190513 -        050913. ref SDS 14 GJ5M  Return of IBC could prevent healing a
190514 -        surgical wound, cited by Doctor Bailey in a 2nd opinion
190515 -        reported on 050922, ref SDS 16 XD8P, and demonstrated by the
190516 -        punch biopsy that took a year to heal due to IBC, reported on
190517 -        050107. ref SDS 7 IS5N
190518 -
190519 -            [On 051007 doctor's notes from meeting confirm risk that
190520 -            surgical wound may not heal due to IBC. ref SDS 20 KO64
190522 -         ..
190523 -        Balancing this risk is patient history showing that when
190524 -        chemotherapy reduced IBC, the biopsy wound healed quickly,
190525 -        reported by the surgeon on 050727. ref SDS 10 WI6K
190527 -  ..
190528 - Very wide mastectomy with contemporaneous and immediate reconstructive
190529 - surgery reduce risk of losing local control from IBC relapse...
190530 -
190531 -        Doctor Grissom and Doctor Bailey indicate that risk of cancer
190532 -        relapse can be reduced by performing a very wide mastectomy
190533 -        along with pre-op biopsies to avoid cutting through skin
190534 -        infected with IBC, reported on 050922. ref SDS 16 XD8P
190535 -        Replacing skin previously infected with IBC by using
190536 -        contemporaneous reconstructive plastic surgery further reduces
190537 -        risk of relapse, and, also, enables radiation, for standard
190538 -        treatment of IBC in the event risks of recurrence materialize
190539 -        following mastectomy, and as noted by the surgeon during the
190540 -        meeting on 040429, ref SDS 4 SD7F, also, recommended by
190541 -        Kaiser's Tumor Board, reported on 040517. ref SDS 5 F77M
190543 -         ..
190544 -        Below, the plastic surgeon today cites concern about clear
190545 -        margins failure requiring reexcision, which can be reduced with
190546 -        contemporaneous biopsy for verifying clear margins. ref SDS 0
190547 -        2491
190548 -
190549 -
190550 -
1906 -

SUBJECTS
Planning Pre-op Identify Risks and Prepare for Adjustments Due Dilig
Coumadin Suspended Risk Pulmonary Emboli PE Risks Death During Surge

2104 -
210501 -  ..
210502 - Coumadin Suspended Pulmonary Emboli PE Risks Death During Surgery
210503 - Plastic Surgeon Coumadin Treatments Stopped Risks PE During Surgery
210504 - Pulmonary Emboli PE Risks Death During Surgery When Coumadin Suspended
210505 -
210506 - Three (3) new risks of contemporaneous (immediate) reconstructive
210507 - plastic surgery were presented today by the doctor...
210508 -
210509 -    3.  Millie is being treated with Coumadin for pulmonary emboli (PE)
210510 -        -- a 20 hour operation risks bleeding problems which could
210511 -        cascade out of control.  This risk was cited by Doctor Bailey
210512 -        in a 2nd opinion received on 050922. ref SDS 16 6Z5Q
210513 -
210514 -            [On 051021 Millie has mastectomy surgery; nurse draws blood
210515 -            to evaluate pulmonary emboli risk related to treatment with
210516 -            Coumadin. ref SDS 26 QW4I
210518 -         ..
210519 -        Primary care physician planned on 050729 to prescribe an
210520 -        alternate medication to replace Coumadin so that bleeding is
210521 -        controlled during the surgical period. ref SDS 11 WE9H
210523 -         ..
210524 -        Millie reviewed patient history showing minimal evidence of
210525 -        pulmonary emboli, reported on 041104. ref SDS 6 4Y9G  There is
210526 -        a single report of PE among a great many tests before and after
210527 -        the one and only positive test on 041103.  Family history of
210528 -        PE-type problems supports caution, as proposed by the doctor
210529 -        today.  Millie has reported bleeding from fingers, toes, and
210530 -        nose, as side effects of chemotherapy.  The medical team has
210531 -        not been concerned nor made adjustments to Coumadin treatments
210532 -        in order to avoid risks of pulmonary emboli, including
210533 -        bleeding.  This bleeding appears to coagulate normally while on
210534 -        Coumadin, suggesting that while risk should not be ignored, in
210535 -        this case the occurrence of bleeding may be manageable based on
210536 -        patient history.
210538 -         ..
210539 -        If complications of PE should occur during surgery, can this be
210540 -        addressed by the surgical team, or would it require having a
210541 -        specially trained surgeon standing by for such eventuality?
210542 -
210543 -
210544 -
2106 -

SUBJECTS
Planning Pre-op Identify Risks and Prepare for Adjustments Due Dilig
Stomach Tissue Inadequate for Breast Reconstruction Due to Prior Sur

2604 -
260501 -         ..
260502 -        IBC Relapse Requires Intact Tissue for Treatment
260503 -        Mastectomy IBC Relapse Chemotherapy Reduced Effectiveness
260504 -        Stomach Tissue Inadequate Harvest for Breast Reconstruction
260505 -        Blood Vessels Mastectomy Reduces Chemotherapy Effectiveness
260506 -
260508 -         ..
260509 -    4.  Millie's prior surgery in the stomach area where tissue would
260510 -        be used for reconstructive surgery, may have reduced or
260511 -        completely eliminated blood vessels required to deliver
260512 -        chemotherapy treatment on the one hand, and, also, nutrients
260513 -        from the body's natural immune system to the breast skin.  This
260514 -        would reduce effectiveness of treatment and therefore slow, or
260515 -        even prevent recovery in the event of IBC relapse.  The doctor
260516 -        feels that this risk can only be evaluated during the course of
260517 -        reconstruction, and so presents a significant risk of failure
260518 -        for contemporaneous and immediate reconstructive surgery.
260520 -         ..
260521 -        During the operation, can tissue be used from another location,
260522 -        say for the example the back, to avoid this issue of depleted
260523 -        blood vessels in previously altered tissue in the abdomen?
260524 -
260525 -            [On 051007 received Doctor Smith's report on the meeting
260526 -            today; the doctor discusses prior surgical procedures on
260527 -            the abdomen, but does not cite this condition for risks of
260528 -            missing blood vessels that slow recovery from IBC relapse,
260529 -            as discussed today, ref SDS 20 KO49; prior abdomenal
260530 -            surgery is mentioned among other reasons for postponing
260531 -            aggressive breast replacement surgery, but no rationale is
260532 -            presented for this risk. ref SDS 20 635M
260534 -             ..
260535 -            [On 051007 primary care physician orders standard
260536 -            mastectomy to remove breast mass with blood vessels needed
260537 -            for delivering treatment and nutrients to the breast skin,
260538 -            which impacts risk of relapse and effectiveness of
260539 -            treatment. ref SDS 20 P64J
260541 -             ..
260542 -            [On 051011 Doctor Bailey comments that risks of mastectomy
260543 -            are compounded for secondary IBC patients, because, where
260544 -            there is no evident tumor to remove within the breast,
260545 -            benefits of palliation are reduced by removing breast mass
260546 -            with blood vessels needed to treat relapse of cancer.
260547 -            ref SDS 23 G65S
260549 -             ..
260550 -            [On 051012 opportunities and risks of mastectomy surgery
260551 -            following Kaiser's requirements for Time Out to perform due
260552 -            diligence, ref SDS 24 IH4P; risk of slow recovery from IBC
260553 -            relapse due to loss of blood vessels for delivering
260554 -            chemotherapy treatment cited. ref SDS 24 IC37
260556 -             ..
260557 -            [On 051027 surgeon reports having stretched skin and tissue
260558 -            sufficiently for standard closure of a wider than normal
260559 -            mastectomy, and this maintains sufficient blood vessel and
260560 -            related body mass for delivering nutrients and treatment,
260561 -            if necessary, for normal healing of the surgical wound, and
260562 -            in the event of IBC relapse. ref SDS 27 QY8K
260564 -             ..
260565 -            [On 060922 analysis of slow recovery with the same
260566 -            chemotherapy treatment following IBC relapse on 060623,
260567 -            ref SDS 28 9E6L, cites Doctor Smith's anlaysis on the
260568 -            impact of diminished capacity for blood vessels.
260569 -            ref SDS 28 ML3I
260570 -
260571 -
260572 -
260573 -
2606 -

SUBJECTS
Planning Pre-op Identify Risks and Prepare for Adjustments Due Dilig
Clear Margins Fail Reexcision Prevents Immediate Contemporaneous Rec

2804 -
280501 -         ..
280502 -        Clear Margins Biopsy During Surgery Very Wide Mastectomy
280503 -
280504 -
280505 -    5.  Clear margins may not be achieved with initial surgery, even
280506 -        with a "very wide mastectomy" based on pre-op biopsies.  This
280507 -        determination will be made based on post-op biopsy of removed
280508 -        breast tissue, and reported about a week later.  This could
280509 -        require reexcision, as occurred with the original surgery on
280510 -        020327. ref SDS 2 0001  The doctor seemed to indicate that
280511 -        performing contemporaneous reconstructive plastic surgery with
280512 -        a DIEP flap, or a TRAM eliminates or reduces ability to perform
280513 -        reexcision, if clear margins are not achieved.  The doctor
280514 -        commented that pre-op diagnostics with surgical biopsies helps
280515 -        reduce this risk, but does not eliminate the issue.
280517 -         ..
280518 -        This risk seems closely related to risk of relapse that could
280519 -        extend and prevent healing the surgical wound, per above.
280520 -        ref SDS 0 9W4I
280521 -
280522 -               [On 051007 doctor's notes from meeting confirm risk that
280523 -               surgical wound may not heal due to IBC. ref SDS 20 KO64
280525 -                ..
280526 -               [On 051027 surgeon reported post op biopsy found clear
280527 -               margins. ref SDS 27 JN3L
280529 -         ..
280530 -        Can biopsy analysis be performed during the 10 - 20 hour
280531 -        operation, so that clear margins are assessed and verified
280532 -        during primary surgery, rather than after the fact?
280534 -            ..
280535 -           Research found that this practice increases risk of failure.
280536 -           Evidently at one time contemproaneous biopsy analysis was
280537 -           performed, and experience showed a large percentage, e.g.,
280538 -           23%, of the cases were incorrectly performed, so this
280539 -           practice is now discouraged.
280540 -
280541 -
280542 -
280543 -
280544 -
280545 -
2806 -

SUBJECTS
Planning Pre-op Identify Risks and Prepare for Adjustments Due Dilig
Conservative Treatment Enables Recovery Options Avoid Solve Problems

3004 -
300501 -  ..
300502 - Conservative Treatment Enables Recovery Options Avoid Solve Problems
300503 -
300504 - The doctor explained a personal preference for treating IBC patients
300505 - with conservative measures.  She prefers to maintain options to
300506 - recover from risks of mistakes during surgery and post-surgery
300507 - problems.
300509 -  ..
300510 - Patient history in this case shows "conservative measures" occur in
300511 - many, and conflicting forms.
300513 -  ..
300514 - The primary care physician proposes conservative measures using
300515 - mastectomy to maintain local control that hopefully reduces chance of
300516 - relapse, and by extension somewhat reduces the chance of distant
300517 - metastasis, keeping in mind biopsy on 020312 was out of capsule
300518 - reported on 020321. ref SDS 1 4U8X
300520 -  ..
300521 - Doctor Benz and Doctor Bailey recommend conservative measures with
300522 - chemotherapy treatment to avoid altogether risks of surgery causing
300523 - relapse problems.  This measure seems to greatly reduce chances of
300524 - disease free survival without chemotherapy, i.e., remission, though
300525 - possibly not, and so requires additional analysis.
300527 -  ..
300528 - Doctor Grissom proposes conservative measure to reduce risks of IBC
300529 - relapse by using a very wide mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
300530 - If IBC does not relapse, then chances of distant metastasis seem
300531 - reduced, though continuing due to original findings out of capsule
300532 - from the biopsy on 020308, and reported later on 020321.
300534 -  ..
300535 - Millie explained having asked for the meeting today in order to hear
300536 - about risks and planning to be prepared for problems.  She asked if
300537 - the surgical team prepares a due diligence checklist of problems and
300538 - solutions?  Are pre-op planning meetings conducted to review
300539 - particularities of the patient, and develop a work plan with staffing
300540 - and a flow chart, like a CPM schedule, showing work that people will
300541 - perform in a 10 or 20 hour operation presented today?
300543 -  ..
300544 - The doctor seemed to say that Kaiser supports pre-op planning to
300545 - identify risks tailored to the patient profile, so that everyone is
300546 - prepared to adjust in the event of problems during the operation, and
300547 - post-op recovery.
300548 -
300549 -
300550 -
300551 -
3006 -

SUBJECTS
Planning Pre-op Identify Risks and Prepare for Adjustments Due Dilig
Post-op Problems Standard Closure More Options for Adjustments Docto

3204 -
320501 -  ..
320502 - Postpone Breast Reconstruction to Avoid Risks of Complex Surgery
320503 - Post-op Problems Standard Closure More Options for Adjustments
320504 - Standard Closure Very Wide Mastectomy Preserves Reconstruction Option
320505 -
320506 - The doctor proposed that breast reconstruction using a DIEP flap or
320507 - TRAM to reduce the risk of relapse, reviewed above, ref SDS 0 QS65, be
320508 - postponed for the initial mastectomy, and instead try to close the
320509 - very wide mastectomy with a "standard closure" procedure to avoid high
320510 - risks of a long, complex surgery described today, per above.
320511 - ref SDS 0 246G
320512 -
320513 -        [On 051007 doctor's notes confirm understanding that plastic
320514 -        surgeon recommends postponing breast reconstruction to reduce
320515 -        risks of complex surger. ref SDS 21 KO58
320517 -  ..
320518 - The doctor presented a photograph which she said shows closure for a
320519 - "standard mastectomy" on the left breast.  This picture indicated an
320520 - approximate 2" - 3" long horizontal sutured incision about an inch or
320521 - so below the breast line connection to the chest; it was angled
320522 - slightly upward, and closed the prior location of a left breast after
320523 - removal.  The picture was remarkable for no signs of skin stretched to
320524 - close removal of an area of skin.  It was not clear how this result
320525 - could be achieved for a large area of skin removal in the case of a
320526 - very wide mastectomy, required to reduce the risk of relapse by
320527 - removing microscopic cancer cells, discussed with the general surgeon
320528 - on 050923. ref SDS 17 E863  Doctor Smith did not present pictures
320529 - showing a standard closure for a very wide mastectomy discussed, also,
320530 - discussed with the doctor today, per above. ref SDS 0 QS65
320532 -  ..
320533 - The doctor indicated that a standard closure can be accomplished by
320534 - the surgeon for a very wide mastectomy, and this method would preserve
320535 - options for plastic surgery to later use a DIEP flap or TRAM after
320536 - biopsy of removed tissue determines clear margins and reexcision is
320537 - performed, if needed.  Standard closure reduces the risk from bleeding
320538 - associated with pulmonary emboli.  Additionally, if plastic surgery
320539 - reconstruction is performed outside the pressures of primary surgery,
320540 - then problems of inadequate tissue (see point 2, ref SDS 0 248I) are
320541 - markedly less critical.  This part of the discussion seemed less clear
320542 - with references to skin grafts from the thigh as an alternative
320543 - strategy.  The overall impression was a preference for a standard
320544 - closure, and deferred consideration of reconstructive surgery, rather
320545 - than contemporaneous plastic surgery closure.
320546 -
320547 -     [On 051019 prepared letter asking Kaiser to take Time Out for
320548 -     performing due diligence requirements presenting risks and
320549 -     benefits, ref SDS 25 DY5P, on the scope of mastectomy surgery in
320550 -     this case. ref SDS 25 DZ56
320552 -      ..
320553 -     [On 051021 surgeon reported performing a very wide mastectomy and
320554 -     that a standard closure was accomplished. ref SDS 26 8K6N
320556 -  ..
320557 - The doctor seemed to further suggest that standard closure offers more
320558 - latitude for recovery in the event of post-opt problems from IBC
320559 - relapse that prevents healing of mastectomy surgery.
320561 -  ..
320562 - If standard closure can be performed for a very wide mastectomy, then
320563 - deferring reconstructive plastic surgery for a week to verify clear
320564 - margins might be a conservative step that maintains benefits proposed
320565 - by Doctor Grissom and Doctor Bailey to preserve post-op radiation
320566 - treatment, discussed recently on 050923 in connection with meeting the
320567 - surgeon. ref SDS 17 4G4F  Deferring reconstructing the breast,
320568 - however, risks closing the wound with tissue known to have been
320569 - previously infected with IBC, thus increasing risk the wound will not
320570 - heal.
320571 -
320572 -     [On 051007 plastic surgeon report recommends postponing breast
320573 -     reconstruction to verify successful recovery from wide mastcomy.
320574 -     ref SDS 20 635M
320576 -  ..
320577 - A conservative measure would be to include biopsy analysis during the
320578 - 10 - 20 hour operation, so that clear margins can be assessed and
320579 - verified during primary surgery, rather than after the fact, if this
320580 - can be accomplished, so that reconstruction can proceed immediately.
320581 -
320582 -
320583 -
320584 -
320585 -
3206 -

SUBJECTS
Written Report on Meeting Will Be Distributed to Patient Confirming
Surgeon Commended Strong Commitment to Millie's Case Working Extra H

3404 -
340501 -  ..
340502 - Written Report Confirm Understandings Medical Planning from Meeting
340503 - Meeting Notes Written Report Confirm Understandings Medical Planning
340504 -
340505 - The doctor will submit a written report to confirm understandings from
340506 - the meeting today, that complements the surgeon's report for the
340507 - meeting on 050923, and received on 050927. ref SDS 18 0001  The doctor
340508 - can address issues of shared responsibility on surgery listed in
340509 - Kaiser's Healthwise Handbook, and cited in the record on 050923 which
340510 - was submitted for the meeting today, per above. ref SDS 0 7D7N
340511 -
340512 -     [On 051006 Chantel, the advise nurse in Plastic Surgery
340513 -     department, found that Doctor Smith had dictated a report, but the
340514 -     dictation had not been trascribed; Chantel will expedite
340515 -     trascribing and proof reading by the doctor in time to support
340516 -     patient meeting with the oncologist on 051007. ref SDS 19 0001
340518 -      ..
340519 -     [On 051007 received Doctor Smith's report during meeting with
340520 -     primary care physician. ref SDS 20 MW6F
340522 -  ..
340523 - Millie thanked the doctor for an effective meeting that presents new
340524 - issues for consideration of a surgical solution.  The doctor commented
340525 - that the surgeon has strong feelings for Millie's case, and she
340526 - praised the surgeon for commitment to patients as people, rather than
340527 - mere professional tasks.
340529 -  ..
340530 - These feelings may eminate from work on 040419 when the surgeon
340531 - performed an unscheduled biopsy procedure that discovered IBC,
340532 - eventually leading to the meeting today. ref SDS 3 789F  Previously,
340533 - on 050329 the surgeon won praise the primary care physician in the
340534 - Oncology Department for being a top breast surgeon. ref SDS 9 YV95
340535 - This has been evident from work throughout patient history in this
340536 - case, listed on 050812. ref SDS 12 TW6H
340537 -
340538 -
340539 -
340540 -
340541 -
340542 -
340543 -
340544 -
3406 -