This special series on “Hot Topics in Breast Reconstruction World Wide” is edited by Dr. Tine Engberg Damsgaard (Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns Treatment, Copenhagen University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark), Dr. C. Andrew Salzberg (Professor of Plastic Surgery, Chief of Reconstruction, Scully Welsh Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Vero Beach, Florida USA.) and Dr. Jørn Bo Thomsen (Department of Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.).

Tine Engberg Damsgaard MD, PhD, MRBS
Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns Treatment, Copenhagen University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Professor Engberg Damsgaard received her medical degree at Aarhus University and 4 years later completed her PhD in cellular research at Aarhus University. She completed her specialist training in Plastic Surgery and served for 12 years as a consultant plastic surgeon as well as associate professor and subsequently as professor at Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University. The focus of her clinical profession and research is breast and lymphatic reconstruction in the multidisciplinary setting.

Vascular anomalies as well as gynecological reconstruction has been another objective for both research as well as clinical practice. She has published 86 peer-reviewed papers and has written 2 book chapters in Plastic Surgery Textbooks. In addition, Professor Engberg Damsgaard is vice-president and board member of the Danish Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as the Danish Microsurgical Society and vice president of the Surgical Committee of the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG). She is a member of the Gudeline Committees for Breast Reconstruction and Locoregional Recurrent Breast Cancer under the auspices of the DBCG. Moreover, she is a member of the Steering Committee of the DBCG Center and Clinic for Late-Effects after Breast Cancer Treatment.

C. Andrew Salzberg
Professor of Plastic Surgery, Chief of Reconstruction ,Scully Welsh Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Vero Beach, Florida USA

Dr. Andrew Salzberg is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in plastic surgery and breast surgery, including breast reconstruction. He is the Chief of Reconstruction at Cleveland Clinic Florida Cancer Center. Just before this, he was the Chief of Plastic Surgery at The Mt. Sinai Hospital System in NYC.

Dr. Salzberg graduated from the University of Florida School of Medicine with his Medical Doctorate in 1981. Dr. Salzberg completed his plastic surgery residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in NYC.

Dr. Salzberg is an internationally renowned speaker in the field of plastic surgery, and is best known as the pioneer of direct to implant breast reconstruction. Dr. Salzberg has written and presented papers regarding plastic surgery internationally and his research activities include breast reconstruction and expertise in acellular dermal Matrices.

Jørn Bo Thomsen, PhD
Department of Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Denmark

Dr. Jørn Bo Thomsen is a consultant Plastic Surgeon at Odense University Hospital, Denmark. Educated in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital and Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle.

Dr. Thomsen is an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark. Dr. Thomsen’s principle research interest is refinement and development of new surgical techniques within the field of immediate and delayed breast reconstruction. The main focus has been refinement of direct to implant breast reconstruction and development and refinement of delayed breast reconstruction using the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. Dr. Thomsen also does research within the field of general plastic surgery and is especially interested in perforator based surgery, using perforator flaps for reconstruction in the breast, face, limbs and body. 

Dr. Thomsen is a member of the Editorial Board of Gland Surgery and Annals of Breast Surgery. Dr. Thomsen is a member of the board of the Danish Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Series outline:

• Oncologic Breast Surgery
1. Oncoplastic Surgery in Europe
2. Oncoplastic Surgery in Australia
3. Oncoplastic Surgery in USA

• Immediate Breast Reconstruction
1. Current Status of Pre- and Subpectoral Breast Reconstruction Worldwide
2. Current status Pre- or subpectoral Breast Reconstruction in China
3. Current status Pre- or subpectoral Breast Reconstruction in USA
4. Current status Pre- or Subpectoral Breast Reconstruction in Japan
5. Current Status Pre- and Subpectoral Breast Reconstruction in Argentina
6. Current Status Pre- and Subpectoral Breast Reconstruction in Denmark

• Autologous Breast Reconstruction
1. Current Status Autologous Breast Reconstruction in Australia
2. Current Status Autologous Breast Reconstruction in USA
3. Current Status Autologous Breast Reconstruction Argentina
4. Current Status Autologous Breast Reconstruction Europe

•  Surgical Treatment of Lymphedema
1. Lymphedema after Oncologic Breast Surgery
2. Surgical Treatment of Lymphedema- the Robotic LVA
3. Surgical Treatment of Lymphedema- Lymphnode Transfer
4. Surgical Treatment of Lymphedema - the Combined Approach- Israel

•  Miscellaneous Hot Topics
1. Robotic Mastectomy and Immediate Breast Reconstruction
2. Sensate Immediate Breast Reconstruction
3. Axillary Surgery in Oncologic Breast Surgery
4. The Impact of Radiotherapy on Immediate Implant-based and Autologous Breast Reconstruction
5. Pathology and Resection Margins following Mastectomy prior to Immediate Breast Reconstruction
6. Shoulder Function After Oncologic Breast Surgery/Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
7. Patient Reported Outcome Measures
8. Innovative Breast Reconstruction - Combined Pedicled Perforator Flaps