A systematic review of donor site aesthetic and complications after deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction

Abdominal Flap-based Breast Reconstruction versus Abdominoplasty: The Impact of Surgical Procedure on Scar Location

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Background:

Autologous breast reconstruction has been demonstrated to be associated with superior patient-reported outcomes, and hence is regarded as the gold standard reconstructive modality. A common drawback of this procedure, however, is related to a high abdominal scar. Recently, hybrid breast reconstruction (ie, the combination of autologous and implant-based reconstruction) was presented as an approach that would combine the benefits of both reconstructive modalities. In this study, we sought to assess abdominal aesthetic outcomes associated with this approach.

Methods:

Thirty-two blinded reviewers evaluated standardized pre- and postoperative abdominal images of patients following autologous reconstruction with free abdominal flap (Group 1; N = 10), hybrid reconstruction (Group 2; N = 5), and abdominoplasty (Group 3; N = 10). Aesthetic abdominal appearance, including overall result, scar position, skin redundancy, and lateral abdominal contour, was rated on a 5-point Likert scale and a comparative analysis was performed.

Results:

Hybrid reconstruction was associated with significantly lower abdominal scars compared with Group 1 (P = 0.01), nearing results of patients in Group 3 (P = 0.39). Significantly higher aesthetic ratings were ascribed to Groups 2 and 3 when compared with Group 1 (P < 0.001) with regard to scar positioning (P < 0.001), skin redundancy (P < 0.001), and lateral abdominal contour (P < 0.001). No significant difference in aesthetic ratings was noted between Groups 2 and 3.

Conclusions:

When applied to the appropriate patient population, hybrid breast reconstruction is a powerful method to achieve reconstructive goals while optimizing abdominal aesthetics. A significantly lower scar position was noted and higher abdominal aesthetic ratings were given following abdominoplasty and hybrid reconstruction compared with conventional abdominal flap-based reconstruction.

Intraoperative Microvascular Complications in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: The Effects of Resident Training on Microsurgical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

 Academic medical centers with large volumes of autologous breast reconstruction afford residents hand-on educational experience in microsurgical techniques. We present our experience with autologous reconstruction (deep inferior epigastric perforators, profunda artery perforator, lumbar artery perforator, bipedicled, and stacked) where a supervised trainee completed the microvascular anastomosis.

METHODS

 Retrospective chart review was performed on 413 flaps (190 patients) with microvascular anastomoses performed by postgraduate year (PGY)-4, PGY-5, PGY-6, PGY-7 (microsurgery fellow), or attending physician (AP). Comorbidities, intra-operative complications, revisions, operative time, ischemia time, return to operating room (OR), and flap losses were compared between training levels.

RESULTS

 Age and all comorbidities were equivalent between groups. Total operative time was highest for the AP group. Flap ischemia time, return to OR, and intraoperative complication were equivalent between groups. Percentage of flaps requiring at least one revision of the original anastomosis was significantly higher in PGY-4 and AP than in microsurgical fellows: PGY-4 (16%), PGY-5 (12%), PGY-6 (7%), PGY-7 (2.1%), and AP (16%), p = 0.041. Rates of flap loss were equivalent between groups, with overall flap loss between all groups 2/413 (<1%).

CONCLUSION

 With regard to flap loss and microsurgical vessel compromise, lower PGYs did not significantly worsen surgical outcomes for patients. AP had the longest total operative time, likely due to flap selection bias. PGY-4 and AP groups had higher rates of revision of original anastomosis compared with PGY-7, though ultimately these differences did not impact overall operative time, complication rate, or flap losses. Hands-on supervised microsurgical education appears to be both safe for patients, and also an effective way of building technical proficiency in plastic surgery residents.

Reconstruction of the chest wall in locally advanced breast cancer with multi-disciplinary cooperation: a case report of mesh repair plus TRAM combined with DIEP chest wall reconstruction

Locally advanced breast cancer, which is defined as a malignant breast tumor that invades or adheres to the surrounding tissue, is characterized by the invasion of the chest wall and the skin surface by the tumor. Multiple lymph nodes are invaded and fuse into a mass, causing extensive axillary lymph node metastasis. However, locally advanced breast cancer does not exhibit distant metastasis. At present, in most hospitals in China and the rest of the world, this type of breast cancer is primarily managed through systematic and local treatments. However, a consensus concerning the optimal surgical method for chest wall reconstruction, which for many surgeons is a difficult and confusing procedure, has not been reached. In the past, many breast centers had used skin flap combined with hard mesh titanium alloy plate to repair the large chest wall defects. Although titanium alloy plate can maintain the stability of the chest wall, it may have a negative effect on the follow-up radiotherapy of breast cancer patients, which is a controversial method. In addition, titanium alloy mesh also has the risk of deformation and fracture. These factors will cause some hidden dangers to patient safety. According to the research, the soft mesh not only has the characteristics of satisfactory compatibility and robustness for maintaining the stability of chest wall, but also does not affect the postoperative radiotherapy of patients. Combined with the advantages of soft mesh, Our department treated a case of locally advanced breast cancer with chest wall invasion. Through cooperation between the breast surgery and thoracic surgery departments, a mesh repair plus transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) combined with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) procedure was performed to remove the breast tumor and repair the large area of skin defect after surgery, and a relatively satisfactory therapeutic effect was achieved. In this case, we took two novel approaches: first, a 4-layer high-density polyethylene mesh was used to repair the defect; secondly, the inferior epigastric artery perforation was anastomosed with the thoracoacromial artery (end-to-end anastomosis) and the inferior epigastric vein perforation was anastomosed with the axillary vein (end-to-side anastomosis).

Physical side-effects following breast reconstructive surgery impact physical activity and function

PURPOSE

To investigate the incidence and severity of physical side-effects experienced by women following breast reconstructive surgery and the effect of these side-effects on physical activity and function.

METHODS

Two hundred and thirty-one Australian women (55 years SD 6.5) who had previously had breast reconstruction surgery retrospectively self-reported the incidence and severity of eight physical side-effects and the perceived effect of these side effects on six physical functions, at three time points after their surgery. The frequency of the combined incidence/severity scores and their impact at the three time points were tabulated and compared using Chi-squared tests. A general linear regression was used to identify characteristics associated with moderate-very high (≥ 5/10) combined incidence/severity scores.

RESULTS

At 6 months following surgery, approximately 50% of respondents reported moderate to very high incidence/severity scores for physical side-effects across multiple body regions, which were perceived to limit their physical function and activity levels. The highest incidence/severity scores were associated with the following: (i) pre-existing physical problems before surgery, (ii) post-operative complications (seroma, infection, necrosis), and (iii) autologous rather than implant-based reconstructions.

CONCLUSION

A large percentage of women reported moderate to severe physical side-effects across multiple body regions following breast reconstructive surgery. These side-effects were perceived to negatively impact both physical function and activity. Early intervention, education and treatment are recommended to alleviate these issues and minimise their negative impact.

Autologous Breast Reconstruction with SIEA Flaps: An Alternative in Selected Cases

BACKGROUND

The deep inferior epigastric perforator flap has been shown to be a reliable option for autologous breast reconstruction. A further refinement in the transfer of lower abdominal tissue is the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap that does not require any incision of the rectus abdominis fascia or muscle and is superior regarding donor-site morbidity.

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a retrospective study to assess reliability and outcomes of autologous breast reconstruction using SIEA flaps.

METHODS

We performed autologous breast reconstruction in 1708 patients at our department between 2009 and 2018. Of those, 28 patients that underwent breast reconstruction using a SIEA flap were included for a retrospective chart review.

RESULTS

Given an overall flap loss rate of 1.8%, we observed total flap necrosis following a SIEA flap in four patients (13%). All cases were secondary to arterial thrombosis. We further recognized a significant correlation between flap failure and a history of spontaneous deep vein thrombosis (p < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant relationship between flap failure and obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m^2;p = 0.9) or flap failure and a history of abdominal operations (p = 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The SIEA flap provides a reasonable option for autologous breast reconstruction with the great advantage of minimal donor-site morbidity. Nevertheless, its use should be preserved to selected cases with favorable anatomy. We therefore recommend proper patient selection based on preoperative computed tomography angiography, intraoperative clinical evaluation and history of hypercoagulable state.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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