Primary lipofilling as an adjunct in transverse upper gracilis flap breast reconstruction

In many centres, the myocutaneous transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap represents an alternative choice in autologous breast reconstruction when abdominal tissue is unavailable. However, a single TUG flap may be volume deficient, particularly in the upper pole. We describe the application of simultaneous lipofilling to the pectoralis major muscle at the index procedure and present our decision-making algorithm, technique and outcomes. A retrospective review of all TUG flaps between January 2011 and May 2021 was conducted. Patient demographics, volume of primary and any subsequent fat grafting and complications were recorded. A total of 183 patients (242 TUG flaps) were included in this study. Of these; 130 patients were reconstructed with single TUG flaps, 16 patients received a single TUG flap with immediate lipofilling, and 37 patients underwent stacked, double TUG flap reconstructions. Of the 242 flaps, there were 2 flap losses (<1%), neither of which occurred in the immediate lipofilling cohort. Among the 130 single TUG patients, 28 (21.5%) required a cumulative total of 40, and a mean of 1.4, secondary lipofilling procedures. The immediate lipofilling patients were injected with a mean of 42 ml fat (range: 20-80 ml). In this group, only 2 of 16 patients required secondary lipofilling. The mean follow-up was 67 months (17-141). Primary lipofilling may reduce the need for secondary revisional procedures and appears safe at the index operation, adds little operative time and has negligible donor site morbidity. In patients where a second (stacked) flap would add unnecessary volume and complexity, it can be considered a useful adjunct.

Unilateral breast reconstruction using double transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flaps

INTRODUCTION

When the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is unavailable, autologous reconstruction of a moderate-to-large breast presents a surgical challenge. We retrospectively review our experience of unilateral breast reconstruction using double transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flaps and highlight specific technical considerations.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients underwent double TUG flaps for unilateral breast reconstruction between 2012 and 2020. The average patient age was 50 years and the average body mass index (BMI) was 23.1 kg/m². In all cases, the indication for surgery was breast cancer: 31 patients had immediate reconstruction, 11 had simultaneous axillary surgery and eight had primary contralateral symmetrising surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 68 TUG flaps, 67 (98.5%) were successful. The mean operative time was 5 h 50 min (195-460 min) and the mean combined flap weight was 551 g (279-916 g). Eight patients returned to the operating theatre in the early post-operative period and five patients underwent secondary lipofilling to address contour deformities. Most commonly (n = 22), the flaps were oriented horizontally/obliquely, with one flap anastomosed medially to the internal mammary axis and the other anastomosed lateral to the subscapular system. The internal mammary artery perforators and serratus anterior artery provided the best vessel calibre match with the TUG vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

Double TUG reconstruction is a safe and reliable option for unilateral breast reconstruction and is an important option when the DIEP flap is unavailable.

The Conjoined TUGPAP Flap for Breast Reconstruction: Systematic Review and Illustrative Anatomy

Background:

Although abdominally based flaps continue to be the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction, alternative donor sites are necessary when the abdominal region is unavailable or inadequate for flap harvest. In this case, thigh-based flaps, such as the profunda artery perforator (PAP), transverse upper gracilis (TUG), or newly described TUGPAP, are thought to be reliable with low morbidity and satisfactory cosmesis. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of breast reconstruction with PAP, TUG, or TUGPAP, and present anatomy and surgical techniques through illustrative examples.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Articles were included if they used a PAP, TUG, or TUGPAP flap for oncologic, traumatic, or congenital breast reconstruction in patients 18 years or older.

Results:

Forty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. Seven hundred five patients underwent 906 breast reconstructions with 1037 flaps (755 TUG, 230 PAP, and 52 TUGPAP). Mean patient age was 45.9 years. The mean flap weight for TUG, PAP, and TUGPAP flaps were 323.4, 346.9, and 437.0 g, respectively. The most common recipient vessel was the internal mammary artery in 821 flaps. The overall flap survival rate was 97.2% (1008/1037). TUG flaps had a significantly higher recipient and donor complication rate compared with both PAP (recipient: 18.1% versus 7.8%, P = 0.0001; donor: 25.8% versus 7.0%, P < 0.00001) and TUGPAP flaps (recipient: 18.1% versus 2.0%, P < 0.001; donor: 25.8% versus 7.7%, P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

The TUGPAP flap is a safe and effective alternative for autologous breast reconstruction when the abdominal donor site is unavailable.

A Critical Analysis of Prosthetic Augmentation of Autologous Microvascular Breast Reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

The combined approach using both an implant and autologous tissue for breast reconstruction has become more common over the last 10 years. We sought to provide a systematic review and outcomes analysis of this technique.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library database to identify studies that described implant augmentation of autologous flaps for breast reconstruction. The references of selected articles were also reviewed to identify any additional pertinent articles.

RESULTS

We identified 11 articles, which included 230 patients and 378 flaps. Implants used ranged in size from 90 to 510 cc, with an average size of 198 cc. Implants were more frequently placed at the time of autologous reconstruction and in the subpectoral plane. There were no total flap losses, and partial flap loss occurred in 3 patients (1%). There were no cases of venous or arterial thrombosis and no early return to the operating room for flap compromise. Eight implants (2%) were lost because of infection or extrusion, and capsular contracture occurred in 9 breasts (3%). When stratified by the timing of implant placement (immediate vs delayed), there were no significant differences in any postoperative outcomes except the immediate group had a higher infection rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The criteria for women to be candidates for autologous tissue breast reconstruction can be expanded by adding an implant underneath the flap. We found the overall flap loss rate is comparable with standard autologous flap reconstruction, and the implant loss rate is lower than that in patients who undergo prosthetic reconstruction alone.

The use of the Alexis(®) device in breast augmentation to improve outcomes: a comparative randomized case-control survey

BACKGROUND

We present our experience in using a disposable wound retractor commonly used in abdominal surgery named Alexis(®) (Applied Medical Resources Corporation, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA), during breast augmentation in order to improve outcomes, particularly final scar length.

METHODS

Between January 2010 and November 2012, 40 patients undergoing breast augmentation with an inframammary approach were enrolled in the present study. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1 underwent breast augmentation with the standard technique; group 2 underwent breast augmentation by using the Alexis(®) (Applied Medical Resources Corporation) device. Patients were followed-up for a 12-month period. The time of surgery, the days of drain duration and the length of the incisions were recorded for both groups and statistical significance was evaluated with the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Also, final scar appearance was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Patients in group 2 reported a lower incidence of hematomas and had shorter drain duration. The difference in scar length between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Surgeons and patients were mostly satisfied with the final appearance of the scar.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the Alexis(®) (Applied Medical Resources Corporation) device has proven useful in reducing the length of the inframammary incision. Interestingly, the increased visibility obtained with the use of the Alexis device allowed a better hemostasis, as suggested by the shorter drain duration and lower incidence of hematomas. However, its use prolongs the operative time, for which we recommend surgeons to allow themselves some time to become familiar with the device.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

level I, evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial.

Double transverse myocutaneous gracilis free flaps for unilateral breast reconstruction

BACKGROUND

In cases were the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP flap) is not available and unilateral transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap (TMG flap) is not sufficient for breast reconstruction, we perform double TMG flaps as a reconstructive method. In this report, we present our results of the use of double TMG free-flap-transfer for unilateral breast reconstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between August 2004 and June 2012 we performed 58 TMG flaps in 29 patients for unilateral breast reconstruction. Patient data were analyzed and operative outcome (operation time, complication rate and aesthetic results) were investigated. Aesthetic outcome was evaluated retrospectively via photo documentation by an independent plastic surgeon. The results were classified in;unsatisfactory, satisfactory, good and very good.

RESULTS

The average operating time was 6 hours 55 minutes (295 - 650 minutes). Of 58 TMG flaps, 57 (98.3%) were successful. Thrombosis occurred in seven (12%) cases (1 arterial, 6 venous). Flap salvage was successful in six cases and flap failure occurred in one (1.7%) case. The results of 25 patients were graded as good and very good. Three patients showed satisfying and one patient unsatisfying results.

CONCLUSION

Double TMG flaps in unilateral breast reconstruction could lead to good operative results. This method further expands the range of options with autologous tissue in reconstructive breast surgery. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:539-545, 2016.

The transverse musculo-cutaneous gracilis flap for breast reconstruction: How to avoid complications

BACKGROUND

The transverse musculocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap has become a common solution for breast reconstruction. However, the safe skin paddle limits are not yet understood. In this study, we attempted to address this issue based on our experiences with inferior and posterior skin paddle extension.

METHODS

Forty-four breast reconstructions with TMG flaps performed between November 2010 and January 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. For the first 20 cases, the flap skin paddle was extended 3 cm posteriorly to the middle thigh (group 1). For the next 20 flaps (group 2), the posterior tip was limited to this line, whereas more fat was recruited inferiorly. In the four cases of group 3, the skin flap was extended posteriorly with a second vascular pedicle from the profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap. The weights and the dimensions of the flaps, operating durations, and postoperative complications of the entire series were analyzed. Groups 1 and 2 were statistically compared.

RESULTS

Flap complications were statistically more frequent in group 1 compared with group 2 (45 vs. 0%, P = 0.0012); 40% posterior flap tip necrosis was observed in group 1. Conversely, donor site complications were statistically more frequent in group 2 than in group 1 (40 vs. 5%, P = 0.019) with 35% inner thigh dehiscence. In the TMG with extended PAP flap group, the operating duration was 77 min longer compared with the rest of the series with no donor site complications. In one case, limited necrosis occurred at the anterior skin tip.

CONCLUSIONS

Harvesting the posterior portion of the TMG up to the middle of the posterior thigh may lead to partial flap necrosis. Extending subcutaneous fat removal under the inferior skin incision may increase the risk of donor site complications. Adding a second vascular pedicle from the PAP flap may improve posterior TMG tip perfusion at the expense of a longer operation.

Free functioning gracilis transplantation for reconstruction of elbow and hand functions in late obstetric brachial plexus palsy

BACKGROUND

In late obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP), restoration of elbow and hand functions is a difficult challenge. The use of free functioning muscle transplantation in late OBPP was very scarcely reported. In this study, we present our experience on the use of free functioning gracilis transfer for restoration of elbow and hand functions in late cases of OBPP.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighteen patients with late OBPP underwent free gracilis transfer for reconstruction of elbow and/or hand functions. The procedure was indicated when there was no evidence of reinnervation on EMG and in the absence of local donors. Average age at surgery was 102.5 months. Patients were evaluated using the British Medical Research Council (MRC) grading system and the Toronto Active Movement Scale. Hand function was evaluated by the Raimondi scoring system.

RESULTS

The average follow-up was 65.8 ± 41.7 months. Contraction of the transferred gracilis started at an average of 4.5 ± 1.03 months. Average range of elbow flexion significantly improved from 30 ± 55.7 to 104 ± 31.6 degrees (P <0.001). Elbow flexion power significantly increased with an average of 3.8 grades (P = 0.000147). Passive elbow range of motion significantly decreased from an average of 147 to 117 degrees (P = 0.003). Active finger flexion significantly improved from 5 ± 8.3 to 63 ± 39.9 degrees (P < 0.001). Finger flexion power significantly increased with an average 2.7 grades (P < 0.001). Only 17% achieved useful hand (grade 3) on Raimondi hand score. Triceps reconstruction resulted in an average of M4 power and 45 degrees elbow extension.

CONCLUSION

Free gracilis transfer may be a useful option for reconstruction of elbow and/or hand functions in late OBPP.