One-stage breast reconstruction using McGhan Style 150 biodimensional expanders: A review of 107 implants with six years experience

Reconstructive trends following mastectomies in Scotland: A comparison with England

INTRODUCTION

In England there has been a substantial increase in the use of immediate implant-based reconstruction, accounting for over half of all immediate reconstructions (IR). Less than one third of patients in England undergo autologous reconstruction IR. Our aim was to examine IR trends in Scotland.

METHODS

Data was extracted from the Scottish Morbidity Record held at the Information Services Division of the NHS National Services Scotland. All patients discharged from Scottish hospitals between 2011 and 2016 who had a diagnosis of breast cancer including DCIS and underwent mastectomy were identified. Patients undergoing IR were identified by coding at the time of mastectomy to identify who had IR and what method was used.

RESULTS

Between 2011 and 2016, 7358 patients underwent a mastectomy for breast cancer. 1845 patients (25%) had an IR. The percentage of patients undergoing IR increased from 22% in 2011 to 26% in 2016. The dominant annual procedure type was autologous reconstruction (free flap and pedicled flaps), accounting for 58% in 2011 and 54% in 2016. Pedicled flaps alone decreased from 40% in 2011 to 28% in 2016 and free flaps increased from 18% in 2011 to 26% in 2016. Implant based reconstruction rates were broadly consistent, 37% in both 2011 and 2016. Pedicled flaps with implant reconstruction decreased from 13% in 2011 to 5% in 2016.

CONCLUSIONS

Autologous reconstruction (with increasing trend for free flaps procedures) remains a constant preferred technique for IR in Scotland, accounting for over half of IR performed.

National trends in immediate and delayed post-mastectomy reconstruction procedures in England: A seven-year population-based cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about post-mastectomy reconstruction procedural trends in women diagnosed with breast cancer in England. Our aim was to examine patterns of immediate and delayed reconstruction procedures over time and within regions.

METHODS

Women with breast cancer who underwent unilateral index immediate or delayed post-mastectomy reconstruction between 2007 and 2014 were identified using the National Hospital Episode Statistics database. Women were grouped into categories based on the type of reconstruction procedure. Adjusted rates of implant and free flap reconstructions were then calculated across regional Cancer Networks using a regression model to adjust for age, disease, comorbidities, ethnicity, and deprivation.

RESULTS

Between 2007 and 2014, 21 862 women underwent immediate reconstruction and 8653 delayed reconstruction. Immediate implant reconstruction increased from 30% to 54%, and immediate free flap reconstruction from 17% to 21%. Adjusted immediate implant and free flap proportions ranged from 17 to 68% and 9-63%, respectively, across regions. Free flaps became more common in the delayed setting, rising from 25% to 42%. However, adjusted rates ranged from 23% to 74% across regions. Networks with high/low rates of free flaps for immediate tended to have high/low rates for delayed reconstruction.

CONCLUSION

There has been a substantial increase in the use of immediate implant reconstruction in England. In comparison, there has been an increasing use of autologous free flap reconstruction for delayed procedures. Significant regional variation exists in the type of reconstruction performed, and these patterns need to be examined to determine if variation is related to service provision and/or capacity barriers.

Use of the pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and external oblique fascial flap for immediate one-stage breast reconstruction with implant

BACKGROUND

Skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy facilitates immediate one-stage reconstruction with an implant. Traditionally, an acellular dermal matrix or a muscle flap has been used because the inferolateral portion of the implant cannot be covered by the pectoralis major muscle. However, this method has drawbacks, including infection, cost, and donor-site morbidity. Therefore, we used an autologous conjoined fascial flap composed of the pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and external oblique fascia in patients with small-to-medium breasts.

METHODS

A series of 11 immediate breast reconstructions in 11 patients was carried out from March 2010 to June 2011. The conjoined fascial flap and smooth round implants were used in all patients. Postoperative photographs were evaluated by a blinded panel and scored on a four-point scale. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by a postoperative questionnaire that had five items designed to evaluate quality of life with the reconstruction.

RESULTS

The mean body mass index was 23.2 kg/m(2), follow-up period was 30.9 months, and implant volume was 286.3 cc. Regarding complications, we observed one case of partial skin flap necrosis and one case of seroma accumulation in the axilla, both of which healed with conservative care. The mean overall breast satisfaction score was 3.18 ± 0.5.

CONCLUSIONS

The conjoined fascial flap is a viable alternative for immediate one-stage breast reconstruction with an implant. We recommend appropriate patient selection with a body mass index greater than 20 kg/m(2) and small-to-medium sized nonptotic breasts.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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Risk Factors Associated With Complication Rates of Becker-Type Expander Implants in Relation to Implant Survival: Review of 314 Implants in 237 Patients

Although autologous tissue reconstruction is the best option for breast reconstruction, using implants is still a reliable and simple method, offering acceptable aesthetic results. Becker-type implants are permanent implants that offer a 1-stage reconstructive option. A retrospective study was carried out in our center reviewing the clinical reports of 237 patients, in whom a total of 314 Becker-type prostheses were implanted. Overall survival was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier estimate. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios. At the end of the study, 214 expanders (68.15%) presented no complications, 40 (12.47%) developed significant capsular contracture, in 27 (8.60%) infection occurred, 24 (7.64%) suffered minor complications, and 9 (2.87%) ruptured. The mean survival time of the expanders was 120.41 months (95% CI: 109.62, 131.19). Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, high Molecular Immunology Borstel, age, mastectomy performed previously to the implant, ductal carcinoma, advanced tumoral stage, experience of the surgeon, and Becker 35-type implants were significantly related to a high number of complications in relation to the survival of the implants. Cox regression analysis revealed that the main risk factors for the survival of expander implants included radiotherapy and surgeon experience. The complication hazard ratio or relative risk caused by these 2 factors was 1.976 and 1.680, respectively. One-stage reconstruction using Becker-type expanders is an appropriate, simple, and reliable option in delayed breast reconstruction in patients who have not received radiotherapy and as long as the procedure is carried out by surgeons skilled in the technique.

Outcome of single-stage breast reconstruction using the Natrelle 150 expander implant

The Natrelle 150 offers the advantage of single-stage reconstruction. However, there is lack of published data on its long term outcomes, which does not allow for definitive conclusions as to whether it truly meets its design objective of a lasting single stage breast reconstruction. This is a retrospective review of all Natrelle 150 reconstructions by a single surgeon over 5 years. A total of 143 procedures were performed in 125 patients with a mean follow-up of 33 months (range, 3-65 months). Most (120, 84%) received the implant after oncological mastectomies, 22 (15%) after risk-reducing mastectomies, and 1 (0.8%) for hypoplasia. Fifty-one (35.7%) implants were explanted an average of 12.9 months after implantation. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrates an explantation rate of 25% by 11 months. Explantation was more likely after subpectoral placement compared to reconstructions in combination with latissimus dorsi flaps (P<0.05). Risk-reducing reconstructions were also more likely to undergo explantation (P<0.05) compared to reconstructions for oncological reasons. Our data suggest that this prosthesis is only successful as a 1-stage procedure in certain patients, and has led to more careful patient selection and counseling.

Update on one-stage immediate breast reconstruction with definitive prosthesis after sparing mastectomies

Immediate breast reconstruction after skin and nipple-sparing mastectomies is commonly performed as a two-stage procedure; to overcome the paradox of traditional two-stage tissue expander/implant reconstruction used to create a tight muscular pocket that needs expansion to produce lower pole fullness, while losing the laxity of the mastectomy skin flaps, the authors conceived a subpectoral-subfascial pocket by elevating the major pectoral muscle in continuity with the superficial pectoralis fascia up to the inframammary fold. This alteration allowed for the immediate insertion of the definitive implant. The authors present their experience in 220 cases of immediate one-stage breast reconstructions with definitive prostheses in sparing mastectomies. Immediate and long-term local complications were evaluated. Immediate breast reconstruction with definitive anatomical silicone-filled implants can produce excellent cosmetic results (78.6%) with a low rate of complications (17.7%); these results allow for agreement between oncologic, aesthetic and economic purposes.

Cowden syndrome and reconstructive breast surgery: case reports and review of the literature

Cowden syndrome (CS) is a rare, autosomal dominant inherited disorder associated with multiple benign and malignant neoplasms, including breast cancer. Prophylactic resection of susceptible organs remains controversial. We briefly describe the syndrome and review management of the risk of CS-associated malignancies. Three cases of bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction are described.

Optimizing the nipple-areola sparing mastectomy with double concentric periareolar incision and biodimensional expander-implant reconstruction: aesthetic and technical refinements

Although the biodimensional anatomical expander-implant system (BEIS) is a reliable technique, little information has been available regarding outcome following nipple-areola sparing mastectomy (NSM). To perform the resection of glandular tissue, while improving the surgical access and maintaining the nipple-areola vascularization we have developed a new approach for NSM based on the double concentric periareolar incision (DCPI). The purpose of this study is to analyze the feasibility, surgical planning and its outcome following NSM. 18 patients underwent NSM reconstructions. Mean time of follow-up was 29 months. The technique was indicated in patients with small/moderate volume breasts. Flap complications were evaluated and information on aesthetic results and patient satisfaction were collected. 83.3% had tumors measuring 2cm or less (T1) and 72.1% were stage 0 and I. All patients presented peripherally tumors located (at least 5cm from the nipple). Skin complications occurred in 11.1%. One patient (5.5%) presented small skin necrosis and a wound dehiscence was observed in one patient (5.5%). The aesthetic result was good/very good in 94.4 percent and the majority of patients were very satisfied/satisfied. No local recurrences were observed. All complications except one were treated by a conservative approach. DCPI-BEIS is a simple and reliable technique for NSM reconstruction. The success depends on patient selection, coordinated planning with the oncologic surgeon and careful intra-operative and post-operative management.