Vertical breast measurement in East Asian women: A guide for mastopexy and reduction to form nonptotic breasts in unilateral prosthetic breast reconstruction

Clinical Study on the Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Flap in Breast-Conserving Reconstruction of T2 Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast-conserving surgery combined with oncoplastic breast surgery has become the standard surgical treatment for early breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap (TDAPF) in breast-conserving reconstruction of T2 breast cancer.

METHODS

Thirty patients with T2 breast cancer admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled to receive pedicled TDAPF for repairing breast defects after breast-conserving surgery. Intraoperative conditions, postoperative complications, and shape satisfaction after breast reconstruction were recorded.

RESULTS

The operation was successfully completed in all 30 patients, with an operation time of 177.77 ± 24.39 min, bleeding of 44.17 ± 7.67 mL, and length of hospital stay of 5.23 ± .97 d. There was no deformity or seroma at the donor site. Breast shape recovered well after operation. After operation, one patient had fat liquefaction in the recipient site, which healed well after wound treatment. The incidence of postoperative complications was 3.33%. Postoperative follow-up lasted 16-28 months, with a median of 22 months. The Breast-Q score for breast satisfaction was 61.83 ± 12.87 at 6 months after operation, compared to 62.07 ± 11.78 before operation (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

TDAPF, featuring a high survival rate, moderate flap area, fewer postoperative complications, and high satisfaction with breast shape after operation. For east asian women with moderate breast size, TDAPF is a safe, effective choice for repairing defects in breast-conserving surgery for T2 breast cancer.

Correction of breast asymmetry by autologous fat grafting with the aid of 3D laser-scanning technology

BACKGROUND

Currently, the lack of clinically accurate measurement and evaluation methods for breast asymmetry has considerably limited the use of autologous fat grafting in the correction of breast asymmetry.

OBJECTIVE

This study calculated the volume difference in the bilateral breasts by three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning technology, established a bridge between digitalization and surgery to guide the correction of breast asymmetry by autologous fat grafting, and evaluated the surgical effect.

METHODS

In the experimental group (3D group), the measurement range was defined by standardized methods, the algorithm to calculate the volume difference in the bilateral breasts was determined by the established software instructions, and the volume of intraoperative autologous fat grafting was guided by personalized data. In the control group, the volume of intraoperative autologous fat grafting was determined based on the surgeon's visual assessment and surgical experience.

RESULTS

The volume difference in the bilateral breasts was less at 12 months after surgery (P < 0.05), the satisfaction of patients was higher (P < 0.05), and the reoperation rate was lower (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was low in both groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

3D laser scanning technology can be used as a bridge between digitalization and surgery to significantly improve the surgical effect of autologous fat grafting in the correction of breast asymmetry, with high patient satisfaction and high clinical application value.