Advances in autologous breast reconstruction with pedicled perforator flaps

No Doppler Single Position-Lateral Intercostal Artery Perforator Flap (NDSP-LICAP): a Safe and Versatile Flap for Breast Oncoplasty in Resource-Limited Setting

INTRODUCTION

The lateral intercostal artery perforator flap (LICAP) has emerged as one of the safest and less morbid flaps for lateral and central breast defects. We hereby describe a reproducible no Doppler single position (NDSP) technique to harvest it in single position without handheld Doppler, making it a versatile flap for lateral breast defects in resource-limited setting also.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With this technique, we performed a total of 22 LICAP turnover flaps over a period of 18 months from January 2020 to June 2021. In all 22 cases, the indication of flap was to fill the post-breast conservation surgery (BCS) defects in outer quadrant of breast. All LICAP flaps were harvested by surface marking of anatomical landmarks and without handheld Doppler.

RESULTS

Out of 22 LICAP turnover flaps, thirteen were harvested for left breast and nine for right breast. The median width and length of the flap were 12.2 cm and 19.6 cm, respectively. The additional mean operative time was 41 min. All LICAP flaps survived well, and grade 1 Clavien-Dindo morbidity was documented in four cases. Mean hospital stay was 2.6 days. All patients received radiotherapy on their stipulated schedule. Early cosmetic outcome was good, and long-term outcomes are awaited.

CONCLUSION

NDSP-LICAP flap is a workhorse for lateral breast defects. Precise knowledge of perforators and anatomical landmarks can be used for harvesting these flaps, thus avoiding ultrasound Doppler and dedicated training for perforator localization. This technique has short learning curve without the need for any plastic surgery training. The early cosmetic outcomes are good.

Trends and Innovations in Autologous Breast Reconstruction

More than 40 years have passed since the description of the first "free abdominoplasty flap" for breast reconstruction by Holmström. In the meantime, surgical advances and technological innovations have resulted in the widespread adoption of autologous breast reconstruction to recreate the female breast after mastectomy. While concepts and techniques are continuing to evolve, maintaining an overview is challenging. This article provides a review of current trends and recent innovations in autologous breast reconstruction.

Evaluation of seromas in postmastectomy breast reconstruction: A retrospective observational study

Background

To evaluate seroma complications, two techniques were carried out in breast reconstruction: conventional latissimus dorsi flap (CLD) and muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi flap (MSLD) after cancer-related mastectomy.

Methods

A total of 108 postmastectomy procedures were performed with autologous tissue reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flaps (LDs) between January 2016 and May 2020. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group was reconstruction with the CLD, and the second group was reconstruction with the MSLD. Forty (40) patients in the first group and 68 patients in the second group were analyzed. Seroma formation was evaluated as the primary outcome.

Results

The total number of seromas found in the donor area was 27, of which 45% (n = 18) were found with the CLD and 13.24% (n = 9) with the MSLD, with a difference of 31.76% in favor of the MSLD, with an 95% CI of 14–49 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

We found a significantly lower incidence of seroma as a complication in patients who underwent MSLD breast reconstruction compared with those who underwent CLD breast reconstruction.

Lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flap for breast volume augmentation: Applications for oncoplastic and massive weight loss surgery

Background

Lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flap for breast volume augmentation provides the benefits of addressing axillary tissue excess and avoiding intramuscular dissection. Previous experience with the LICAP flap in patients with prior breast conservation therapy (BCT) has led to the development of an extended version for massive weight loss (MWL) patients as well.

Methods

A retrospective review of all cases of LICAP flaps was performed by a single surgeon. Data were subsequently extracted and analyzed including patient demographics, indication and timing of volume augmentation, complications, and follow-up length.

Results

From 2016 to 2020, 12 patients underwent 16 LICAP flaps for volume augmentation. Indications for volume augmentation included deficits from prior oncologic surgery (ten patients) and loss of volume due to MWL (two patients). The average BMI was 29.9 kg/m². Among the oncologic group, eight patients had delayed reconstruction, while two were immediate. Nine patients underwent radiation prior to volume augmentation. Eight of the 14 patients simultaneously received fat grafting. There were 4 cases of delayed wound healing that improved with local wound care. There were no statistically significant differences in complication rates between the oncologic and MWL groups. The average length of follow-up was 11.4 months.

Conclusions

This study supports that the application of the LICAP flap can be effectively broadened from the oncologic population to the MWL population. If needed, extending the flap provides an option to simultaneously address excess axillary and back tissue.

A Workhorse Flap for Covering Moderate-sized Defects after Breast-conserving Surgery: Supercharged Lateral Thoracodorsal Flap

The lateral thoracodorsal (LTD) flap technique is a type of oncoplastic breast surgery that involves transposition of tissue from the lateral aspect of a partial mastectomy defect. It is a relatively simple procedure and shows lower donor morbidity and good aesthetic outcomes. Complications, such as fat necrosis and wound dehiscence due to poor circulation, may occur at the distal part of the flap. We used a supercharged LTD flap to reduce this problem. In this study, the outcomes of the LTD flap over 13 years were reviewed.

The usefulness of pedicled perforator flap in partial breast reconstruction after breast conserving surgery in Korean women

Background

The emergence of breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy as the treatment of choice for early stage breast cancer has resulted in greater focus on oncoplastic breast surgery. The use of perforator flaps has particularly gained in reputation for its effectiveness in the reconstruction of partial breast defects in Korean women. Herein, we present our experience with the use of thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) and lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flaps.

Methods

This study included 33 patients who underwent breast reconstruction using TDAP or LICAP flaps at our hospital from January 2011 to December 2014. Data from patient medical records, and patient satisfaction surveys, which were conducted 12 months postoperatively, were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

TDAP and LICAP flap-based reconstructions were performed in 14 and 19 patients, respectively. Five patients developed complications that required additional intervention. Overall patient satisfaction was observed to be excellent in 15 (46%) patients, and good in 12 (36%).

Conclusions

Based on our experience, oncoplastic breast surgery using TDAP or LICAP flap is an effective remodeling technique for small-to-moderate breast defects in Korean women with smaller breasts.

Internal mammary artery perforator propeller flap for contralateral mastectomy defect: A case report

The internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap can be used as either loco-regional or free flap, and provides thin flexible coverage for defects of the chest wall and cervical regions. In this report, we present a bilateral mastectomy case in which the left mastectomy defect was closed with an IMAP propeller flap harvested from the right breast. Our patient with a history of left breast conservation therapy was diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma in her left breast 14 years later. On physical examination, the patient's left breast displayed the stigmata of radiotherapy including dark discoloration and firmness to palpation, compared to contralateral pendulous breast. After bilateral mastectomy, an IMAP flap with a size of 26 cm × 11 cm was harvested from right chest and was transposed 180 degrees clockwise in a propeller fashion to the left mastectomy defect without any tension. The flap survived without any complication and the patient was free of recurrence or metastases during the follow-up of 18 months. The patient was satisfied with the outcome. IMAP propeller flap could be harvested safely to the anterior axillary fold in the subcutaneous fat plane. It may provide a large skin paddle especially in large breasted women. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:507-510, 2016.