Rotation flap of the anterior rectus abdominis sheath for hernia prevention in TRAM breast reconstruction

Does the use of an acellular dermal graft in abdominal closure after rectus flap harvest impact the occurrence of post-operative hernia?

IMPORTANCE

Patients with rectus free flap harvest extending below the arcuate line are predisposed to postoperative hernia formation. As such, many authors have advocated the use of closure adjuncts to increase the integrity of the closure and prevent hernia or abdominal wall bulging.

SETTING

Busy level 1 public trauma center in metropolitan Fort Worth, Texas

INTERVENTIONS

Following harvest of the rectus free flap, 48 patients underwent primary closure; 24 of these patients had defects extending below the arcuate line. Forty patients were closed with an acellular dermal graft; 22 of these patients had defects extending below the arcuate line.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Postoperative hernia formation and local infection rate were examined in a minimum follow-up period of 1 year.

RESULTS

Regardless of closure method, no hernias were observed in the postoperative period. Using an unpaired t test and an alpha value of 0.05, there was no statistically significant difference in the infection rate between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Following rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap harvest, the use of an acellular dermal graft in abdominal wall closure may not be of any further advantage in the prevention of hernia.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective (Level III).

Factors associated with hernia and bulge formation at the donor site of the pedicled TRAM flap

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between risk factors and hernia or bulge formation at the donor site of the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. A retrospective study was conducted between September 2005 and December 2008 in 206 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flap. Eight (3.9%) of these patients had abdominal wall hernia and 26 (12.6%) had abdominal bulging. The incidence of hernia was significantly higher (P < 0.05) among patients with body mass index (BMI) >/= 30 kg/m(2) (hernia incidence, 15.0%) than that among patients with BMI <30 kg/m(2) (hernia incidence, 3.2%), while the incidence of abdominal bulge was significantly lower (P < 0.05) among patients with BMI >/= 30 kg/m(2) (abdominal bulge incidence, 5.0%) than that among patients with BMI >/= 30 kg/m(2) (abdominal bulge incidence, 19.1%). Therefore, obesity was identified as a risk factor for abdominal wall hernia. It was also found that the use of mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall significantly reduced (P < 0.025) the incidence of hernia (use of mesh (hernia incidence, 2.5%) versus non-mesh (hernia incidence, 5.9%)) and abdominal bulge (use of mesh (abdominal bulge incidence, 9.9%) versus non-mesh (abdominal bulge incidence, 17.3%)) among the patients.

The "limited rectus sheath incisions" technique for DIEP flaps using preoperative CT angiography

The abdominal wall donor site has become popularized for autologous breast reconstruction, with low donor site morbidity one of its key attributes. Further improvements in donor site outcomes have been facilitated through muscle sparing techniques, such as the use of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) perforator (DIEP) flap, and the use of modifications to closing the rectus sheath following muscular dissection, such as the use of endoscopic techniques and the use of mesh. We describe a new and unique method for potentially minimizing donor site damage during DIEP flap harvest: the "limited rectus sheath incisions" technique. This approach is only possible in select cases, the choice of which can be aided with the use of preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA). In select patients, there may be an extended segment of DIEA that does not give any musculocutaneous perforators, and thus does not require open exposure. In such cases, limited incision to the rectus sheath may be made: one to access the periumbilical perforators and a separate incision to access the pedicle near its origin on the external iliac artery. This incision may then be made in a muscle-splitting fashion, in the line of external oblique fibers. This approach may reduce damage to the anterior rectus sheath, and may contribute to improving donor site morbidity. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.

Use of Regenerative Human Acellular Tissue (AlloDerm) to Reconstruct the Abdominal Wall following Pedicle TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery

BACKGROUND

Harvest of transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flaps for breast reconstruction leaves a variable defect in the anterior rectus fascia. Inadequate closure of the defect could lead to the development of hernia or abdominal wall bulging. Various techniques have been developed to reduce the incidence of hernia and abdominal wall bulging. The authors describe a novel technique of using a regenerative human acellular matrix (AlloDerm) as a fascial substitute in closing the defect.

METHODS

Fifty-four consecutive patients who opted for pedicle TRAM flap procedures for breast reconstruction postmastectomy were scheduled for donor-site repair with the use of AlloDerm. AlloDerm was placed interpositionally as an inlay graft to mimic the anterior rectus fascia.

RESULTS

Hernia or infection did not develop in any of the patients. There was a greater incidence of seroma and bulging among the first 18 patients, with eight seromas (44.4 percent) and six bulges (33.3 percent). When the technique was ameliorated in the next 36 patients, there was a reduction in the incidence of seromas (16.7 percent, p = 0.03) and bulges (16.7 percent, p = 0.17). Of the three patients who experienced wound dehiscence, partial AlloDerm exposure occurred in two, but was resolved without further consequences. Biopsy specimens of AlloDerm, obtained 12 and 14 months after TRAM donor-site repair, showed full tissue integration. The cell density, vasculature, and collagen orientation in the biopsies were consistent with abdominal fascia tissue.

CONCLUSION

Based on these results, the authors recommend the use of AlloDerm as an alternative option for abdominal fascia closure after TRAM flap harvest for breast reconstruction.