Patient satisfaction with breast reconstructionusing musculocutaneous flap from latissimus dorsiversus from rectus abdominis: a cross-sectional study

Latissimus dorsi flap - the main force in breast reconstruction for breast tumor in Chinese population

Background

The latissimus dorsi flap (LDF) is the most commonly used autologous flap for breast reconstruction (BR) in China. We conducted this study to explore the current status of BR using LDF with/without implants.

Methods

This study was a single-center retrospective study that included breast tumor patients who underwent LDF breast reconstruction at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) between 2000 and 2021.

Results

We analyzed 4918 patients who underwent postmastectomy BR, including 1730 patients (35.2%) with autologous flaps. LDF was used for BR in 1093 (22.2%) patients, and an abdominal flap was used in 637 (13.0%) patients. The proportion of LDFs used in autologous BR patients decreased each year and dropped to approximately 65.0% after 2013 due to the increased use of abdominal flaps. Among these patients, 609 underwent extended LDF (ELDF) BR, 455 underwent LDF BR with implants, and 30 received a LDF as a salvage flap due to previous flap or implant failure. Patients who underwent ELDF reconstruction were older and had a higher BMI than those who received a LDF with implants. There was no significant difference in the mean postoperative hospital stay, neoadjuvant chemotherapy rates, or adjuvant radiotherapy rates between the two groups. Major complications requiring surgical intervention occurred in 25 patients (2.29%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of major complications between the two groups (P=0.542).

Conclusions

LDF breast reconstruction is a well-developed and safe procedure. The duration of postoperative hospitalization nor the incidence of major complications was affected by implant use.

Volumetric changes of the latissimus dorsi muscle after postoperative chemotherapy in cases of immediate breast reconstruction with an extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap and implant

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the volume reduction of latissimus dorsi muscle in patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction using extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous (eLDMC) flap with implant after skin/nipple sparing mastectomy (SSM/NSM) and postoperative chemotherapy (POCTx).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of 19 patients who underwent this surgery with POCTx, and checked chest computer tomography (CT) at 7-10 days after surgery and 6-14 months after the end of chemotherapy, from May 2015 to October 2016. The motor nerve to latissimus dorsi muscle was severed in all patient. One plastic surgeon intervened and the follow up period was at least 18 months. Author obtained the area of latissimus dorsi muscle using the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in the axial view of the chest CT and it was verified by the experienced radiologist. The statistical test was performed (P<0.05).

Results

There was statistically decrease in latissimus dorsi muscle volume after the end of POCTx, range from 51.5-77.5%, average volume decrease was 62%, compared with latissimus dorsi muscle volume of the CT taken 7-10 days postoperatively (P<0.05). After a minimum follow-up period of 18 months, 14 of the 19 cases were satisfactory for both the surgeon and the patient. In 4 patients, breast volume was symmetrical when wearing bra, but the outline of the 90 cc implant was unfavorable. One patient had a smaller size of reconstructed breast than the other.

Conclusions

The size of the implant should be determined considering that average latissimus dorsi muscle reduction is 62%. Especially, the size of the implant should be chosen carefully if latissimus dorsi muscle is thick or it occupies a large portion of the entire flap.