Simultaneous nipple reconstruction in autologous breast reconstruction

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Pedicled Perforator Flap Technique for Salvage Nipple Reconstruction in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

We propose a pedicled perforator flap technique for salvage nipple reconstruction after initial nipple reconstruction fails in breast cancer patients.

METHODS

This is a pilot study. A total of 21 female breast cancer patients who underwent nipple reconstruction following initial nipple reconstruction fails were enrolled, and salvage nipple reconstruction based pedicled perforator flap were performed between 2016 and 2020. Operative time, perforator design, postoperative complications, follow-up duration, projection of nipple, as well as patient-reported outcomes measured by the BREAST-Q and visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients underwent fifth lateral intercostal artery perforator reconstruction, while 5 patients underwent fifth anterior intercostal artery perforator flap reconstruction. The surgeries were successful without intraoperative complications, with a mean operative time of 67 minutes. Postoperative complications were absent. The mean follow-up duration was 18 months. The mean nipple projection was 8 mm (range, 6-10 mm) with a shrinkage of 20% at 6 months after surgery. The average scores for psychosocial well-being, satisfaction with breasts, and satisfaction with nipples domains of the BREAST-Q significantly increased (P < .01) at 6 months post-reconstruction. Sexual well-being subdomain showed no statistical difference (P = .9369). The VAS scores for cosmesis and patient satisfaction with surgery were 9 and 9.3, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The pedicled perforator flap technique for salvage nipple reconstruction is a safe and effective approach.

Useful vertical latissimus dorsi flap for partial breast reconstruction in every tumor location

Background

We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate effective techniques for breast reconstruction after partial mastectomy due to breast cancer. Determining the method of reconstruction is often difficult as it depends on the location of the cancer and the amount of tissue excised.. Here, we present a new technique, using the vertical latissimus dorsi (LD) flap, that can be used in all partial mastectomies and can almost conceal scarring. We also compared these results to those of the mini LD flap.

Methods

We analyzed the data of a total of 50 and 47 patients, who underwent breast reconstruction with the mini LD flap and the vertical LD flap, respectively. Immediately after tumor excision, breast reconstruction was initiated. The skin flap for vertical LD was designed in a planarian shape, such that it may be hidden as much as possible and minimize bulging during closure, and the LD muscle flap was designed with a sufficient distance in the inferior direction.

Results

Our finding showed that the vertical LD flap group required significantly less total operation time than the mini LD flap group. While the mini-LD flap resulted in a scar that was difficult to conceal, the donor site scar of the vertical LD flap could not be seen easily, and no scar was visible on the back.

Conclusions

The vertical LD flap is useful for partial breast reconstruction, in all breast regions requires a rather small volume of the flap. Moreover, recovery was relatively fast with high patient satisfaction.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-022-01741-6.