Check the Record: Remote CT Scans for Breast Flap Perforator Mapping

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (07) ◽  
pp. 485-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Sergesketter ◽  
Bryan Pyfer ◽  
Brett Phillips ◽  
Ruya Zhao ◽  
Scott Hollenbeck

Background Perforator mapping with computed tomography angiography (CTA) prior to autologous breast reconstruction reduces donor-site morbidity and operative time, but is costly. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pre-existing CT scans could be used for dominant perforator identification before autologous reconstruction. Methods We identified all female patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate or delayed breast reconstruction with abdominal free flaps at a single institution between 2006 and 2016. Medical records were reviewed to identify patients with pre-existing CT scans of the abdomen/pelvis. CT images were reviewed by the senior surgeon and ranked on a 1 to 3 scale to indicate utility for preoperative planning. An analysis was performed to assess financial savings and radiation avoidance associated with the use of pre-existing scans. Results Of 301 identified patients, 44.9% (n = 135) had an available pre-existing CT. A dominant perforator was identified on 92.6% of scans. A higher proportion of dominant perforators was identified using positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scans compared with CT scans with intravenous (IV) contrast and noncontrast CTs (p < 0.0001). Compared with PET/CTs and CTs with IV contrast, the average utility score for noncontrast CTs was lower (p = 0.0001). Dominant perforators were clearly identified in patients who had both a remote CT scan and a preoperative CTA. Perforator mapping using remote CT scans yielded a projected radiation reduction of 13.2 mGy per patient and yielded a projected annual U.S. health care savings of $28,459,638. Conclusion Our study suggests that pre-existing CT scans represent a viable and economical alternative for perforator mapping before abdominal-based free flap breast reconstruction.

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (09) ◽  
pp. 630-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky Kang ◽  
Emilie Robinson ◽  
Eric Barker ◽  
Anuja Antony

Background The transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap has gained increasing acceptance as a reliable option for breast reconstruction, specifically in patients without adequate abdominal tissue. Three major flap designs of the upper gracilis flap have been proposed to balance volume needs with flap vascularity. A systematic review was performed to identify outcomes of the major gracilis flaps: TUG, vertical-transverse upper gracilis (V-TUG), and longitudinal gracilis myocutaneous (LGM) flaps. This study is the first and only systematic review to date reviewing the variations of the upper gracilis flap in microsurgical breast reconstruction. Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed database from 1966 through 2015. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Outcomes assessed included total flap volumes, additional breast procedures to achieve intended breast volume, and complication rates. Results A total of 485 gracilis-type flaps were performed in 335 patients. V-TUG flaps provided the largest mean flap weights and did not require additional lipofilling or implant placement, whereas the majority of TUG flaps (50.6%) required additional fat grafting or implant placements. All flap types demonstrated a low incidence of donor-site morbidity. Overall flap loss rate was low; TUG flaps reported 2.3% total and 2.0% partial flap losses, while V-TUG and LGM flaps reported no flap losses. Conclusion This review found V-TUG yielded highest mean flap weights and did not require additional breast augmentation procedures as compared with the TUG. Also, the V-TUG was a safer donor-site option with fewer flap and donor-site morbidities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 247275122110205
Author(s):  
Sebastian Rios ◽  
María Isabel Falguera-Uceda ◽  
Alicia Dean ◽  
Susana Heredero

Study Design: Suprafascial free flaps have become common place in reconstructive surgery units. Nomenclature related to these flaps has not been uniform throughout the scientific literature, especially in regard to planes of dissection. This study is designed as a comprehensive review of the literature. Objectives: Our study highlights which flaps are used most frequently, their main indications, their survival rate, and how they have evolved in the last few decades as innovations have been introduced. Methods: A review of the literature was performed using keywords and Medical Subject Headings search terms. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched using the appropriate search terms. Data collected from each study included flap type, dissection plane, preoperative planning, area of reconstruction, as well as complications, donor-site morbidity and survival rate. Results: Seven hundred and fifty-five studies were found based on the search criteria. After full-text screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria 34 studies were included. A total of 1332 patients were comprised in these studies. The most common types of flaps used were superficial circumflex iliac perforator flap (SCIP), anterolateral thigh flap (ALT), and radial forearm flap. The most common areas of reconstruction were head & neck and limbs. There was no significant difference in survival rates between flaps that were raised in different planes of dissection. Conclusions: Based on the author’s review of the literature, suprafascial flaps are reliable, they have low donor site morbidity, and there is a wide selection available for harvest. The use of new technologies for preoperative planning, such as CT-Angiography and UHF ultrasound, have contributed to have more predictable results. We propose a standardized classification for these flaps, in order to create a uniform nomenclature for future reference.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3030
Author(s):  
Kathrin Bachleitner ◽  
Laurenz Weitgasser ◽  
Amro Amr ◽  
Thomas Schoeller

Various techniques for breast reconstruction ranging from reconstruction with implants to free tissue transfer, with the disadvantage of either carrying a foreign body or dealing with donor site morbidity, have been described. In patients who had a unilateral mastectomy and offer a contralateral mamma hypertrophy a breast reconstruction can be performed with the excess tissue from the hypertrophic side using the split breast technique. Here a local internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap of the hypertrophic breast can be used for reconstruction avoiding the downsides of implants or a microsurgical reconstruction and simultaneously reducing the enlarged donor breast in order to achieve symmetry. Methods: Between April 2010 and February 2019 the split breast technique was performed in five patients after mastectomy due to breast cancer. Operating time, length of stay, complications and the need for secondary operations were analyzed and the surgical technique including flap supercharging were described in detail. Results: All five IMAP-flaps survived and an aesthetically pleasant result could be achieved using the split breast technique. An average of two secondary corrections to achieve better symmetry were necessary after each breast reconstruction. Complications included venous flap congestion, partial flap necrosis and asymmetry. No breast cancer recurrence was recorded. An overall approval of the surgical technique among patients was observed. Conclusions: The use of the contralateral breast for unilateral total breast reconstruction represents an additional highly useful technique for selected patients, is safe and reliable results can be achieved. Although this technique is carried out as a single-stage procedure, including breast reduction and reconstruction at the same time, secondary operations may be necessary to achieve superior symmetry and a satisfying aesthetic result. Survival of the IMAP-flaps can be improved by venous supercharging of the flaps onto the thoracoepigastric vein.


1992 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. REIGSTAD ◽  
K. R. HETLAND ◽  
K. BYE ◽  
M. RØKKUM

We report a series of 32 free flap reconstructions following acute hand and forearm trauma. The series consists of two dorsalis pedis flaps, four scapular flaps and 26 lateral arm flaps. One flap became infected and failed completely, and a partial necrosis occurred in another flap. The transfers covered large skin defects, exposed tendons, tendon grafts, bone, bone grafts, joints, nerves and nerve grafts. The donor site morbidity was negligible. Our study shows that free microvascular flaps are a safe and convenient alternative to conventional flaps in hand surgery. The lateral arm flap seems very suitable for small and medium size defects.


Author(s):  
Simon Perez ◽  
Emmanuel Delay ◽  
Raphaël Sinna ◽  
Traian Savu ◽  
Richard Vaucher ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In delayed breast reconstruction, the thoraco-mammary cutaneous tissue often shows residual damage from radiotherapy. The fragility of this tissue is associated with a risk of skin necroses of about 8% when dissection is performed by reopening of the mastectomy scar. Objectives The objective of our study was to adapt the technique of short-scar latissimus dorsi flap surgery with an abdominal advancement flap using a lateral approach only avoiding re-incision of the mastectomy scar. Methods In this retrospective study, we performed 150 reconstructions in 146 patients to assess the safety and effectiveness of the SSLD technique with lateral approach. The primary outcome was the occurrence of postoperative skin necrosis of the thoraco-mammary area. Results Of the 150 delayed breast reconstruction procedures performed, none showed skin necrosis of the thoraco-mammary area, and a positive effect on skin trophicity of this area was observed. The resulting patient and surgical team satisfaction were very favorable. Conclusions In our practice, this technique changed our paradigm because of good skin safety and effectiveness. It allows reconstruction without a patch-effect in patients with very poor skin quality in whom the thoraco-mammary skin would have been replaced in the past by a skin paddle. Reconstruction would have even be contraindicated. It could also be an alternative to many other more complex and longer techniques of autologous reconstruction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie K Chu ◽  
Michael DeFazio ◽  
Rene D Largo ◽  
Merrick Ross

Abstract The smaller volume of the profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap relative to that of abdominal flaps limits the size of breast reconstruction that may be achieved. Immediate implant augmentation of abdominal free flaps has been performed, but immediate implant augmentation of PAP flaps has never been described. A 54-year-old woman with BRCA2 mutation, submuscular implants, and previous abdominoplasty presented for nipple-sparing mastectomies (NSM). Autologous tissue volume was inadequate to support reconstruction to the desired size. She wished to avoid serial expansion. Skin quality was unsuitable for direct-to-implant reconstruction. The patient underwent bilateral NSM. The previous implants were removed with capsule preservation. Bilateral PAP flaps were harvested and anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels. Moderate classic profile 170-mL smooth round silicone implants were placed into the existing capsule pockets with lateral capsulorraphy. There were no flap, implant, or infectious complications. Initial mastectomy skin and nipple ischemia completely resolved without necrosis. Donor site healing was uneventful. At 8 months, the reconstruction is supple and the implants remain well-positioned without rippling. One minor revision was performed for fat grafting and to correct lateral nipple deviation. PAP flap breast reconstruction with immediate implant augmentation is technically feasible. Advantages include improved prosthetic coverage, allowing for immediate reconstruction to a larger size with reduced concern regarding mastectomy skin necrosis and threat to the device, optimal implant camouflage, and improved substrate for secondary fat grafting if necessary. Level of Evidence: 5


2013 ◽  
Vol 132 (6) ◽  
pp. 1383-1391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward I. Chang ◽  
Eric I. Chang ◽  
Miguel A. Soto-Miranda ◽  
Hong Zhang ◽  
Naveed Nosrati ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 869-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bar Cohen ◽  
Nurith Hiller ◽  
Auryan Szalat ◽  
Vladimir Vainstein

Objective: Bone density loss and increased risk for osteoporosis are of concern in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Routinely performed positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) scans could be informative in assessing bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: This retrospective study included 80 adults with newly diagnosed HL treated with standard first-line chemotherapy regimens. PET-CT scans performed at diagnosis (PET-CT1), at the end of chemotherapy (PET-CT2), and at follow-up after remission (PET-CT3) were used to assess BMD changes by measuring lumbar vertebrae CT attenuation. A CT attenuation threshold of 160 Hounsfield units was used to define abnormal BMD. Results: Following chemotherapy, comparison of PET-CT2 with PET-CT1 revealed a mean (standard deviation) 14.2% (10.4%) BMD reduction ( P<.001). On PET-CT3 performed at 14.6 (3.25) months after the last course of chemotherapy, a slight improvement (4.6% [10.4%]) in comparison to PET-CT2 was noted. Twelve patients (15%) converted from normal baseline BMD on PET-CT1 to abnormal BMD after chemotherapy on PET-CT2. Age, baseline BMD, and steroid cumulative dose were associated with BMD decline and risk for abnormal BMD after chemotherapy. No clinical fractures were reported, and only one rib fracture was incidentally captured (1.25%). Conclusion: HL patients treated with common first-line chemotherapies demonstrate a significant decline in bone density on routine PET-CT scans. Opportunistic use of PET-CT scan has the potential to detect HL patients at high risk for developing osteoporosis and to guide clinicians regarding monitoring and intervention. Abbreviations: BMD = bone mineral density; CT = computed tomography; DXA = dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; HL = Hodgkin lymphoma; HU = Hounsfield units; L = lumbarvertebra; PET-CT = positron emission tomography-computed tomography; T = thoracic vertebra


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document