How Does Autologous Breast Reconstruction Impact Downtime?

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (07) ◽  
pp. 530-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Rais ◽  
Jian Farhadi ◽  
Giovanni Zoccali

Background Although autologous breast reconstruction is technically quite demanding, it offers the best outcomes in terms of durable results, patient perceptions, and postoperative pain. Many studies have focused on clinical outcomes and technical aspects of such procedures, but few have addressed the impact of various flaps on patient recovery times. This particular investigation entailed an assessment of commonly used flaps, examining the periods of time required to resume daily activities. Methods Multiple choice questionnaires were administered to 121 patients after recovery from autologous reconstruction to determine the times required in returning to specific physical activities. To analyze results, the analysis of variance F-test was applied, and odds ratios (ORs) were determined. Results Among the activities surveyed, recovery time was not always a function of free-flap surgery. Additional treatments and psychological effects also contributed. Adjuvant chemotherapy increased average downtime by 2 weeks, and postoperative irradiation prolonged recovery as much as 4 weeks. Patient downtime was unrelated to flap type, ranging from 2.9 to 21.3 weeks for various activities in question. Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps yielded the highest OR and transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flaps the lowest. Conclusion Compared with superior gluteal artery perforator and TUG flaps, the DIEP flap was confirmed as the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction, conferring the shortest recovery times. All adjuvant therapies served to prolong patient recovery as well. Surgical issues, patient lifestyles, and donor-site availability are other important aspects of flap selection.

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2513826X1989883
Author(s):  
Trina V. Stephens ◽  
Nancy Van Laeken ◽  
Sheina A. Macadam

Donor-site seroma formation is a complication of autologous breast reconstruction reported most commonly with the use of latissimus dorsi flaps. First-line treatment is percutaneous aspiration which leads to resolution in the majority of cases. Those that persist may progress to a chronic, refractory seroma, which can prove challenging in terms of treatment. The aim of this article is to provide an updated literature review of interventions for chronic donor-site seroma and present the case of a 65-year-old female with a recalcitrant abdominal seroma following deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. Literature review revealed a single article that reported 2 cases of persistent donor-site seroma after DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The patient presented here underwent repeat aspiration, drain placement, and multiple surgical procedures to achieve resolution. In total, the post-reconstruction seroma history of the patient extended over approximately 14 months. We conclude with evidence-based suggestions for chronic, donor-site seroma prevention and treatment.


2019 ◽  
pp. 795-802
Author(s):  
Erica Bartlett ◽  
Aldona J. Spiegel

Abdominal-based free tissue transfer accounts for the majority of autologous breast reconstruction. In situations where abdominal sources are unavailable, other donor sites should be considered. In this chapter, alternative donor sites for autologous breast reconstruction are discussed, specifically, gluteal- and thigh-based flaps. The superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) and inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP) flaps are discussed from the gluteal donor site, and the transverse upper gracilis (TUG), profunda artery perforator (PAP), and the lateral thigh perforator (LTP) flaps are discussed from the thigh donor site. Relevant anatomy and surgical technique are discussed for each flap in order to enhance awareness of secondary flap options in the plastic surgeon’s armamentarium for breast reconstruction.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (02) ◽  
pp. 145-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhil Seth ◽  
Pieter Koolen ◽  
Steven Sultan ◽  
Bernard Lee ◽  
Heather Erhard ◽  
...  

Background The abdomen remains the most popular and reliable donor site for autologous breast reconstruction. Some patients, however, lack sufficient tissue to recreate an aesthetic breast mound using a single-pedicle, deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, particularly when matching a contralateral native breast. The amount of abdominal skin and/or soft tissue reliably supplied by one vascular pedicle is frequently insufficient to adequately restore the breast skin envelope and “footprint.” This study summarizes our experience with using bipedicled DIEP flaps to improve the aesthetic results of unilateral breast reconstruction in such patients. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing unilateral breast reconstruction with bi-pedicled, conjoined DIEP flaps over a 4-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Primary and secondary flap microvascular anastomoses were performed to the antegrade internal mammary (IM) vessels and to either the retrograde IM vessels or a primary DIEP pedicle side branch, respectively. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were recorded. Results Sixty-three patients underwent immediate (n = 29) or delayed (n = 34) reconstruction, with age and body mass index of 54.1 ± 8.4 years and 26.6 ± 4.7, respectively. Mean follow-up was 14.1 months. Twenty-eight (44.4%) patients received prereconstruction radiation therapy. All patients had preoperative abdominal imaging, including 57 (90.5%) using magnetic resonance angiography. There were no flap losses with three operative interventions for flap salvage. Conclusion Unilateral breast reconstruction with bipedicled, conjoined DIEP flaps is safe and reliable. These procedures can be performed with a complication profile similar to single-pedicle DIEP flaps. The additional skin and soft tissue available with bi-pedicled flaps allows for greater flexibility in matching the shape and projection of a woman's contralateral breast, and in some cases is necessary to achieve an aesthetically acceptable reconstruction. With growing expectations among breast reconstruction patients, conjoined bi-pedicled flaps represent a tool for meeting their reconstructive needs and exceeding the status quo for aesthetic outcomes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. e1-e3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Saussy ◽  
Mark Stalder ◽  
Stephen Delatte ◽  
Robert Allen ◽  
Hugo St Hilaire

AbstractThe authors present the case of a 42-year-old female patient who underwent autologous breast reconstruction using a new perforator flap designed from the medial and posterior thigh. Due to a prior abdominoplasty, the patient's abdominal donor site was unavailable to reconstruct her large, ptotic breasts, so an alternate approach was undertaken. The fleur-de-PAP flap is based on the same perforators employed by the standard profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap, but simultaneously incorporates tissue from both the transverse and vertical PAP flap skin paddles. This design maximizes flap volume at a single donor site and provides a reasonable secondary option for autologous reconstruction in large-breasted patients in whom the abdomen is not available.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S45-S54
Author(s):  
Ryan D Wagner ◽  
Kristy L Hamilton ◽  
Andres F Doval ◽  
Aldona J Spiegel

Abstract With continuous technical and functional advances in the field of breast reconstruction, there is now a greater focus on the artistry and aesthetic aspects of autologous reconstruction. Whereas once surgeons were most concerned with flap survival and vessel patency, they are now dedicated to reconstructing a similarly or even more aesthetically pleasing breast than before tumor resection. We discuss the approach to shaping the breast through the footprint, conus, and skin envelope. We then discuss how donor site aesthetics can be optimized through flap design, scar management, and umbilical positioning. Each patient has a different perception of their ideal breast appearance, and through conversation and counseling, realistic goals can be set to reach optimal aesthetic outcomes in breast reconstruction.


Author(s):  
Charles W. Patterson ◽  
Patrick A. Palines ◽  
Matthew J. Bartow ◽  
Daniel J. Womac ◽  
Jamie C. Zampell ◽  
...  

Abstract Background From both a medical and surgical perspective, obese breast cancer patients are considered to possess higher risk when undergoing autologous breast reconstruction relative to nonobese patients. However, few studies have evaluated the continuum of risk across the full range of obesity. This study sought to compare surgical risk between the three World Health Organization (WHO) classes of obesity in patients undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. Methods A retrospective review of 219 obese patients receiving 306 individual DIEP flaps was performed. Subjects were stratified into WHO obesity classes I (body mass index [BMI]: 30–34), II (BMI: 35–39), and III (BMI: ≥ 40) and assessed for risk factors and postoperative donor and recipient site complications. Results When examined together, the rate of any complication between the three groups only trended toward significance (p = 0.07), and there were no significant differences among rates of specific individual complications. However, logistic regression analysis showed that class III obesity was an independent risk factor for both flap (odds ratio [OR]: 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–3.20, p = 0.03) and donor site (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.09–5.05, p = 0.03) complications. Conclusion DIEP breast reconstruction in the obese patient is more complex for both the patient and the surgeon. Although not a contraindication to undergoing surgery, obese patients should be diligently counseled regarding potential complications and undergo preoperative optimization of health parameters. Morbidly obese (class III) patients should be approached with additional caution, and perhaps even delay major reconstruction until specific BMI goals are met.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1107-1114
Author(s):  
Hinne A. Rakhorst

Microsurgery in general has made dramatic improvements over the past decades. This applies to microsurgery in general and to breast reconstructive surgery especially. The demand for autologous breast reconstruction has risen. Since the introduction of the free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps, through the muscle-sparing TRAM, flaps designs have evolved into the current gold standard, the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. From experiences and increasing numbers of flap procedures performed by surgeons, techniques became more familiar and part of standard care. These factors gave rise to the development of a growing number of areas of the body where tissues of interest can be harvested using perforator flap-based techniques. This chapter discusses the most common as well as the ‘rising stars’ in terms of flaps to be used as alternative flaps to the DIEP flap for breast reconstruction. It discusses practical issues on dissection as well as donor site morbidity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (08) ◽  
pp. 572-576
Author(s):  
Casey T. Kraft ◽  
Albert H. Chao

Abstract Background The abdomen remains the most preferable donor site for autologous breast reconstruction. Many patients in this population will have had prior abdominal surgery, which is the chief risk factor for having a ventral hernia. While prior studies have examined the impact of prior abdominal surgery on breast reconstruction, limited data exist on the management of patients with a preexisting ventral hernia. The objective of this study was to investigate outcomes of performing ventral hernia repair concurrent with abdominally based microsurgical breast reconstruction. Methods A 5-year retrospective review of patients undergoing abdominally based microsurgical breast reconstruction was performed. The experimental group consisted of patients with a preexisting ventral hernia that was repaired at the time of breast reconstruction, and was compared with a historical cohort of patients without preexisting hernias. Results There were a total of 18 and 225 patients in the experimental and control groups, respectively. There was a higher incidence of prior abdominal surgery in the experimental group (p = 0.0008), but no other differences. Mean follow-up was 20.5 ± 5.2 months. There were no instances of recurrent hernia or flap loss in the experimental group. No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of donor-site complications (27.8 vs. 20.9%, respectively; p = 0.55), recipient site complications (27.8 vs. 24.0%, respectively; p = 0.78), operative time (623 ± 114 vs. 598 ± 100 minutes, respectively; p = 0.80), or length of stay (3.4 ± 0.5 vs. 3.1 ± 0.4 days, respectively; p = 0.98). Conclusion Concurrent ventral hernia repair at the time of abdominally based microsurgical breast reconstruction appears to be safe and effective. Larger studies are needed to further define this relationship.


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