Breast Reconstruction with Non-Abdominal–Based Free Tissue Flaps

2019 ◽  
pp. 795-802
Author(s):  
Erica Bartlett ◽  
Aldona J. Spiegel
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Technique ◽  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Autologous Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Superior Gluteal Artery ◽  
Alternative Donor ◽  
Lateral Thigh ◽  
Tissue Flaps ◽  
Artery Perforator

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.

scholarly journals Autologous Unilateral Breast Reconstruction with Venous Supercharged IMAP-Flaps: A Step by Step Guide of the Split Breast Technique

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3030
Author(s):  
Kathrin Bachleitner ◽  
Laurenz Weitgasser ◽  
Amro Amr ◽  
Thomas Schoeller
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Surgical Technique ◽  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Operating Time ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Donor Site Morbidity ◽  
Aesthetic Result ◽  
Secondary Operations

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.

How Does Autologous Breast Reconstruction Impact Downtime?

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (07) ◽  
pp. 530-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Rais ◽  
Jian Farhadi ◽  
Giovanni Zoccali
Keyword(s):  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Diep Flap ◽  
Autologous Reconstruction ◽  
Autologous Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Superior Gluteal Artery ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
Recovery Times ◽  
Time Required ◽  
The Impact

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.

Clinical experience with the lateral septocutaneous superior gluteal artery perforator flap for autologous breast reconstruction

Microsurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 339-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel N. Rad ◽  
Jaime I. Flores ◽  
Roni B. Prucz ◽  
Sahael M. Stapleton ◽  
Gedge D. Rosson
Keyword(s):  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Clinical Experience ◽  
Perforator Flap ◽  
Autologous Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Superior Gluteal Artery ◽  
Artery Perforator

scholarly journals The Fleur-de-PAP Flap for Bilateral Breast Reconstruction

2016 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. e1-e3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Saussy ◽  
Mark Stalder ◽  
Stephen Delatte ◽  
Robert Allen ◽  
Hugo St Hilaire
Keyword(s):  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Female Patient ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Perforator Flap ◽  
Autologous Reconstruction ◽  
Autologous Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Posterior Thigh ◽  
Single Donor ◽  
Ptotic Breasts ◽  
Artery Perforator

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document