Strategy of breast reconstruction for patients with caesarotomy scar using pedicled TRAM flap / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To investigate the availability and strategy of breast reconstruction for patients with caesarotomy scar using pedicled TRAM flap.Methods From January 2007 to May 2011,12 cases of breast reconstruction with caesarotomy scar were carried out with pedicled TRAM flaps.All the patients that were classified as the class Ⅱ that was 0.5 or less by score were operated on by using the inverted trapezoid incision,of which the upper edge was 2 or 3 cm down to the umbilicus.Double pedicles were adopted for the patient with the longest vertical scar; single pedicle of the breast contralateral side and the muscle sheath of the breast ipsilateral side were harvested for the rest of the patients.A synthetic mesh was used for the enforcement of the muscle and sheath defect.Results No flap necrosis or abdominal complications were observed.With the follow-up from 3 months to 4 years and 4 months,the overall satisfactory rate was 100 ％.Conclusions The strict patient selection and the operating strategy are the keys to the successful breast reconstruction for patients with caesarotomy scar using pedicled TRAM flap.

The Outcome of Radiation Therapy after Immediate Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Breast Reconstruction

PURPOSE: The safety of radiation therapy after breast reconstruction using transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap is still being debated, and few studies exist on the outcome of irradiation after immediate TRAM breast reconstruction. Some authors presented satisfactory outcomes after adjuvant radiation therapy on reconstructed breast with pedicled TRAM flap, while others reported significant post radiation changes of the flap. Effect of radiation therapy on TRAM flap was evaluated to see whether adjuvant radiation therapy was tolerable. METHODS: 1000 immediate TRAM breast reconstruction was done by a single surgeon from July, 2001 to December, 2009. Among them 105 patients required adjuvant radiation therapy because of advanced disease or locoregional recurrence. Fat necrosis, radiation fibrosis, mastectomy skin flap necrosis, need for secondary touch up procedures, patient satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: The incidence of fat necrosis was 10.5% and significant radiation fibrosis occurred in only one patient. Delayed wound problem did not occur during or after irradiation. Secondary touch-up procedures were performed in 12.3%, the most common being fat graft(8.6%). Average patient satisfaction score was 8.62/10, which was not significantly different from the authors' previous report involving all the TRAM patients(8.50). CONCLUSION: Radiation therapy did not increase the complication rate significantly. Aesthetic result was affected but was tolerated in most cases. The fear of adjuvant radiation is not a negative factor in selecting immediate breast reconstruction with TRAM flap.

Correlation of Breast Tissue Density and Body Mass Index

PURPOSE: In performing breast reconstruction, making symmetrical breast is still a challenge. A precise estimate of the volume of the breast specimen is necessary to reconstruct a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing breast. This study aims at finding out the relationship with breast tissue density and body mass index designed to apply for breast reconstruction. METHODS: By using the Archimedes' principle, the authors calculated the volume of the breast specimen and drew a correlation between the density of breast specimen and BMI. From October 2002 to November 2004, this method was used on 197 patients to predict breast volume for TRAM flap reconstruction. RESULTS: The mean density was 0.9954g/cc and had no correlation with BMI (p-value=0.069). There was no difference between denstiy of breast tissue after skin spared mastectomy and that of breast tissue after nipple spared mastectomy. CONCLUSION: These data will be helpful to predict the needed volume for breast reconstruction.

Simplified Insetting Strategy in Pedicled TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction

Various method of insetting the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for breast reconstruction has been reported in literature. The Bostwick's principle is commonly applied, which utilizes contralateral pedicle in a vertical or oblique flap inset position and ipsilateral pedicle in the transverse position. But it is relatively a complex and difficult technique, thus requires a more simplified strategy. We have formulated a new insetting method, in which the contralateral pedicled TRAM flap with an oblique(0 degree - 90 degrees) flap inset was carried out. We used this method in 100 cases from July 2001 to June 2003. This maneuver places Hartrampf's zones I and III with good vascularity in the medial side, and zone II in lateral side of breast. Fat necrosis was observed in 14 patients(14%) and of these, only three cases needed surgical excision. This simplified method is easy to learn. Specifically, fat necrosis removal is easy with more tolerable aesthetic results, especially in Asian patients with smaller breasts.