Reconstrucción mamaria con colgajo TRAM pediculado / Breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flap

The pedicle transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap (TRAM) is widely used for breast reconstruction, however is not exempt from complications. Between 2004 and 2010 the authors performed breast reconstruction after total mastectomy in 52 patients with pedicled TRAM flaps. Purpose: To describe the demography, outcomes and complications in patients operated for breast cancer and reconstructed with TRAM flap. To assess the influence of smoking, the laterality and timing of reconstruction. Material and Method: Retrospective, observational and comparative. We reviewed the medical records of 52 patients operated by the authors between 2004 and 2010. Four cases were excluded due to incomplete data. Results: In the 48 patients studied were 50 TRAM flaps. The most frequent comorbidity was smoking (27 percent). Regarding the timing of reconstruction, 74 percent (37) was performed immediately post-mastectomy and 26 percent (13) was deferred. Was used by 78 percent (39) ipsilateral TRAM, 18 percent (9) contralateral and 4 percent (2) bilateral. Only minor complications were observed and the cosmetic result evaluated by the surgeon's satisfaction was very good or excellent in 62 percent (31). Smoking, timing of reconstruction and laterality did not affect in complications or cosmetic outcome (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The pedicled TRAM flap is an excellent alternative for reconstruction in breast cancer patients. It is not exempt from complications, with a tendency to get better cosmetic results in the non-smoker group.

El colgajo de recto abdominal con isla transversal de piel infraumbilical (TRAM) pediculado es ampliamente utilizado para la reconstrucción mamaria, sin embargo, no está exento de complicaciones. Entre los años 2004 y 2010 los autores realizaron reconstrucción mamaria post-mastectomía total en 52 pacientes con colgajos TRAM pediculados. Objetivo: Describir la demografía, resultados y complicaciones de las pacientes operadas por cáncer de mama y reconstruidas con colgajo TRAM. Evaluar la influencia del tabaquismo, la lateralidad y el momento de la reconstrucción en dichos resultados. Material y Método: Diseño retrospectivo, observacional y comparativo. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de las 52 pacientes operadas por los autores entre los años 2004-2010. Se excluyeron 4 casos por datos incompletos. Resultados: En las 48 pacientes estudiadas se realizaron 50 colgajos TRAM. La comorbilidad más frecuente fue el tabaquismo (27 por ciento). La reconstrucción se realizó en un 74 por ciento (37) de manera inmediata postmastectomía y en un 26 por ciento (13) fue diferido. Se utilizó en un 78 por ciento (39) TRAM ipsilateral, 18 por ciento (9) contralateral y 4 por ciento (2) bilateral. Sólo se observaron complicaciones menores; el resultado estético evaluado por la satisfacción del cirujano fue muy bueno o excelente en un 62 por ciento (31). El tabaquismo, momento de la reconstrucción y la lateralidad no influyeron en las complicaciones ni en el resultado estético (p > 0,05). Conclusiones: El colgajo TRAM pediculado es una excelente alternativa de reconstrucción en pacientes mastectomizadas. No está exento de complicaciones, con una tendencia a obtener mejores resultados estéticos en el grupo no fumador.

Comparación de los efectos de la radioterapia sobre los resultados estéticos y complicaciones en reconstrucciones mamarias inmediatas versus diferidas con TRAM pediculado / Comparison of the effects of radiotherapy on the aesthetic results and complications in immediate versus delayed breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM

Negative effect of post-mastectomy radiotherapy in transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction remains unclear. The immediate post-mastectomy TRAM has shown better cosmetic results than delayed reconstruction, making it necessary to define the effects of radiation on this type of reconstruction. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of radiotherapy on immediate and delayed reconstruction with TRAM, analyzing aesthetic results and complications. We reviewed medical records of 23 patients undergoing mastectomy with TRAM reconstruction and radiation therapy between 2004-2009, distributed in those undergoing immediate reconstruction (n=12) and delayed post-radiotherapy (n=11). Cosmetic results and complications were compared between the groups. There were no differences in age, prevalence of comorbidities or clinical stage. Regarding the aesthetic result of immediate TRAM, 50 percent were classified as excellent, 20 percent very well, 20 percent good and 10 percent regular, while in delayed reconstructions, 64 percent was excellent, 18 percent very good and 18 percent good, no differences between both groups (p=0.51). There were no differences in local complications. Although the study population is insufficient to draw conclusions comparable, our results are comparable to those of other studies showing no deleterious effect of radiotherapy on immediate TRAM reconstructions. Additional studies are needed to recommend the treatment of choice.