ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction with pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap can result in significant abdominal wall donor-site morbidity. We present our technique of transversely dividing the anterior fascia and rectus abdominis combined with reinforcement above the arcuate line for closure of the anterior abdominal wall defect to prevent contour deformities performed by a single senior surgeon and compare these results with those of our prior series. METHODS: We described our new technique of closure of the abdominal wall defect and retrospectively performed the comparison between the results of pedicled TRAM flaps using the new closure technique and those of 420 pedicled TRAM flaps from our 2003 publication in terms of abdominal bulging and hernia. RESULTS: Sixty-seven pedicled TRAM flaps in 65 patients were compared with 420 pedicled TRAM flaps of the 2003 series. The new technique was associated with 5 partial TRAM flap necroses (8%). There was no total flap loss with the new technique. The median follow-up period was 13 months (range, 4-36 months). There were no instances of abdominal hernia and bulge during follow-up in the new series. Compared with the previous 2003 series, the new technique was superior in terms of occurrence of abdominal wall hernia or bulging. CONCLUSIONS: We are still performing pedicled TRAM flap for autologous breast reconstruction. Using the technique of transversely dividing the anterior fascia and rectus abdominis combined with reinforcement above the arcuate line can reduce the occurrence of abdominal bulging and hernia.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Lipofilling is widely used in breast reconstruction after mastectomy with reconstruction or breast conserving surgery in patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study is focused on complications associated with lipofilling in elderly breast cancer patients with breast defects after breast conserving surgery or reconstruction. METHODS: A total of 137 patients older than 60 years who underwent 153 lipofilling procedures were included. All patients had undergone breast lipofilling using Coleman's technique. Estimated breast defect volume, lipofilling volume, and complications after lipofilling were obtained for analysis. RESULTS: Most patients (67%) had only 1 lipofilling procedure. The median lipofilling volume to breast defect volume ratio was 1.5. No severe complications were found after treatment. Liponecrosis was detected in 10 of 153 breasts (7%) or 9 of 137 patients within 2 weeks after lipofilling and required surgical drainage in 2. No local recurrences were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of liponecrosis after lipofilling in elderly patients was relatively high, requiring surgical drainage in some cases. As a rough guide, the lipofilling volume should not exceed 1.5 times the defect volume, and close postoperative follow-up within the first 2 weeks is suggested for these patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) can be performed for prophylactic mastectomy and the treatment of selected breast cancer with oncologic safety. The risk of skin and nipple necrosis is a frequent complication of NSM procedure, and it is usually related to surgical technique. However, the role of the breast morphology should be also investigated. METHOD: We prospectively performed an analysis of 124 NSM from September 2012 to January 2013 at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, focusing on necrotic complications. We analyzed the association between the risks of skin necrosis and the breast morphology of the patients. RESULTS: Among 124 NSM in 113 patients, NSM procedures were associated with necrosis in 22 mastectomies (17.7%) among which included partial necrosis of nipple-areolar complex (NAC) in 15 of 124 NSM (12.1%) and total necrosis in 4 cases (3.5%). The NAC was removed in 5 NSM cases (4%). The volume of breast removed was the only significant factor increasing the risk of skin necrosis. The degree of ptosis was not significantly related to the necrosis risk. CONCLUSIONS: Large glandular specimen increases the risk of NAC necrosis. The degree of ptosis and the distance between the sternal notch and the NAC have no significant impact on necrotic complications in NSM. To reduce the necrotic complications in large breast after NSM, reconstruction should better be performed with autologous flap or slow skin expansion using the expander technique.
ABSTRACT
SUMMARY: Secondary correction of nipple areola complex (NAC) malposition represents a major concern after breast reconstructive procedures. It is frequently requested by patients complaining about asymmetric areolas impairing the whole reconstructive procedure and asking for improved cosmetic outcomes. Several methods have been described to achieve a good symmetry between the 2 areolas, either natural or reconstructed. We describe our correction technique with free NAC graft. A total of 16 patients were treated with free NAC grafts between April 2010 and April 2013 at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. This series focused on the surgical technique and its postoperative outcomes. Three cases of partial graft loss (18%) were observed in the postoperative period. No total NAC necrosis occurred. No infection was observed. All the complications were managed with a conservative treatment, not requiring any further surgery. NAC malposition following breast reconstructive procedures can be corrected using the technique of free NAC graft with reliable and satisfactory results.
