Analysis of satisfaction and quality of life of 54 patients after breast reconstruction: a retrospective study / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#This is a study to evaluate complication rate, satisfaction and quality of life after breast reconstruction under different classifications. The classification criteria are the timing of operation, surgical procedures, and patients′age.@*Methods@#By reviewing the surgical cases from August 2004 to June 2018, the authors summarized the data of 102 patients with breast reconstruction of the same surgeon in Peking University People′s Hospital and Plastic Surgery Hospital (Institute) CAMS PUMC. Fifty-four patients who met the inclusion criteria and completed the BREAST-Q breast reconstruction module scale, were divided into immediate group or delayed group, according to the timing of operation; divided into abdomen group or other procedures group, according to the surgical procedure; and divided into the young patients′group or senior patients′group according to age. The index were (1) postoperative complication rate, (2)satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial well-being, physical well-being of chest and abdomen, sexual well-being, satisfaction with outcome, satisfaction with information, satisfaction with care (based on the BREAST-Q scale).@*Results@#Complication rate was 9.1%(1/11) in the immediate group, 16.3%(7/43) in the delayed group, 14.7%(5/34) in the abdomen group, 15.0%(3/20) in other procedures group, 13.6%(3/22) in the young patients′group, and 15.6%(5/32) in the senior patients′group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications (P>0.05). The postoperative scores of satisfaction with breasts, psychological well-being and sexual well-being were significantly higher in the immediate group than in the delayed group(P=0.026, P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). The score of postoperative physical well-being of chest was significantly higher in the abdomen group than other procedures group(P=0.020). The score physical well-being of abdomen was lower compared with the preoperative in the abdomen group (P<0.001). The score of physical well-being of abdomen was lower in the senior patients′group than that of the young patients′group (P=0.010).@*Conclusions@#The complication incidence of breast reconstruction patients was similar among different groups. The breast reconstruction surgery can significantly improve satisfaction and quality of life of patients. To some extent, immediate breast reconstruction can reduce the psychological and physiological effects of breast loss on patients, leading to higher postoperative satisfaction. Breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps can provide patients with better chest health but poor abdomen health. Although elderly patients undergoing breast reconstruction will have poor physical well-being of abdomen, they can still achieve higher satisfaction of operation.

Quality of life and effects of breast reconstruction in patients with breast deficiency: a cross-sectional study / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the satisfaction and well-being of Chinese women with breast deficiency, and to analyze the relevant influencing factors.@*Methods@#A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-designed questionnaire to investigate the women with breast deficiency, visiting the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from November 2013 to August 2018. The BREAST-Q BR (breast reconstruction) pre-operation and post-operation modules were used to assess the quality of life.@*Results@#A total of 139 effective questionnaires were collected, including 83 patients before BR surgery and 56 post. There was no difference in quality of life in different ages, marital status, education levels, working status, and causes of breast deficiency. Mean scores of satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial well-being and sexual well-being of patients after breast reconstruction were significantly higher than those of patients without reconstruction (P=0.000), but there was no statistical difference in physical well-being-chest score. The physical well-being abdomen scores of patients with abdominal flap reconstruction was lower than that of the patients without reconstruction (P=0.007). With regard to analysis of specific items, compared with preoperative patients, patients with abdominal flap reconstruction reported lower scores in the items related to abdominal muscle weakness (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#The breast deficiency resulting from Poland syndrome, breast cancer and other causes, can lead to a significant decrease in quality of life. Breast reconstruction can improve satisfaction with breast, psychosocial and sexual well-being in women with breast deficiency. The abdomen well-being of patients with abdominal flap reconstruction is decreased. Therefore, more attention should be paid to retain abdominal muscles to maintain abdominal shape and motor function during operation.

Factors of fat necrosis after breast reconstruction with autologous fat graft / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To investigate the related factors of fat necrosis nodules after autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction.Methods Different methods of purification,number of operations,and history of breast radiation were analyzed.The relationship between fat graft and necrosis were compared.A total of 48 patients undergoing autologous transplantation for breast reconstruction after radical mastectomy between January 2015 and June 2017 in Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed,and 51 breasts were used.Results After surgery,9 cases of palpable nodules were found in the breast,including 8 cases in the centrifuge group and 1 case in the sedimentation group.There were 20 cases of multiple hypoechoic nodules in breast ultrasound,including 13 cases in the centrifugation group and 7 cases in the sedimentation group.The incidence of breast nodules in the centrifuge group was 33.33％,and the incidence of fat liquefaction cysts was 54.17％;the incidence of breast nodules in the sedimentation group was 3.7％,and the incidence of fat liquefaction cysts was 25.93％.In this study,there were 4 cases of breast fat filling surgery,18 cases of fat graft for 2 times,23 cases of breast fat filling for 3 times,and 6 cases of fat filling for 4 times;the more time of fat graft surgery,the higher of the fat necrosis incidence.There were 21 cases of breasts with radiotherapy history,30 cases of breast without radiotherapy history,7 cases of nodules after autologous fat transplantation and breast reconstruction in radiotherapy group,2 cases of nodules that could be touched after autologous fat transplantation without breast reconstruction,and 2 cases with radio therapy.The incidence of fat necrosis after fat transplantation breast reconstruction was higher than those without radiotherapy.Conclusions The incidence of fat necrosis after fat-purified with centrifugation autologous grafting for breast reconstruction is higher than that by sedimentation method.The higher rate of fat necrosis is observed after breast reconstruction with autologous fat grafting in radiotherapy than that without radiotherapy.

Recent advances on the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema / 中华整形外科杂志

Breast cancer-related lymphedema is a chronic, progressive disease that occurs following axillary lymph node dissection. Treatment includes nonsurgical, surgical and biological engineering strategies. Conservative method are mainly used for prevention and in cases of subclinical lymphedema. Surgical options can be divided into two categories: reductive surgery and physiologic surgery. Biological engineering strategies use tissue engineering, stem cells and growth factors to automatically restore the lymphatic vessels. All the aforementioned techniques are not curative and, consequently, further research is imperative to establish a better regiman in management of lymphedema.

A prospective study of scars after breast implantation with different incisions / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To compare the scar condition after breast implantation with axillary, periareolar and inframammary fold (IMF) incisions.@*Methods@#The consecutive patients who were diagnosed as breast hypoplasia and underwent breast implantation surgeries between May 2012 to December 2014 were included in the research. The scars were assessed at 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery with VSS and patient satisfaction scoring. The results were analyzed with Variance and Kruskal-Wallis test based on the data type.@*Results@#The scars of 173 patients were assessed 3 times with the follow-up rate being 82.4%. The VSS scores of every incision declined with time, and the patient satisfaction scores increased gradually. At one month after surgery, the media VSS scores were 6 in axillary group and 4 in periareolar and IMF groups, the differences had statistical significance (P<0.05). The media scores of patients satisfaction were 8 in periareolar group and 7 in axillary and IMF groups. The scores of periareola group were higher than those of axillary with statistical significance(P<0.05). When 6 months after surgery, the media VSS scores were 4 in axillary group and 3 in periareolar and IMF groups. The scores of axillary group were higher than those of IMF with statistical significance(P<0.05). The media scores of patients satisfaction were 8 in 3 groups. When 12 months after surgery, the media VSS scores were 0.5 and 1 in periareolar group (left and right respectively), and 2 in axillary and IMF groups. The media scores of patients satisfaction were 9 in 3 groups. No differences were found in VSS and patients satisfaction scores among three kinds of incisions (P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#The scars of three incisions achieved similar cosmetic effects and patient satisfaction at long-time follow-up.

Breast reconstruction with external tissue expansion-assisted autologous fat grafting / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the application and therapeutic effect of external tissue expansion-assisted autologous fat grafting for delayed breast reconstruction.@*Methods@#Patients began wearing the BRAVA negative pressure system 8 hours a day for recipient tissue expansion for one month before the fat grafting procedure. After fat grafting, BRAVA was recommended to be worn 8 hours a day from postoperative 48 hours to one month. The interval of each fat grafting procedure was 2.5 to 3.0 months. The procedures were repeated until the completion of breast reconstruction. Water-jet assisted liposuction and subcutaneous release of scars were also performed during surgery.@*Results@#From January 2013 to November 2016, 29 patients were followed up for 12 to 58 months, with average of 31.6 months. 28 patients completed the external tissue expansion-assisted autologous fat grafting breast reconstruction. Completion required 1 to 6 procedures, with average of 3.4 procedures. The total initial fat fill volume for each breast was ranged from 200 to 1 000 ml, with average of 583.7 ml. The initial fat fill volume for each breast was ranged from 92.5 to 243.7 ml per operation, with average of 173.8 ml. One patient underwent latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap breast reconstruction after 3 fat grafting procedures. 8 patients completed the inframammary fold reconstruction, 3 patients underwent breast lift, 1 patient underwent lipofilling augmentation for the contralateral side. Postoperative satisfaction rate was 82.8% in patients and 75.9% in surgeon. Complication statistics: 5 cases of palpable nodules which recognized as fat necrosis (17.2%), one case of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (3.4%) and one case of locoregional cancer recurrence (3.4%).@*Conclusions@#External tissue expansion-assisted autologous fat grafting is a minimally invasive procedure for breast reconstruction. Satisfactory results could be obtained for most of the patients who would like to choose fat grafting and have enough fat deposit in other parts of the body.

A survey of patients' preferences for incision locations of breast augmentation surgery / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To investigate Chinese patients' preferences for different types of incisions for breast augmentation surgeries and to evaluate the impacts of preoperative education on patients' choices.Methods The 403 patients who underwent implantation surgeries during May 2012 to Dec.2016 were included in the survey.These patients were investigated with questionnaires before and after receiving preoperative education in order to ascertain their preferences and concerns based on comprehensive understanding of different types of incisions.Results After receiving the preoperative education on incisions,158 (39.21％) patients changed their initial choices.The number of patients who chose axillary or periareolar approaches decreased to 205 (50.87％) and 31 (7.69％) respectively,while the number of patients who chose IMF incisions increased to 167 (41.44 ％).The majority of patients who chose the axillary of periareola incisions cited easily-hidden scars as their primary selection criterion (81.95 ％ and 93.55 ％,respectively).However,the patients who opted for IMF incisions primarily concerned about the lower capsular contracture rate (31.74 ％),less tissue trauma (22.75 ％)and lower possibility of injury to the breast parenchyma (21.56 ％).Conclusions The preoperative education materials help the Chinese patients fully understand the characteristics of different types of incision locations and make proper decisions.

Refinement of dog-ear deformity following autologous flap breast reconstruction by liposuction / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To investigate the application of liposuction in refining the dog-ear deformity following autologous flap breast reconstruction.Methods Between May 2012 and September 2016,16 patients with dog-ear deformity in the donor site following autologous flap breast reconstruction were treated with liposuction.All the patients were female with an average age of 40.6 years (range,32-47 years).After the operational compression garment was used for at least one month.Regular follow-up was performed after the above operation.Results The follow-up period lasted for 6 to 8 months.The dog-ear deformity was restored to normal appearance.All cases achieved satisfactory results without complications such as local depression,infection,skin necrosis etc.Conclusions For some of the dog-ear deformity following autologous flap breast reconstruction,liposuction is a good and simple method without adjuvant incisions.

Clinical efficacy of delayed tissue expanding breast reconstruction with implants / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To present the clinical effect of the delayed tissue expanding breast reconstruction with implants.Methods For those who received breast tumor surgeries,round-shaped expander was implanted for increasing skin coverage and silicone implant was used for breast reconstruction after several months' expanding.Results 15 relevant cases were included in this study with an average of 5.1 months expanding period.Only one patient received reoperation for capsular contracture and there was no complication in the other cases.Conclusions Delayed tissue expanding breast reconstruction with implants,with a wide indication,is an ideal reconstructive method which can reduce the interference of tumor recurrence and radiotherapy and avoid the trauma of donor site and the patch-like appearance of breast.

Transaxillary high level dual plane breast augmentation assisted with free style endoscopic technique / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the safety, reliability and effectiveness of "free style endoscopic technique" assisted transaxillary high level dual plane breast augmentation; To explore endoscopic techniques that can achieve higher efficiency and better result ; To discover a safe and effective method for dual plane dissection with the help of endoscopy.@*Methods@#Using new endoscopic techniques to perform transaxillary dual plane breast augmentation: ① High level dual plane technique, the muscle division line is about 1.5 cm higher than the original inferior mammary fold, the cephalic side of the muscle is retracted to the lower border of the areola with a special retractor to form a high level dual plane cavity, thus the upper and lower portion of the implant would be covered by pectorilis major muscle, while the rest of the implant was partially under breast parenchyma. ② "Free style endoscopic techniques" , the endoscopy and retractor are not fixed to each other, thus the space is exposed by an assistant with a new designed special retractor, while the operator is concentrate on dissecting with endoscopy in one hand and long tipped bowie in the other hand. ③ Accurate navigate technique, define the dissection border by acupuncture via skin in a 90 degree angle, thus to make the dissection right as preoperative design.@*Results@#There were 1 106 cases underwent this kind of surgery, while 405 of them, whose minimum follow up were 12 months were included in this retrospective study. The follow up period ranged from 12-60 months, the average follow up period is 24.3 months. The average operation time is (1.47 ±0.46) h, the average drainage removal time is (4.23±0.51) d after surgery. The perioperative complication rate is 0.99%, including an incision site change caused by intraoperative bleeding, 1 case of pneumothorax, 2 cases of bleeding after surgery. Long period complication including: 6 cases (1.48%) Ⅲ grade capsular contracture, 21 cases (5.20%) of nipple-areola sensation disorders, implant palpable occurred in 14 case (3.46%), 3 cases (0.74%) implant malposition, 2 cases (0.49%) implant distortion, the total reoperation rate is 2.47%. There was no infection, hematoma, seroma, curtain deformity, double bubble deformity occurred in our study.@*Conclusions@#The high level dual plane techniques not only can solve the deficient soft tissue coverage problem thus to lower the rate of implant palpability, but also can relieve the relationship of the pectorilis major muscle and the inframammary fold(IMF), offering an option to replace Ⅱ and Ⅲ type of dual plane techniques, decrease the risk of curtain deformity and double bubble deformity. The free style endoscopic techniques are very flexible and efficient, with the help of accurate navigate technique, it can archive an accurate cavity dissection, accurate and definite IMF, and a lower complication rate. Though the learning curve is relatively longer, it is really a safe and effective breast augmentation method worthwhile to learn and spread.

Clinical validation of necessity for deepithelialization in mastopexy / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To evaluate the implication and necessity of deepithelialization in mastopexy.Methods A total of 124 patients with mastoptosis were randomly divided into 2 groups:group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ,62 cases each.A double-circle incision technique was used for all the patients.In group Ⅰ,full thickness skin around nipple-areola was resected.While in group Ⅱ,deepithelialization was performed and the peri nipple-areola dermis was preserved.Results The average full skin resection time was 4.5 minute per side in group Ⅰ and the skin deepithelialization time was 15.8 minute per side in group Ⅱ.Postoperative follow-up was carried out for all the 124 patients with duration of 2 weeks to 4 years.In group Ⅱ,sebaceous cysts,epidermal inclusion cyst and suture knot exclusion were found at the incision site in 8 patients (12.9 ％) at 3 weeks to 1.5 years after operation.Conclusions The blood supply to the nipple-areola complex is not affected by full-thickness skin removal during mastopexy,while the incidence of complication at the incision site decreases significantly.We conclude that deepithelialization has not much clinical significance in mastopexy.

Clinical efficacy of the treatment of inverted nipple with retractor / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To observe the surgical effect of nipple retractor to inverted nipples.Methods Between January 2001 and January 2014,this nipple retractor to inverted nipples was used to correct 604 inverted nipples of 322 patients.The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 24 months.The clinical results and complications were evaluated.Results Excellent nipple morphology and patient satisfaction were achieved in 211 cases (93.8 ％),basically normal nipple morphology and patient satisfaction were achieved in 12 cases (5.3％),and recurrent nipple inversion occurred in three cases (1.3％).The latter three patients had experienced failed open correction for their inverted nipples,and some degree of nipple inversion occurred after removal of the frame.In this study,28 patients (12.4 ％) experienced successful pregnancy and breast-feeding.No loss of nipple sensation occurred in 225 cases.Nipple erection was observed after stimulation in 215 cases (95.6％).Conclusions The described technique is minimally invasive,simple,safe,and reliable.Satisfying aesthetic results can be achieved without destroying breast feeding function and nipple sensation.

Percentage volume maintenance in autologous fat graft breast augmentation / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To analyze factors of volume maintenance percentage after autologous fat grafting breast augmentation.Methods From March 2011 to December 2014,39 patients were included.Age,BMI,donor site,breast preoperative volume,whether or not application of Brava and water-jet-assisted liposuction were collected as variables.We performed multivariate regression and univariate regression analyses in a general linear regression model and multilevel linear regression model to identify significant factors.Results The mean percentage of volume maintenance was (34± 12) ％.In univariate regression analysis,rate of volume maintenace was decreased 3.3％ as increase of age per 5 years;Brava application increased volume maintenace,compared with donor sites of the back and abdomen 8.4％ (40.7％ vs 32.3％,P＜0.05),application of leg fat increased by 9.6％ of volume maintenace (39.1％ vs 29.5％,P＜0.05).In the multivariate regression analysis,Brava use increased volume maintenance of 6.2％ (P＜0.05);use of leg fat increased by 6.0 ％ of volume maintenace as compared with donor sites of the back and abdomen (P＜0.05).Conclusions The age,Brava,and donor site are significant impact factors to percentage volume maintenance in autologous fat graft breast augmentation.

Correction of regional defects in the breast with acellular allogeneic dermis after removal of polyacrylamide hydrogel / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective When implantation of a prosthesis is performed for patients with a local defect of the breast after the removal of polyacrylamide hydrogel,incomplete coverage of the surface of the prosthesis occurs in these cases.The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of acellular allogeneic dermis in the repair of defects after prosthesis implantation.Methods Breast prosthesis implantation together with acellular allogeneic dermis repair was performed in 46 cases.Acellular allogeneic dermis was applied to cover the surface of the prosthesis,and interrupted suture was used between the margin of the dermis and the incisional margin of the gland,while appropriate tension was maintained.Results There were no complications occurred postoperatively.Correction of local depression in the breast was excellent in all cases.Histological examination showed the implanted acellular allogeneic dermis was integrated into the peripheral tissue.Conclusions Acellular allogeneic dermis can be used for repairing breast and muscle defects,in order to cover the prosthesis.Although it cannot significantly increase the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue,it can maintain the integrity of the peripheral tension around the prosthesis.In this way,it can avoid bulging of the prosthesis caused by a sudden reduction of local tension.Moreover,donor site injury is avoided.Acellular allogeneic dermis is an effective method for the repair of local breast defects.

Hemodynamic effect of different kinds of venous augmentation in a pig transmidline flap model of DIEP flap.

BACKGROUND: Venous augmentation enhances the viability of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. We compared the efficacy of three venous superdrainage procedures on survival area and hemodynamics of the DIEP flap model. METHODS: In 24 castrated Yorkshire pigs, a true abdominal perforator-based flap was created based on four perforators arising from the deep superior epigastric vessels. Three remaining venous tracts were alternated to represent different venous augmentations of the DIEP flap. Analyzed were flap perfusion, venous blood pressure, and venous blood gas. In control animals, all three supplemental veins were ligated; the ipsilateral superficial superior epigastric vein (SSEV) was retained in the IS (ipsilateral SSZV augmented) group, the contralateral SSEV in the CS (contralateral SSZV augmented) group and the contralateral deep superior epigastric vein (DSEV) in the CD (contralateral DSZV augmented) group. The flap was then returned to its bed, and animals sacrificed on the seventh day postoperatively. DIEP flap survival was then recorded. RESULTS: All four intraoperative parameters showed improved perfusion of the distal flap area under distal venous augmentation. Efficacy was CDSEV > CSSEV > ISSEV > none. Skin islands of the CD and CS groups survived completely. In the IS and control groups, 96.33 ± 3.16% and 84.00 ± 7.55% of skin islands survived, respectively. Test groups were statistically significantly different from the control group but not from each other. CONCLUSIONS: Venous superdrainage effectively enhances DIEP flap survival. Benefit was relatively the same for all procedures. An additional venous route should be preserved with large or multiterritory flaps to improve venous congestion.

Autologous fat transfer augmentation using external tissue expansion / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To observe the clinical effects of autologous fat injection augmentation with external tissue expander.Methods 26 cases wore the Brava device,a bra-like vacuum-based external tissue expander for 4 weeks before autologous fat injection augmentation.Patients resumed Brava wear for 14 more days after fat injection.Results 26 women had a mean augmentation volume at 3 months of 76 ml per breast after single fat injection.Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 12 months.There were no complications such as nodules,masses,or cysts occurred.Patient satisfaction was as sessed:25 cases (95.6 ％) were satisfied with the cosmetic results.Conclusions The addition of Brava expansion before autologous fat grafting leads to significantly larger breast augmentations,with more fat graft placement,higher graft survival rates,and minimal graft necrosis or complications,demonstrating high safety and efficacy for the procedure.

Transmidline abdominal skin flap model in pig: refinements and advancements.

Abdominal flaps have recently gained considerable popularity in breast reconstruction, and their importance and advantages have been widely accepted. Given the unreliability of the distal parts in these flaps and the advancement of microsurgery, many modifications and improvements have been made. To get a better understanding of these flaps, researchers have encouraged the search for a suitable flap model. The purpose of this study was to clarify the anatomical and physiological features of the transmidline abdominal flap model in pig. We included 16 white female Yorkshire pigs in this study. In six pigs, the vascular anatomy of the abdominal region was studied by multidetector row computed tomographic angiography and anatomic dissection. In the remaining 10 pigs, three kinds of transmidline abdominal flap models were established. The pigs were scanned on the abdominal flap to evaluate the perfusion zones after the true abdominal transmidline flap was created, and then they were sacrificed to determine the flap survival area 7 days after surgery. The results of the study were as follows. (1) The pig's deep inferior epigastric vessels were smaller than deep superior epigastric vessels both in length and diameters. (2) The deep superior epigastric artery always bifurcates into two groups; each group gives off five or six branches. (3) The superficial superior epigastric veins were present, while the superficial epigastric arteries were absent in all the animals included. (4) The linea alba abdominis was tough and lack of vascular structures. The average perfusion units were 197.0 ± 24.2, 103.2 ± 36.4, 138.8 ± 25.4, and 30.2 ± 11.8 from zone I to zone IV. All the flaps underwent partial necrosis. The flap survival area percentage was 85.9 ± 4.1%. The transmidline abdominal skin flap in pig is a reliable and true abdominal flap model for future physiological studies, especially the circulatory dynamics in transmidline abdominal flaps.

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy: a preoperative evaluation system / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To establish a preoperative evaluation system for breast reconstruction,and to simplify the selection of surgical methods for breast reconstruction in a standard way.Methods We investigated respectively 192 successful cases that underwent breast reconstruction from July 2003 to July 2009.The factors influencing selection of methods for breast reconstruction were studied.The results presented in more than 50 ％ were collected.Results A special table of the preoperative evaluation system for breast reconstruction was established by analyzing statistical results. Conclusions The selection of methods for breast reconstruction is simplified according to this preoperative evaluation system.

The value of multidetector-row CT angiography for pre-operative planning of breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric arterial perforator flaps.

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap has recently become the first option for breast reconstruction. However, the anatomy of the deep inferior epigastric artery varies greatly from one individual to another and even from one hemiabdomen to the other. An optimal pre-operative evaluation method that adequately maps the underlying vasculature has been lacking. The advent of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) angiography has proven highly accurate at detailing the vasculature, but no reports have documented its value during pre-operative planning. From December 2006 to May 2008, 22 consecutive patients who underwent MDCT angiography before breast reconstruction using DIEP flaps were selected as the test group, and 22 former patients who did not undergo MDCT before the same procedure were selected as the control group. The two groups were evaluated for the ratio of pre-operative redesign, intra-operative method changes, time spent on flap harvest and the ratio of flap-associated complications. The pre-operative redesign ratio was 22.7% in the test group and 0% in the control group. The intra-operative method change ratio was 0% in the test group and 13.6% in the control group. The mean time spent on flap harvest was 2.8 +/- 0.2 h in the test group and 4.4 +/- 0.2 h in the control group (p<0.05). The flap complication rate was 1/22 in the test group and 3/22 in the control group (p _ 0.04). In conclusion, use of MDCT angiography during pre-operative planning promotes a significant reduction in operating time and complication rate.