Abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction in the severely obese population: Is it safe?

INTRODUCTION: Class 3 (severe) obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 kg/m2 . Obesity is common and an independent risk factor for breast cancer. The plastic surgeon will be tasked with providing reconstruction for obese patients after mastectomy. This presents a surgical dilemma because patients with elevated BMI are known to have greater rates of morbidity when undergoing free flap reconstruction, however free flap reconstruction is associated with greater functional and aesthetic outcomes. This study quantifies complication rates in a cohort of patients with class 3 obesity that underwent abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction. This study may be able answer whether this surgery is feasible or safe. METHODS: Patients with a class 3 obesity who underwent abdominally-based free flap breast reconstruction between January 1, 2011 and February 28, 2020 at the authors' institution were identified. A retrospective chart review was performed to record patient demographics and peri-operative data. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients met inclusion criteria. Eighty percent of patients had at least one minor complication including infection (42%), fat necrosis (31%), seroma (15%), abdominal bulge (8%), and hernia (8%). Thirty-eight percent of patients had at least one major complication (requiring readmission (23%) and/or a return to the operating room (38%)). No flaps failed. CONCLUSION: Abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction in patients with class 3 obesity is associated with great morbidity, however, no patients experienced flap loss or failure which may imply that this population can safely undergo surgery so long as the surgeon is prepared for complications and takes steps to mitigate risk.

Quality of Life Issues Following Breast Cancer Treatment.

Breast surgeons are trained in diagnostic modalities, treatment effectiveness, patient safety, and operative techniques, with emphasis on "the right treatment at the right time for the right patient." But delivering quality breast cancer care means more than achieving good outcomes. Physicians have routinely measured disease-free survival and overall survival to determine success in treating breast cancer. Patients are demanding attention to "quality of life" outcomes as well. As clinicians caring for patients with breast cancer, our focus must shift from early detection to survivorship to re-evaluate our own definition of cure and address the important issues affecting the quality of life of all of our patients.

Management of Cystic Conditions.

Cystic conditions are the most common disorder of the breast. Simple cysts are not malignant and do not require intervention. Patients with symptomatic simple cysts can undergo elective aspiration, and typical cyst fluid can be discarded. Bloody fluid should be sent for cytology. Cysts with thick walls, thick septations, or solid components have a risk of malignancy and should undergo biopsy.