Breast Reconstruction Using the Pedicled Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (Tram) Flap

ABSTRACT

In many cases the breast reconstruction surpasses the goal of a normal breast mound appearance in clothing and achieves a result that, in time, may look almost normal in the unclothe state. Breast reconstructions with autologous transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps are well known to produce the most aesthetically excellent results. the pedicled to TRAM flap cannot be used in high risk patient such as obese or smoking patients due to partial flap necrosis. But, the free TRAM flap have more robust blood supply and less donor site morbidity than the pedicled TRAM flap and is therefore the currently preferred technique in western. However, the free TRAM flaps has a problem related to the anastomotic failure which has been reported as high as 6% to 10%. Moreover many Korean women have smaller sized breast than western women and have no risk factors compromising flap circulation. So the single pedicled TRAM flap can be safely used for breast reconstruction without any flap necrosis. 60% of the elevated flap area has a sufficient volume to mold a new breast that matches with the contralateral breast and the unneccessary distal portion of the flap that has the marginal circulation can be resected. In this study we review our 20 consecutive cases of breast reconstruction using the pedicled TRAM flap and have a conclusion that the pedicled TRAM flap produce an aesthetically acceptable new breast in Korean mastecotmy patients without any flap necrosis or donor site morbidity.