The dissection of the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap with complete preservation of the anterior rectus sheath.

Harvesting the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap results in defects in both the rectus abdominis muscle and the anterior rectus sheath, which may be circumvented by dissecting a perforator flap (DIEP flap) instead. However, the latter is associated with a reduction in the number of myocutaneous perforators nourishing the flap, which has been hypothesised to lead to an increased risk of partial flap failure. We present a technical modification that maintains all the feeding perforators within the flap while fully preserving the anterior rectus sheath. The anterior rectus sheath is incised along a line connecting the perforators. A muscle cuff including all the feeding perforators was raised with the flap. This technique was used in 20 consecutive patients. Nine patients underwent free TRAM flap transfers for breast reconstruction (10 flaps), and 11 patients underwent thoracic-wall reconstruction with a superiorly based pedicled flap. The median follow-up was 11 months. One patient with a pedicled flap developed a partial failure that required surgical revision; all other flaps healed spontaneously. One patient in each subset had preoperative abdominal-wall laxity that was partly corrected after surgery; no abdominal bulging or hernia occurred in the other patients. Our results suggest that the technical modification presented here may enable the surgeon to dissect a rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap with maximal perforator-related flap perfusion and minimal donor-site morbidity. An advantage over the DIEP flap is that this technique is applicable to both free and pedicled flaps.     

Free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for breast reconstruction in patients with prior abdominal contouring procedures

With an increasing number of women undergoing abdominal liposuction and abdominoplasties, patients who have a history of an abdominal-contouring procedure are now presenting to plastic surgeons with breast cancer and are interested in autologous breast reconstruction. Based on the principle of vascular ingrowth and experience of seeing intact perforators arise from the rectus abdominis muscle in repeat abdominoplasty patients, it was hypothesized that these new perforators could adequately and safely supply the abdominal skin island as a flap in this patient population. A retrospective chart review was performed searching for cases of free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) or deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction in patients with a prior history of either abdominal liposuction, abdominoplasty, or both. Three successful cases of free TRAM flap breast reconstruction were performed in patients who had undergone previous full abdominoplasties. Additionally, three successful cases of free TRAM or DIEP flaps were performed in patients after abdominal liposuction. Major complications included one anterial thrombosis in which the flap was salvaged. This study demonstrates the feasibility and viability of free TRAM flaps after previous abdominoplasty and DIEP flaps following prior abdominal liposuction. This is an important advance in the potential uses of the free TRAM flap.     

A very late infection of an abdominal mesh following a pedicled TRAM flap harvest

Pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is still a common procedure for breast reconstruction. To lessen the incidence of abdominal-wall abnormalities, the donor-site defect in the transverse rectus abdominis muscle is generally repaired with a prosthetic mesh. This carries the well-known risks of foreign-body implantation, the most serious of which is infection. We report here a case of a 46-year-old patient who presented with an infected mesh 6.5 years after pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM)-flap breast reconstruction, requiring subsequent removal of the mesh. This is the latest recorded presentation of an abdominal prosthetic mesh infection in the English literature. The onset of late mesh infection could be related to a transient systemic infection and bacteraemia.     

TRAM flap breast reconstruction after abdominal liposuction

The transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap has become the gold standard of autologous breast reconstruction. It is typically a low-risk procedure with few surgical contraindications. A relative contraindication, however, is prior liposuction of the abdomen. The contention has been that the trauma of the liposuction procedure can damage or destroy the musculocutaneous perforators that supply circulation to the TRAM flap skin paddle. The authors present 2 patients who previously underwent suction-assisted abdominal lipectomy and, after mastectomies, successfully underwent unilateral breast reconstruction using single-pedicle TRAM flaps. They also examine the literature that supports the feasibility of this procedure.     

腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣在乳房再造和胸壁溃疡修复中的应用

目的　在解剖学研究基础上 ,对以腹壁下动静脉为蒂的横行腹直肌 (TRAM)肌皮瓣的切取进行完善和改进 ,将其精确为腹壁下动脉穿支 (DIEP)皮瓣 ,从而提供一种更为理想的乳腺癌术后乳房再造和胸壁创面修复的皮瓣。　方法切取DIEP皮瓣 ,移植至胸壁受区 ,腹壁下动静脉分别与胸廓内动静脉相吻合 ,用于乳腺癌术后乳房再造和胸壁放射性溃疡的修复。　结果　解剖学研究和临床观察发现自腹壁下动脉有粗大的肌皮穿支或皮支自血管主干发出 ,穿过腹直肌纤维直接进入皮瓣 ,因此 ,术中只剪开腹直肌前鞘 ,钝性分离腹壁下动静脉及其穿支周围的腹直肌纤维 ,无须离断腹直肌纤维 ,临床应用DIEP皮瓣再造乳房 4例 ,修复胸壁缺损 2例 ,皮瓣面积 (10cm× 12cm )～ (12cm× 35cm) ,全部成活 ,效果满意。　结论　DIEP皮瓣是对传统的TRAM皮瓣的一种技术改良 ,既保留了TRAM皮瓣血运丰富、组织量大、易于塑形的优点 ,尚可保持腹直肌的完整性 ,同期进行腹壁整形     

Mesh assisted direct closure of bilateral TRAM flap donor sites.

The pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap remains a popular choice for patients requesting breast reconstruction. Criticism of all techniques that harvest the rectus abdominis muscle centre on abdominal wall weakness.[Dulin WA, Avila RA, Verheyden CN, Grossman L. Evaluation of abdominal wall strength after TRAM flap surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg 2004; 113: 1662-1665] Primary fascial closure of the donor site has been shown to reduce abdominal wall weakness and the subsequent risk of hernia and bulge. [Mizgala CL, Hartrampf CR Jr, Bennett GK. Abdominal function after pedicled TRAM flap surgery. Clin Plast Surg 1994; 21: 255-272]2 Primary fascial closure of all uni-lateral and most bilateral muscle preserving TRAM flap donor sites is possible. In a series of 23 bilateral TRAM flaps, excessive abdominal tension prevented direct fascial closure of the donor site in seven. Using a technique that includes muscle preservation, muscle relaxation and mesh assistance; tensionfree, direct fascial closure was achieved in all. The mesh buttress supports the rectus sheath during closure and provides long term shape and stability.     

应用下腹部横行腹直肌肌皮瓣的乳房再造

目的 安全应用下腹部横形腹直肌肌皮瓣（TRAM）进行乳房再造。方法 总结42例乳房再造的经验,详尽介绍了病例选择,皮瓣设计和手术方法。结果 应用TRAM再造乳房42例,其中即时再造25例,后期再造17例;单蒂TRAM35例,双蒂TRAM7例,单蒂中有7例附加血管吻合。2例术后腹部供区皮瓣部分坏死,2例TRAM部分坏死,1例双蒂皮瓣术后腹壁疝形成。结论 附加血管吻合或选用双蒂肌皮瓣,以及肌肉内分离是减少并发症的重要措施。     

The pedicled TRAM flap in breast reconstruction

The pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap remains a viable option in breast reconstruction. This article documents the history of the TRAM flap and puts in context the vascular anatomy through a discussion of the vascular zones. Options for flap delay are discussed and an algorithm is presented for patient selection. Finally, the issue of unipedicle versus bipedicle flap harvest is discussed and complications are examined.     

94例腹直肌肌皮瓣肌皮动脉穿支的研究

目的 了解腹直肌肌皮瓣、肌瓣与皮瓣之间的血管穿支的分布,以及在体表的定位和动脉收缩期血流速度。方法 采用彩色超声血管检查仪对９４例进行检测,术中进一步验证检涮 结果。对腹部各区内肌皮穿支出现频率、位置及收缩期血流速度,腹直肌肌皮瓣转移后肌皮穿支动脉的收缩期血流速度进行检测和统计。结果 左右两侧腹直肌肌皮瓣、肌瓣与皮瓣之间血管穿支呈非对称性分布,脐周的肌皮穿支含量占８１．１％,同一分区内第二条穿支的     

Rectus abdominis muscle-musculocutaneous flap in chest-wall reconstruction

The rapid development of postmastectomy breast reconstruction has shown that the rectus abdominis muscle is a useful carrier for abdominal wall skin. Detailed analysis of the vascular anatomy of the abdominal wall has extended the uses of the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap to major chest-wall reconstruction, both as a transposition flap and as a free-tissue transfer. Although the most direct pathway to the paraumbilical perforators that supply the large skin island of the flap is from the deep inferior epigastric artery, numerous collateral pathways exist from above that recruit blood from the intercostal vessels and the internal mammary artery even if it has been ligated or used for myocardial revascularization. Awareness of these collateral pathways and care to preserve them whenever possible, combined with the willingness to supplement blood flow with a microvascular anastomosis of the deep inferior epigastric vessels, allows the surgeon to use the rectus abdominis flap and its variations in almost any major chest-wall reconstruction (Fig. 11).     

A transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap for reconstruction of a large deformity in the buttock: A new indication for a TRAM flap

A rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap has been used to repair the abdominal wall, chest wall, sternum, breast, and groin. We describe a patient in whom a large deformity in the buttock caused by a road crash was repaired with a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. Distally-based TRAM flaps provide a good and reliable way of reconstructing the buttock. Its advantages are a long arc of rotation and well-vascularised bulky tissue that serve as a partition and promote quick healing of the defect. However, the flap is not the first choice for traumatic and infected wounds where fatty tissue is not desired.     

A transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap for reconstruction of a large deformity in the buttock: a new indication for a TRAM flap.

A rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap has been used to repair the abdominal wall, chest wall, sternum, breast, and groin. We describe a patient in whom a large deformity in the buttock caused by a road crash was repaired with a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. Distally-based TRAM flaps provide a good and reliable way of reconstructing the buttock. Its advantages are a long arc of rotation and well-vascularised bulky tissue that serve as a partition and promote quick healing of the defect. However, the flap is not the first choice for traumatic and infected wounds where fatty tissue is not desired.     

Brustrekonstruktion mit gestielten Lappen

It is important for women with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy to make an informed decision about the options for breast reconstruction and to be provided with information about the techniques, advantages and disadvantages. After modified radical mastectomy breast reconstruction involves replacement of breast skin and volume and after skin-sparing mastectomy only the volume must be reconstructed. The most commonly used surgical techniques are expander implant reconstruction, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps with or without implants and the use of lower abdominal tissue. Currently, the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is the standard method for autologous breast reconstruction after mastectomy and thoracic wall irradiation. In recent years microsurgical perforator flaps have gained in popularity because of the lower morbidity.     

One hundred free DIEP flap breast reconstructions: a personal experience.

The Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap has been the gold standard for breast reconstruction until recently. Not only autologous but also immediate reconstructions are now preferred to offer the patient a natural and cosmetically acceptable result. This study summarises the prospectively gathered data of 100 free DIEP flaps used for breast reconstruction in 87 patients. Primary reconstructions were done in 35% of the patients. Well-known risk factors for free-flap breast reconstruction were present: smokers 23%, obesity 25%, abdominal scarring 28% and previous radiotherapy 45%. Free DIEP flaps vascularised by a single (52%), two (39%) or three (9%) perforators were preferentially anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels at the level of the third costochondral junction. Of 74 unilateral DIEP flaps, 41 (55%) flaps were well vascularised in zone IV. Two flaps necrosed totally. Partial flap loss and fat necrosis occurred in 7% and 6% of all flaps, respectively. One patient presented with a unilateral abdominal bulge. Mean operating time was 6 h 12 min for unilateral reconstruction and mean hospital stay was 7.9 days. These data indicate that the free DIEP flap is a new but reliable and safe technique for autologous breast reconstruction. This flap offers the patient the same advantages as the TRAM flap and discards the most important disadvantages of the myocutaneous flap by preserving the continuity of the rectus muscle. The donor site morbidity is reduced, a sensate reinnervation is possible, postoperative pain is less, recovery is quicker and hospital stay is reduced. The more complex nature of this type of surgery, leading to increased operating time, is balanced by the permanent and gratifying results achieved.     

Immediate autologous breast reconstruction using muscle-sparing TRAM flaps with superficial epigastric system turbocharging: a salvage option

Current breast reconstruction trends favor the use of muscle-sparing abdominal flaps to minimize abdominal morbidity. When compared to the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, the muscle-sparing deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap are common options that minimize donor-site morbidity. For patients with inadequate flap perfusion via either system, alternative surgical options that permit preservation of the abdominal musculature are limited. Using both the DIEP and SIEA systems, the authors describe a turbocharged construct that also facilitates flap perfusion without the need for violation of the anterior rectus sheath. This turbocharged system can provide adequate blood supply in a flap with questionable DIEP or SIEA perfusion alone.     

Reconstruction of large soft tissue defects of the lower torso with rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps

Summary Seven large defects of the lower torso were closed with rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps: two large roin defects, three abdominal wall defects, and two open lateral pelvic wounds. Five of the flaps were inferiorly based and two superiorly based. The donor site was closed primarily unless a large skin paddle was taken, in which case the donor site was skin grafted. The central location, excellent blood supply (superior and inferior epigastric arteries plus abundant cutaneous perforators), and length and thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle make it a versatile flap for abdominal wall and lower torso defects.     

Free latissimus dorsi and deep epigastric vessels —a good combination for lower abdominal defects

Summary Two cases of extensive loss of the lower abdominal wall, in patients with cutaneous stomas and large surgical wounds, are reported. Local flaps (i.e., rectus abdominis or TFL flaps) were not available or sufficient to repair the defects, therefore a free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was used for the reconstruction in both cases.     

The free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy by the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap technique is a widely accepted method which allows reconstruction without the need for an implanted silicone prosthesis. Even in suitable patients, deficiencies of the traditional technique, where the blood supply is based on anastomotic vessels in the superior part of the rectus abdominis muscle, may lead to complications. These include flap failure, fat necrosis which may mimic recurrence of breast carcinoma or sub-optimal cosmetic results. By transferring the same abdominal tissue as a free flap based on the inferior epigastric vessels, a more reliable blood supply and better cosmetic results can be obtained. This article reports a series of 14 flaps in 13 patients in whom an entirely free flap technique was used. No flap losses were recorded and the results are judged to be superior to the traditional technique.     

Anatomic and clinical study of rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps based on the superior epigastric system: ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flap as a safe alternative

This anatomic and clinical study supports the use of the ipsilateral transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap over the contralateral TRAM flap for breast reconstruction. The costomarginal artery was constant in these dissections and supplied a vascular pedicle to the rectus abdominis muscle. Radiologic studies confirmed the communications between the costomarginal artery and the deep epigastric system, the same as between the costomarginal artery and the musculophrenic and intercostal arteries. The results of the clinical series confirmed the costomarginal artery as an alternative or adjuvant vascular pedicle of the deep superior epigastric artery in cases of potential lesion of the latter. The lack of pedicle tension because of the shorter distance to be transposed allowed a greater versatility in flap shaping and positively affected its aesthetic result. This fact made the authors change from the contralateral to the ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flap as the first option for autologous breast reconstruction because of vascular security.