Issues related to choice of breast reconstruction in early-stage breast cancer

Opinion statement Reconstructive surgeons focus their efforts on refining and developing techniques that optimize oncologic outcome and recreate the most natural breast mound possible. The introduction of perforator flaps offers the potential for faster and more complete recovery, while increasing technical complexity and the risks associated with microsurgical reconstruction. Despite appealing long-lasting results, autologous reconstruction is not the ideal reconstructive choice for every patient. Tissue/expander reconstruction can produce a satisfactory aesthetic outcome and is the reconstruction of choice for most women undergoing breast reconstruction. Immediate autologous reconstruction at the time of mastectomy best resembles the lost breast and favorably withstands radiation, compared with other reconstructive methods. However, the best method for integrating reconstruction and radiation is being actively debated. Placing a tissue expander at the time of mastectomy allows a skin-sparing approach and gives the patient a chance to see how she will feel with an implant. This approach avoids radiation damage to tissue reconstruction flaps, saving them for use later if necessary. This approach, using a tissue expander as a first step, is growing in popularity.     

Breast reconstruction with the TRAM flap: pedicled and free

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a ubiquitous disease affecting one in seven women. While breast conservation techniques are available for local control of the disease for many patients, not all patients are good candidates for these techniques. Mastectomy, therefore, remains a common method of breast cancer treatment. Methods of reconstruction include implant reconstruction and autogenous reconstruction. The advantages of autogenous reconstruction include the creation of a soft, ptotic breast mound, which tends to match a native contralateral breast both in and out of bra support. Autogenous reconstructions do not tend to change with time and usually do not require periodic revision as seen in implant reconstructions. METHODS: The most common method of autogenous reconstruction is the TRAM flap, either pedicled or free. The TRAM flap employs the redundant excess lower abdominal tissue typically removed during a cosmetic abdominoplasty. This tissue is brought to the mastectomy defect as a pedicled flap, passing subcutaneously from the upper abdomen and into the defect site. The pedicled flap is based upon the superior epigastric vessels. A free TRAM is harvested with the overlying muscle and the attached inferior epigastric vessels. This flap is completely separated from the abdomen and brought to the chest defect where it is anastomosed to either the thoracodorsal or internal mammary vessels. The donor defect within the abdominal wall is repaired with an inlay mesh with both the pedicled and free techniques. RESULTS: Patient selection criteria usually help determine which technique is used. The advantage of the free flap technique is improved blood supply to the skin island. The free flap, therefore, is used in patients at higher risk for partial flap loss with the pedicled technique. Such high-risk patients include smokers, the obese, patients with significant medical comorbidities, and patients with prior abdominal surgery. Patients without these risk factors can be expected to achieve good results with either the pedicled or free flap technique. CONCLUSION: Autogenous breast reconstruction with the TRAM flap achieves long lasting satisfactory results in most patients with the creation of a soft, naturally ptotic breast mound, which typically matches well a contralateral native breast.     

State of the Art in Breast Reconstruction

In patients undergoing breast reconstruction after partial and total mastectomy, selecting the appropriate timing as well as the best method of reconstruction are essential to optimize the outcome. At M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the timing of oncoplastic repair after partial mastectomy defects and breast reconstruction after mastectomy tends to dictate the technique for reconstruction. In patients undergoing repair of a partial mastectomy defect, immediate or delayed repair before radiation therapy allows for the use of the remaining breast tissue to perform the repair. Delayed repair after radiation therapy is usually performed with autologous fat grafting or a flap. Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy is preferable for patients with a low risk of requiring postmastectomy radiation therapy (XRT) (stage I breast cancer, some stage II). In patients who are deemed preoperatively to be at an increased risk of requiring XRT (stage II breast cancer), delayed-immediate breast reconstruction may provide an additional option. Delayed-delayed reconstruction may be a consideration in patients known preoperatively to require XRT (stage III breast cancer), to allow for a skin-preserving delayed reconstruction after XRT. Newer techniques for breast reconstruction after mastectomy include one-stage implant, implant-based reconstruction plus acellular dermal matrix, autologous fat grafting after negative suction applied to chest wall, and perforator-based autologous tissue flaps. Often, the decision to perform a partial or total mastectomy depends upon reconstructive issues, not oncology-related considerations. Whether to repair a partial mastectomy defect or perform a total breast reconstruction after mastectomy is one of the most critical decisions in breast reconstruction.     

Plastisch-rekonstruktive Operationen bei Mammakarzinom

Around 60–80% of patients with early breast cancer can be treated with breast-conserving therapy. For cases in which the resection volume extends beyond quadrantectomy, an adequate breast shape can be achieved only with oncoplastic reconstructive surgical techniques. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy plays a significant role in the therapeutic management of breast cancer. The reconstruction of a fairly natural breast can support the healing process, enhancing the patient’s psychosocial and psychosexual well-being. Therefore, the subject of breast reconstruction should be discussed individually with each patient at the time of primary therapy planning; the discussion should cover whether the patient wants breast reconstruction, which operative techniques are recommended, and what the optimal timing of the procedure would be. Heterologous and autologous reconstruction techniques are based on expander or implant surgery as well as on pedicled or free flaps or a combination of the two. If postmastectomy radiation is necessary, implant reconstruction is not the first choice because of the high rates of capsular contracture and, thus, impaired aesthetic results.     

乳腺癌切除即刻乳房再造术中假体的选择

目的: 研究乳腺癌切除即刻乳房再造术中选择假体的方法,探讨即刻假体乳房再造的适应证。 方法: 收集2007年6月至2012年6月南昌市第三医院乳腺肿瘤科的乳腺癌切除术患者121例,其中乳腺癌改良根治术32例、单纯乳腺切除术89例。乳腺切除后根据阿基米德法计算缺失乳房体积,并测量切除组织直径,以切除组织的体积和直径为依据选择乳房假体,并置入胸大肌及前锯肌后间隙。 结果: 术后随访6~72个月,术后无假体外露、皮瓣坏死以及感染等并发症,出现血清肿4例。对患者行手术效果满意度问卷调查结果显示,手术效果非常满意89.3%（108/121）、满意9.0%（11/121）、不满意1.7%（2/121）。 结论: 在乳腺癌切除术同时采用乳房假体行即刻乳房再造可避免供区损伤,是一种理想的即刻乳房再造方法。采用阿基米德法对缺失乳房组织量进行计算并测量切除组织的直径,可相对准确地得到假体的参数,避免选择假体的盲目性,有利于获得良好的乳房再造手术效果。      

Microvascular reconstruction of the breast

The growth of microsurgical procedures has led to significant technological, scientific, and clinical advances that have made these procedures safe, reliable, reproducible, and routine in most major medical centers. In many instances, free flap reconstruction has become the primary reconstructive method for many major defects, including breast reconstruction. The advantages of free flap breast reconstruction include better flap vascularity, broader patient selection, easier insetting of the flap, and decreased donor site morbidity. Free flap breast reconstruction can occur either at the time that the mastectomy is performed or as a delayed reconstruction following a previous mastectomy. Immediate reconstructions have the advantage of avoiding scar contracture and fibrosis within the mastectomy flaps and at the recipient vessel site. The most common recipient vessel sites are the thoracodorsal vessels and the internal mammary vessels. The thoracodorsal vessels are most frequently used in immediate reconstruction because they are partially exposed during the mastectomy procedure. The internal mammary vessels are used more frequently in delayed reconstructions, to avoid repeat surgery in the axilla. This recipient site also allows more medial placement of the reconstruction. Flap selections for free autogenous breast reconstruction include the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, the superior gluteal myocutaneous flap, the inferior gluteal myocutaneous flap, the lateral thigh flap, and the deep circumflex iliac soft tissue flap (Rubens). The TRAM flap is most commonly used in free flap breast reconstruction. For patients with inadequate abdominal tissue or prior abdominal surgery, the superior gluteal flap is typically used. Both the TRAM flap and the superior gluteal flap can be designed as perforator flaps, preserving all of the involved muscle and, in the TRAM perforator, all the rectus fascia. These flaps are more technically demanding, with minimal impact on donor site function. The other flaps are less frequently used and limited to special patient circumstances. Free flap autogenous breast reconstruction provides a natural, long-lasting result with a high degree of patient satisfaction. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 19:264-271, 2000.     

Microsurgical breast reconstruction

Breast cancer, the most common cancer diagnosed in American women, often necessitates mastectomy. Many studies have demonstrated improved quality of life and well-being after breast reconstruction. Numerous techniques are available for breast reconstruction including tissue expander implants and autologous tissues. Microsurgical tissue transfer involves the use of excess skin and fat (flaps) from a remote location to reconstruct the breast. Most often, tissues are transferred from the abdomen and buttocks. Less commonly, thigh flaps are used. These operations can provide durable, esthetic reconstructions. In addition, advances in microsurgical techniques have improved operative success rates to the range of 99%. The selection of an appropriate flap for microsurgical breast reconstruction is multifactorial and is based on patient and oncologic factors. These factors include patient comorbidities, body habitus/availability of donor tissues, cancer stage, and the need for postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy, as well as the risk of cancer in the contralateral breast. Appropriate choice of flap and surgical technique can minimize the risk of operative complications. Additionally, several large series have established that microsurgical breast reconstruction has no impact on survival, or locoregional/distant recurrence rates.     

Complications and patient satisfaction following expander/implant breast reconstruction with and without radiotherapy

PURPOSE: To compare the rates of complications and patient satisfaction among breast cancer patients treated with mastectomy and tissue expander/implant reconstruction with and without radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: As part of the Michigan Breast Reconstruction Outcome Study (MBROS), breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy with reconstruction were prospectively evaluated with respect to complications, general patient satisfaction with reconstruction, and esthetic satisfaction. Included in this study was a cohort of women who underwent breast reconstruction using an expander/implant (E/I). A subset of these patients also received radiotherapy (RT). At 1 and 2 years postoperatively, a survey was administered which included 7 items assessing both general satisfaction with their reconstruction and esthetic satisfaction. Complication data were also obtained at the same time points using hospital chart review. Radiotherapy patients identified in the University of Michigan Radiation Oncology database that underwent expander/implant reconstruction but not enrolled in the MBROS study were also added to the analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients underwent mastectomy and E/I reconstruction. Nineteen patients received RT and 62 underwent reconstruction without RT. The median dose delivered to the reconstructed breast/chest wall, including boost, was 60.4 Gy (range, 50.0-66.0 Gy) in 1.8- to 2.0-Gy fractions. With a median follow-up of 31 months from the date of surgery, complications occurred in 68% (13/19) of the RT patients compared to 31% (19/62) in the no RT group (p = 0.006). Twelve of 81 patients (15%) had a breast reconstruction failure. Reconstruction failure was significantly associated with experiencing a complication (p = 0.0001) and the use of radiotherapy (p = 0.005). The observed reconstruction failure rates were 37% (7/19) and 8% (5/62) for patients treated with and without radiotherapy, respectively. Tamoxifen was associated with a borderline risk of complications (p = 0.07) and a significant risk of reconstruction failure (p = 0.01). Sixty-six patients of the study group completed the satisfaction survey; 15 patients did not. To offset potential bias for patients not completing the survey, we analyzed satisfaction data assuming "dissatisfaction" scores for surveys not completed. In the analysis of patients with unilateral E/I placement, reconstruction failure was significantly associated with a lower general satisfaction (p = 0.03). Ten percent of patients experiencing a reconstruction failure were generally satisfied compared to 23% who completed E/I reconstruction. In addition, tamoxifen use was associated with a significantly decreased esthetic satisfaction (p = 0.03). Radiotherapy was not associated with significantly decreased general or esthetic satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Irradiated patients had a higher rate of expander/implant reconstruction failure and complications than nonirradiated patients. Despite these differences, our pilot data suggest that both general satisfaction and patient esthetic satisfaction were not significantly different following radiotherapy compared to patients who did not receive RT. Although statistical power was limited in the present study and larger patient numbers are needed to validate these results, this study suggests comparable patient assessment of cosmetic outcome with or without radiotherapy in women who successfully complete expander/implant reconstruction.     

Autologous tissue breast reconstruction following the application of tissue expander

Breast reconstruction is usually performed with autologous tissue or mammary prostheses, and a single method is generally selected for the most reconstruction cases. We combined these two methods of breast reconstruction. In the first stage, a tissue expander was applied to maintain space for the breast, and in the next stage the space was replaced with autologous tissue. This combined method was performed in 7 cases with good results. Some advantages or this method became clear, especially in the case of immediate breast reconstruction: 1) the patient has time to objectively consider breast reconstruction using autologous tissue after the emotional trauma of mastectomy had subsided 2) no additional surgical scar remains on the chest wall 3) the exact site and the exact amount of autologous tissue can be ascertained by measuring the volume of the tissue expander 4) there is no breast-less period, and 5) the patient’s daily life is unaffected. We believe this combined procedure will contribute to a better quality of life for those who experience breast cancer and mastectomy as well as other conventional reconstructive procedures.     

IMMEDIATE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION WITH LATISSIMUS DORSI MUSCULOCUTANEOUS FLAP： A SUITABLE OPTION FOR CHINESE WOMEN AFTER MASTECTOMY

Objective： To discuss the suitable immediate breast reconstruction modalities for Chinese patients by comparing the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocytaneous flap （TRAM） reconstruction with latissimus dorsi myocytaneous flap （LTD） reconstruction plus implants or not after mastectomy due to breast cancer. Methods： From Jan. 2000 to Jul. 2005, 74 staged 0-II patients （mean age 39） were performed immediate breast reconstruction with autologous tissue either using LTD flaps or pedicled TRAM flaps with supplemental implants when necessary after mastectomy due to breast cancer and the charts were reviewed. Results： The age, marriage and menses status did not affect the selection of modalities and the need of implants. In 74 patients, 62 cases （83.8%） were performed LTD reconstruction with 13 implants and 12 cases received TRAM with 1 implant. The difference in need of implants or not between the two modalities had no statistical significance （P=0.442, Fisher＇ exact test）. Aesthetic results judged as good or fair were in 88% patients and the cosmetic effects between LTD and TRAM groups or implant and non-implant groups had no differences. All reconstructions were successful, with 4.1% cumulative locoregional recurrence and 100% overall survival by following up to 66 months （median 9 months）. The DFS and RFS between the two modalities had no significant differences by log rank test. Conclusion： Immediate autologous tissue reconstruction makes it possible to regain the natural and symmetric contour of breast without increased local recurrence. The LTD flap reconstruction is a suitable option for most Chinese women as well as the pedicled TRAM flap.     

Radiotherapy and breast reconstruction: clinical results and dosimetry

Immediate or delayed reconstruction using implants or autologous tissue transfer is increasingly offered to women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer. Some patients require radiotherapy for prevention of local/regional relapse, and some for post-surgical local/regional recurrence. Others with augmented breasts may opt for conservative surgery and irradiation. At Washington University, 70 breast cancers were irradiated in 66 patients following mastectomy with reconstruction (N = 61) or wide local excision of an augmented breast (N = 5). Two patients elected to have a second reconstruction after an unsatisfactory initial result. Thus, 72 breasts were evaluated after radiotherapy for tumor control, complications, cosmesis, and patient satisfaction. Locoregional failure occurred in only five patients, one following adjuvant radiotherapy after mastectomy with reconstruction and four following radiotherapy for recurrent breast cancer within a reconstructed breast. Grade 2 or 3 complications occurred in 34 patients (51%). The complication rate was highest in autologous tissue transfer reconstructions. Cosmetic results were evaluated good/excellent in 49% by physicians and 67% by patients. Immediate reconstructions had fewer good/excellent physician evaluations (32%) compared with reconstructions performed at least 6 weeks after radiotherapy (55%). Transverse rectus abdominis flaps had the best cosmesis scores, followed by permanent silicone prostheses, tissue expanders, latissimus dorsi, and gluteal flaps. Only 48% of patients would choose to have the same reconstructive procedure again. Phantom interface dosimetry with a parallel plate chamber and TLD measurements was performed. Radiotherapy and reconstruction are not incompatible, but careful consideration of their relative timing and technique appear to be important in optimizing cosmesis while minimizing complications.     

Direct to implant breast reconstruction by using SERI?, preliminary report

Background

There has been a “rising tide” in mastectomy utilization that can be attributed to more skin-sparing mastectomies (SSMs) performed concurrently with immediate breast reconstruction. We report our experience of the first use of SERI® Surgical Scaffold (SERI®; Allergan, Inc.) in 21 cases of direct to implant (DTI) breast reconstruction after SSM.

Methods

Our retrospective experience, from April 2013 to May 2014, is based on 21 cases of direct to implant (DTI) breast reconstruction after SSM (9 monolateral 6 bilateral). All the patients were oncological with a preoperative cancer stage was into 0–2 stage. In order to assess the level of satisfaction with the aesthetical result, on 4–13 months post-operative patients were asked to complete a questionnaire that evaluated various parameters by means of a Visual Analogue Scale (V.A.S.).

Results

Over a 13-months period, a total of 15 patients underwent 21 immediate breast reconstructive procedures with Allergan Natrelle 410 style implants plus SERI® after SSMs. Definitive histological examination give evidence of 5 patients intraductal carcinoma, 6 patients multifocal carcinoma and 4 patients carcinoma in situ. 6 bilateral cases of direct to implant (DTI) breast reconstruction after SSM had a monolateral oncological treatment and on the other side a prophylactic treatment. At the end of the short follow up (minimum 6 months) all the patient were cancer free with an excellent outcome. Complication rate presents just one implant exposure followed by a revised surgery. At V.A.S. the mean patient satisfaction was 5,77 (good), 4,09 (fair) for sensitivity of the nipple areola complex, 6,33 (good) assessment of implant position, 6,28 (good) self esteem, 5,2 (good) attraction ability, 4,99 (fair) intimate life, 6,81 (good) overall feelings about breast reconstruction, 6,71 (good) simmetry.

Conclusions

The really encouraging results of our early experience will help surgeons introducing SERI® into their practice to select appropriate patients for direct-to-implant single-stage immediate breast reconstruction. A larger study cohort and longer follow-up times are required to identify additional predictors and indications.     

临床常用补片在乳房再造中的应用现状

乳房再造是乳腺癌患者综合治疗中重要的组成部分。近些年，以脱细胞真皮基质（acellular dermal matrix，ADM）为代表的补片在乳房再造中的临床应用，是该领域内最重要的创新。假体乳房再造中的补片广泛应用，促进即刻假体再造术的开展，提高乳房再造的美学效果，避免额外供区组织损害，因此被临床医生及患者广泛接受。乳房再造中常用补片主要有ADM、牛心包补片及TiLOOP补片，这些补片具有良好的组织相容性及缺损修补能力。本文将对此三种补片的应用及研究现状进行综述。      

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy can avoid a permanent deformity. As a member of the breast management team, the reconstructive surgeon can give advice on timing and techniques. Breast reconstruction can either be started at the time of the mastectomy or delayed for months or years. Newer techniques of tissue expansion permit breast reconstruction without additional scars or significant hospitalization. Autogenous tissue breast reconstruction techniques are available that provide natural, long-lasting breast reconstruction without the need for a silicone breast implant.     

Long-term outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing immediate 2-stage expander/implant reconstruction and postmastectomy radiation

BACKGROUND:

Breast reconstruction with tissue expander (TE)/permanent implant (PI) followed by postmastectomy radiation (PMRT) is an increasingly popular treatment for breast cancer patients. The long‐term rates of permanent implant removal or replacement (PIRR) and clinical outcomes in patients treated with a uniform reconstructive surgery and radiation regimen were evaluated.

METHODS:

Between 1996 and 2006, 1639 patients with stage II‐III breast cancer received modified radical mastectomy (MRM) at Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center. A total of 751 received TE placement at the time of mastectomy. Of these, 151 patients went on to receive chemotherapy and exchange of the TE for a permanent implant, followed by PMRT. Clinical outcomes and PIRR‐free rates were estimated by Kaplan‐Meier methods. Cox regression model was used to examine patient, disease, and treatment characteristics associated with PIRR.

RESULTS:

Median follow‐up was 86 months (range, 11‐161 months). The 7‐year PIRR‐free rate was 71% (38 PIRRs in 35 patients). The 7‐year rate of PI replacement was 17.1% (21), and removal was 13.3% (17). Reasons for PIRR included infection (15); implant extrusion, shift, leak, or rupture (4); patient request (1), or multifactorial (17). On univariate analysis, no factor was significantly associated with PIRR. Two patients experienced local recurrence in the chest wall, both after 7 years. The 7‐year distant metastasis–free survival rate was 81% and overall survival 93%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Favorable 7‐year PIRR rates and clinical outcomes were achieved in a sizable cohort of patients treated with homogeneous sequencing, radiation, and reconstructive surgery and lengthy follow‐up. Factors predictive for high risk of PIRR were not identifiable in this population. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.     

Complications following bilateral prophylactic mastectomy

BACKGROUND: Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy significantly decreases breast cancer risk, but complications of the procedure have only been described in single-site studies. We describe the frequency and type of complications in women who underwent bilateral prophylactic mastectomy in a multisite community-based cohort. METHODS: Women aged 18-80 years undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy without a personal history of breast cancer at one of six health plans were eligible. We identified women from automated data sources, then reviewed hospital data, ambulatory notes, and other chart elements to confirm eligibility and obtain all charted information about complications and surgeries performed after prophylactic mastectomy, including reconstructive procedures. Reconstructions were characterized by type (implant vs. tissue graft). Complications were noted for a 1-year period after any surgical procedure. RESULTS: We identified 269 women with prophylactic mastectomy who were followed for a mean of 7.4 years. Their mean age was 44.9 years. Nearly 80% undertook reconstruction, most with prosthetic implants. One or more complications occurred in 64%. The most common complications were pain (35% of women), infection (17%), and seroma (17%). Women with no reconstruction had fewer complications (mean of .93) than women who had implant (2.0) or tissue graft (2.4) reconstruction procedures (differences from no reconstruction: 1.07 [95% confidence interval = 0.36 to 1.77] and 1.50 [95% confidence interval = 0.44 to 2.56] respectively). Delay of reconstruction after mastectomy was associated with a borderline-significant higher risk of complications (80.6%) compared to simultaneous reconstruction (64.0%, P = .055). CONCLUSION: We found that almost two-thirds of women undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy had at least one complication following surgery. Further work should be done to minimize and to understand the effect of complications of bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.     

Oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgeon performance and impact on breast reconstructions: Clinical outcomes,learning curve,and patients’ satisfaction

BackgroundCompared to mastectomy alone, the addition of breast reconstruction could improve quality of life and it is usually performed by two-team approach, which consisted of both breast surgeons and plastic surgeons. This study aims to illustrate the positive impacts of the dual-trained oncoplastic reconstructive breast surgeon (ORBS) and reveal the factors influencing reconstruction rates.MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled 542 breast cancer patients who undergone mastectomy with reconstruction performed by a particular ORBS between January 2011 and December 2021 at a single institution. Clinical and oncological outcomes, impact of case accumulation on performance and patient-reported aesthetic satisfactions were analyzed and reported. Furthermore, in this study 1851 breast cancer patients treated with mastectomy combined with or without breast reconstructions, which included 542 performed by ORBS, were reviewed to identify factors affecting breast reconstructions.ResultsAmong the 524 breast reconstructions performed by the ORBS, 73.6% were gel implant reconstructions, 2.7% were tissue expanders, 19.5% were transverse rectus abdominal myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps, 2.7% were latissimus dorsi (LD) flaps, 0.8% were omentum flaps, and 0.8% involved LD flaps and implants. There was no total flap loss in the 124 autologous reconstructions, and the implant loss rate was 1.2% (5/403). Patient-reported aesthetic evaluations showed that 95% of the patients were satisfied. As the ORBS's accumulated case experiences, the implant loss rate decreased, and the overall satisfaction rate increased. According to the cumulative sum plot learning curve analysis, it took 58 procedures for the ORBS to shorten the operative time. In multivariate analysis, younger age, MRI, nipple sparing mastectomy, ORBS, and high-volume surgeon were factors related to breast reconstruction.ConclusionThe current study demonstrated that a breast surgeon after adequate training could become an ORBS and perform mastectomies with various types of breast reconstruction with acceptable clinical and oncological outcomes for breast cancer patients. ORBSs could increase breast reconstruction rates, which remain low worldwide.     

Reconstructive approaches in soft tissue sarcoma.

Plastic surgical techniques continue to evolve to deal with problem wounds following soft tissue sarcoma resection. Important advances in how tissue is transferred have allowed most wounds to be closed following extirpation; the emphasis is now placed on refining these transfers while minimizing donor site injury. Reconstructive microsurgery has emerged as a frequently preferred way to resurface wounds after sarcoma resection, particularly in patients who have received radiotherapy or previous surgery. Free flaps provide well-vascularized tissue to fill dead space, cover exposed vital structures, and provide structural support and contour. These procedures demonstrate a high success rate of over 90% and often can ensure a healed wound in a single-stage operation. Creative use of the versatile rectus abdominis or latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps can reconstruct the majority of breast, extremity, and head and neck soft tissue defects. Endoscopic harvest of muscle flaps has minimized donor morbidity and scarring. The use of "fillet flaps" is an important concept that spares a patient donor site. Composite free flaps, including bone, are routinely used to rebuild the mandible or other bony structures. The future holds great promise for sarcoma reconstruction because tissue engineering is rapidly closing in on techniques that can duplicate tissues in the laboratory for ultimate use in reconstruction, thus sparing the donor site from disease.     

Radiotherapy and breast reconstruction: complications and cosmesis with TRAM versus tissue expander/implant

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy (RT) has an important role in breast cancer treatment after modified radical mastectomy. Many of these patients also undergo breast reconstruction. We reviewed our institutions' experience to determine the outcome of patients treated with breast reconstruction and RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1981 and 1999, 48 breast cancer patients underwent modified radical mastectomy, breast reconstruction, and ipsilateral breast RT during their treatment course. Reconstruction either preceded or followed RT. Autologous reconstruction with a transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous (TRAM) flap was performed in 30 patients, and 18 underwent expander and implant (E/I) reconstruction. The primary endpoint was the quality of the reconstructed, irradiated breast, as measured by analyzing the actuarial incidence of complications. The cosmetic outcome was also assessed by multidisciplinary review of the follow-up visits. RESULTS: The median follow-up from reconstruction was 32 months. The actuarial 2-year complication rate was 53% for patients receiving E/I vs. 12% for those receiving TRAM reconstruction (p <0.01). No other patient or treatment-related factors had a significant impact on complications. The cosmetic outcome was also significantly better in the TRAM subgroup than in the E/I subgroup. CONCLUSION: The tolerance and cosmetic outcome of breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients in irradiated sites depends significantly on the type of reconstruction used.     

Skin sparing mastectomy: Technique and suggested methods of reconstruction

AimTo demonstrate the feasibility and accessibility of performing adequate mastectomy to extirpate the breast tissue, along with en-block formal axillary dissection performed from within the same incision. We also compared different methods of immediate breast reconstruction used to fill the skin envelope to achieve the best aesthetic results.Methods38 patients with breast cancer underwent skin-sparing mastectomy with formal axillary clearance, through a circum-areolar incision. Immediate breast reconstruction was performed using different techniques to fill in the skin envelope. Two reconstruction groups were assigned; group 1: Autologus tissue transfer only (n = 24), and group 2: implant augmentation (n = 14).Autologus tissue transferThe techniques used included filling in the skin envelope using Extended Latissimus Dorsi flap (18 patients) and Pedicled TRAM flap (6 patients).Augmentation with implantsSubpectoral implants(4 patients), a rounded implant placed under the pectoralis major muscle to augment an LD reconstructed breast. LD pocket (10 patients), an anatomical implant placed over the pectoralis major muscle within a pocket created by the LD flap. No contra-lateral procedure was performed in any of the cases to achieve symmetry.ResultsAll cases underwent adequate excision of the breast tissue along with en-block complete axillary clearance (when indicated), without the need for an additional axillary incision.Eighteen patients underwent reconstruction using extended LD flaps only, six had TRAM flaps, four had augmentation using implants placed below the pectoralis muscle along with LD flaps, and ten had implants placed within the LD pocket.Breast shape, volume and contour were successfully restored in all patients.Adequate degree of ptosis was achieved, to ensure maximal symmetry.ConclusionsSkin Sparing mastectomy through a circum-areolar incision has proven to be a safe and feasible option for the management of breast cancer in Egyptian women, offering them adequate oncologic control and optimum cosmetic outcome through preservation of the skin envelope of the breast when ever indicated. Our patients can benefit from safe surgery and have good cosmetic outcomeby applying different reconstructive techniques.