Breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flap (a retrospective study of 115 consecutive cases)

Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to analyse the advantages, disadvantages and results of the unipediculed TRAM flap.

Patients and method

This retrospective study concerns 115 consecutive unipediculed TRAM flaps realised by two surgeons between 1994 and January 2007. These reconstructions were all realised for oncologic pathology and were either immediate or delayed surgery. Concerning the immediate reconstruction, a skin sparing mastectomy has been realised as often as possible for intraductal carcinomas and small invasive carcinomas. For the immediate reconstruction the study takes into account complications and oncologic recurrences with an average backward of 45 months.

Results

The unipediculed TRAM flap offers a good reliability and the esthetics results are stable at long-term for immediate breast reconstruction and delayed breast reconstruction. The major complications are flap necrosis (12,2%) and parietal complications (6%). The recurrence rate after mastectomy and unipediculed TRAM flap is equivalent of the recurrence rate expected for mastectomy alone. There were never late diagnostic for recurrence after unipediculed TRAM flap. The esthetic improvement by surgery concerns the opposite breast for 31,3%, it was a mastopexy or reduction. The esthetic improvement of the TRAM flap concerns 14 patients (12,1%). The improvement of inframammary crease was the most frequent improvement (9/115–8%).

Conclusion

The TRAM flap unipediculed allows a delayed, immediate breast reconstruction or bilateral synchronised breast reconstruction. The long-term disadvantages are the abdominal complications and the impossibility to realise the same technique for a later controlateral reconstruction.     

即刻及延期乳房再造方法的选择

目的回顾总结乳腺癌根治术后应用单纯假体植入、Becker可扩张假体植入和单蒂腹部横形腹直肌肌皮瓣（TRAM）移植、扩大背阔肌肌皮瓣（ELDF）移植乳房再造术的经验,探讨手术的适应证、方法和效果。方法自2002年7月至2005年10月,共67例患者进行了乳腺癌根治术后乳房再造术。即刻乳房再造56例：单纯假体植入38例、Becker可扩张假体植入16例、单蒂TRAM移植2例。延期乳房再造11例：单蒂TRAM移植6例、ELDF移植4例、Becker可扩张假体植入1例。结果手术效果满意,优良率超过90％。5例患者出现轻微并发症：皮瓣局灶性坏死2例,保留的乳头乳晕部分坏死1例,血清肿2例。结论单纯假体植入用于即刻乳房再造,适用于乳房较小、行保留皮肤的乳腺癌根治术后的患者,不宜用于延期乳房再造;可扩张假体植入即刻乳房再造适用于乳房较大或改良乳腺癌根治术的患者,同时可扩张假体植入延期乳房再造可用于皮肤、肌肉保留较好的乳腺癌根治患者;TRAM和ELDF皮瓣移植乳房再造是自体组织移植,其安全性高,可用于即刻和延期乳房再造。     

几种乳房再造术的临床应用体会

目的：探讨乳腺癌根治术后应用单纯假体植入、可扩张假体植入和带蒂腹部横形腹直肌肌皮瓣（TRAM）移植乳房再造的适应证、手术方法、手术效果。方法：本组共24例病例。14例乳腺癌患者行保留皮肤的乳腺癌根治术，Ⅰ期行假体植入乳房再造；6例采用改良乳腺癌根治可扩张假体植入Ⅰ期乳房再造；4例接受单蒂下腹部横形腹直肌肌皮瓣（TRAM）移植乳房再造手术，其中2例为Ⅰ期再造，另2例为Ⅱ期乳房再造。结果：手术效果较满意，2例出现轻微并发症，其中1例皮瓣局灶坏死，另1例出现乳头乳晕部分坏死。结论：单纯假体植入适用于乳房小，没有明显下垂的瘦小病人。优点是不增加额外瘢痕，术后恢复快；可扩张假体植入乳房再造适用于乳房大或改良乳腺癌根治术的患者，此法结合了单纯假体植入法和组织扩张的优点：TRAM皮瓣移植乳房再造的优点是自体组织移植，安全、手术效果好。     

乳房再造术的临床研究

目的 回顾总结了乳癌根治术后应用单纯假体植入、Becker可扩张假体植入和带蒂腹部横形腹直肌肌皮瓣(TRAM)移植、扩大的背阔肌肌皮瓣(ELDF)移植乳房再造术的经验,探讨手术的适应征、方法和效果.方法 16例行保留皮肤的乳癌根治术一期假体植入乳房再造;13例行Becker可扩张假体植入一期乳房再造;4例行单蒂下腹部横形腹直肌肌皮瓣(TRAM)移植乳房再造手术,其中2例为一期再造,另2例为二期再造.应用Becker可扩张假体行二期乳房再造1例.扩大背阔肌肌皮瓣(ELDF)移植二期乳房再造1例.结果 手术效果满意,优良率超过90%.3例病人出现轻微并发症,其中1例皮瓣局灶坏死,一例出现保留的乳头乳晕部分坏死,1例出现血清肿.结论 单纯假体植入适用于瘦小病人,对侧乳房小且没有明显下垂.优点是不增加额外瘢痕,术后恢复快;可扩张假体植入乳房再造适用于乳房大或改良乳癌根治术的患者,此法结合了单纯假体植入法和组织扩张术乳房再造术的优点;TRAM和ELDF皮瓣移植乳房再造的优点是自体组织移植,安全、手术效果好.     

乳腺癌术后乳房即刻再造152例报告

目的探讨乳癌根治术后即时应用单纯假体植入、可调式双囊假体植入和自体组织移植乳房再造术的适应证及疗效。方法101例在保留皮肤的乳腺癌改良根治术基础上于胸大肌下方植入Mentor假体再造乳房，39例在胸大肌下方植入Becker可调式假体再造乳房，10例用单蒂下腹部横行腹直肌肌皮瓣移植至乳房缺损区再造乳房。2例采用扩大的背阔肌肌皮瓣移植再造乳房。结果随访152例3—65个月，中位时间28个月，2例13个月后肿瘤局部复发，取出假体。术后乳房外观评价优良率达94％。结论单纯假体植入适用于乳房较小的患者，可调式假体植入乳房再造适用于乳房较大，或根治术时皮肤缺损较多的患者。     

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。     

Breast reconstruction by DIEP free flap: about 100 cases

Autologous breast reconstruction was stigmatised because the muscular sacrifice of the rectus abdominis muscle. This problem could be avoided by the DIEP flap as much for immediate as delayed reconstruction with the creation of an aesthetic and natural shaped reconstructed breast. This retrospective study about 100 cases performed between January 1997 and June 2002 concern 94 patients, 88 unilateral reconstructions and six bilateral. The reconstruction was delayed in 83%, immediate in 8% or realised after failed attempt to reconstruct the breast with implant in 9%. Risk factors were also present: smokers (66%), one or more abdominal scars (40%), obesity (30%). The recipient vessels were the internal mammary vessels (86%), the circumflex scapular vessels (10%) and the subscapular vessels (4%). We noted four total flap loss, 5% of partial loss and 2% localized liponecrosis. Mean operating time was 6 hours 28 minutes for unilateral reconstruction and 9 hours 30 minutes for bilateral reconstruction. Mean hospital stay was 7,3 days. Two moderated abdominal bulging were noted. The tedious dissection of small vessels of the DIEP flap allowed for a similar rate of complication as the free TRAM flap, by respecting of the integrity of the rectus abdominis muscle, to reduce morbidity of harvest with less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.     

乳腺癌切除术后乳房再造

目的 探讨乳腺癌切除术后乳房再造的方法及时间.方法 总结30例不符合保乳条件的乳腺癌病例,乳房切除术后假体置人乳房再造16例,下腹部横行腹直肌肌皮瓣(TRAM瓣)乳房再造10例,背阔肌肌皮瓣乳房再造4例.其中即刻乳房再造27例,延期乳房再造3例.结果 16例假体置入乳房再造术后外观评价均为良,未出现术后并发症.10例TRAM瓣乳房再造术后发生皮瓣部分坏死2例,腹壁疝1例,术后外观评价7例为良.2例为较好,1例为差.4例背阔肌肌皮瓣再造术后外观评价为良.结论 乳房再造术是乳腺癌综合治疗不可忽视一部分,对于有强烈的保乳愿望,而又不符合保乳条件的患者,乳房再造术是一种较好的选择.即刻乳房再造优于延迟乳房再造.乳房再造的方法选择要因人而异.局部晚期乳腺癌患者可以选择性进行即刻乳房再造术.     

Effects of radiation therapy on pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap breast reconstruction

Radiotherapy is being increasingly used in the treatment of breast cancer after breast conservation as well as after total mastectomy. The effect of radiation on pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction is examined. A retrospective review of 199 patients undergoing 232 pedicled TRAM flap reconstructions was performed to identify patients who received radiotherapy. Patients were stratified into 5 groups by the use and timing of radiation as well as the timing of the reconstruction. The overall esthetic appearances were assessed by blinded reviewers. The incidence of flap complications was 34.2% in the immediate nonirradiated group, 10.7% in the delayed nonirradiated group, 44% in the post-TRAM radiation group, 60% in the immediate pre-TRAM radiation group, and 33% in the delayed pre-TRAM radiation group (P = 0.010). Patients who had immediate TRAM flap reconstruction and did not receive radiation had a better global esthetic outcome (P < 0.001) than the other 4 groups. The esthetic outcome was similar whether radiation was administered pre- or post-TRAM flap reconstruction. Radiation therapy has a deleterious effect on the esthetic outcome of pedicled TRAM flap reconstruction whether administered before or after reconstruction. There was no difference in TRAM flap complications in any of the groups that received radiation therapy.     

乳腺癌术后单蒂横行腹直肌肌皮瓣乳房再造

目的：探讨下腹部单蒂横行腹直肌肌皮瓣（Transverse Rectus Abdomials Myocataneous，TRAM）在乳腺癌术后乳房再造中的应用。方法：2004～2007年，对13例乳腺癌患者应用对侧单蒂TRAM皮瓣进行乳房再造，其中Ⅰ期再造7例，Ⅱ期再造6例，乳腺癌根治术后1例，乳腺癌改良根治术后12例。1例Ⅱ期进行乳头乳晕再造。9例供区下腹部应用涤纶补片加强腹壁预防腹壁软弱和腹壁疝形成。结果：2例Ⅱ期再造术后TRAM皮瓣小部分坏死，1例Ⅱ期再造术后TRAM皮瓣部分皮下脂肪硬结伴部分液化，1例对侧下腹壁轻度膨隆不适，无腹壁疝。结论：乳腺癌术后应用单蒂TRAM皮瓣乳房再造术是一种较为有效、简单和安全的方法，应用涤纶补片加强腹壁可以有效预防腹壁软弱和腹壁疝形成。     

Immediate breast reconstruction by musculocutaneous flap]

Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) after mastectomy is now quite frequent. To achieve this, an implant, in a complete muscular pocket, or a myocutaneous flap (latissimus dorsi, TRAM flap) can be chosen. Since 1983, 49 immediate breast reconstructions (11% of IBR) were performed with a myocutaneous flap in the Gustave Roussy Institute. In our experience, these techniques were principally performed because of the failure of conservative treatment (70%). Immediate complications were more frequently observed after immediate breast reconstructions with a TRAM flap (partial or minimal flap necrosis: 33%, infection: 13.5%). Late complications were more frequent in reconstructions with a latissimus dorsi flap: the prostheses were the main reasons (contracture III/IV: 25%, infection: 18%, deflation of the implant: 12%). The best long term results were described with the TRAM flap, and we now prefer this technique for immediate reconstruction with a flap.     

乳癌术后不同乳房再造术式的临床应用

目的探讨适合乳癌术后各种乳房再造术式的适应证。方法对我院2003至2005年收治的44例、45只乳癌术后乳房再造的患者,根据不同情况分别采用扩张器/假体置入(5只)、背阔肌肌皮瓣 假体置入(13只)、背阔肌肌皮瓣(3只)、DIEP皮瓣(6只)、单蒂TRAM瓣(10只)及劈开的双蒂TRAM瓣(8只)等方法进行乳房再造,分析各手术方法的适应证。结果应用皮瓣乳房再造40只,皮瓣全部成活;1只应用扩张器/假体乳房再造术后,注射壶部表皮坏死;1只应用背阔肌 假体乳房再造术后半年出现假体破裂伴局部感染;1只应用DIEP乳房再造术后,出现皮瓣下积液;2只部分皮瓣坏死。术后随访3个月至半年,医生及患者对乳房形态均较满意。所有应用腹部皮瓣的患者均无腹壁疝发生。结论6种乳房再造技术基本满足了我国女性乳癌术后各个时期各种条件再造乳房的要求,整形外科技术的改进以及新材料的应用扩大了乳房再造的适应证。     

Pro-inflammatory cytokines in elective flap surgery

BACKGROUND: Surgical trauma releases inflammatory mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this prospective, controlled, randomized trial we investigated the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and monocyte/macrophage activation in patients scheduled for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Patients were allocated to one of three surgical procedures, differing in complexity and in the need for implants used for reconstruction. METHODS: Thirty mastectomized women underwent delayed breast reconstruction with the lateral thoracodorsal flap (LTD), the latissimus dorsi flap (LD), or the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap (TRAM). Blood samples for TNF, IL-6, IL-8, neopterin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte determination were drawn pre-operatively, 24 h, and 2 weeks post-operatively. RESULTS: All groups had significantly elevated IL-6 levels 24 h after surgery. The levels were significantly higher in the TRAM group compared to the LTD and LD groups. IL-8 levels were increased in all groups 2 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05), the LTD (83 pg/mL) and LD (84 pg/mL) group having higher mean IL-8 levels than the TRAM patients (48 pg/mL) (ns). TNF and leukocyte counts were within the normal range. CRP levels were elevated in all groups one day after surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Flap procedures for breast reconstruction stimulate the pro-inflammatory response. IL-6 levels were highest in patients with TRAM operations, being the most extensive procedure studied, whereas the highest IL-8 levels were seen in women with a saline filled silicone implant suggesting immunomodulation by foreign material. Although all three investigated procedures are major operations in the field of plastic surgery, according to the inflammatory response to trauma they should be regarded as minor procedures.     

带蒂横行腹直肌皮瓣转移即刻乳房重建术10例报告

目的 探讨乳腺癌乳房切除后,带蒂横行腹直肌肌皮瓣(transverse rectus abdominis musculo cutaneous flap,TRAM)即刻乳房重建的方法及临床效果.方法 对2007年3月至2008年6月间10例乳房切除的乳腺癌患者行即刻带蒂TRAM乳房重建术,其中采用双蒂TRAM 6例,单蒂TRAM 4例.术中均用聚丙烯补片修补腹壁缺损.结果 10例患者重建乳房完全成活.1例发生乳房转移皮瓣感染,1例发生腹壁切口缘皮肤坏死.重建乳房形态:优8例,良2例.随访3～15月,所有病例无局部复发和远处转移.结论 带蒂TRAM乳房重建术在重建缺损乳房的同时达到了腹壁整形的效果,是一种较好的乳房重建方法.     

Immediate versus delayed free TRAM breast reconstruction: an analysis of perioperative factors and complications.

Immediate breast reconstruction provides superior psychological benefit to the patient compared with delayed reconstruction, and has a financial advantage. Smokers undergoing immediate free TRAM breast reconstruction have a higher incidence of flap necrosis than smokers undergoing delayed free TRAM reconstruction. Whereas the differences in psychological benefit, effects of smoking and cost are well addressed in the literature, the differences in morbidity between immediate and delayed free TRAM breast reconstruction are still unknown. Knowledge of any differences would help to determine the best timing for reconstruction, and would support surgical decision making and preoperative patient advice. We present a retrospective review of 105 consecutive free TRAM breast reconstructions performed in 97 patients (89 unilateral and eight bilateral reconstructions). There were 48 immediate reconstructions and 57 delayed reconstructions. In the immediate-reconstruction group six flaps required revision of the anastomosis, and three flaps (6%) were lost. In the delayed-reconstruction group five flaps required revision of the anastomosis, and only one flap (2%) could not be salvaged. Delayed healing of the chest-wall skin flaps only occurred in immediate reconstructions (16%, P = 0.017).     

An analysis of breast cancer surgery after free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction is currently offered on a more routine basis to patients after mastectomy for breast cancer. This paper analyzes the outcomes of breast cancer surgery, and the results and effects of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flaps. METHODS: A retrospective review of 75 consecutive patients who had free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery was performed. A total of 92 free TRAM flaps were performed on 75 patients in Victoria, British Columbia, from January 1992 to May 1999. Thirty-three patients (44%) underwent primary breast cancer surgery and an immediate reconstruction (7 bilateral and 27 unilateral) and 42 patients (56%) had delayed reconstruction (10 bilateral and 32 unilateral). RESULTS: Twenty- one patients (28%) had stage 0 disease, 20 (26.7%) had stage I disease, 17 (22.7%) had stage IIA disease, 12 (15%) had stage IIB disease, and 4 (5.3%) had stage IIIA disease. In 1 patient the stage of disease was unknown. The mean patient age was 49.4 years (range 33 to 73). Of the patients undergoing immediate reconstruction 3 had postoperative chemotherapy and 1 had postoperative radiotherapy. Three patients had combined chemoradiotherapy. In none of these cases was the adjuvant therapy delayed by the reconstructive surgery. Overall mean follow-up time from cancer diagnosis was 56.8 months and from the time of TRAM flap reconstruction, 36.7 months. To date, 5 recurrences have been detected (6.6%). Mean time between reconstruction and detection of recurrence was 22.8 months. Detection of recurrence was achieved clinically and was not impaired in any of the cases by the presence of the free flap. Patient satisfaction was assessed via a telephone survey, with 93% of patients pleased with the cosmetic results of their surgery. CONCLUSIONS: For those patients with breast cancer requiring mastectomy, free TRAM flap reconstruction is a safe, cosmetically acceptable surgical alternative that impairs neither effective breast cancer surgery nor detection of recurrent disease.     

Do pre-operative abdominal exercises prevent post-operative donor site complications for women undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction? A two-centre, prospective randomised controlled trial.

The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is the gold standard for breast reconstruction using abdominal tissue. Unlike the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, no rectus abdominis muscle is removed with the flap, but intra-muscular scarring can still cause post-operative complications. Strong abdominal muscles have been advocated as a prerequisite for surgery, but without any evidence as to the potential benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pre-operative abdominal exercises on inpatient pain levels, length of hospital stay, post-operative abdominal muscle strength and function following a DIEP flap.Ninety-three women undergoing delayed breast reconstruction with a DIEP flap between October 1999 and November 2000 were randomly allocated to either a control or exercise group. The exercise group performed pre-operative exercises using the Abdotrim abdominal exerciser. Pre-operatively, outcome measures included trunk muscle strength measured on an isokinetic dynamometer, SF-36, rectus muscle thickness measured using ultrasound, and submaximal fitness. Post-operative pain and length of hospital stay were recorded. Subjects were reassessed using the same outcome measures 1 year post-operatively. There was a statistically significant increase in static (isometric) muscle strength and thickness pre-operatively for the exercise group. One year following surgery, there was a significant decrease in dynamic (concentric and eccentric) flexion strength for both groups, although the clinical significance of this is questionable as the majority of women had returned to pre-operative fitness and the surgery had no impact on functional activities. The static flexion strength of the control group was reduced at 1 year, whereas it was maintained in the exercise group, although this was not statistically significant. One third of women in the control group complained of functional problems or abdominal pain post-operatively compared to one fifth of the exercise group. Overall, the DIEP flap had no major impact on abdominal muscle strength for either group, demonstrating its superiority over the TRAM flap. There was no statistically significant benefit to the exercise group of the pre-operative exercises 1 year following surgery. However, there was a subjective benefit, albeit statistically nonsignificant, in terms of reduced functional problems post-operatively and improved well-being prior to surgery.     

A retrospective comparison of abdominal muscle strength following breast reconstruction with a free TRAM or DIEP flap.

Abdominal weakness is a known potential complication of breast reconstruction with a pedicled or free TRAM flap. It has been presumed that the DIEP flap, which involves no muscle resection, does not compromise abdominal muscle strength but little objective research exists to substantiate this. The aims of this retrospective study were to compare abdominal muscle strength following free TRAM flap and DIEP flap, to compare both groups with a control group and to establish the effect of both procedures on functional activities. Fifty women (23 with a DIEP flap, 27 with a free TRAM flap) plus 32 non-operated controls underwent assessment of their abdominal and back extensor muscle strength on a KIN COM isokinetic dynamometer. Two questionnaires were used to establish the impact on function. The TRAM flap group had significant weakness of the abdominal and back extensor muscles compared with the DIEP flap group and the control group. The trend was for the DIEP flap group to have weaker abdominal muscles than the control group. There was a higher level of abdominal pain and a greater number of reported functional difficulties in the TRAM flap group than in the DIEP flap group.This study demonstrates that whilst the DIEP flap can reduce the strength deficit caused by the free TRAM flap, abdominal weakness can still result from the DIEP flap. A randomised controlled trial is currently underway to investigate the effect of preoperative abdominal exercises in preventing/minimising postoperative abdominal muscle weakness in this group.     

Breast cancer reconstruction in the elderly

Mastectomy is a surgical choice for breast cancer, yet breast reconstruction is underused in women older than age 60 years. Because of a paucity of information examining breast cancer reconstruction in the elderly, we sought to review our experience. By retrospective chart review, we evaluated 89 women older than 60 years having mastectomy and reconstruction from January 1998 to June 2008. Mean patient age was 65 years (range, 60 to 74 years). The majority (41%) had Stage 1 disease or Stage 2 (30%). Ductal carcinoma in situ comprised 25 per cent and Stage 3 totaled 2 per cent. Mastectomy for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after radiation therapy and lumpectomy comprised 11 per cent. Most underwent immediate breast reconstruction (89%). Reconstructive techniques included two-stage implant (58%), transverse rectus abdominus musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap (10%), latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap with implant (2%), or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (1%). Complications included a 12 per cent infection rate, removal of two expanders resulting from exposure, one TRAM failure, and one TRAM required débriding. Four patients undergoing mastectomy with tissue expander had radiation resulting in one expander being removed. One local skin recurrence was treated with removal of implant and skin resection. Two patients have died from metastatic disease. Age should not be a contraindication for breast reconstruction in elderly women.