Contralateral unaffected breast augmentation using zone IV as a SIEA flap during unilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction

BackgroundContralateral breast augmentation during unilateral breast reconstruction is a good option for women with small breasts. In patients with adequate lower abdominal tissues, the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is often the first choice for unilateral autologous breast reconstruction. We use Zone IV, which is usually excised owing to its insufficient blood circulation, as a superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap for contralateral breast augmentation.MethodsBetween October 2004 and January 2016, 32 patients underwent unilateral breast reconstruction using a DIEP flap and an attempted simultaneous contralateral breast augmentation with an SIEA flap. The unilateral DIEP flap attached to the contralateral SIEA flap was split into two separate flaps after indocyanine green angiography. In all patients, ipsilateral internal mammary vessels were used as recipient vessels for DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The SIEA flap pedicle was anastomosed to several branches of the deep inferior epigastric vessels. The SIEA flap was inset beneath the contralateral breast through the midline.ResultsOf 32 patients, 27 underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction and simultaneous unaffected breast augmentation using 25 SIEA or 2 superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flaps. All DIEP flaps survived, and total necrosis occurred in one SIEA flap. The mean weight of the final inset for DIEP flap reconstruction and SIEA or SCIP flap augmentation was 416 g and 112 g, respectively.ConclusionsUnilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction and contralateral SIEA flap breast augmentation may be safely performed with satisfactory results.     

Free DIEAP and SGAP flap breast reconstruction after abdominal/gluteal liposuction.

Perforator flaps are widely used in our unit for breast reconstruction. They provide ample tissue with minimal donor site morbidity together with long lasting aesthetic results. Increasing number of patients may have liposuction procedure which may jeopardise areas such as the abdomen and the buttock which are the donor sites for perforator-free flaps in breast reconstruction. Therefore, liposuction has been considered as a relative contraindication of raising perforator flaps. Six patients who had previous liposuction of the donor sites underwent autologous breast reconstruction with perforator-free flaps. Colour Duplex imaging was obtained in all cases preoperatively in order to evaluate the blood supply to the flap and to map the perforators. There were five deep inferior epigastric artery flaps (DIEP) and one superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap used. Total flap survival was obtained in all cases. Postoperative course was uneventful. Our results showed that raising perforator flaps after liposuction of the donor sites is possible. Preoperative radiological evaluation of the perforators is mandatory for such difficult cases.     

Rethinking the superficial inferior epigastric artery flap in breast reconstruction: Video demonstration of a rapid,reliable harvest technique

Abdominal-based autologous free tissue breast reconstruction has undergone significant changes over the past decade. The evolution has focused on limiting morbidity of the donor site. The transition from the transverse rectus abdominus muscle free flap to the muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominus muscle free flap to the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap has markedly improved abdominal-based autologous breast reconstruction. However, all of these flaps involve an incision through the anterior rectus fascia and potential damage of intercostal motor and sensory nerves. The superficial inferior epigastric artery flap (SIEA) reliably perfuses the ipsilateral hemiabdomen, yet does not violate the fascia or any motor nerves. As a result, the incidence of hernia, abdominal wall weakness and bulging is essentially eliminated. Nevertheless, use of the SIEA flap remains marginal. Vessel size, dissection difficulties and lack of understanding of the relevant anatomy have limited its acceptance. The present article describes a rapid, reliable and safe dissection technique with an algorithm for harvesting the SIEA flap in autologous breast reconstruction.     

Sitting on a gold mine: optimal autologous reconstruction of a significant cosmetic contour defect of the buttock using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap

The options for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the buttock include custom prosthetic implants and autologous tissue transfer: fat transfer, local flaps, pedicled flaps and free flaps. Optimal reconstruction involves replacement of like-with-like tissue, sufficient padding and adequate contouring. We report a case of a female patient presenting with a significant cosmetic contour defect of her left buttock following previous excision of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The patient had autologous buttock reconstruction using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap with an excellent result. To our knowledge a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap has not previously been described to reconstruct the buttock.     

腹壁浅动脉蒂游离腹壁皮瓣乳房再造术的初步临床应用

目的 探讨采用腹壁浅动脉(superficial inferior epigastric artery,SIEA)蒂游离腹壁皮瓣乳房再造术方法 、特点及适应证.方法 术前采用多层螺旋CT(multipledetector-row computed tomography,MDCT)三维血管造影及多普勒血流探测仪检查SIEA的直径、走行及分布,于脐与阴阜上缘之间设计皮瓣,采用单蒂或双蒂SIEA,与胸廓内动,静脉吻合,腹部供区直接拉拢缝合.结果 4例乳房再造病例皮瓣全部存活,皮瓣和腹部供区无脂肪液化、坏死、切口裂开、腹壁薄弱及腹壁疝等并发症的出现,再造乳房外形效果满意.结论 SIEA蒂游离腹壁皮瓣与腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣(DIEP),横行腹支肌肌(TRAM)皮瓣乳房再造术提供同样的腹部皮肤和组织量,但却减轻了对腹部功能和形态的损害,在做好充分的术前血管评估、严格把握适应证和熟练掌握显微外科技术的前提下,是一种可供选择的乳房再造方法.     

腹壁浅动脉蒂游离腹壁皮瓣乳房再造术的初步临床应用

目的 探讨采用腹壁浅动脉(superficial inferior epigastric artery,SIEA)蒂游离腹壁皮瓣乳房再造术方法 、特点及适应证.方法 术前采用多层螺旋CT(multipledetector-row computed tomography,MDCT)三维血管造影及多普勒血流探测仪检查SIEA的直径、走行及分布,于脐与阴阜上缘之间设计皮瓣,采用单蒂或双蒂SIEA,与胸廓内动,静脉吻合,腹部供区直接拉拢缝合.结果 4例乳房再造病例皮瓣全部存活,皮瓣和腹部供区无脂肪液化、坏死、切口裂开、腹壁薄弱及腹壁疝等并发症的出现,再造乳房外形效果满意.结论 SIEA蒂游离腹壁皮瓣与腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣(DIEP),横行腹支肌肌(TRAM)皮瓣乳房再造术提供同样的腹部皮肤和组织量,但却减轻了对腹部功能和形态的损害,在做好充分的术前血管评估、严格把握适应证和熟练掌握显微外科技术的前提下,是一种可供选择的乳房再造方法.     

腹壁浅动脉蒂游离腹壁皮瓣乳房再造术的初步临床应用

目的 探讨采用腹壁浅动脉（superficial inferior epigastric artery,SIEA）蒂游离腹壁皮瓣乳房再造术方法 、特点及适应证.方法 术前采用多层螺旋CT（multipledetector-row computed tomography,MDCT）三维血管造影及多普勒血流探测仪检查SIEA的直径、走行及分布,于脐与阴阜上缘之间设计皮瓣,采用单蒂或双蒂SIEA,与胸廓内动,静脉吻合,腹部供区直接拉拢缝合.结果 4例乳房再造病例皮瓣全部存活,皮瓣和腹部供区无脂肪液化、坏死、切口裂开、腹壁薄弱及腹壁疝等并发症的出现,再造乳房外形效果满意.结论 SIEA蒂游离腹壁皮瓣与腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣（DIEP）,横行腹支肌肌（TRAM）皮瓣乳房再造术提供同样的腹部皮肤和组织量,但却减轻了对腹部功能和形态的损害,在做好充分的术前血管评估、严格把握适应证和熟练掌握显微外科技术的前提下,是一种可供选择的乳房再造方法.     

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     

Dynamic infrared thermography

This article describes how dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) can be used in autologous breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. This noninvasive and noncontact technique for indirect monitoring of skin blood perfusion can be used in the preoperative planning and intraoperative evaluation of flap perfusion, as well as the postoperative monitoring of perfusion dynamics of DIEP flaps. DIRT provides valuable information on the perfusion physiology of perforators.     

Breast reconstruction with superior epigastric artery perforator (SEAP) free flap: Report of two cases

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. When the DIEP pedicle is damaged, alternative perforator flaps are harvested from sites with less donor tissue, such as the thigh. Pedicled superior epigastric artery perforator (SEAP) flaps have been recently described for reconstruction of inferior partial breast defects. The purpose of this report is to show the surgical technique of the free SEAP flap for reconstruction of the entire breast in two patients. The authors describe two patients where the DIEP pedicle was unavailable. The first patient was 53 years old, with body mass index (BMI) 22.7, while the second patient was 60 with BMI 32.4. The donor site was marked as for a DIEP, and two lateral row perforators were selected in each case. Flaps were designed to cross the midline, with adequate perfusion confirmed via indocyanine green angiography. Both flaps were rotated 90° counterclockwise for inset into the chest. Flap size and weight for the two patients were: 24 × 15 cm and 350 g; and 25 × 15 cm and 400 g. Both patients had a routine postoperative course without complications. Length of follow-up was 155 and 158 days, respectively. We believe that the free SEAP flap is a promising technique in select patients who require an alternative to the DIEP for autologous breast reconstruction.     

Breast Reconstruction Following Mastectomy; Patient’s Satisfaction

Breast cancer remains one of the most common malignancies in women and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Despite the current emphasis on breast conservation, mastectomy rates remain at 30%. Mastectomy is often associated with significant psychological sequelae including distorted body image and sexual dysfunction. Breast restoration is assumed to allow a full emotional and physical recovery from a breast cancer crisis. The methods of reconstructive surgery currently practised comprise flap reconstruction, implant reconstruction and a combination of these procedures. The most commonly used flaps are transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM), deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), latissimus dorsi (LD), gluteal artery perforator (GAP). Autogenous tissue gives the best results, and currently the best technique in most women is probably the free DIEP flap. The lower abdominal tissue can mimic the breast to a high degree.     

下腹部横行腹直肌肌皮瓣联合腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣乳房再造术

目的 探讨应用下腹部腹直肌肌皮瓣联合腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣行乳房再造的手术方法，并分析其适应证。方法 以健侧腹直肌为肌蒂、患侧腹壁下动、静脉穿支为吻合血管蒂形成下腹部横行腹直肌肌皮瓣与腹壁下动脉穿支联合皮瓣，将腹壁下动、静脉与患侧胸背血管或胸廓内血管相吻合，进行乳房再造。结果 自2003年以来，于临床应用17例，所有皮瓣皆成活，随访3～12个月，再造乳房外形满意。结论 下腹部腹直肌肌皮瓣联合腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣，具有血运可靠、提供组织量丰富、塑形自由度大、供区损伤较小等优点，尤适宜需要移植体积多以及胸廓内血管受损的乳房再造患者。     

应用腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣再造阴道

目的探讨应用腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣再造阴道的优缺点。方法2004年1月~2005年5月,采用腹壁下动脉穿支(deepinferiorepigastricperforator,DIEP)皮瓣再造阴道5例,年龄19~40岁。先天性无阴道4例,阴道肿瘤1例。术前常规用超声多普勒检测DIEP,设计10cm×9cm~12cm×11cm的菱形皮瓣,将穿支点包括在皮瓣内。皮瓣切取后作内翻缝合成皮筒状,于腹股沟韧带与耻骨之间沿耻骨结节及耻骨上支内侧面,形成皮筒通过的隧道。将阴道皮筒经隧道移位至人工阴道腔隙或阴道肿瘤切除后的创面中再造阴道。结果5例阴道再造均获得成功,1例患者术后2周出现阴道后壁血肿,经清除血肿后愈合。腹壁供区无任何并发症发生。术后随访1~6个月,再造阴道质地柔软,宽敞,3例有性生活,患者感觉满意。结论应用DIEP皮瓣再造阴道是一种较理想的术式,对广泛的阴道肿瘤切除,由于需填充较多组织,仍是较好选择。     

Congenital breast deformity reconstruction using perforator flaps

BACKGROUND: Congenital breast deformities such as Poland syndrome, unilateral congenital hypoplasia, tuberous breast anomaly, and amastia pose a challenging plastic surgical dilemma. The majority of patients are young, healthy individuals who seek esthetic restoration of their breast deformities. Currently, both implant and autologous reconstructive techniques are used. This study focuses on our experience with congenital breast deformity patients who underwent reconstruction using a perforator flap. METHODS: From 1994 to 2005, a retrospective chart review was performed on women who underwent breast reconstruction using perforator flaps to correct congenital breast deformities and asymmetry. Patient age, breast deformity type, perforator flap type, flap volume, recipient vessels, postoperative complications, revisions, and esthetic results were determined. RESULTS: Over an 11-year period, 12 perforator flaps were performed. All cases were for unilateral breast deformities. The patients ranged from 16 to 43 years of age. Six patients had undergone previous correctional surgeries. Eight (n = 8) flaps were used for correction of Poland syndrome and its associated chest wall deformities. Four (n = 4) flaps were used for correction of unilateral breast hypoplasia. In all cases, the internal mammary vessels were the recipient vessels of choice. No flaps were lost. No vein grafts were used. All patients were discharged on the fourth postoperative day. Complications encountered included seroma, hematoma, and nipple malposition. Revisional surgery was performed in 30% of the cases. Esthetic results varied from poor to excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Perforator flaps are an acceptable choice for patients with congenital breast deformities seeking autologous breast reconstruction. Deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEP) or superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps are performed when adequate abdominal tissue is available; however, many young patients have inadequate abdominal tissue, thus a GAP flap can be used. Perforator flaps are a safe, reliable surgical technique. In the properly selected patient, donor-site morbidity and functional compromise are minimized, improved self-esteem is noted, postoperative pain is decreased, and excellent long-term esthetic results can be achieved.     

穿支游离皮瓣修复头颈肿瘤术后缺损

目的 探索更为理想的穿支游离皮瓣修复技术，运用于头颈肿瘤术后缺损。方法 2003年12月-2005年5月用于头颈部手术缺损修复的穿支游离皮瓣共14例（股前外侧皮瓣8例，腹壁下深动脉穿支皮瓣6例）。其中10例为复发后挽救手术，12例曾行放疗（平均63．5Gy）。头颈部肿瘤手术缺损部位分别为舌体3例，颊黏膜3例，口咽壁3例，舌根2例，颅底、头皮以及中面部各1例。受区供吻合动脉主要是甲状腺上动脉和面动脉；静脉为颈内静脉。结果 13例穿支游离皮瓣成功（93％），有1例穿支皮瓣因吻合侧的颈内静脉血栓形成导致皮瓣坏死。受区未发现其它明显并发症。供区均直接缝合关闭并一期愈合，未发现腹壁疝和运动受限等手术并发症。结论 穿支游离皮瓣保留了供区的肌肉、筋膜和神经，将供区的并发症降到最低限度，是头颈部缺损修复新的可靠技术。     

Perforator flap breast reconstruction after unsatisfactory implant reconstruction

In 2009, 86,424 breast reconstructions were performed in the United States, with 76% being implant-based procedures. Capsular contracture and infection are the 2 most cited indications for implant explantation, resulting in a reconstruction failure. However, several patients are dissatisfied with implant reconstruction even without the aforementioned complications. We hypothesize that microvascular autologous tissue transfer with perforator free-flap breast reconstruction provides an excellent salvage modality in the face of an unsatisfactory implant reconstruction, resulting in an improved cosmetic and functional outcome, with low risk of complications. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients in the senior author's practice who underwent perforator flap breast reconstruction between the years 1998 through 2008, and identified all patients who had prior implant reconstruction. Indications for implant explantation, medical history, operative procedure, and postoperative complications were reviewed. During the study period, 1846 perforator flaps were performed. We found 191 patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction after implant reconstruction with a total of 284 flaps (15.4%). The most frequent patient complaint was unnatural appearance and feel of the implants (Baker I or Baker II), and the majority of patients had not undergone radiation. Most patients were reconstructed using abdominal flaps with 164 deep inferior epigastric perforators, 50 superior gluteal artery perforators, 30 superficial inferior epigastric arteries, 35 inferior gluteal artery perforators, and 5 transverse upper gracilis. The total complication rate was 7.4%, with most complications related to wound healing at the donor site. There were 3 flap losses (1%), all of which were later successfully reconstructed with another perforator flap. Implant failures are traditionally thought to be in patients with Baker grade III/IV capsular contractures and in patients status post radiation therapy. However, in our study, the majority of patients seeking perforator flap reconstruction after implant reconstruction complained of an unnatural feel and appearance of their breasts, and did not have a severe capsular contracture deformity (Baker III/IV), nor had they undergone radiation. This suggests that implant reconstruction can lead to patient dissatisfaction severe enough to warrant removal even with Baker I/II results, and not in the setting of postradiation changes.     

A safe approach to sparing the rectus muscle in abdominal-based microvascular breast reconstruction—TRAM, MS-TRAM, DIEP or SIEA?

There has been an international drive towards the use of abdominal-based perforator (deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) or superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA)) flaps for breast reconstruction as they provide the ideal tissue whilst minimizing donor site morbidity, post-operative pain and recovery times. Ultimately, what is desired is a safe and reliable reconstruction. We retrospectively reviewed 245 consecutive abdominal-based free flaps performed by three surgeons at a single institution between January 2002 and March 2008. Primary breast reconstructions were planned as DIEPs, but a safe, flexible approach to flap selection was adopted with the most appropriate flap performed depending on the perforator anatomy at the time of surgery. Chest wall resurfacing procedures for extensive recurrent disease, inflammatory breast carcinoma or following radionecrosis were planned as transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps. The incidence of flap complications was compared including total and partial flap loss, returns to operating room, seroma, abdominal hernia/bulge, fat necrosis and delayed wound healing. Patient age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, co-morbidity and pre- and post-operative radiotherapy were recorded. Two hundred patients, mean age 48?years (range, 26–74?years), underwent a total of 245 abdominal-based microvascular breast reconstructions. Twelve salvage TRAM flaps were performed for chest wall resurfacing. Of the remaining 233 flaps, 151 (65%) were immediate and 82 (35%) were delayed reconstructions. Flaps included 171 DIEPs, 38 muscle-sparing (MS)-TRAMs, 2 TRAMs and 22 SIEA flaps. Of the 233 reconstructions, 39 flaps (16.7%) in 31 patients received radiotherapy. Mean follow-up was 2.6?years. There were three (1.3%) complete flap losses and three (1.3%) partial flap losses. Rates of fat necrosis were 3.0% and abdominal hernia/bulge 1.7%. We present an algorithm to aid decision-making in autologous breast reconstruction that reflects our safe flexible approach. We have achieved excellent success rates in autologous breast reconstruction and conclude that in order to minimize complications, a safe flexible approach towards muscle harvest must be maintained in our drive to use perforator flaps.     

穿支皮瓣修复四肢创面临床应用56例

目的 探讨应用穿支皮瓣修复四肢创面的临床效果。方法 自2016年11月至2018年10月,采用股前外侧穿支皮瓣(ALTP)、腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣(DIEP)、骨间后动脉穿支皮瓣(PIAP)、胸背动脉穿支皮瓣(TDAP)、腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣(MSAP)、桡侧副动脉穿支皮瓣(RCAP)游离移植修复四肢创面56例,软组织缺损面积1.5 cm×1.5 cm~ 10.0 cm×24.0 cm,皮瓣切取面积2.0 cm×2.0 cm~ 11.0 cm×25.0 cm。供区均直接缝合关闭。术后观察皮瓣成活与创面愈合情况,定期随访皮瓣外观、质地、肢体功能恢复及皮瓣供区外形及功能。结果 1例DIEP移植术后第3天发生静脉危象,经手术探查重新吻合静脉后成活,皮瓣远端部分表皮坏死,经换药治疗后愈合;其余55例皮瓣均顺利成活,皮瓣受区与供区创口均一期愈合。术后6~ 18个月随访,皮瓣颜色正常,质地柔软,肢体功能恢复良好,皮瓣供区仅残留线形瘢痕,功能无影响。结论 穿支皮瓣修复四肢创面疗效可靠,可以推广应用。     

腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣在双侧乳腺癌改良根治术后乳房再造中的应用

目的 总结采用腹壁下动脉穿支游离皮瓣再造双侧乳房的经验。方法 2004年6月至2005年5月,对3例双侧乳房改良根治术后的患者,应用DIEP皮瓣行二期乳房再造术。结果 3例患者6个皮瓣均成活。随访3个月以上,双侧再造乳房双侧对称,外形满意。未见腹壁疝和腹壁膨出发生。结论 选用DIEP皮瓣游离移植再造乳房,是乳腺癌改良根治术后恢复双侧乳房外形的一种理想方法。     

Breast reconstruction with free flaps from the abdominal donor site: TRAM, DIEAP, and SIEA flaps

Multiple types of free flap can be elevated from the lower abdominal region for use in breast reconstruction. These include the free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, and the superficial inferior epigastric artery flap. This sequence of flaps represents an evolution in the protection of the donor site. However, the decision as to which flap may be most appropriate for an individual patient is complex. This article serves to review pertinent surgical anatomy, preoperative planning, intraoperative decision making in flap elevation, and reported outcomes.