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.     

The use of a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) in a case of severe breast asymmetry secondary to radiation therapy during childhood

Breast radiotherapy during childhood may cause unpredictable outcomes in soft tissue growth and may be responsible for most iatrogenic-related breast hypoplasias. Poor local skin quality and subcutaneous atrophy poses a difficult problem for the use of alloplastic tissues. Clinical use of a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) in oncological breast surgery is a common practice; however few studies have described its application in benign situations and no previous report addressed this subject. The authors indicate the use of the DIEP flap to correct severe hypomastia after previous childhood radiotherapy for hemangioma treatment, followed by unsuccessful alloplastic tissue reconstruction. For selected patients the DIEP flap may constitute a new alternative for complications of radiotherapy treatment due to the possibility of large tissue transfer with minimal donor area morbidity. The quantity of flap tissue necessary to restore the breast mound, the perforator vessel size, and the quality of suitable recipient vessels should be carefully evaluated. However, the need for microsurgical training as well as the extended surgical time are the main limiting factors for the use of this flap.     

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。     

Breast reconstruction using deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps in EEC syndrome.

Ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, cleft lip/palate (EEC) syndrome is a rare condition that may result in failure of breast development. Breast reconstruction in these patients may pose a challenging problem, as they are young and reconstructive options should have minimal long-term complications. The use of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps in breast reconstruction following breast cancer has been well described with good results. The use of DIEP flaps in breast augmentation, however, is far less common. We present the case of a young patient with EEC syndrome and mammary hypoplasia who underwent DIEP flap reconstruction for breast augmentation. The outcome was satisfactory to both patient and surgeon.     

Buttock reconstruction using a pedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator flap

Although deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps are mainly used for breast reconstruction as free flaps, they are also useful as pedicled island flaps. However, DIEP flaps have seldom been used for reconstructions in the lateral hip region. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, no report has been issued on the use of this flap for buttock reconstruction. The authors describe the successful use of a pedicled oblique DIEP flap for the reconstruction of a severe scar contracture in the buttock. The pedicled DIEP flap can be a useful option for the reconstruction of large buttock defects, and if a transverse DIEP flap is unavailable, an oblique DIEP flap should be considered an alternative.     

Ten years’ experience of free flaps for breast reconstruction in a Danish microsurgical centre: An audit

We have done a total of 292 breast reconstructions using a free flap over a period of 10 years (1994–2003). During the last five years the number of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps has increased. However, to secure an optimal blood supply we still use a muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap sometimes. Our results with the two flaps were identical as far as operating time and length of hospital stay were concerned, but the DIEP flap has less donor site morbidity. Our results are influenced by our selection of patients and our technique but we think that muscle-sparing TRAM flaps may be used as an alternative to DIEP flaps.     

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     

腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣在乳腺癌术后一期乳房再造中的应用

目的探讨腹壁下动脉穿支（deep inferior ep igastric perforator,D IEP）皮瓣游离移植在乳腺癌术后一期乳房再造中的临床应用。方法 17例行根治术或改良根治术并同期应用D IEP皮瓣再造乳房的乳腺癌患者,其中Ⅱ期9例,Ⅲ期7例,Ⅳ期1例,行改良根治术Ⅰ式13例,Ⅱ式2例,常规根治术2例。Ⅲ、Ⅳ期患者术前常规新辅助化疗2～3周期。10例术后行放化疗。结果全部皮瓣均成活,再造乳房外形可,弹性好,无脂肪液化、皮瓣挛缩变形;无腹壁疝和腹壁膨出。15例获随访,平均2.4（1～5）年,1例2年后死于全身转移,1例8个月后胸壁局部复发放弃治疗。结论乳腺癌术后一期应用D IEP皮瓣游离移植再造乳房,具有皮瓣血运良好、再造乳房外形满意、腹部供区并发症少,可同时行腹壁整形等优点,是乳腺癌术后乳房再造的理想方法之一。且放化疗不影响皮瓣的成活。     

Tug 'O' war: challenges of transverse upper gracilis (TUG) myocutaneous free flap breast reconstruction

Autologous tissue microsurgical breast reconstruction is increasingly requested by women following mastectomy. While the abdomen is the most frequently used donor site, not all women have enough abdominal tissue excess for a unilateral or bilateral breast reconstruction. A secondary choice in such women may be the transverse upper gracilis (TUG) myocutaneous flap. This study reviews our experience with TUG flap breast reconstruction looking specifically at reconstructive success rate and the requirement for secondary surgery. A total of 16 free TUG flaps were performed to reconstruct 15 breasts in eight patients over a period of five years. Data were collected retrospectively by chart review. Follow up ranged from 14 to 41 months. During the follow up period, there was one (6.3%) complete flap loss in an immediate breast reconstruction patient. Four further flaps (25%) failed in their primary aim of breast reconstruction, as they required additional significant reconstruction with either deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps (two flaps (12.5%), one patient) or augmentation with silicone breast implants (two flaps (12.5%), one patient), giving a successful breast reconstruction rate with the TUG flap of only 66.7%. In all of the remaining reconstructed breasts, deficient flap volume or breast contour was seen. Eight flaps were augmented by lipofilling. A total of 62.5% of the donor sites had complications, namely sensory disturbance of the medial thigh (25%) and poor scar (37.5%) requiring revision. This series demonstrates a high rate of reconstructive failure and unsatisfactory outcomes from TUG flap breast reconstruction. We feel this reinforces the necessity of adequate pre-operative patient assessment and counselling, including discussion regarding the likelihood of subsequent revisional surgery, before embarking on this form of autologous breast reconstruction.     

Preserving a patent DIEP pedicle to facilitate salvage breast reconstruction with a second free flap: A case report

Surgeons performing free flap breast reconstruction need to have a range of techniques in their armamentarium to successfully salvage cases of flap failure. We present a case of 47‐year‐old patient who suffered near‐total right breast deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap failure 3 days post‐bilateral immediate breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps. At debridement, the DIEP pedicle was noted to be patent with preserved perfusion to a small segment of tissue around the origin of the pedicle. This tissue and the DIEP pedicle itself were therefore preserved to facilitate subsequent breast reconstruction using stacked transverse upper gracilis flaps anastomosed end‐to‐end to the original DIEP pedicle. Post‐operatively, both flaps remained viable with no further complications and symmetrical aesthetic result maintained at 2 months follow‐up post‐salvage procedure. This case emphasizes the importance of exercising caution during initial debridement for free flap failure to preserve viable tissue in the flap and pedicle, particularly in circumstances where vascular flow in the pedicle is maintained, to facilitate successful salvage reconstruction.     

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.     

The unilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator flap: Comparing university to community hospital

Abstract

The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is considered to be the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. This study evaluates the outcome of unilateral DIEP flap reconstructions, comparing university with a community hospital setting. A total of 77 unilateral DIEP flaps were performed at one university hospital and two community hospitals by the same two surgeons. Outcome parameters were: hospital stay, operating time, wound infection, wound dehiscence, fat necrosis, haematoma, (partial) flap necrosis and the need for surgical intervention. Forty-nine unilateral DIEP flaps were performed in the university hospital and 28 in the community hospitals. Baseline characteristics were equal. No significant difference was found in total complication rate, flap loss or need for surgical intervention. Although wound dehiscence occurred more often in the community hospitals, unilateral DIEP flap breast reconstructions can be performed with a comparable degree of safety and complication risk in both university and community hospital settings.     

A new classification system for muscle and nerve preservation in DIEP flap breast reconstruction

The main advantage of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction is muscle preservation. Perforating vessels, however, display anatomic variability and intraoperative decisions must balance flap perfusion with muscle or nerve sacrifice. Studies that aggregate DIEP flap reconstruction may not accurately reflect the degree of rectus preservation. At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center from 2004–2009, 446 DIEP flaps were performed for breast reconstruction. Flaps were divided into three categories: DIEP‐1, no muscle or nerve sacrifice (126 flaps); DIEP‐2, segmental nerve sacrifice and minimal muscle sacrifice (244 flaps); DIEP‐3, perforator harvest from both the medial and lateral row, segmental nerve sacrifice and central muscle sacrifice (76 flaps). Although the rate of abdominal bulge was similar among groups, fat necrosis was significantly higher in DIEP‐1 when compared with DIEP‐3 flaps (19.8% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.049). We describe a DIEP flap classification system and operative techniques to minimize muscle and nerve sacrifice. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.     

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.     

Ten years' experience of free flaps for breast reconstruction in a Danish microsurgical centre: an audit.

We have done a total of 292 breast reconstructions using a free flap over a period of 10 years (1994-2003). During the last five years the number of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps has increased. However, to secure an optimal blood supply we still use a muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap sometimes. Our results with the two flaps were identical as far as operating time and length of hospital stay were concerned, but the DIEP flap has less donor site morbidity. Our results are influenced by our selection of patients and our technique but we think that muscle-sparing TRAM flaps may be used as an alternative to DIEP flaps.     

Breast Reconstruction with Microvascular MS-TRAM and DIEP Flaps

The free muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) and deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps involve transferring skin and subcutaneous tissue from the lower abdominal area and have many features that make them well suited for breast reconstruction. The robust blood supply of the free flap reduces the risk of fat necrosis and also enables aggressive shaping of the flap for breast reconstruction to optimize the aesthetic outcome. In addition, the free MS-TRAM flap and DIEP flap require minimal donor-site sacrifice in most cases. With proper patient selection and safe surgical technique, the free MS-TRAM flap and DIEP flap can transfer the lower abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue to provide an aesthetically pleasing breast reconstruction with minimal donor-site morbidity.     

Emerging trends in microsurgical breast reconstruction: deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) and the superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flaps

Breast reconstruction is an important adjunct in the treatment of breast cancer. Many reconstructive options exist, however autologous tissue remains the gold standard. One drawback to autologous reconstruction methods is the potential for flap donor site morbidity. Recent advances in microsurgical techniques include the development of perforator flaps, including the Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator flap (DIEP) and the Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator (SGAP) flaps. Harvest of these flaps attempt to minimize the impact on the donor site and thereby reduce the incidence of donor site complications. This article will review of the indications, advantages and drawbacks to the use of perforator flaps in breast reconstruction surgery.     

Utility of the free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in chest wall reconstruction

Breast cancer chest wall recurrence is often treated with chemotherapy, radical surgery, and radiation. Extensive chest wall resection requires soft-tissue reconstruction with tissue that provides chest wall stability and durability for additional radiation. Local and regional muscle and musculocutaneous flaps are often used for reconstruction. Free flaps, such as the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap, are used for large defects, although donor site morbidity can result. The free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap provides coverage for large defects and may have less donor site morbidity. We describe the use of the free DIEP flap to reconstruct large chest wall defects (mean, 501 cm2 defects) after the resection of recurrent breast cancer in two patients. One patient had 2% flap loss. No donor site morbidity occurred. The free DIEP flap is a durable and reliable flap that provided immediate and complete coverage of these large chest wall defects with no donor site morbidity and did not delay the administration of adjuvant therapy.     

Duplex ultrasound imaging in free transverse rectus abdominis muscle, deep inferior epigastric artery perforator, and superior gluteal artery perforator flaps: early and long-term comparison of perfusion changes in free flaps following breast reconstruction

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the hemodynamic differences in free DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap), S-GAP (superior gluteal artery perforator flap) flaps versus TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle) flaps and to analyze any perfusion change due to perforator dissection (study 1). To examine the hypothesis as to whether flap perfusion is maintained through the pedicle (study 2), we also compared short- and long-term DIEP flap perfusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood volume flow, velocity, and diameter of the donor and recipient vessels of 4 TRAM flaps, 5 S-GAP flaps, and 17 DIEP flaps were examined preoperatively on day 5 and also 18 months postoperatively using duplex ultrasound. RESULTS: The greatest volume flow and velocity are measured in the TRAM flaps, followed by S-GAP and DIEP flaps. Blood flow in the musculocutaneous and perforator flaps is twice as great as in the donor vessels, which is proof of flap hyperperfusion. SUMMARY: The minimum perfusion requirement is easily satisfied in musculocutaneus and free perforator flaps. In the long term, DIEP flap perfusion increases 13%, which assumes that DIEP flap perfusion is maintained on the pedicle.     

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.