Successive uneventful pregnancies immediately following bilateral TRAM flap harvest

We here report a 37-year-old woman who had two successful pregnancies following a bilateral harvest of transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap. The abdominal wall was firmly repaired by component separation as well as external oblique fascial patch grafts. Although she had a scar from a cesarean section and the recovery interval between the harvest and the first postreconstructive pregnancy was less than 2 months, each pregnancy and delivery was uneventful. With the popularization and improvement in TRAM breast reconstruction, there may be an increase in the number of pregnancies without physician’s approval. Our case revealed that a large bilateral anterior sheath defect can be firmly repaired to endure immediate pregnancy without using any synthetic material. Level of Evidence: Level V, risk/prognostic study.     

应用聚丙烯网修补腹直肌肌皮瓣乳房再造后的腹壁缺损

目的探讨横行腹直肌肌皮瓣(transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap，TRAM瓣)乳房再造后腹壁缺损较为理想的修复方法。方法应用聚丙烯网修复下腹部TRAM瓣转移后遗留的腹壁缺损24例，蒂部前鞘直接缝合。结果24例应用聚丙烯网修复乳房再造后的下腹壁缺损，不仅修复了缺损，而且同时取得了腹壁美学效果。住院期间无腹腔综合征及感染发生。平均随访1年，未发现腹壁疝、腹壁膨隆、腹壁松弛，腹部整形效果持久，功能良好。结论应用聚丙烯网修复TRAM瓣乳房再造后的腹壁缺损是较为理想的修复方法，不仅能保持腹壁的完整性和各种生理功能，减少并发症的发生；同时，达到了腹壁整形的目的。     

Assessment of the abdominal wall function after pedicled TRAM flap surgery for breast reconstruction: Use of modified mesh repair for the donor defect

Background:

The pedicled TRAM flap has been a workhorse of autologous breast reconstruction for decades. However, there has been a rising concern about the abdominal wall donor site morbidity with the use of conventional TRAM flap. This has generally been cited as one of the main reasons for resorting to “abdominal wall friendly” techniques. This study has been undertaken to assess the abdominal wall function in patients with pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction. The entire width of the muscle and the overlying wide disk of anterior rectus sheath were harvested with the TRAM flap in all our patients and the anterior rectus sheath defect was repaired by a Proline mesh.

Materials and Methods:

Abdominal wall function was studied in 21 patients who underwent simultaneous primary unipedicled TRAM flap reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer. In all the patients, the abdominal wall defect was repaired using wide sheet of Proline mesh both as inlay and onlay. The assessment tools included straight and rotational curl ups and a subjective questionnaire. The abdominal wall was also examined for any asymmetry, bulge, or hernia. The minimal follow-up was 6 months postoperative. The objective results were compared with normal unoperated volunteers.

Results and Conclusions:

The harvesting the TRAM flap certainly results in changes to the anterior abdominal wall that can express themselves to a variable degree. A relatively high incidence of asymptomatic asymmetry of the abdomen was seen. There was total absence of hernia in our series even after a mean follow-up period of 15.5 months. A few patients were only able to partially initiate the sit up movement and suffered an important loss of strength. In most patients, synergists took over the functional movement but as the load increased, flexion and rotation performances decreased. The lack of correlation between exercise tests and the results of the questionnaire suggests that this statistically significant impairment was functionally not important. The patients encountered little or no difficulty in theis day-to-day activities. Our modification of use of a wide mesh as inlay and onlay repair minimizes the donor site morbidity. This also avoids maneuvers meant for primary closure of the rectus sheath defects, which can result in distortion of umbilicus. Therefore, in conclusion, the unipedicled TRAM flap should be regarded as a valuable option in breast reconstruction provided careful repair of the abdominal wall defect is undertaken using Proline mesh.     

Evaluations of the aesthetic results and patient satisfaction with the late pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction

With the goal of evaluating the aesthetic results, testing the reliability of the rating systems used, and determining the patients' level of satisfaction with their breast reconstruction, pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap reconstruction was performed in 20 patients who had undergone mastectomy. The results were evaluated and compared 3, 6, and 12 months after reconstruction using the patients' own assessments (a rating of 0-10 points) and scoring by two senior plastic surgeons (using 0-10-point global rating scales as well as the five subscales of the modified Garbay system). The interrater and intrarater agreement was poor to fair for the majority of the subscales. When evaluating by grades, there was significant difference (p < 0.001) between the patients and the raters at postoperative months 3 and 6. At month 12, one of the raters attributed significantly lower grades (p < 0.001) than the patients and the other rater. The authors observed a higher level of satisfaction by the patients than by the raters.     

A comparison of ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flap with and without previous irradiation

Due to concerns for increased complications, there is reluctance to use the ipsilateral pedicled TRAM for breast reconstruction in the presence of previous chest wall irradiation. This study will assess whether the ipsilateral pedicled TRAM is a safe and effective option when the pedicle is part of the irradiation field. Consecutive cases of ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flap procedures from 1997-2003 were reviewed. Patients with and without previous irradiation were compared on several vascular indicators. There were 123 and 124 patients in the irradiated and nonirradiated groups, respectively. These groups were demographically similar, except the nonirradiated group was significantly older. The irradiated group had a significantly higher rate of minor wound problems related to mastectomy flap healing (8.9% versus 1.6%). All other flap vascular complications were equivalent. The ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flap is a safe and effective option for breast reconstruction in an irradiated field in terms of the pedicle to the flap.     

Reconstruction of breast after super-radical mastectomy with a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap and a free TRAM flap

Reconstruction of the breast after super-radical mastectomy is difficult because not only a breast mound but also the subclavicular and anterior axillary regions must be reconstructed simultaneously. If a defect is extremely large a single flap cannot fulfil these two purposes. For this goal we use two flaps, an ipsilateral pedicled latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap and a free TRAM flap pedicled on the inferior epigastric vessels. A latissimus dorsi flap along with a silicone gel prosthesis is used to reconstruct a breast mound and the free TRAM flap is transferred to augment the subclavicular and anterior axillary regions. We have used this technique successfully in three cases.     

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.     

Supercharged pedicled TRAM flap in breast reconstruction: is it a worthwhile procedure

The need for a thin flap has increased for contour or coverage of the shallow defects caused by trauma, tumor ablative surgery, or defects created after the release of contractures. The authors describe their experience with the use of an extremely thin anterolateral thigh free flap for covering such defects in a series of 12 patients. Extreme thinning of the flap (4-5 mm) was achieved by removal of deep fascia and subcutaneous fat except for a 3- to 4-cm area around the entry of the perforator into the flap. Subdermal fat and immediate underlying superficial veins should be preserved during the thinning procedure for venous drainage of the flap. Their clinical experiences with 12 patients indicate that an extremely thin, long flap can survive on a single perforator.     

延期乳房再造中应用单蒂TRAM皮瓣移植重建自然形态的乳房

目的:探讨乳癌根治术后延期乳房再造中应用单蒂腹部横形腹直肌肌皮瓣(transverse rectus abdominis musculocu taneous,TRAM)重塑自然形态乳房的方法。方法:2004年7月～2007年10月,笔者应用单蒂TRAM皮瓣对15例患者进行延期乳房再造。于较正常侧高1～2cm的位置设计患侧新乳房下皱襞,切除范围为新乳房下皱襞与乳癌根治术后切口瘢痕之间的皮肤,TRAM皮瓣修复瘢痕切除后创面。结果:所有患者术后随访4～26个月,平均随访15.2个月,效果优10例,良3例,一般2例。2例患者出现TRAM皮瓣II区皮下脂肪坏死,经引流后愈合,1例患者乳房下皱襞较健侧低,二期修复后手术效果为优。结论:本组病例应用的技术有利于再造乳房呈现自然形态,避免明显补丁样畸形。     

两种补片修补TRAM皮瓣切取后腹壁缺损的临床效果比较

目的:比较聚丙烯网片与膨体聚四氟乙烯补片修补TRAM皮瓣切取后腹壁缺损的有效性及安全性。方法:回顾性分析85例游离TRAM皮瓣切取术后腹壁缺损的修补,比较两组患者术后并发症的发生率。结果:两组患者均无腹壁疝发生;聚丙烯网片组患者腹壁膨出率为6.3%,膨体聚四氟乙烯补片组为5.7%,无显著性差异;膨体聚四氟乙烯补片组术后感染率及积血积液率略高于聚丙烯网片组,无显著性差异;聚丙烯网片组患者术后疼痛不适及异物感发生率为34.4%,高于膨体聚四氟乙烯组的3.8%,差异具有统计学意义。结论:两种补片对于修复TRAM皮瓣切取后腹壁缺损都是有效的,膨体聚四氟乙烯补片更佳。     

Quality of life outcomes after pedicled TRAM flap delayed breast reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of TRAM flap delayed breast reconstruction on health related quality of life in patients who had undergone mastectomy. METHODS: Twenty-five patients following mastectomy were selected consecutively from the Plastic Surgery/Mastology Units of two university hospitals. All subjects underwent breast reconstruction with the use of pedicled TRAM flap. The patients' health related quality of life was assessed by a validated instrument, the SF-36 Health Survey Questionnaire. This was applied preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6 and 12-months follow-up. A group of 20 women with mastectomies who have not undergone breast reconstruction was used as a control. To assess patients' satisfaction with breast reconstruction we used Alderman's modified general satisfaction subscale. RESULTS: There was a progressive improvement in all dimensions of the SF-36, and this was statistically significant for seven of the eight dimensions. The scores were significantly higher on 'role emotional' and 'mental health' at 3 months postoperatively, on 'health perception' and 'role physical' at month 6 and on 'physical function', 'pain', health perception and 'social function' at postoperative month 12. Despite the increase in scores, no significant changes in 'vitality' were found. There was no significant preoperative difference between the control group and studied patients, and the control group's scores were significantly lower in all dimensions when compared to postoperative month 12, except on 'physical function'. The level of patients' satisfaction with the TRAM flap breast reconstruction was high. CONCLUSIONS: The data of this study suggest that delayed breast reconstruction with the use of the pedicled TRAM flap provides an improvement in health related quality of life of patients who have undergone mastectomy.     

Using pedicled TRAM flap in conjunction with the bony anchoring reinforcement system (BARS) for abdominal wall reconstruction

Background

Pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) breast reconstruction is associated with increased abdominal wall morbidity. We present a method of abdominal wall reconstruction using an adjunct technique to validated procedures of hernia repair.

Methods

This study is a retrospective, single-surgeon analysis of 21 patients between 2005 and 2012. Patients had bony suture anchoring of synthetic polypropylene mesh to the anterior superior iliac spine bilaterally and the pubic symphysis after the abdominal fascia was reconstructed.

Results

Patient mean follow-up was 62 months. Of the series, five patients underwent bilateral pedicled TRAM breast reconstruction. None of the 21 patients developed abdominal wall hernias. One patient developed postoperative bulging, which was retreated successfully. Two patients developed mesh infections; none required radical removal of mesh. There were no flap failures or loss in the series.

Conclusions

The BARS technique for abdominal wall reconstruction provides excellent reinforcement of abdominal reconstruction in conjunction with pedicled TRAM breast reconstruction. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.     

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.     

剖宫产术后行横行腹直肌肌皮瓣乳房再造的应用策略

目的 探讨剖宫产后瘢痕者行横行腹直肌(transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous,TRAM)肌皮瓣乳房再造的可行性和手术策略.方法 对12例有剖宫产史的乳腺癌患者实施TRAM肌皮瓣乳房再造术.所有患者的TRAM肌皮瓣应用危险因素评分均为0.5分,Ⅱ类.采用腹部倒梯形手术切口,切口上缘下距脐2～3 cm,对1例腹部纵切口瘢痕较长者采用腹直肌双蒂,其余均为患乳对侧腹直肌单蒂,并携带同侧腹直肌前鞘,对腹直肌和前鞘缺损以聚丙烯网片修补.结果 全部12例皮瓣成活,无腹部并发症发生,随访3～52个月,满意率达100％.结论 带剖宫产瘢痕者行TRAM肌皮瓣乳房再造需严格选择病例,并要求制定相应的手术策略.     

Endoscopic assisted harvest of the pedicled pectoralis major muscle flap.

The Pectoralis Major flap is a reliable and versatile flap for head and neck reconstruction. However, it is associated with donor site scarring on the anterior of the chest wall. Endoscopic assisted harvest of a pedicled pectoralis major muscle flap was performed on three patients for head and neck reconstruction. The average incision length was 4.5 cm, the average time taken to harvest the muscle was 37 min. All patients were discharged from hospital on the 5th to 8th postoperative day and one patient had a seroma. Endoscopic harvest of the pedicled Pectoralis major muscle flap minimises postoperative scarring.     

Endoscopically assisted gracilis harvest for use as a free and pedicled flap.

Endoscopic assistance in soft tissue surgery may prove to greatly aid in the improvement of cosmesis and reduction of morbidity in certain procedures. The scar produced from open gracilis harvest is the most common complaint following surgery. We present five cases of endoscopically assisted gracilis harvest for use as a neosphincter and in foot reconstruction. The operative technique is described.