Surgical adjuvant treatment of locally advanced breast cancer.

The reported incidence of local recurrence after mastectomy for locally advanced breast cancer (TNM Stage III and IV) is between 30% and 50%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of radiation therapy (XRT) followed by total mastectomy on the incidence of local recurrence in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. Fifty-three patients who presented with locally advanced breast cancer, without distant metastases, were treated with XRT (4500-5000 R) to the breast, chest wall, and regional lymph nodes. Five weeks after completion of XRT, total mastectomy was performed. There were no operative deaths. The complications that occurred in 22 patients after surgery were flap necrosis, wound infection, and seroma. Patients have been followed from 3 to 134 months. Twenty-five patients are alive (3-134 months), 12 free of disease; 28 patients have died with distant metastases (6-67 months). Isolated local recurrence occurred in only two patients. Four patients had local and distant recurrence (total local recurrence is 6/53). The remaining patients all developed distant metastases. We have devised a treatment strategy which significantly decreases the incidence of local recurrence in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. However, the rapid appearance of distant metastases emphasizes the need for systemically active therapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.     

Combined laparoscopically harvested omental flap with meshed skin grafts and vacuum-assisted closure for reconstruction of complex chest wall defects

BACKGROUND: Chest wall reconstruction after radiation damage is a challenge in oncologic and plastic surgery. The defect can be reconstructed with laparoscopically harvested omental flap and meshed skin grafts. Our aim was to evaluate the use of vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.) in combination with laparoscopically harvested omental flap and meshed skin graft for treating these complex wounds. METHODS: Between October 2003 and December 2004, 11 patients underwent a chest wall reconstruction with laparoscopic omentoplasty and V.A.C. treatment of severe chest wall radionecrosis after breast cancer treatment (n = 10) or for locally advanced breast cancer treated first by irradiation (n = 1). RESULTS: Laparoscopic harvesting was uneventful in 10 cases. One patient had a laparoscopic transverse colic resection because of a middle colic artery injury. Mean time of the laparoscopic procedure was 53 minutes (range: 35-120). Wound surface area averaged 360 cm (range: 80-750). The mean duration of V.A.C. treatment was 9.3 days (range: 6-16). Nine patients showed primary wound healing without adverse events. Complications occurred in 3 patients. One developed a pulmonary infection and died after healing during the postoperative course. One presented a partial flap loss, leading to delayed healing after 45 days. One patient with severe radiation damage and a complete brachial plexus paralysis required a shoulder amputation after an extensive necrosis. All but 1 patient are alive and resumed their normal daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of laparoscopic omentoplasty and V.A.C. can successfully be used for reconstruction of complex chest wall radiation damage.     

胸廓内动脉穿支皮瓣及背阔肌Kiss皮瓣在乳腺肿瘤切除术后胸壁缺损中的应用

目的探讨对侧胸廓内动脉穿支皮瓣及背阔肌Kiss皮瓣修复乳腺肿瘤切除术后胸壁软组织缺损的临床效果。方法回顾性分析大连医科大学附属第一医院2018年1月至2019年5月收治的6例乳腺肿瘤患者的临床资料,均为女性,年龄46~73岁,平均55.5岁,其中5例为局部晚期乳腺癌,1例为晚期乳腺癌。病程4个月至5年,中位时间20.1个月。4例患者行术前化疗。术中切除原发病灶后,局部皮肤软组织缺损范围达10 cm×15 cm^21 cm×31 cm,单独采取对侧胸廓内动脉穿支皮瓣或联合带蒂背阔肌Kiss皮瓣修复胸壁缺损,供区直接拉拢缝合,1例患者对侧乳房体积较大,同期行乳房缩小和乳房成形术。术后进行随访,观察皮瓣情况,以及肿瘤是否复发。结果6例胸廓内动脉穿支皮瓣切取范围为5 cm×12 cm^10 cm×23 cm,其中3例联合带蒂背阔肌Kiss皮瓣进行修复,两叶皮瓣每叶面积范围为5 cm×15 cm^7 cm×18 cm,6例患者皮瓣均成活,其中5例创面一期愈合,1例背部供区因张力稍大,出现皮下积液,经换药、引流后切口延期愈合。术后随访1~17个月,平均7.5个月,术区皮肤平整,皮瓣外观良好,对肩关节及腰部活动无影响,肿瘤均无局部复发,供区仅遗留线状瘢痕。结论应用对侧胸廓内动脉穿支皮瓣及背阔肌Kiss皮瓣修复乳腺肿瘤切除后巨大胸壁软组织缺损,无需血管吻合,手术简单,术后恢复快,并发症少,效果较好。     

Radical surgery with omental flap for uncontrolled locally recurrent breast cancer

Background: Uncontrolled chest wall disease due to breast cancer is a highly morbid condition causing pain, ulceration, malodour and the need for frequent dressings. Aggressive surgical approaches are rarely justified because most patients will succumb to metastatic breast cancer within a short period. A highly selected group of patients with minimal or no evidence of metastatic disease and good performance status may benefit from radical chest wall surgery. Omental transposition flaps are ideal for reconstructing extensive surgical defects following chest wall surgery. Methods: A retrospective review was carried out of 61 female patients treated consecutively between 1980 and 1995. The surgical technique is described herein. Results: All patients were symptomatic preoperatively. Symptoms included ulceration (80%), pain (44%) and malodour (40%). Twenty‐nine patients had uncontrolled local recurrence following initial treatment for locally advanced breast cancer and 32 patients developed uncontrolled recurrence after treatment for operable breast cancer by mastectomy or conservation surgery. Median survival following chest wall surgery was 21 months and the median local recurrence‐free interval was 20 months. Morbidity was ­limited. There were no cases of major flap loss. Twenty‐nine patients (48%) had no further local disease. Eighteen patients (30%) developed soft‐tissue recurrence at the edge of the omental flap or in surrounding skin and 14 (23%) developed recurrence beneath the flap. Conclusion: In a highly selected group of patients with symptomatic uncontrolled chest wall recurrence who are fit and have an expectation of at least moderate‐term survival, radical chest wall surgery and omental flap transposition offers excellent palliation and local control in the majority of patients     

可扩张乳房假体加背阔肌肌皮瓣的乳房再造术

目的：报告应用带蒂背阔肌肌皮瓣转移术及可扩张的乳房假体（BECKER）置入,修复乳腺癌根治术后的胸壁畸形,同时再造乳房的手术方法。方法：根据乳腺癌病灶清除术后患者胸部的畸形状况,设计患侧带蒂背阔肌肌皮瓣的肌瓣长度、体积以及皮瓣的面积和形状,切取肌皮瓣后经腋部皮下隧道转移至胸前。用肌瓣修复胸前软组织缺损,皮瓣则用于弥补胸部皮肤的不足。肌瓣与胸壁间置入可扩张的乳房假体。术后经注射壶注水,逐步扩张至额定值。6个月后,可抽除注射壶并重建乳头,完成治疗。结果：自1999年以来,对各种乳腺癌术后患者行乳房再造术共26例,获得了满意效果。结论：应用带蒂背阔肌肌皮瓣转移术及可扩张的乳房假体置入,不仅可修复乳腺癌病灶清除术后的胸部软组织的缺损、锁骨下的凹陷畸形而且可重建乳房。该法具有创伤小、恢复快、再造乳房的外形及质感逼真等特点。     

PRIMARY RECONSTRUCTION AFTER EXTENSIVE CHEST WALL RESECTION

Background : Chest wall resection and reconstruction has been proven to be a safe surgical procedure. This is particularly useful for breast cancer patients with chest wall recurrences or for those who first present with locally advanced cancer in the chest wall where there is both a large soft tissue and bony defect that need repair. In addition, many of these patients have had irradiation or chemotherapy, which can significantly impair wound healing. Methods : Thirty-four patients underwent chest wall resection and primary reconstruction over an 8-year period. Results : Twenty-three patients had breast carcinomas and six had breast and chest wall sarcomas. Of the breast carcinoma patients, 12 had local recurrences and 11 presented with locally advanced primary disease. Bony resection of the chest wall was required in 16 (47%) cases. Thirty myocutaneous flaps (18 rectus abdominis, four pectoralis major, eight latissimus dorsi) and three omental flaps were used for reconstruction. One required a deltovertebral skin flap. Skeletal reconstruction was necessary in four cases. All except one (97%) achieved primary wound healing. There was one mortality (3%) and three patients required further surgery for complications that were related to the reconstruction. Post-resection metastases occurred in 13 (42%) patients and only 2 (6%) had local recurrences. The 2-year survival rate was 78% with a mean survival time of 25.5 months. Conclusions : Primary reconstruction for curative or palliative purposes is a useful and safe surgical procedure for patients with recurrent or locally advanced chest malignancies after extensive chest wall resection. Pedicled myocutaneous flap is the preferred option for skeletal and soft-tissue coverage.     

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.     

Use of the extended V-Y latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap for chest wall reconstruction in locally advanced breast cancer

The extended V-Y latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap described by Micali and Carramaschi provides an innovative method of closing large anterior chest defects after resection of breast cancer. The technique provides robust chest wall coverage that is able to withstand immediate postoperative radiotherapy. The aim of this article is to confirm the usefulness of the flap's design and describe modifications to the technique. The modifications to technique include: a curvilinear design that recruited more skin for closure in patients with wounds extending laterally or superiorly, routine transposition of latissimus dorsi insertion inferio-medially onto the chest wall to maximize pedicle reach, and the use of small split skin grafts or delayed primary closure if there was tension in closing. Twelve patients who underwent resection of locally advanced breast cancer had immediate chest wall reconstruction with the extended V-Y latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. The V to Y design of the flap's cutaneous island allowed primary closure of chest wound and donor defect. There were no instances of chest wound dehiscence. The chest wounds healed, allowing patients to undergo adjuvant radiotherapy in a mean time interval of 6 weeks after surgery.     

背阔肌肌皮瓣修复新辅助化疗后局部晚期乳腺癌组织缺损的疗效观察

目的:探讨我科12例局部晚期伴有皮肤侵犯导致溃疡形成的乳腺癌患者,术前行新辅助化疗后行改良根治术,即刻应用背阔肌肌皮瓣即时修复组织缺损的疗效观察。方法:12例患者均于术前行4~6周期新辅助化疗TEC方案,后达到临床部分缓解(PR)、创面缩小后,行乳腺癌改良根治术、即刻背阔肌肌皮瓣转移修复胸壁组织缺损。结果:12例患者手术均成功,接受新辅助化疗和术后放疗。随访l0~24个月,术后远处转移l例,无局部复发和死亡病例。结论:局部晚期乳腺癌新辅助化疗后,应用背阔肌肌皮瓣转移至胸壁修复组织缺损切实可行。     

Chest wall resection and reconstruction for locoregionally advanced or recurrent breast cancer

Ten patients, including 7 with local recurrent breast cancer, 2 with primary advanced cancer and 1 with radionecrosis, underwent chest wall resection and immediate reconstruction, using large pedicled skin flaps or musculocutaneous flaps. A rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap was used in 4 cases and a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap was used in 1 case. The postoperative course of all the patients was uneventful and there was no incidence of flail chest or respiratory failure. The postoperative performance status and also the quality of life were improved in 9 of the 10 patients. Eight of the 10 patients are presently alive with or without disease, the longest survival time thus far being 8 years.     

腹直肌-背阔肌肌皮瓣联合应用乳房再造术

目的　探索一种同时修复乳房和胸壁缺损的手术方法。方法　利用下腹部横行腹直肌肌皮瓣 (下简称TRAM皮瓣 )和部分背阔肌肌皮瓣 ,为乳癌术后患者行乳房再造及胸壁缺损修复。结果　 4例 8个皮瓣全部成活 ,再造乳房及胸壁缺损修复效果满意。结论　联合应用腹直肌—背阔肌肌皮瓣 ,可以同时完成乳房再造及胸壁缺损的修复 ,效果满意。     

Reconstructive management of advanced breast cancer

To evaluate morbidity, quality of life, and oncological outcomes of patients with advanced breast cancer, recurrence, or sequelae secondary to radiotherapy, the authors present their experience with 21 patients at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Mexico City, who underwent resection of the lesion and reconstruction using thoracoepigastric fasciocutaneous, rectus abdominis, or latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps. Complications included partial flap necrosis and bronchopleural fistulae in 2 of 7 patients with whole-thickness chest wall resection. The remaining patients progressed nicely, with a short recovery period. The patients and the surgical team evaluated results in terms of aesthetics and function using questionnaires. The results were from fair to good according to Sneeuw's scale. Pedicled musculocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps are an excellent reconstructive option in patients with advanced, recurrent breast cancer and in those with radionecrotic complications, which sometimes require resection of the whole-thickness chest wall.     

带蒂组织瓣转移手术修复肢体软组织缺损35例分析

目的　分析带蒂组织瓣转移手术修复肢体软组织缺损创面的疗效。方法　选择肌瓣、岛状皮瓣、岛状肌皮瓣转移 ,直接修复缺损或转移肌瓣表面植皮覆盖。结果　 2 9例慢性骨髓炎和 6例外伤后软组织缺损创面 ,肌瓣、岛状皮瓣、岛状肌皮瓣转移修复疗效满意。结论　带有营养血管的肌瓣、皮瓣肌皮瓣转移手术 ,一期修复肢体创伤、骨髓炎等所致的骨缺损腔及软组织缺损创面 ,效果好 ,因不需吻合血管 ,手术相对简单 ,临床使用安全。     

Postmastectomy radiation therapy after TRAM flap breast reconstruction

Postmastectomy chest wall and nodal radiation therapy decreases local recurrence and improves disease-free and overall survival. Immediate transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction after mastectomy has become more common. We report on our experience of irradiating the chest wall and regional lymph nodes after a TRAM flap reconstruction and describe the acute side effects, flap viability, and cosmetic outcome. Between 1995 and 2000, 22 patients with a median age of 47 years (range 27-61 years) received chest wall radiotherapy following mastectomy and immediate pedicled TRAM flap reconstruction. The indication for radiotherapy included tumor size, involved lymph nodes, or positive margins. All patients received chemotherapy before radiotherapy and three patients also received concurrent chemotherapy. The median dose to the chest wall was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions of 1.8 Gy using a 6 or 4 MV linear accelerator. The patients were all computed tomography (CT) planned in the treatment position. The patients were immobilized using an alpha cradle. Two tangent fields were used to deliver the dose. On alternating days, a customized bolus was applied to the chest wall that spared the central region where the subsequent nipple reconstruction would be performed. All 22 patients completed 90% of the prescribed chest wall radiotherapy dose. Sixty-six percent of the patients received treatment without any treatment breaks. Only 10% of the patients developed desquamation of the TRAM flap skin. Thirty percent developed grade II erythema of the TRAM flap. With median follow-up of 18 months, no TRAM flaps have been lost or required revision. This technique for delivery of radiotherapy to the chest wall in patients who have undergone a mastectomy and immediate TRAM flap reconstruction is well tolerated. The acute toxicity was manageable. There were no TRAM flap losses or revisions performed secondary to the radiotherapy.     

胸外侧筋膜皮瓣在修复乳房局部缺损中的应用

目的:探讨在利用胸外侧筋膜皮瓣修复乳房局部缺损的效果和意义。方法:对因保乳手术或乳房再造术后皮瓣坏死造成乳房局部缺损患者设计三角胸外侧筋膜皮瓣进行组织填充修复。结果:共完成8例,7例为保乳手术后即刻,1例为TRAM手术后局部皮瓣坏死。平均手术时间3h,平均出血量300ml。术后未发生皮瓣坏死等并发症。术后平均随访时间19.5月,均未出现复发,美容效果均为优良,患者对乳房外形的自我感觉均为满意。结论:利用胸外侧筋膜皮瓣修复乳房局部缺损,尤其是对于乳房较小患者,效果满意,简单易行。     

Forequarter amputation with fasciocutaneous deltoid flap reconstruction for malignant tumors of the upper extremity

Background: Malignant tumors of the upper extremity involving a considerable portion of the medial axillary wall may require forequarter amputation to achieve gross resection of tumor. These resections frequently leave a large defect, often requiring a split thickness skin graft or free flap to close the wound. To address this problem of wound closure, we have modified our technique and devised a reconstructive component as part of our forequarter amputation procedure. Methods: The medical records of seven patients who underwent forequarter amputation and fasciocutaneous deltoid flap reconstruction between 1982 and 1994 were reviewed. Results: All the amputation sites were completely closed with a fasciocutaneous deltoid flap without the use of additional skin grafts or free flaps. After a median follow-up of 12 months, there were no local recurrences. Three patients (43%) are alive and disease free 5, 12, and 19 months after their forequarter amputation. One patient is alive with disease after 14 months. The remaining three patients died of their disease. Conclusion: The fasciocutaneous deltoid flap is technically easy to perform, provides wound coverage without the use of skin grafts, and is especially useful for tumors involving the media axillary wall and in patients with previous axillary radiation.Presented at the 49th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Atlanta, Georgia, March 21–24, 1996.     

四肢筋膜蒂皮瓣改良手术的临床应用

目的对四肢筋膜蒂皮瓣手术方法进行改良及总结,进一步提高疗效。方法1999年2月～2005年12月,应用筋膜蒂皮瓣修复四肢皮肤、软组织缺损58例。男39例,女19例;年龄10～68岁,平均30岁。21例小腿中下段胫前皮肤缺损,12例足跟部皮肤缺损,16例踝关节皮肤缺损,3例膝关节周围皮肤缺损,1例骶尾部巨大褥疮,5例手腕背部皮肤缺损。创面范围5cm×3cm～18cm×12cm。根据创面不同采取四肢不同部位筋膜蒂皮瓣修复创面,其中4例前臂内侧皮神经、贵要静脉筋膜蒂皮瓣,1例前臂外侧皮神经、头静脉筋膜蒂皮瓣,3例顺行带隐神经、大隐静脉的筋膜蒂皮瓣,1例左大腿股后皮神经筋膜蒂皮瓣,32例带腓肠神经、小隐静脉逆行筋膜蒂皮瓣,17例带隐神经、大隐静脉筋膜蒂皮瓣。皮瓣范围6cm×4cm～18cm×13cm。供区创面39例直接缝合,19例取大腿或下腹部全厚皮片6cm×3cm～13cm×6cm植皮修复。结果术后16例皮瓣肿胀、淤血,经远端小切口切开放血3～5d,其中12例皮瓣成活,创面期愈合;4例远端皮缘部分坏死,经再次手术清创植皮后成活。余患者皮瓣均成活,创面期愈合。供区创面期愈合,植皮成活。58例患者均获随访1～20个月,平均8个月。皮瓣色泽正常,质地柔软,外形和功能满意。结论四肢筋膜蒂皮瓣是修复四肢皮肤、软组织缺损的理想治疗方法,通过手术方法的改良,可使皮瓣成活率进一步提高。     

Dermoglandular rotation flap with subaxillary advancement flap as an oncoplastic technique for breast cancer

We propose a novel oncoplastic surgical technique, dermoglandular rotation flap with subaxillary advancement flap, as a feasible one‐stage operation. Breast conserving surgery, incorporating the dermoglandular rotation flap with subaxillary advancement flap, was performed in 49 female patients with breast cancer, between January and December 2015. After a full‐thickness fibroglandular resection including the tumor, an inferior‐ or a superior‐based rotation flap was performed according to the location of the defect. The subaxillary flap consisted of skin, dermis, and subcutaneous fat tissue and was mobilized from the chest wall musculature. Since subaxillary skin has greater redundancy, it can be easily moved to reach the lateral aspect of the breast. Approximation of the subaxillary flap to the lateral side of rotated dermoglandular flap served to relieve skin tension and avoid displacement of the nipple‐areola complex (NAC). Consequently, there was wider dermoglandular tissue rotation and efficient filling of defect without any significant postoperative deformity. The mean follow‐up period was 46.5 ± 3.1 months (range, 42.4‐52.1 months). Mean tumor size, on pathology, was 2.1 cm (range, 0.4‐6.0). Mean excised breast tissue weight was 78.4 g (range, 28.6‐195.0). More than half of the patients (51%) studied had excised breast tissue weighing more than 80 g. None of the included patients had positive surgical margins in final pathologic reports. Most patients answered excellent or good for self‐estimated cosmetic outcomes including symmetry of the breast and NAC, breast shape, scarring, and overall satisfaction. A modified dermoglandular rotation flap technique along with subaxillary advancement flap is a feasible and effective oncoplastic technique for breast cancers.     

The use of the 'TRAM' flap in some oncological problems

The present study was conducted to evaluate the use of the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap in immediate autologous soft tissue coverage of the large wound defect that results from some oncological problems and would be impossible to close by direct primary sutures. The study included patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) (n = 24), post-mastectomy local recurrence (n = 10), post-mastectomy irradiation ulcer (n = 4), recurrent fibrosarcoma of the chest wall (n = 1), and a huge ulcerating malignant melanoma of the groin region (n = 1). All patients were female except for the patient with melanoma. Their ages ranged between 39-73 years with an average of 56.2 years. The lower TRAM flap was used in 24 patients and the middle in only six. Mesh re-inforcement of the abdominal wall was adopted in 14 patients (35%). The mean operating time was 2.5 h and the average postoperative hospital stay was 9.7 days (range, 7-12 days). Six patients (15%) had partial flap necrosis which healed after debridement and secondary sutures, and eight patients had wound sepsis (20%). No patient suffered from abdominal herniation, although four patients (10%) had an epigastric bulge postoperatively. During the 48.5 month follow-up period (range 36-56 months), three cases of local recurrence and four cases of distant metastases were encountered in the patients with LABC. Three of the latter died at 7, 11 and 12 months postoperatively. Based on these data, it may be concluded that the results of the TRAM flap for immediate coverage of the large post-extirpation defect in different oncological problems have been encouraging. No flaps were lost, no abdominal herniation was encountered, and overall complications were minimal.     

A case of transverse colon cancer secondarily involving the liver,duodenum, and pancreas

A 68-year-old woman presented with transverse colon cancer invading the liver, duodenum, and pancreas. The patient underwent a curative resection including a right hemicolectomy, partial hepatectomy, and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The pathological examination showed adenocarcinoma of the colon with a direct extension into the duodenum, liver, and pancreas. Several lymph nodes were also involved. The patient is still alive and disease-free 2 years and 6 months after the operation. This case illustrates that even in patients with locally advanced colon cancer, a favorable prognosis can be obtained by aggressive surgery incorporating the resection of the adjacent involved organs.