Institutional review of free TRAM flap breast reconstruction

INTRODUCTION: A 10-year experience with breast reconstruction in a university hospital was recently reviewed. The purpose of this study was to determine the subtypes of breast reconstructive procedures and to evaluate the frequency and change in technique over time of free TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle) flap breast reconstruction performed at one institution. Trends in the development of the procedure over this period were also reviewed. MATERIALS & METHODS: Between November 1994 and September 2004, a 10-year retrospective chart review was conducted. The indications for mastectomy and reconstruction were determined. The median age was 48 (range 31-66). The range of follow-up was 2 to 71 months, with a median of 19.5 months. The mean follow-up was 23.5 months. Outcome data were grouped into 2 consecutive 5-year periods (period 1: 1994-1998; period 2: 1999-2004) and evaluated for changes over time in techniques and outcome. Statistical analysis (Decision Analyst, Inc., STATS Statistics software, version 1.1, 1998) was performed using the difference between 2 proportions module to assess the probability of a significant difference in the data for period 1 and period 2 parameters. RESULTS: Over a 10-year period, 117 patients underwent breast reconstruction. This consisted of 12 pedicle procedures (11.3%), including 1 bipedicle flap (0.9%) and 2 bilateral pedicle procedures (1.8%). There were 3 latissimus dorsi pedicle flaps (2.8%). Sixteen patients (15.1%) received tissue expander or implant reconstructions. Of the 117 patients, 79 underwent free flap breast reconstruction. Of the 79 free-flap patients, 22 (27.8%) had bilateral procedures, for a total of 101 free flaps performed in these 79 patients. Fifty-two patients underwent immediate reconstruction (65.8%) and 25 were delayed (31.6%) reconstructions using either deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flaps (4 = 3.9%) or free TRAM flaps (97 = 96.0%). A muscle-sparing technique was used in 43 of the 97 free TRAM flaps (44.3%). The preferred vascular inflow was the internal mammary artery, which was used in 66 out of 101 flaps (65.3%). The rate of anastomotic revision (arterial and venous) was 4.9%. The majority of cases used a 2.5-mm venous coupler (65.3%). In 2 of the free TRAM cases, there was insufficient volume to establish the patients preexisting volume. Therefore, at the patient's request, immediate implants were used to augment the reconstruction. The average hospital stay was 8.13 days, and the average intensive care stay was 4.59 days. When assessed for trends over time, we noted a reduction in our hospital length of stay and our ICU length of stay. CONCLUSION: The experience with free tissue breast reconstruction reveals predominant use of the TRAM flap. This is justified by the reliability of this flap and the advances in achieving esthetic breast reconstruction. Additionally, we have begun performing DIEP free-flap reconstructions. Our clinical practice has evolved concurrent with standards of care, as noted by the increase in use of muscle-sparing techniques and the reduction in the use of dextran. We do not routinely use therapeutic anticoagulation in our cases. Our hospital length of stay and average intensive care length of stay have also decreased over time, consistent with a system-wide effort to increase the efficiency of healthcare delivery.     

Loco-regional recurrence after skin and nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction using free flap autologous tissue in a single institution

BackgroundImmediate autologous tissue breast reconstruction after skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomy, is becoming increasingly popular, while the benefits are evident, the concern is in leaving breast tissue under the skin envelope, which could potentially lead to a higher chance of recurrence. We aim to determine the incidence and study the management of loco-regional recurrence (LR) of breast cancer following immediate autologous free flap reconstruction (AFFR) from a 10-year database at a single tertiary breast unit.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of consecutive patients who underwent AFFR between July 2008 and December 2018. All patients undergoing delayed reconstruction and risk-reducing surgery were excluded, leaving a total of 216 patients. Statistical analysis was performed to determine significance in the prediction of LR. Management and outcome of the LR was also studied.ResultsLR was found in 7/216 cases (3.25%). The median age at surgery for patients with LR, was 45 (range 31–54). Median time to recurrence was 54 months (7–79 months). Three patients presented with self-detected lesions. In all, 6/7 patients were ER/PR positive, 2/7 were HER2 + at recurrence, and 1/7 was triple negative.All patients underwent surgical excision for the LR followed by radiotherapy, either chemotherapy (n-5) and/or hormone therapy (n-2). No patients have developed further LR.Because of low numbers of recurrences, no statistical significance was observed for factors causing recurrence.ConclusionThe low LR we report demonstrates that immediate AFFR is oncologically safe. Timely recognition through post-reconstruction patient education and appropriate management results in good outcomes.     

Breast reconstruction with the free TRAM flap after breast cancer surgery.

The authors' experiences with 34 free lower TRAM flap transfers, in which 19 primary reconstructions and 15 secondary reconstructions were successfully achieved, are reviewed. The free TRAM flap yielded better results than the pedicled TRAM flap in cases where reconstruction of the infraclavicular and anterior axillary areas, as well as of the breast mound itself, was required.     

Microvascular free flap breast reconstruction

As in other areas of reconstruction, microvascular free flaps have earned a definite role in certain breast reconstructions difficult to accomplish with conventional techniques. With improvements in techniques and survival rates, the advantages of such reconstructions have become increasingly more attractive to the patient and the surgeon.     

Survival following locoregional recurrence after breast conservation therapy for cancer.

We postulated that locoregional recurrence after limited surgery and radiotherapy for breast cancer might be associated with an additional survival hazard, similar to that of a second primary tumor with the same extent of local and regional disease. Using this hypothesis we examined the likely resultant effect on survival. Our calculations indicated that no statistically significant survival deficit due to such recurrence would be detectable until a randomized controlled trial comparing breast conservation with mastectomy had monitored more than 10,000 patients for more than 10 years. A simple mathematical model predicted 5-year survival rates in a cohort of patients treated with breast conservation of 75%, compared to 83% in those without locoregional recurrence. From the date of locoregional recurrence, a 61% 5-year survival rate was predicted, compared to 83% if no hazard was associated with locoregional recurrence. These predictions were compared with the actuarial survival rates of 499 patients with unilateral breast cancer, 49 of whom had developed locoregional recurrence. From the date of initial treatment, the 5-year survival rate of those whose disease recurred was 79%, compared to 88% for those without locoregional recurrence (p = 0.19). The actuarial 5-year survival rate from the date of locoregional recurrence was 63%. The similarity between the patient data and the predictions of the mathematical model indicates that locoregional failure after breast conservation therapy may result in reduced survival. The lack of a significant survival deficit in our cohort or in controlled trials comparing breast conservation therapy with mastectomy is compatible to the small size of the overall effect.     

Chest wall reconstruction using a free rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in a case of recurrence after bilateral breast cancer surgery

A 64 years old woman with anterior chest wall recurrence after bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer was treated by the resection of chest wall in full thickness involving the whole sternum and the anterior part of ribs except the first rib. The thoracic cage was reconstructed using a free rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap which was placed over Marlex mesh covering the defect of chest wall. By means of surgical microscope, inferior epigastric artery and vein of the graft were anastomosed with internal thoracic artery and vein at the neck, respectively. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient is alive and well for one year after the surgery. A free myocutaneous flap method provides enough volume of soft tissue for coverage of a large defect and chest wall stability.     

乳腺癌术后游离腹直肌肌皮瓣乳房再造

目的 评估乳腺癌术后游离横向腹直肌肌皮瓣（transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneousflap,TRAM）再造乳房的近期疗效.方法 2003年7至11月期间,我们在美国得克萨斯州大学圣安东尼奥科学健康中心整形重建外科共进行乳腺癌术后游离TRAM皮瓣再造乳房12例,平均年龄43.5岁,平均体重68.6kg,其中乳腺癌术后一期乳房再造2例（16.7%）、延期再造10例（83.3%）,游离皮瓣的血管蒂为对侧腹壁下动静脉,12例患者中选择胸背血管为受区血管的2例、选用胸廓内动静脉为受区血管的10例,再造手术后平均随防时间2.8个月.结果 12例游离TRAM皮瓣再造乳房手术皆顺利完成,手术成功率100%,平均手术时间8.3 h,平均住院时间9.4 d,为了对称行对侧乳房缩小术5例（41.7%）.共发生并发症3例6例次,并发症发生率25%,并发症包括皮下积液积血3例次（50%）、创口延迟愈合2例次（33.3%）,再造乳房部分脂肪坏死1例次（16.7%）,未见皮瓣坏死、腹壁疝、腹部皮肤坏死、创口感染等严重并发症的发生.患者自我评价对再造乳房总体满意者11例（91.7%）,不太满意者1例（8.3%）,无一例患者不满意.结论 乳腺癌术后游离TRAM皮瓣再造乳房安全可靠、整形效果良好,患者对重建的乳房有着较高的满意度.     

Chest coverage and reconstruction after recurrence of breast cancer

. Large local recurrences of breast cancer require wide surgical excision and subsequent defect reconstruction. Fifteen patients having such resection and cover with pedicled flaps were reviewed. The flaps included 14 latissimus dorsi muscle, 2 rectus abdominis muscle and 1 pectoralis major muscle flap. There was only one local complication without delay in complete healing. The mean hospital stay was 11 days. All patients had dissemination of the disease in the follow-up period and 13 died of the disease (mean delay from reconstruction being 27 months). In such cases, the use of the latissimus dorsi muscle flap, if the thoracodorsal artery is present, seems to offer good tissue cover with little morbidity and allows for a quick recovery, which is mandatory since these patients have a short life expectancy.     

Long-term survival following postmastectomy locoregional recurrence of breast cancer

Only a few reports describe long-term survivors following locoregional recurrence of breast cancer after mastectomy. We analyzed 145 patients who were treated for an isolated postmastectomy breast cancer recurrence at our department between 1979 and 1992. All patients were free from distant metastases at the time of recurrence. Nineteen of these patients remained free from distant metastases after a follow-up of more than 10 years following recurrence. Clinical and histopathological characteristics of these 19 patients were analyzed. Primary tumors were small with almost all being T1 or T2 primaries. The majority of survivors had negative axillary node status (16/19 [84%]). Locoregional recurrences were mainly chest wall recurrences (16/19 [84%]) and all recurrences were smaller than 5 cm (19/19). Only 7 patients showed a typical scar recurrence. Sixteen patients had a single recurrent nodule. Early recurrences (<1 year after mastectomy) were rare (n=2). Treatment of recurrence consisted of tumor excision in all cases followed by radiotherapy in 16 patients (including 6 patients who had undergone elective irradiation following mastectomy), hormonal therapy in 6 and chemotherapy in 1 case. In all patients local control at the recurrence site was achieved. Cure after postmastectomy recurrence seems possible in a subgroup of patients (small primary tumor with negative axilla, small and solitary chest wall recurrence) provided adequate therapy is prescribed. Treatment of these patients should not be regarded as palliative therapy.     

Medial thigh lift free flap for autologous breast augmentation after bariatric surgery

Background: Massive weight loss following bariatric surgery frequently results in body contour deformities like ptotic and hypoplastic breasts, redundant abdominal tissue and loose skin especially in the medial thigh area.This redundant tissue can be used for breast augmentation in the case of hypertrophic ptotic breasts. Method: In 3 patients who underwent a vertical banded gastroplasty and consecutively lost more than 60% of their body weight, a breast augmentation with a transverse gracilis myocutaneous free flap was performed. Results: Bilateral myocutaneous gracilis free flap breast augmentation resulted in an esthetic, pleasing result, with additional correction of the redundant skin from the medial thigh region. Conclusion: Autologous breast augmentation with a simultaneous medial thigh lift can be performed safely, after successful weight loss following bariatric surgery.     

DIEAP flap for safe definitive autologous breast reconstruction

BackgroundBreast cancer is the commonest form of cancer in women affecting almost a quarter of a million patients in the US annually. 30 percent of these patients and patients with genetic mutations undergo removal of the breast, as highlighted in a high profile celebrity patient. Although breast reconstruction with free microvascular transfer of a DIEAP flap from the abdomen is an ideal form of reconstruction, there have been misgivings about the complexity and potential complications. This study was aimed at clearing these misunderstandings and establishing the value of this form of breast reconstruction.Methods1036 DIEAP flap breast reconstructions carried out at the University Hospital, Gent (five year period) and at the Sana Kliniken, Düsseldorf (three year period) were included prospectively. Comorbid factors like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, patient age >65 years, BMI >30 and smoking were recorded. Outcomes were evaluated over a mean follow up of 2 years.ResultsOverall complication rate related to the reconstructed breast and donor abdominal area was 6.8 percent. Total flap loss was seen in only 0.8 percent. The mean operating time was less than five hours. Older age, higher BMI, chemotherapy and radiotherapy did not have a significant influence on complication rates, however smoking resulted in significant delay in wound healing in the breast (p = 0.025) and abdominal wounds (p = 0.019).ConclusionThe DIEAP flap is an excellent option for breast reconstruction, with a low level of donor site morbidity and complications. It is an autologous reconstruction that provides a stable long term result.     

Abdominal strength after breast reconstruction using a free abdominal flap.

BACKGROUND: Today, breast reconstruction with autologous tissue is most commonly done either as a free muscle sparring TRAM flap or as a DIEP flap. Studies of donor site morbidity have shown an advantage in using the DIEP flap. However, this procedure might also be associated with an increased risk of flow related complications and it is also thought to be more demanding and time consuming. A few studies have evaluated the abdominal wall strength after dissection of a TRAM flap or a DIEP flap. However, these studies do not distinguish between the various types of free TRAM flaps and they also compare TRAM procedures preformed in an early period to DIEP procedures done in a later period. METHODS: We used an isokinetic dynamometer to measure concentric, eccentric and isometric abdominal muscle strength in 32 patients who had had a unilateral breast reconstruction with a free MS-2 (15) or a DIEP (17) flap in the year 2003. RESULTS: No significant reduction in muscle strength was observed for concentric or isometric muscle strength. However, significant lower eccentric muscle strength was found in the TRAM compared to the DIEP group (p=0.05). There was no significant difference in abdominal strength between the two flap groups at low to moderate work intensity (isometric/concentric). At the greatest work intensity (eccentric muscle strength) the patients reconstructed with a DIEP flap had a clinical small, but significant advantage over the patients reconstructed with a MS-2 TRAM flap.