Breast reconstruction by the free transverse gracilis (TUG) flap.

The transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap is a free musculocutaneous (type II) flap consisting of a segment of the proximal gracilis muscle and a 25x10 cm skin paddle oriented transversely.The vascular pedicle of the TUG flap is the ascending branch of the medial circumflex femoral artery with two venae comitantes. The pedicle length is 6 cm and the diameter of the artery is 1.6 mm.In the year 2002, seven patients had breast reconstruction by the free TUG flap. There were three primary and four secondary reconstructions. Five flaps totally survived, two flaps were lost (in the same patient).TUG flap is indicated in women who seek primary autologous reconstruction after a skin sparing mastectomy, have small or moderately large breasts, do not accept scars on the abdomen, back or gluteal region, who are large in hips and thighs and want a thigh lift. The vascular pedicle although short, permits easy anastomosis of matching vessel diameters to the internal mammary vessels. The main possible complication, other than thrombosis at the anastomosis, is wound dehiscence on the thigh with secondary wound healing. This can happen when the flap is wider than 10 cm.     

Autologous breast reconstruction with the transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap: aesthetic improvements with tissue expansion before free flap transfer

The transverse myocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap provides an alternative to commonly used free flaps from the lower abdomen and buttocks for breast reconstruction. Excellent aesthetic results can be achieved in primary breast reconstruction after subcutaneous and skin-sparing mastectomy. However, in delayed breast reconstruction after mastectomy, an obvious skin island and conspicuous scars often compromise the final appearance. A two-stage approach with tissue expansion of the skin followed by free deepithelialised TMG flap reconstruction avoids these disadvantages and leads to improved aesthetic results. We treated two patients who asked for an autologous breast reconstruction after mastectomy due to primary breast cancer. Reconstruction with lower abdominal tissue was not feasible in one patient because of a previous abdominoplasty and in the other because of insufficient lower abdominal tissue. Both patients declined an implant-based breast reconstruction as well as a procedure using a flap from the buttock, favouring reconstruction with autologous tissue from the superior inner thigh. In the first stage, a tissue expander was inserted endoscopically assisted via a transaxillary approach. The expander was gradually filled over a 3-month period and finally replaced by a free deepithelialised TMG flap. The postoperative period was uneventful in both patients. We achieved satisfying results in both patients with good breast symmetry and uniform colour of the breast skin. Disadvantages and limitations of traditional one-stage breast reconstructions by free TMG flaps can be avoided by this two-stage approach. This reconstructive procedure leads to inconspicuous scars and a matching skin colour of both breasts. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.     

Tongue reconstruction with the gracilis myocutaneous free flap

We describe our experience in tongue reconstruction using the transverse gracilis myocutaneous (TMG) free flap after major demolitive surgery for advanced cancer. This technique was used in 10 patients: seven underwent total glossectomy and three partial glossectomy. In eight patients we performed motor reinnervation attempting to maintain muscular trophism and gain long-term volumetric stability. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 28 months. The overall flap survival was 100%. Nine out of 10 patients resumed oral intake. Our preliminary experience shows that this flap is a good reconstructive option for total glossectomy patients, whereas it is less suited for reconstruction of hemiglossectomy defects. Functional and objective evaluation of the tongue reconstructed with TMG free flap requires further and standardized evaluation.     

股薄肌皮瓣在修复舌癌术后缺损中的应用

目的:评价股薄肌皮瓣在舌癌术后缺损修复重建中的临床应用价值。方法:对7例舌癌患者在原发灶切除后利用股薄肌皮瓣行动力性舌再造,术后随访评价舌功能恢复情况。结果:7例股薄肌皮瓣均获得成功,再造舌外形丰满,运动良好,术后6个月均检测出不同程度的肌电信号,患者的言语、咀嚼、吞咽功能恢复满意。结论:股薄肌皮瓣位置表浅,供区隐蔽,血供稳定,容易塑形,可实现动力性舌再造,是修复舌癌术后缺损的一种较好选择。     

An analysis of breast cancer surgery after free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction is currently offered on a more routine basis to patients after mastectomy for breast cancer. This paper analyzes the outcomes of breast cancer surgery, and the results and effects of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flaps. METHODS: A retrospective review of 75 consecutive patients who had free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery was performed. A total of 92 free TRAM flaps were performed on 75 patients in Victoria, British Columbia, from January 1992 to May 1999. Thirty-three patients (44%) underwent primary breast cancer surgery and an immediate reconstruction (7 bilateral and 27 unilateral) and 42 patients (56%) had delayed reconstruction (10 bilateral and 32 unilateral). RESULTS: Twenty- one patients (28%) had stage 0 disease, 20 (26.7%) had stage I disease, 17 (22.7%) had stage IIA disease, 12 (15%) had stage IIB disease, and 4 (5.3%) had stage IIIA disease. In 1 patient the stage of disease was unknown. The mean patient age was 49.4 years (range 33 to 73). Of the patients undergoing immediate reconstruction 3 had postoperative chemotherapy and 1 had postoperative radiotherapy. Three patients had combined chemoradiotherapy. In none of these cases was the adjuvant therapy delayed by the reconstructive surgery. Overall mean follow-up time from cancer diagnosis was 56.8 months and from the time of TRAM flap reconstruction, 36.7 months. To date, 5 recurrences have been detected (6.6%). Mean time between reconstruction and detection of recurrence was 22.8 months. Detection of recurrence was achieved clinically and was not impaired in any of the cases by the presence of the free flap. Patient satisfaction was assessed via a telephone survey, with 93% of patients pleased with the cosmetic results of their surgery. CONCLUSIONS: For those patients with breast cancer requiring mastectomy, free TRAM flap reconstruction is a safe, cosmetically acceptable surgical alternative that impairs neither effective breast cancer surgery nor detection of recurrent disease.     

The transverse upper gracilis flap for breast reconstruction following liposuction of the thigh

A particular flap with rising prominence in breast reconstruction is the transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap. With the increasing prevalence of patients opting for various forms of elective liposuctions, breast reconstruction with flaps has necessitated a more meticulous yet perhaps more flexible screening for potential donor sites. We present a case of a bilateral breast reconstruction using TUG flaps in a patient with a previous history of liposuction to her abdomen and thighs. The dimensions of the TUG flaps were 7 × 31 cm². The patient did not undergo any flap or donor site complications. We speculate that perhaps much of the tissue and muscle in the medial thigh region is more robust than previously thought and that there is high potential for neo‐vascularization in the thigh region following a liposuction. Accordingly, we advocate the effective use of the TUG flap for breast reconstruction in spite of previous liposuctions to the thighs. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.     

The transverse musculocutaneous gracilis free flap for breast reconstruction: experience with 6 cases

Introduction

Microsurgical techniques have allowed reconstronstruction procedures after mastectomy to take a qualitative leap with the development of different technical options. Although the abdomen is the main donor area destined for breast reconstruction, occasionally this skin is not sufficient or unsuitable for this purpose. In these cases, alternative donor areas are required, such as the flap of the transverse myocutaneous gracilis (TMG) muscle. The objective of this study is to evaluate the reliability of the TMG flap and the level of patient satisfaction with the result obtained.

Material and methods

During a nine-month period in 2009, 72 breast reconstructions were performed, of which 17 required the use of free flaps. In 7 of these cases, the abdominal wall could not be used as a donor area; therefore 6 of them opted for the TMG flap. The surgical technique and its results have been analysed, as well as the patient satisfaction with the results obtained using a questionnaire.

Results

There was no total or partial loss of the flap or other complications at the transfer level. There was minor dehiscence in the donor area in 3 of the cases. The patients classified the results of the reconstruction as satisfactory or good.

Conclusions

The TMG flap is a good technical option, comparable to abdominal flaps, for patients with small or medium sized breasts which require reconstruction with autologous tissue. The evaluation of the results by the patients was satisfactory or good.     

The free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy by the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap technique is a widely accepted method which allows reconstruction without the need for an implanted silicone prosthesis. Even in suitable patients, deficiencies of the traditional technique, where the blood supply is based on anastomotic vessels in the superior part of the rectus abdominis muscle, may lead to complications. These include flap failure, fat necrosis which may mimic recurrence of breast carcinoma or sub-optimal cosmetic results. By transferring the same abdominal tissue as a free flap based on the inferior epigastric vessels, a more reliable blood supply and better cosmetic results can be obtained. This article reports a series of 14 flaps in 13 patients in whom an entirely free flap technique was used. No flap losses were recorded and the results are judged to be superior to the traditional technique.     

The longitudinal gracilis myocutaneous flap: broadening options in breast reconstruction

Many patients who present for autogenous breast reconstruction are not suitable candidates for abdominal wall flaps, either because of previous abdominal surgery (most commonly transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for prior breast reconstruction) or because of the lack of enough adipose tissue. Another donor site option is the medial thigh that has more recently been recognized as a source of tissue for breast reconstruction. Prior reports have described the harvest of a gracilis myocutaneous flap through a transverse incision. From August 2004 to April 2007, 12 patients underwent autogenous breast reconstruction of 15 breasts with the longitudinal gracilis myocutaneous microvascular flap. The patients' ages ranged from 41 to 60 years (average, 48 years). In all patients the longitudinal gracilis flap was chosen because of a desire for autogenous reconstruction and a lack of available abdominal wall tissue. Mean follow-up of the 12 patients was 16.8 months (range, 5-36 months). There was no microvascular thrombosis or free-flap failure in this series. Donor sites were well tolerated by all patients. Three patients underwent suction-assisted lipectomy of 5 donor site areas to improve contour and/or symmetry. The longitudinal gracilis myocutaneous flap is a useful alternative for breast reconstruction in properly selected patients.     

大面积股内侧穿支皮瓣移植重建乳房的临床效果

目的:探讨以股薄肌皮瓣联合大收肌穿支皮瓣的股内侧皮瓣形式移植再造乳房的临床价值。方法:2016年12月至2019年2月,湖南省肿瘤医院肿瘤整形外科收治16例女性乳腺癌患者,年龄27~59岁,平均40.3岁。肿瘤均为单侧,左侧9例,右侧7例;直径1.5~4.5(2.9±0.3) cm;全部为一期病例。病理诊断浸润性导管癌...     

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.