BACKGROUND: Although multiple strategies for autologous breast reconstruction exist, a vertical midline scar in the abdominal wall as a result of previous laparatomy or abdominoplasty represents a major surgical challenge. To date, little research has been conducted on the regeneration potential of the abdominal wall's superficial vascular, perforator and choke vessel system after surgery using a vertical approache. METHODS: We present the cases of 8 patients, of whom 7 underwent autologous breast reconstruction. One patient received a thigh reconstruction. All patients had a vertical abdominal midline scar as a result of a previous surgical intervention. In 3 of the 7 patients, the breast was reconstructed using an MS-2-vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) free flap. In 4 of these patients, an MS-2-transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) free flap was performed. The thigh reconstruction used a transverse deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap. Clinical followup was done 12 months after operation. RESULTS: All 3 patients who received an MS-2-VRAM had good aesthetic results. Vertical midline scars had no negative effect on surgical outcomes, perfusion and tissue viability of the 4 MS-2-TRAM and transverse DIEP free flaps. CONCLUSION: These clinical findings indicate that the regeneration potential of the abdominal wall's superficial vascular system in the presence of vertical surgical scars has been greatly underestimated. Use of MS-2-VRAM free flaps in patients with vertical abdominal scars seems to be a suitable and successful alternative in the reconstruction algorithm.
BACKGROUND: Although multiple strategies for autologous breast reconstruction exist, a vertical midline scar in the abdominal wall as a result of previous laparatomy or abdominoplasty represents a major surgical challenge. To date, little research has been conducted on the regeneration potential of the abdominal wall's superficial vascular, perforator and choke vessel system after surgery using a vertical approache. METHODS: We present the cases of 8 patients, of whom 7 underwent autologous breast reconstruction. One patient received a thigh reconstruction. All patients had a vertical abdominal midline scar as a result of a previous surgical intervention. In 3 of the 7 patients, the breast was reconstructed using an MS-2-vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) free flap. In 4 of these patients, an MS-2-transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) free flap was performed. The thigh reconstruction used a transverse deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap. Clinical followup was done 12 months after operation. RESULTS: All 3 patients who received an MS-2-VRAM had good aesthetic results. Vertical midline scars had no negative effect on surgical outcomes, perfusion and tissue viability of the 4 MS-2-TRAM and transverse DIEP free flaps. CONCLUSION: These clinical findings indicate that the regeneration potential of the abdominal wall's superficial vascular system in the presence of vertical surgical scars has been greatly underestimated. Use of MS-2-VRAM free flaps in patients with vertical abdominal scars seems to be a suitable and successful alternative in the reconstruction algorithm.
Authors: Thomas Holzbach; Daniel F Mueller; Nikolaus Unbehaun; Stefan Paepke; Riccardo E Giunta Journal: J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg Date: 2008-04-25 Impact factor: 2.740
Authors: R E Horch; W Hohenberger; A Eweida; U Kneser; K Weber; A Arkudas; S Merkel; J Göhl; J P Beier Journal: Int J Colorectal Dis Date: 2014-04-22 Impact factor: 2.571
Authors: Christoph Andree; Volker J Schmidt; Beatrix I J Munder; Katrin Seidenstücker; Philipp Behrendt; Christian Witzel; Raymund E Horch; Brian T Andrews; Philipp Richrath Journal: Med Sci Monit Date: 2012-10