Dajiang Song1, Yuanyuan Tang1, Zan Li1, Xiao Zhou1, Yixin Zhang2, Guang Feng3, Bo Zhou1, Chunliu Lü1, Liang Yi1, Zhenhua Luo1, Zhiyuan Wang4. 1. Department of Oncology Plastic Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha Hunan, 410008, P.R.China. 2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200000, P.R.China. 3. Department of Burn and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, the Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, P.R.China. 4. Ultrasound Diagnosis Center, Hunan Province Cancer Hospital, Changsha Hunan, 410008, P.R.China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the difficulties and key points of free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP) transplantation in breast shaping of two-staged breast reconstruction with vertical scar. METHODS: The clinical data of 32 postoperative breast cancer patients after mastectomy who underwent free DIEP transplantation for breast reconstruction between October 2015 and October 2019, whose original surgical incisions were all vertical and longitudinal, were retrospectively analysed. All the patients were female, aged from 31 to 42 years, with an average of 34.6 years. The disease duration of breast cancer ranged from 9 to 48 months (mean, 22.8 months). Free DIEP pedicled with contralateral vessels were used in all cases, and the recipient vessels were intrathoracic vessels. Among them, 17 flaps were placed longitudinally, 15 flaps were placed obliquely; Z-shaped flaps were used in 18 cases to adjust the chest wall skin contracture, and contralateral breast reduction and mastopexy were accomplished at the same time in 23 cases. RESULTS: All DIEP survived completely, and all donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. Internal thoracic lymph node metastasis was found in 1 case and treated with radiotherapy. All 32 cases were followed up 9-48 months, with an average of 19.4 months. The appearance and texture of all flaps were satisfactory, and only linear scar was left in donor site. Eleven patients underwent further autologous fat transplantation and nipple reconstruction. All patients had no effect on abdominal wall activity, and no local recurrence and metastasis was found. CONCLUSION: It is difficult to use free DIEP for two-staged breast reconstruction in patients received mastectomy with vertical longitudinal scar left. Combined with different breast shaping techniques, the outcomes can significantly improve.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the difficulties and key points of free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP) transplantation in breast shaping of two-staged breast reconstruction with vertical scar. METHODS: The clinical data of 32 postoperative breast cancer patients after mastectomy who underwent free DIEP transplantation for breast reconstruction between October 2015 and October 2019, whose original surgical incisions were all vertical and longitudinal, were retrospectively analysed. All the patients were female, aged from 31 to 42 years, with an average of 34.6 years. The disease duration of breast cancer ranged from 9 to 48 months (mean, 22.8 months). Free DIEP pedicled with contralateral vessels were used in all cases, and the recipient vessels were intrathoracic vessels. Among them, 17 flaps were placed longitudinally, 15 flaps were placed obliquely; Z-shaped flaps were used in 18 cases to adjust the chest wall skin contracture, and contralateral breast reduction and mastopexy were accomplished at the same time in 23 cases. RESULTS: All DIEP survived completely, and all donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. Internal thoracic lymph node metastasis was found in 1 case and treated with radiotherapy. All 32 cases were followed up 9-48 months, with an average of 19.4 months. The appearance and texture of all flaps were satisfactory, and only linear scar was left in donor site. Eleven patients underwent further autologous fat transplantation and nipple reconstruction. All patients had no effect on abdominal wall activity, and no local recurrence and metastasis was found. CONCLUSION: It is difficult to use free DIEP for two-staged breast reconstruction in patients received mastectomy with vertical longitudinal scar left. Combined with different breast shaping techniques, the outcomes can significantly improve.
Entities:
Keywords:
Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap; breast cancer; breast reconstruction; flap shaping