• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2001

Breast reconstruction is an aesthetically critical procedure and should be peformed to match the opposite breast in shape, contour, and position. Many methods were introduced to reconstruct the breast with autogenous tissue. But, free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction has become common method. The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap technique has been a widely accepted method of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, since the first introduction of free abdominoplasty flap in 1979. In breast reconstruction with a free flap the selection of suitable recipient vessels remains one of the most critical decision for surgeon. The most common recipient site for free flap breast reconstruction is the axillar system. But, the use of the axillary system as a recipient site limits flap movement and flexibility in breast shaping. The use of internal mammary vessels as a recipient site be able to achieve ideal breast symmetry, but that technique require the rib resection. The selection of suitable recipient vessels is most important for successful free tissue transfer. We have performed breast reconstruction with TRAM flaps anastomozed to the internal mammary vessel perforator. We came to the conclusion that this vessel perforator is useful as a recipient site in cases of immediate breast reconstruction with free TRAM flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.277-280
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• 2010

Purpose: The resection of locally advanced or recurred breast cancers frequently result in large chest wall defects and it leads to a great challenges to cover. Generally simple skin grafts are not a practical option for patients because of their poor cosmetic appearance and prognosis. The latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap have traditionally been recommended for closure of these large defects. Though the cosmetic result of reconstruction using these flaps is often excellent, but has significant drawbacks. Therefore, we thought that chest wall reconstruction using the external oblique musculocutaneous flap can be an alternative method for extensive chest wall defect related to large, locally advanced breast carcinoma. Methods & Results: We present a case of a 50-year-old Korean female, refered to our department with a left breast tumor for 10 months. CT demonstrate a large tumor on the left anterior chest wall and multiple nodules of varying size in the cervical areas and liver. FDG-PET showed areas of hot uptake throughout the left chest wall, mediastinum and liver. Biopsy was consistent with invasive ductal carcinoma (Grade III). The initial tumor was considered inoperable, so a series of chemotherapy was initiated. Though the size of the breast mass was slightly decreased, the patient continued to suffer from purulent discharge, unpleasant odor and contact bleeding of the mass, the salvage mastectomy was performed. Conclusion: We could reconstruct $23{\times}16\;cm$ sized large chest wall defect, resulting from the resection of a locally advanced breast carcinoma, using an external oblique musculocutaneous flap successfully. Immediate postoperatively checked flap was healthy. Overall result was good without any significant complications and discharged 3 weeks after operation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.643-647
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• 2006

Purpose: The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap has become a mainstay of breast reconstruction. The chief disadvantage of the TRAM flap is its potential to create a weakness in the abdominal wall. Nowadays true hernia is less frequent, but bulging that appears at the muscle donor site, or at the contralateral side, or at the epigastric area is still remained as a problem. To prevent this complications, we have used synthetic mesh as well as abdominal muscle plication. Now we report the result of our methods. Methods: We started to use synthetic mesh and muscle plication as supplementary reinforcement for entire abdominal wall, after TRAM flap harvesting, in an attempt to stabilize it and achieve a superior aesthetic result since 2002. We observed complications of TRAM flap donor site, and compared our results (from January, 2002 to January, 2006) with other operator's result (before 2001) at the same hospital in aspect of incidence of abdominal complications. Results: 42 consecutive patients have been performed routine reinforcement with the extended mesh technique and muscle plication from January, 2002 to January, 2006. Mean patient follow up was 25.2 months. No hernia or mesh related infection were encountered and only one patient had a mild abdominal bulging. Nevertheless the our good results, there were no significant statistical differences were observed between two groups. Conclusion: We recommend the using of synthetic mesh and muscle plication for donor site reconstruction after TRAM flap breast reconstruction to improve strength as well as aesthetic quality of the abdominal wall.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.49-54
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the result of muscle free flap transplantation in chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia and calcaneus occurred from open fractures and exposed bones and internal fixatives. Materials and Methods: The free muscle flap were transferred in the tibia and calcaneus and followed up average 7.3 years at the department of orthopedic surgery from March 1997 to September 2009. Six patients were male and 1 case female averaged 50.3 years of age. Two latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flaps were transplanted to the exposed 2/3 of the tibia with soft tissue defect, one rectus abdominis muscle free flap to the mid 1/3 of the tibia and four gracilis muscle free flaps to the distal 1/3 of the tibia and calcaneus. Results: At average 7.2 years follow-up, all of the 7 cases obtained solid bone union in the X-ray and kept sound soft tissues without pus discharges. The overall result of bone union, healed soft tissues defect and normal knee and ankle joint range of motion were excellent. Conclusion: The free muscle flap transferred to the chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia and calcaneus showed excellent results in bone union and eradication of the pus forming bacteria by its abundant blood flow.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.715-717
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• 2011

Purpose: In cases of breast reconstruction with a free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap after skin-sparing mastectomy with nipple-areolar complex (NAC) removal, the flat contour of the flap's skin paddle can easily look unnatural and dissatisfying. Reconstructed NAC on the flap surface lacks the elevated contour that the normal areola possesses, resulting in an unnatural final result. Therefore, we would like to introduce a novel method to improve this problem and report the satisfactory results we obtained. Methods: Operations were conducted on 19 patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with a free TRAM flap and skin-sparing mastectomy from January 2009 to January 2010, with a mean follow-up of nine months. While the TRAM free flap was being inset, a purse-string suture was carried out on the dermal layer of skin flap to create a slight protrusion with Gore-$Tex^{(R)}$ sutures. Results: The elevated mound surrounding the NAC was well maintained for an average follow-up period of nine months. Nipple projection was also well maintained. There was no complaint about breast contour or nipple height reduction. In addition, there was no reported incidence of other complications. Conclusion: The purse-string suture technique presents a more natural breast silhouette around the NAC and helps to maintain nipple projection. Furthermore, it does not require any supplementary incisions or complicated skills. There has been no report of additional complications using this technique.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.324-331
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• 2022

Prior abdominal liposuction can be viewed as a relative or absolute contraindication to abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction given concerns for damaged perforators and scarring complicating intraoperative dissection. This systematic review aims to explore the outcomes of abdominally based breast reconstruction in patients with a history of abdominal liposuction. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-guided literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from the earliest available date through June 2020. Deep inferior epigastric perforator, muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM), superficial inferior epigastric artery, and pedicled TRAM flaps were included for evaluation. Complications included total or partial flap loss, fat necrosis, seroma, delayed wound healing, and donor site complications. After inclusion criteria were applied, 336 non-duplicate articles were screened, yielding 11 for final review, representing 55 flaps in 43 patients. There was no instance of total flap loss, eight (14.5%) flaps developed partial loss or fat necrosis, three (5.4%) flaps had delayed wound healing, and two (4.6%) patients had donor site complications. Most authors (8/11) utilized some type of preoperative imaging. Doppler ultrasonography was the most used modality, and these patients had the lowest rate of partial flap loss or flap fat necrosis (8%), followed by those without any preoperative imaging (10%). In conclusion, this review supports that patients undergoing abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction with a history of abdominal liposuction are not at an increased risk of flap or donor site complications. Although preoperative imaging was common, it did not reliably decrease complications. Further prospective studies are needed to address the role of imaging in improving outcomes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2020

Background Preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the abdominal wall vessels is used when planning free flap breast reconstruction (FFBR) because it provides a surgical road map which facilitates flap harvest. However, there are few reports on the effect of abnormal findings on the operative plan. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of all FFBRs performed at a tertiary referral center over a 6-year period (November 2011 to June 2017). One consultant radiologist reported on the findings. Details on patient demographics, CTA reports, and intraoperative details were collected. Results Two hundred patients received preoperative CTAs. Fourteen percent of patients (n=28) had abnormal findings. Of these findings, 18% were vascular anomalies; 36% tumorrelated and 46% were "miscellaneous." In four patients, findings subsequently prevented surgery; they comprised a mesenteric artery aneurysm, absent deep inferior epigastric (DIE) vessels, bilateral occluded DIE arteries, and significant bone metastases. Another patient had no suitable vessels for a free flap and the surgical plan converted to a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. The remaining incidental findings had no impact on the surgical plan or appropriateness of FFBR. More than one in 10 of those with abnormal findings went on to have further imaging before their operation. Conclusions CTA in FFBR can have a wider impact than facilitating surgical planning and reducing operative times. Incidental findings can influence the surgical plan, and in some instances, avoid doomed-to-fail and unsafe surgery. It is therefore important that these scans are reported by an experienced radiologist.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2023

Background The chest wall defects can be caused by various reasons. In the case of malignant tumor resection of the chest wall, it is essential to reconstruct the chest wall to cover the vital tissue and restore the pulmonary function with prevention of paradoxical motion. With our experience, we analyzed and evaluated the results and complications of the chest wall reconstructions followed by malignant tumor resection. Methods From 2013 to 2022, we reviewed a medical record of patients who received chest reconstruction due to chest wall malignant tumor resection. The following data were retrieved: patients' demographic data, tumor type, type of operation, method of chest wall reconstruction of the soft and skeletal tissue and complications. Results There were seven males and six female patients. The causes of reconstruction were 12 primary tumors and one metastatic carcinoma. The pathological types were seven sarcomas, three invasive breast carcinoma, and three squamous cell carcinomas. The skeletal reconstruction was performed in six patients. The series of the flap were eight pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flaps, two pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, two vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap, and one LD free flap. Among all the cases, only one staged reconstruction and successful reconstruction without flail chest. Most of the complications were atelectasis. Conclusion In the case of accompanying multiple ribs and sternal defect, skeletal reconstruction would need skeletal reconstruction to prevent paradoxical chest wall motion. The flap for soft tissue defect be selected according to defect size and location of chest wall. With our experience, we recommend the reconstruction algorithm for chest wall defect due to malignant tumor resection.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.539-544
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• 2008

Purpose: There have been limited reports on breast reconstruction after excision of phyllodes tumor. This paper reports four patients who had immediate reconstruction of the breast following excision of phyllodes tumor. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 14 patients from March 2000 to March 2008. Clinical data were analyzed including age, presenting symptoms and signs, type of surgery and metastasis. Results: The mean age was 38.6 years. The mean follow-up period was 40.6 months. Reconstruction was performed with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap in 3 patients and transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in 1 patient. Other cases were covered with skin graft or primary repair. 2 local recurrent cases were noted. Conclusion: The breast affected by phyllodes tumor must undergo complete excision. Followed by mastectomy, immediate reconstruction of breast improved cosmetic results, and allowed a wider surgical excision margin of tumor.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.732-735
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• 2010

Purpose: In performing breast reconstruction, making symmetrical breast is still a challenge. A precise estimate of the volume of the breast specimen is necessary to reconstruct a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing breast. This study aims at finding out the relationship with breast tissue density and body mass index designed to apply for breast reconstruction. Methods: By using the Archimedes' principle, the authors calculated the volume of the breast specimen and drew a correlation between the density of breast specimen and BMI. From October 2002 to November 2004, this method was used on 197 patients to predict breast volume for TRAM flap reconstruction. Results: The mean density was 0.9954g/cc and had no correlation with BMI (p-value=0.069). There was no difference between denstiy of breast tissue after skin spared mastectomy and that of breast tissue after nipple spared mastectomy. Conclusion: These data will be helpful to predict the needed volume for breast reconstruction.