• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 2019

Background Thoracodorsal vessels (TDVs) and internal mammary vessels (IMVs) have both been widely employed as recipient vessels for use in free muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flaps. However, whether TDVs or IMVs are preferable as recipient vessels for autologous breast reconstruction with a free MS-TRAM flap remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes when TDVs were used as recipient vessels to those obtained when IMVs were used as recipient vessels for autologous breast reconstruction with a free MS-TRAM flap. Methods A retrospective matched-cohort study was performed. We retrospectively reviewed data collected from patients who underwent a free MS-TRAM flap for autologous breast reconstructions after mastectomy between March 2003 and June 2013. After a one-to-one matching using age, 100 autologous breast reconstructions were selected in this study. Of the 100 breast reconstructions, 50 flaps were anastomosed to TDVs and 50 to IMVs. Patient demographics and clinical outcomes including operation time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and aesthetic score were compared between the two groups. Results No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in patient demographics and clinical outcomes, including the complication rates and aesthetic scores. There were no major complications such as total or partial flap loss in either group. Conclusions The results of our study demonstrate that both TDVs and IMVs were safe and efficient as recipient vessels in terms of the complication rates and aesthetic outcomes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.376-383
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• 2012

Background No consensus has been reached regarding the outcome of management of local recurrence after transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction. This study demonstrated the presentation, management, and outcomes of local recurrence after immediate TRAM breast reconstruction. Methods A comparison was conducted among 1,000 consecutive patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with a pedicled TRAM flap (TRAM group) and 3,183 consecutive patients who underwent only modified radical mastectomy without reconstruction (MRM group) from January 2001 to December 2009. The presentation, treatment, and outcome including aesthetics and overall survival rate were analyzed. Results Local recurrences occurred in 18 (1.8%) patients (TRAM-LR group) who underwent TRAM breast reconstruction and 38 (1.2%) patients (MRM-LR group) who underwent MRM only (P=0.1712). Wide excision was indicated in almost all the local recurrence cases. Skin graft was required in 4 patients in the MRM-LR group, whereas only one patient required a skin graft to preserve the mound shape in the TRAM-LR group. The breast mound was maintained in all 17 patients that survived in the TRAM-LR group even after wide excision. The overall survival rate was 94.4% in the TRAM-LR group and 65.8% in the MRM-LR group (P=0.276). Conclusions Local recurrence after immediate TRAM flap breast reconstruction could be detected without delay and managed effectively by multiple modalities without reducing overall survival rates. Breast mound reconstruction with soft autologous tissue allowed for primary closure in most of the cases. In all of the patients who survived, the contour of their reconstructed breast remained.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2012

The free muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) and deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps involve transferring skin and subcutaneous tissue from the lower abdominal area and have many features that make them well suited for breast reconstruction. The robust blood supply of the free flap reduces the risk of fat necrosis and also enables aggressive shaping of the flap for breast reconstruction to optimize the aesthetic outcome. In addition, the free MS-TRAM flap and DIEP flap require minimal donor-site sacrifice in most cases. With proper patient selection and safe surgical technique, the free MS-TRAM flap and DIEP flap can transfer the lower abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue to provide an aesthetically pleasing breast reconstruction with minimal donor-site morbidity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.663-668
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• 2008

Purpose: Pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap has been a gold standard for breast reconstruction and one of surgical techniques preferred by many surgeons. The authors examined the course of deep epigastric artery focusing on distance from margins of rectus abdominis to pedicle and location of choke vessels to get minimal muscles during pedicled TRAM flap operation. Methods: Eleven rectus abdominis muscle from nine cadavers were used in this study. Rectus abdominis was separated from the cadavers, deep inferior and superior epigastric artery were isolated and then 8 anatomical landmarks in medial and lateral margins of rectus abdominis were designated. Distance to a pedicle meeting first horizontally was measured and vertical location from umbilicus to choke vessel was determined. In addition, 32 rectus abdominis images of 16 women(average age: 37.2 years old) from 64 channel abdomen dynamic computerized tomography were also examined with the same anatomical landmarks with those of cadavers. Results: Average distance from four landmarks on lateral margin of rectus abdominis to pedicle was 1.9 - 3.4cm and 1.8 - 3.8 cm on medial margin. Choke vessel was located between middle and inferior tendinous intersection in all cases and average distance between two tendinous intersection was 6.7 - 7.0 cm on medial margin and 6.2 cm on lateral margin. Location of inferior tendinous intersection was on umbilicus or superior of it in all cases and its average distance from umbilicus was 1.8 - 5.6 cm on medial margin and 2.7 - 6.2 cm on lateral margin. Conclusion: Distance from medial and lateral margins of rectus abdominis muscle to pedicle was the shortest in inferior tendinous intersection and that was averagely 1.8 cm on medial margin and 1.9 cm in average on lateral margin. All choke vessels were located between middle and inferior tendinous intersection.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.631-635
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• 2012

Background The evaluation of a breast after breast reconstruction depends on a surgeon's subjective criteria. We used computed tomography (CT) scans to obtain an objective evaluation of the postoperative results by measuring the breast volume of patients who had undergone breast reconstruction using pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps. This research will help in the objective postoperative evaluation of reconstructed breasts, and also in the preoperative flap size designs. Methods A total of 27 patients underwent breast reconstruction using pedicled TRAM flaps after mastectomy from September 2007 to July 2010. Of these, 10 patients who were followed up and underwent CT scans 2 or more times during the follow-up period were included in this study. We evaluated the change in breast volume over time using CT scans, and the interval breast volume change between CT scans. Results All of the 10 patients' reconstructed breasts showed a volume decrease over time. The breast volume changes in the intervals between CT scans were as follows: 5.65% decrease between the first CT and second CT scan, 2.3% decrease between the second CT and third CT scan, (statistically significant) and 1.89% decrease between the third CT and forth CT scan. (not statistically significant). Conclusions This research shows the possibility of objectively evaluating the postoperative breast volume changes. The findings will be helpful in designing the size of TRAM flaps to use on defects after mastectomy. Based on these results, we should also closely observe the reconstructed breast volume for at least 2 years.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 1999

In breast reconstruction with a free flap following mastectomy, the recipient vessels most widely used are in the axillary system, which limits flap movement and flexibility in breast shaping. In addition, scarring and fibrosis can make dissection of the vessels difficult. We have performed 43 breast reconstructions using a free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap. In 10 cases out of 20 delayed reconstruction, we anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels rather than subscapular system. There has been no flap failure. The surgical techniques, advantages and limitations of the internal mammary system are presented. The internal mammary vessel are compared with the axillary vessels as a recipient vascular system.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2013

As microvascular techniques continue to improve, perforator flap free tissue transfer is now the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. Various options are available for breast reconstruction with autologous tissue. These include the free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, superficial inferior epigastric artery flap, superior gluteal artery perforator flap, and transverse/vertical upper gracilis flap. In addition, pedicled flaps can be very successful in the right hands and the right patient, such as the pedicled TRAM flap, latissimus dorsi flap, and thoracodorsal artery perforator. Each flap comes with its own advantages and disadvantages related to tissue properties and donor-site morbidity. Currently, the problem is how to determine the most appropriate flap for a particular patient among those potential candidates. Based on a thorough review of the literature and accumulated experiences in the author's institution, this article provides a logical approach to autologous breast reconstruction. The algorithms presented here can be helpful to customize breast reconstruction to individual patient needs.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.40-43
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• 2009

Purpose: Extensive midface defect following total maxillectomy with orbital exenteration and cheek skin resection should be three dimensionally reconstructed with a large flap that have a sufficient volume of tissue and multiple skin islands. We describe our transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) free flap with three skin islands which was successfully used in this situation. Methods: A 58-year-old man was performed enbloc total maxillectomy including orbital contents and wide cheek skin because of invasive maxillary squamous cell carcinoma. He was immediately reconstructed with TRAM flap that was designed not vertical but transverse fashion for providing sufficient skin area. Also, deepithelialization procedure making for multiple skin islands was done in flap insetting period when appropriate modification according to the intraoperative situation was possible. Dead space was completely obliterated by bulky muscular tissue, and three skin islands were used for lining of lateral nasal wall, palatal surface, and cheek skin restoration. Results: Postoperative course was satisfying. Maintaining of proper ipsilateral nasal airway, loss of rhinolalia and oronasal regurgitation of food particles, and restoration of cheek contour were successfully obtained. Conclusion: We report clinical experience of threedimensional reconstruction using free TRAM flap after total maxillectomy with orbital exenteration.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.542-547
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• 2014

Background Abdominal wall free flaps are used most frequently in autologous breast reconstruction, and these flaps require intact and robust deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) vessels. Pfannenstiel incisions are often present during preoperative visits for breast reconstruction and could potentially signal compromised blood supply to the lower abdominal wall. In this study, we compared the number of DIEP vessels between patients with and without Pfannenstiel incisions undergoing autologous breast reconstruction. Methods A retrospective review of medical records was performed for patients with (study) and without (control) Pfannelstiel incisions (n=34 for each group) between June 2010 and July 2013. In addition to patient demographics, number of caesarian sections, and outcomes of free flap reconstruction, abdominal wall vasculature was compared using the preoperative computed tomography angiographic data between the groups. For each patient, vessels measuring greater than 1 mm were counted and divided into four sections of the lower abdominal wall. Results The mean number of perforator vessels was 10.6 in the study group and 11.4 in the control group, which was not statistically different (P=0.575). Pfannenstiel incisions with history of repeat caesarian sections were not associated with decreased number of perforator vessels. Conclusions Pfannenstiel scars are associated with neither a change in the number of DIEP vessels nor decreased viability of a free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous and DIEP flap. Lower abdominal free flaps based on DIEP vessels appear safe even in patients who have had multiple caesarian sections through Pfannenstiel incisions.

• 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.