【Abstract】 Objective To discuss the aesthetic effect and appl ication of refined incisions in breast reconstructionfor breast cancer patients by the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. Methods From January 2001 toOctober 2006, 77 cases with breast cancer were treated with TRAM flap to immediate breast recontruction. The patients were all femals, with an average age of 45 years (ranging from 26 years to 53 years). There were 39 cases of left breast and 38 cases of right breast. The disease course was from 1 day to 180 days. There were 11 cases of stage I , 60 cases of stage II and 6 cases of stage III, among which 34 cases were located in the upper outer quadrant, 15 in the lower outer quadrant, 22 in the upper inner quadrant and 6 in the lower inner quadrant. The size of tumors varied from 1 cm to 4 cm. As to the pathologic type, 60 cases were invasive ductal cancers, 12 ductal cancers in situ, 5 invasive lobular cancers; positive lymph node (number: 1-7) happened in 29 cases, while negative lymph node happened in 48 cases. Among the 77 cases, regular shuttle incisions were performed in 35 cases, and refined circle incisions were performed in 42 cases, which were 2 cm away from the breast tumor border. Axillary incision was necessary for the breast tumors located in upper inner, lower inner and upper outer quadrants in order to perform axillary mastectomy. Ten cases were ni pple-areola sparing. The shape, symmetry and incision scar of the reconstructed breast were evaluated and graded. Results There were 6 cases out of 77 cases of breast reconstruction in which partial necrosis happened and the necrosis rate was 7.79%. The time of follow-up was from 13 months to72 months, with an average of 39 months. No recurrence or matastasis happened in 76 cases, and distant metastasis happened only in 1 case. There were 40 cases out of 42 cases with refined incisions which were scored more than 3, and the satisfaction rate was 95.24%. There were 31 cases out of 35 cases with regular incisions which were scored more than 3, and the satisfaction rate was 88.57%. Conclusion The reasonable refined incision based on the location of the tumor is effective to improve the satisfaction rate for the shape of the reconstructed breast.
ObjectiveTo explore the techniques and short-term effectivness of contralateral breast symmetrization mammaplasty in breast reconstruction. MethodsBetween February 2014 and December 2015, 11 patients received immediate or delayed breast reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomy (6 and 5 cases respectively) for contralateral breast symmetrization mammaplasty. The age ranged 36-55 years (mean, 45 years). The disease duration was from 7 days to 6 months (mean, 2.5 months) in 6 patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction. According to tumor TNM staging, 2 cases were rated as TisN0M0, 3 cases as T1N0M0, and 1 case as T2N0M0. The duration was from 2 to 25 years (mean, 8 years) in 5 patients undergoing delayed breast reconstruction. The implant (7 cases) and latissimus dorsi (4 cases) were used for breast reconstruction; and breast augmentation (6 cases) and breast reduction (5 cases) were performed for contralateral breast symmetrization. ResultsOne patient had local poor wound healing postoperatively and was cured; primary healing was obtained in the other patients, and no other postoperative complication of infection, implant exposure or capsular contracture was found. The patients were followed up 3 to 24 months (mean, 12 months). The reconstructive outcomes were excellent in 9 cases and good in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. There was no recurrence or metastasis. ConclusionSimultaneous contralateral symmetrization with augmentation/reduction mammaplasty after breast reconstruction can obtain satisfactory symmetric outcomes.
Objective To study the cause of the low rate of breast conservation and reconstruction by investigating the approval degree of breast conserving therapy and breast reconstruction of women with breast diseases, to help the breast surgeons make better communication with the patients and make more pertinent choices of therapeutic methods. Methods The age, occupation, educational background, the attitudes towards breast conserving therapy and breast reconstruction， and the choice of operative method of breast reconstruction of 139 patients with breast cancer and 224 patients with benign breast disease were investigated by questionnaire. Results In breast cancer group, 23.9% （28/117） of patients chose breast conserving therapy and 35.9%（42/117） of patients chose breast reconstruction, while the rates of breast conservation and reconstruction were 53.3% （106/199） and 63.8% （127/199） in benign breast disease group. In both groups, the higher rates of breast conservation and reconstruction were associated with better educational background (in breast cancer group: P=0.029， P=0.296; in benign breast disease group: P=0.081, P=0.019） and lower age (all Plt;0.05). Patients engaged in commerce showed higher rates of breast conservation and reconstruction （in breast cancer group: P=0.013, P=0.042； in benign breast disease group: P=0.032, P=0.044）. Age, occupation or educational background was not related with the choice of operative method of breast reconstruction （Pgt;0.05). Conclusions Patients with lower age, better educational background, and better job condition have ber desire of breast conservation and reconstruction. Breast surgeons should enhance communication with those patients about relevant information of breast conservation and reconstruction to make the more pertinent choice of therapeutic methods.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application value of immediate breast reconstruction using silicon implant after skin-sparing modified radical mastectomy for patients with breast cancer. MethodsA total of 28 patients with breast cancer undergoing immediate breast reconstruction using silicon implant after skin-sparing modified radical mastectomy from January 2006 to December 2009 were included in this study. The perioperative results, breast appearance evaluation and followup results were analyzed. ResultsAll 28 patients received axillary lymph node dissection and the number of lymph node dissected was 14-32 (median 21). The operation time was 117-140 min (mean 126 min), blood loss was 82-124 ml (mean 98 ml), and the time to drainage tube removal was 3-5 d. No wound infection, skin necrosis, and foreign body reaction occurred in all the patients, especially in 22 patients underwent nippleareola complex-sparing mastectomy, no ischemia or necrosis occurred in nippleareola complex. For evaluation of breast appearance, excellent was in ten cases and good in 18 cases, thus, the excellent and good rate was 100%. All patients were followed up for 12-48 months (median 24 months) after operation, and distant metastasis, local recurrence, upper extremity edema, and dysfunction were not found. No fiber kystis contracture was found and all patients were satisfied with breast appearance and good handfeels. ConclusionsImmediate breast reconstruction using silicon implant after skinsparing modified radical mastectomy has the advantage of minimal invasion, safety, simple operation, and quick postoperative recovery for patients with breast cancer and the appearance of reconstructed breast is excellent, which can be clinically used widely.
ObjectiveTo understand the application of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in implant-based breast reconstruction. MethodLiteratures on application of ADM in the implant-based breast reconstruction were reviewed. ResultsADM was widely used in the implant-based breast reconstruction and revisionary breast surgery. ADM could help to achieve a better reconstruction outcome by precisely locating the inferior mammary fold and strengthening the local control of the implant. However, whether ADM might increase the postoperative complications was controversial. ConclusionADM assisted implant-based breast reconstruction could achieve a better cosmetic outcome, but the large sample randomized controlled trial is needed to evaluate the application effect and risk of ADM.
Objective To investigate the location of the artery correlated with rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in order to promote the reconstruction of the breast after radical mastectocy for breast cancer.Methods An anatomic study was carried out on 15 cadavers of 30 sides，which were immersed in paraformaldehyde less than six months. Whole thoraepigastrica wall was cutted, which scale was from subclavian as upper limit to inguinal ligament, the lower limit across left and right of middle axillary. Veins or arteriesof inferior epigastrica and internal thorax in hang were injected with red or blue ink to show all of vessel branches. Results The external diameters of both the superior epigastric arteries and inferior vessels were 1.87±0.28 mm and 2.25±0.32 mm respectively. The myocutaneous arteries from inferior abdomen vessels had an intensive horizontal distribution on hylum. The perforators significantly decreased but could be found to pass through anterior rectus sheath in Rand. The distances between lateral perforators and Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ parts in external edge of anterior rectus sheath were 1.22, 1.46 and1.57 cm, respectively; and the distances between medial perforators and Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ parts at median line were 1.54, 1.62, 1.66 cm. Perforators were more thick and intensive near hylum than in other part. The subcostal arteries derived from inferior abdomen artery and 1.25±0.37 cm away from costal arch. Afterdividing into subcostal artery, the outer diameter of 67 percent of subcostal artery was bigger than that of inferior abdomen arteries. The branches of subcostalarteries were distributed at the 2/3 lateral rectus abdominis, forming an extenive choke anastomosis system with intercostal anterior artery and vessels supplied diaphragmatic muscle. The rectus abdominis at the level of xyphoid was supplied by a branch came from inferoir thorax artery, which diverged epigastric vessels at the same time.Conclusion During the process of makingthe inferior transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap base on superior epigastric vessels and superoir rectus abdobminis, reservation of pro-theca edge 1 cm of rectus abdominis can protect inferior abdomen artery from injury. Reservation of more than 2 cm pro-theca and rectus abdominis below costal arch at the flag will protect effectively subcostal artery from injury. No damage of subcostal arteries can influence the survival of musculocutaneous flap.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. METHODS: Since 1994, 60 cases were performed breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap with fat tissue nourished by thoracodorsal artery according to the shape and volume of the normal breast on the other side. All of cases were followed up for 3 months to 5 years. RESULTS: Among the 60 cases, excellent effect was obtained in 41 cases (68.3%), good effect in 16 cases (26.7%), unsatisfactory in 3 cases (5.0%). CONCLUSION: Modified latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap to reconstruct breast overcome the shortcoming of volume deficiency of traditional latissimus dorsi in breast reconstruction, and it is a safe and easy-manipulated surgical operation.
Objective To introduce the treatment experiences about the skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. Methods The skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction by using transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous （TRAM） flat were performed in 10 patients with early-stage breast cancer from May 2008 to December 2011 in our hospital. The patients’ data were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were postoperative complications after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction， including TRAM flat necrosis in 1 case， papillary necrosis in 1 case and fat necrosis in the reconstructed breast with oxter wound infection in 1 case. There was no incision hernia of abdominal wall or necrosis of all TRAM flat in any case. The patients’ satisfaction that evaluation for the breast shapes of reconstructed breasts was very satisfaction in 5 cases， part satisfaction in 4 cases， and dissatisfaction in 1 case， respectively. Conclusions Because of the minimal access approach and good breast shape， the skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate TRAM flat breast reconstruction is a safe and effective way for treating early-stage breast cancer.
Objective To review the application progress, mechanism, application points, limitations, and oncological safety of external volume expansion (EVE) assisted autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction and provide a reference for optimizing the design of EVE. Methods Based on the latest relevant articles, the basic experiments and clinical applications of EVE were summarized. ResultsEVE can reduce interstitial fluid pressure, increase blood supply, and promote adipogenic differentiation, thereby benefiting the survival of transplanted fat. EVE assisted autologous fat grafting in clinical practice can improve the retention rate of breast volume and the outcome of breast reconstruction, meanwhile it doesn’t increase the risk of local recurrence. But there is no standard parameters for application, and there are many complications and limitations. ConclusionEVE improves the survival of transplanted fat, but its complications and poor compliance are obvious, so it is urgent to further investigate customized products for breast reconstruction after breast cancer and establish relevant application guidelines.
Objective To summarize the experiences of the breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. Methods From March 2000 to March 2005, 18 cases of breast defects were treated. Defect wascaused by mammary cancer in 17 cases and by Poland’s syndrome in 1 case. Preoperative radiotherapy was given in 7 patients. The size of the chest wall defects ranged from 25 cm×20 cm to 12 cm×8 cm. All the breasts were reconstructed with the DIEP flaps. The flap size ranged from 35 cm×22 cm to 12 cm×8 cm (mean 9.58 cm×26.85 cm). The internal mammary vessels were used as the recipient vessels in 15 patients who underwent delayed breast reconstruction. Among these cases, the bilateral deep inferior epigastric vessels were anastomosed with the proximal and distal ends of the internal mammary vessels separately in 13 cases and only unilateral deep inferior epigastric vessels were harvested and anastomosed to the proximal ends of the internal mammary vessels in 2 cases. The recipient vessels were the thoracodorsal vessels and thoracodorsal vessels plus the circumflex scapular vessels in the patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction. Results Sixteen flaps survived completely postoperatively and the survival rate was 89%. Flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients; one underwent radiotherapy preoperatively while the other did not. The distal 1/3 portion of the flap necrosed in the patient with Poland’s syndrome. Nipple reconstruction and breast remolding were performed in 2 patients. Partial dehiscence of the median abdominal incision occurred in 2 patients at 2 weeks postoperatively and were repaired with resuturing andsplit-thickness skin grafting separately. Conclusion Breast reconstruction using the DIEP flaps not only can preserve the advantages of the traditional method using the transverse rectus ablominis myocutaneous flaps, but also can retain the maximal function of the rectus abdominal muscle and prevent the occurrence of abdominal weakness and hernia. It is an ideal method of the breast reconstruction.