A Local Random Glandular Flap for oncoplastic breast conserving surgery

Abstract

BackgroundOncoplastic breast cancer surgeries involve a combination of oncologic surgery and esthetic techniques, to excise breast malignant tumors with appropriate clear margins, and maintain or create a pleasant breast contour and shape. Various techniques have been presented up to now, and each one has its advantages and disadvantages. We present our Local Random Glandular Flap, which is practical for many tumor locations and sizes; and yields acceptable, almost symmetrical outcomes. MethodsWe collected data of patients who had been operated on between 2014 and 2019 using this technique. Information gathered consisted of tumor characteristics, flap characteristics, and results of surgery regarding oncologic and cosmetic outcomes in a five-point Likert scale. ResultsData of 25 patients were collected. The mean size of tumors was around 25 mm. There was no involved margin except for one case that had diffuse malignant cells in many foci around the margins in her permanent histologic reviews and underwent mastectomy afterwards. Cosmetic outcomes as rated by the patients were very good and good in about 79% and 21% of the patients, respectively; and very good, good, medium, bad and very bad in around 71%, 16.5%, 8%, 0% and 4%, respectively as rated by the surgeon. ConclusionsThe LRGF technique allows a wide resection of malignant breast tumors with excellent oncologic results, satisfactory cosmetic outcomes and nearly no need for contralateral symmetrization procedures. This procedure has interesting novel features: the scar is minimal, no skin is removed, the shape of the breast is largely conserved so that symmetrization of the contralateral breast is not necessary, and areolar re-centralization is not needed.