Chest wall desmoid fibromatosis involving the pedicle of a microvascular free flap breast reconstruction: a case report

Free flap surgery is a reliable and safe procedure for breast reconstruction. The survival of free flaps depends on their vascular pedicle initially, but neovascularization can sustain their blood supply after a while. Management of late pedicle occlusion in free flap breast reconstruction and potential implications of late pedicle occlusion on the transferred tissue are controversial. We systematically reviewed current literature focusing on articles that reported on late pedicle occlusion in free flaps for breast reconstruction. We aimed to analyze incidences of late pedicle occlusion, the existing evidence for the most appropriate management strategy for late pedicle occlusion, and its implications on overall outcomes. In support of the review, we present a clinical case of a salvage of a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap following late arterial thrombosis 12 days postoperatively. The literature is limited to a few case reports on pedicle occlusion in free flap breast reconstruction and a few heterogeneous retrospective reviews reporting on late pedicle occlusion in general. Despite the heterogeneity of articles and approaches to salvage flaps with late pedicle occlusion, we found no convincing evidence that surgery is the best choice to salvage flaps in breast reconstruction that appear to have late pedicle occlusion. Our case demonstrates that a conservative approach may be justified more than initially deemed necessary. Late pedicle occlusion is a rare but serious event in free flap breast reconstruction. Surgery does not seem to be the most appropriate approach in every case. Decisions should be based on clinical dynamics and imaging findings such as indocyanine-green angiography. A carefully carried out conservative approach may lead to flap salvage.

Sir:FigureIt was with great pleasure that we read the article by Jandali et al.1 entitled “Breast Reconstruction with Free Tissue Transfer from the Abdomen in the Morbidly Obese,” and we congratulate the authors on their interesting study. Breast reconstruction in overweight and obese patients represents a difficult challenge for plastic surgeons, who remain guarded over selecting these patients for free abdominal tissue transfer. Although higher complication rates have been reported by Jandali et al. in these patients, obesity does not constitute an automatic contraindication for free abdomen-based flap breast reconstruction (Fig. 1).Fig. 1: Preoperative and postoperative views of a 43-year-old patient, with a body mass index of 40.9, who underwent delayed left breast reconstruction with an autologous latissimus dorsi flap and contralateral reduction mammaplasty. A significant volume of fat was included in the autologous latissimus dorsi flap, which gave bulk to the breast without the aid of a prosthesis, producing a natural reconstructed breast.Recently, Seidenstuecker et al.2 investigated the relevance of comorbid conditions such as age 65 years or older, active smoking, and body mass index greater than 30 on free flap breast reconstruction, and they similarly reported higher total flap loss and delayed donor-site wound healing in obese patients. We would like to take the opportunity to discuss the indications and advantages of the autologous latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction in morbidly obese patients, which may present a valid option for these patients. The autologous latissimus dorsi flap is a well-vascularized flap that is safe, versatile, and reliable, with a very high success rate.3 For these reasons, it is also suitable for high-risk patients, such as obese patients, smokers, diabetics, and patients of advanced age. Compared with the standard latissimus dorsi flap with implant, the autologous latissimus dorsi flap is capable of delivering a significant volume of fat, which gives bulk to the breast without the aid of a prosthesis. If the flap volume is then not sufficient, it can be improved by fat injection (lipomodeling). Nevertheless, the autologous latissimus dorsi flap is a major operation, it is less involved than free tissue transfer, and it requires no microsurgical skills or any intensive postoperative flap monitoring as in free flaps. Transfer of the latissimus dorsi muscle minimally impairs shoulder function, inducing little detectable change in the range of motion and muscular strength, and functional sequelae are minimized by compensation by means of the teres major muscle.4 It is well known that donor-site seroma is a drawback of this technique; however, numerous treatments and preventive measures have been described to reduce this problem. These include avoidance of electrocautery for dissection, the use of quilting sutures, fibrin sealant, endoscopic harvest, long-term distant exit drainage, and pressure dressings.5,6 In our experience, quilting stitches combined with fibrin sealant significantly reduced postoperative seroma. Despite this drawback, we believe that the autologous latissimus dorsi flap is a good option in obese patients despite the relatively high incidence of back seroma, which is for us a minor complication, treatable on an outpatient basis, and with a lower impact compared with a total flap loss or an abdominal bulge, weakness, or hernia following an abdominal flap. Stefano Bonomi, M.D. Andrè Salval, M.D. Fernanda Settembrini, M.D. Chiara Gregorelli, M.D. Gaetano Musumarra, M.D. Department of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burn Unit Center, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this communication.

Autologous breast reconstruction is becoming increasingly important, especially in light of the increased rates of prophylactic mastectomies with BRCA mutations. Regarding the indications and complications between free TRAM and free DIEP flaps for autologous breast reconstruction the current data is not clear. All patients who received an autologous breast reconstruction between January 2010 and January 2014 using free DIEP or free MS-2-TRAM flaps were included in the study. The choice of flap between DIEP and MS-2-TRAM was performed by a standardised algorithm with preoperative CT angiography, intraoperative evaluation of the flap perfusion and Doppler detection. The analysis took into account partial flap necrosis <20% and >20%), complete flap loss, flap necrosis and surgical revision of the anastomosis. The study considered 362 women who received a total of 419 free flaps for breast reconstruction. 66 patients received a bilateral reconstruction (52 double DIEPS, 9 DIEP and MS2 TRAM and 5 double MS2 TRAMs). The total flap loss was 0.24%. Partial necrosis <20% occurred in 0.72% (DIEP 0.82%, MS2 TRAM 0%), partial necrosis >20% in 0.72% (DIEP 0.69% MS2 TRAM 0.98%). One DIEP flap was lost (0.24%). After implementing our protocol the rate of MS-2-Tram flaps could be reduced to 10-15% of all autologous breast reconstruction procedures as compared to the years before. Through the application of the presented algorithm for breast reconstruction with free DIEP flap, such surgery is a safe treatment option if it is done at high frequency in a microsurgical centre. Flap loss and complications are not increased compared to MS2 TRAM flaps. The decision for the selection of the appropriate flap for breast reconstruction should be based on the presented algorithm in order to achieve secure and reproducible results.

P3-14-06: A single-center report of 125 cases of incidental internal mammary lymph node biopsy in free abdominal flap breast reconstruction

ObjectivesBreast sensation following autologous breast reconstruction impacts patients’ quality of life. Although spontaneous reinnervation in free flaps was documented by many authors, there are efforts to further improve restoration of breast sensation. Interestingly, animal studies indicated that trastuzumab has several beneficial effects on transected peripheral nerves. Our aim was to compare spontaneous sensory recovery after free TRAM flap breast reconstruction between patients who were and were not treated with trastuzumab.MethodsThe study included 14 subjects who underwent tactile sensation examination in 5-year period after noninnervated free muscle-sparing TRAM flap breast reconstruction at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia. Small and large flap skin islands and contralateral healthy breasts were tested with Semmes-Weinstein type monofilaments. Three sensory scores were created to more accurately compare breast sensation.ResultsIn subjects receiving trastuzumab, sensory recovery earlier extended to at least four of five large skin island regions and was always present in the central flap area in comparison with subjects who were not administered trastuzumab (p=0.0476). As indicated by total sensory scores, trastuzumab-treated subjects restored sensation better resembling healthy control breasts (54 vs. 39 % in large skin islands; 95 vs. 71 % in small skin islands).ConclusionsTo the authors’ knowledge, the current study for the first time demonstrated trastuzumab’s potential to improve sensory outcomes in human. Our results support the strategy that accelerated nerve regeneration is a key to more successful reinnervation. HER2 and EGFR inhibitors emerge as new candidates for pharmacological interventions in peripheral nerve injury treatment.

With the increasing demand for autologous breast reconstruction, different surgical techniques have emerged to provide patients with the best possible result tailored to their individual needs. The upper thigh provides an alternative tissue resource in patients where abdominal based flaps are not feasible. Although surgical outcomes and donor-site morbidity demonstrate favorable results using abdominal and thigh-based free flaps for autologous breast reconstruction, the differences in skin constitution and color between the two flap donor sites have not been investigated. From the authors' flap database, 60 patients who underwent unilateral secondary breast reconstruction with free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) or transverse myocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flaps where randomly selected. In both cohorts, postoperative pictures were used for photometric color evaluation of the reconstructed breast using the delta E (ΔE) 2000 score at time A (1.5 to 3 months), time B (6 to 8 months), and time C (12 to 20 months). Standard univariate descriptive statistics and group comparisons were performed. The DIEP flap demonstrated a better skin color match at time A ( P < 0.001), time B ( P = 0.003), and time C ( P = 0.009). Over time, both flaps showed improved ΔE 2000 values, and patient age was only associated with higher ΔE 2000 values in TMG flaps after 1.5 to 3 months ( P = 0.021). The study provides the first objective analysis of skin color match in secondary autologous breast reconstruction. The DIEP flap reconstruction shows a preferable color match compared with the TMG flap. Both free flaps demonstrate an improved skin color match 12 to 20 months after secondary breast reconstruction. Therapeutic, III.

Supercharging the venous drainage of free abdominal flaps in breast reconstruction has been well described in the literature, with diverse options used to augment venous drainage. In this study, we present our experience in using the acromiothoracic vein (ATV)/thoracoacromial vein (TAV) as a secondary recipient vein for the superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) of free, muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps in breast and chest wall reconstruction. We retrospectively reviewed 523 free, muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps the senior author (H.H.K.) performed between 2009 and 2022 for breast and chest wall reconstruction; 46 cases required venous super drainage. Seventeen patients had ipsilateral SIEV anastomosed into the second internal mammary vein, 5 had ipsilateral SIEV anastomosed into flap second deep inferior epigastric vein, and 24 required the use of the (ATV)/(TAV), which will be the focus of this study. The study included 24 female (20 breast and 4 chest wall reconstruction) patients ranging in ages between 39 and 72 years. They had a median follow-up of 26 months. Combined muscle splitting and cutting techniques were used to expose the ATV/TAV. Increase in operative time ranged between 10 and 20 minutes (median, 12 minutes). Vein coupler sizes were 1.5 to 3 mm. The mean weight of the flap was 740 g (range, 460-1300 g). There was 1 flap failure (salvage with latissimus dorsi flap performed), whereas 23 flaps wholly survived. The ATV/TAV is a suitable recipient for venous supercharging free flaps used to reconstruct breast and chest wall defects.

Adjuvant chemotherapy increases the prevalence of fat necrosis in immediate free abdominal flap breast reconstruction

Objective: The aim of the current study is to determine the clinical value of incidental internal mammary lymph node biopsy in free abdominal flap breast reconstruction using internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels and to investigate the risk factors of internal mammary lymph nodes metastasis. Methods: The clinical data of all patients who underwent free abdominal flap breast reconstruction using internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels from November 2006 to December 2015 in the Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were reviewed in the study. The incidence of internal mammary lymph node biopsy and the rate of metastasis were analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of internal mammary lymph node metastasis. Results: A total of 113 patients met the inclusion criteria, 53 (46.9%) of whom had internal mammary lymph nodes harvested. Four of these were positive for metastatic disease, all in immediate breast reconstructions. The incidence of metastasis was 7.5% in patients who had successful internal mammary lymph node biopsies.The multi-variate Logistic regression analysis showed that invasive tumor size, tumor location and axillary lymph node metastasis were not risk factors for internal mammary lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). Conclusions: Internal mammary lymph nodes found incidentally during recipient vessel exposure may provide important information about internal mammary lymph node metastasis in free flap breast reconstruction. This approach for internal mammary lymph node biopsy reveals an appreciable success rate and is convenient in clinical practice. The size of invasive tumor and the axillary lymph node metastasis are probably associated with internal mammary lymph node positivity.

Microvascular Free Flaps in Breast Reconstruction

Consecutive or simultaneous contralateral breast reduction is a frequent request from patients undergoing unilateral breast reconstruction. Both procedures can be combined using otherwise discarded tissue as a split breast graft for reconstruction of the contralateral side. There have been few reports on the use of pedicled split breast grafts. We present a 75-year-old female with multicentric mammary carcinoma following chemotherapy, mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. She requested a reconstruction of the left breast as well as reduction of the right breast. Risk factors, including heavy alcohol and tobacco dependence and COPD, limited the surgical options. While a free flap breast reconstruction was the standard feasible option, we opted for a procedure with minimal surgery-related morbidity. The right breast was evidently tumor-free, and the patient had no family history of breast cancer. Reconstruction was performed 22 months postmastectomy. The split-breast free flap was based on the right internal mammary artery (IMA) perforator and harvested during the right-sided breast reduction. Microsurgical anastomosis was performed on the IMA perforator on the left side. Mastopexy was performed on the right side and the nipple-areola complex (NAC) was transferred to its new position as a free graft to complete the breast reduction. A tattoo of the left NAC was performed 4 months postreconstruction. There was complete flap survival with a pleasant cosmetic result. Split breast reconstruction could be an alternative to more common procedures. However, this approach is only feasible in patients with hypertrophic contralateral breast and absence of risk factors for developing a second primary breast cancer.

Not required

Norepinephrine preserved flap blood flow compared to phenylephrine in free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap breast reconstruction surgery: A randomized pilot study

Background: There are national trends of increasing incidence of morbid obesity and autologous breast reconstruction with free tissue transfer from the abdomen. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of free flap breast reconstruction in the morbidly obese population. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on all patients who underwent transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous, deep inferior epigastric perforator, or superficial inferior epigastric artery flap breast reconstructions between July of 2006 and October of 2008. Data from all patients with a body mass index greater than 40 were compared with those of patients with a body mass index less than 40. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Significant findings were then analyzed in a post hoc fashion to examine trends with increasing body mass index. Results: Four hundred four patients underwent 612 free flap breast reconstructions during the study period. Twenty-five of these patients (6 percent) had a body mass index greater than 40. The morbidly obese group had significantly higher rate of total flap loss (p = 0.02), total major postoperative complications (p = 0.05), and delayed wound healing (p = 0.006). Conclusions: Free flap breast reconstruction in the morbidly obese is associated with a higher risk of total flap loss, total major postoperative complications, and delayed abdominal wound healing. However, the overall incidence of complications is low, making free tissue transfer from the abdomen an acceptable method of breast reconstruction in this patient population.

There are national trends of increasing incidence of morbid obesity and autologous breast reconstruction with free tissue transfer from the abdomen. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of free flap breast reconstruction in the morbidly obese population. A retrospective review was conducted on all patients who underwent transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous, deep inferior epigastric perforator, or superficial inferior epigastric artery flap breast reconstructions between July of 2006 and October of 2008. Data from all patients with a body mass index greater than 40 were compared with those of patients with a body mass index less than 40. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Significant findings were then analyzed in a post hoc fashion to examine trends with increasing body mass index. Four hundred four patients underwent 612 free flap breast reconstructions during the study period. Twenty-five of these patients (6 percent) had a body mass index greater than 40. The morbidly obese group had significantly higher rate of total flap loss (p = 0.02), total major postoperative complications (p = 0.05), and delayed wound healing (p = 0.006). Free flap breast reconstruction in the morbidly obese is associated with a higher risk of total flap loss, total major postoperative complications, and delayed abdominal wound healing. However, the overall incidence of complications is low, making free tissue transfer from the abdomen an acceptable method of breast reconstruction in this patient population.