Chest wall reconstruction after recurrent breast cancer using the scapular flap

Abstract

Breast cancer is a common female malignancy with numerous reconstructive options following mastectomy. However, in recurrent disease, few donor sites exist. The scapular flap may reconstruct ablative defects after recurrence. This paper describes its 5-year application. All patients with recurrent breast cancer necessitating chest wall reconstruction with a scapular flap were included in this 5-year study. Patients were prospectively followed up for clinical, surgical and patient-reported outcome measures. Eight patients underwent scapular flap chest wall reconstruction for recurrent breast cancer. The majority of tumours were invasive ductal carcinomas (n = 5; 62.5 %). Mean duration from primary breast cancer to scapular flap reconstruction was 12 years (range 2–32 years). All flaps survived, including patients who smoked and received adjuvant radiotherapy. Donor site morbidity was minimal with full ipsilateral limb functioning. Scapular flap reconstruction of the chest is a safe, reliable and consistent technique in recurrent breast cancer. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.