Free Gracilis Myocutaneous Flap Combined with Profunda Femoral Artery Perforator Flap for Breast Reconstruction

Abstract

Compared with prosthetic breast reconstruction, autologous tissue breast reconstruction is more recommended. Autologous tissue transfer includes the pedicled latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis. There are also free flaps, such as the perforator flap of the inferior abdominal artery, gracilis free flap [1], and gluteus maximus flap [2, 3]. The perforator flap of inferior abdominal artery is the gold standard for breast reconstruction. Its most fitting indication is female patients with sufficient abdominal fat and without serious comorbidities and history of abdominal surgery. However, emaciated women with thin abdominal fat layer cannot provide the amount of fat required for breast reconstruction. Non-pregnant young female patients often reject the selection of abdominal donor area. Because Asian women tend to be thin and the group of breast cancer patients is younger, there is an increasing number of patients who are not suitable for breast reconstruction with the inferior abdominal artery perforator flap but have strong desire to breast reconstruction. This is why breast cancer plastic surgeons are looking for other donor sites for breast tissue reconstruction by autologous tissue [4].