Abstract
Background: Many patients in India still present with locally-extensive breast cancer to the general surgeon. Surgical ablation for such tumours results in large chest wall defects management of which becomes difficult in absence of surgical oncologist- plastic surgeon team – as is the case in large parts of the country. The purpose of this article is to present simple local fascio-cutaneous flaps which can be done by general surgeons. Subjects and Methods: Among 8 local flaps, 5 were laterally based thoraco-abdominal (TA) flaps, and 3 were medially based thoraco-epigastric (TE) flaps. Clinical outcomes were compared including complications, the need for a secondary surgical intervention, and the timing of adjuvant therapy. Results: The mean defect size was 410.6 cm2 (range, 140–720 cm2). One case of wound dehiscence (12.5%) was noted in the lateral based (TE) flap group. All patients survived more than 1 year without any local recurrence or delay in adjuvant treatment. Conclusion: Local fascio-cutaneous flaps are a viable option to treat large chest wall defects after the excision of locally advanced breast cancer. They are simple, robust and can be performed easily by general surgeons.
Highlights
Huge locally advanced breast cancers frequently large fungating masses are still a reality in our country[Figure 1]
Surgical ablation leads to immediate improvement in quality of life due leads to large skin defects management of which becomes difficult in absence of surgical oncologist- plastic surgeon team – as is the case in large parts of the country
Another concern with surgical treatment is delay in systemic adjuvant treatment. a variety of techniques are available for covering any large chest wall defects, including skin grafts, local skin or fascio-cutaneous flaps, omental flaps, and myocutaneous flaps such as pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, latissimusdorsi, and external oblique flaps.[1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
Summary
Huge locally advanced breast cancers frequently large fungating masses are still a reality in our country[Figure 1]. Surgical ablation leads to immediate improvement in quality of life due leads to large skin defects management of which becomes difficult in absence of surgical oncologist- plastic surgeon team – as is the case in large parts of the country Another concern with surgical treatment is delay in systemic adjuvant treatment. Many patients in India still present with locally-extensive breast cancer to the general surgeon Surgical ablation for such tumours results in large chest wall defects management of which becomes difficult in absence of surgical oncologist- plastic surgeon team – as is the case in large parts of the country. Conclusion: Local fascio-cutaneous flaps are a viable option to treat large chest wall defects after the excision of locally advanced breast cancer They are simple, robust and can be performed by general surgeons
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
