Longitudinal Volume Assessment of Reconstructed Breast Using Three-Dimensional Measurement: How Do DIEP and LD Flap Change Immediately after Surgery?

Abstract

Background The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and latissimus dorsi (LD) flaps are two widely used autologous breast reconstructions. Despite studies on flap-volume changes, the time of the first measurement is not immediately after surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the change in volume over time from the immediate postoperative period using a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. Methods Patients who underwent breast reconstruction with a DIEP or LD flap between October 2019 and December 2020 at Showa University Koto Toyosu Hospital were included. The Kinect 3D scanner was used to measure the reconstructed and healthy breast volumes immediately after surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The control group was the healthy side, and the volumes obtained at each time point and ratios (to the immediate postoperative period) were calculated and analyzed using a linear mixed model. Results Of the 25 patients and 26 breasts examined, the postoperative increase in volume ratios was statistically significant in the DIEP flap group, except for the sixth month, but decreased significantly in the LD group. Compared with the control group, the volume ratio was significantly higher up to 3 months in the DIEP flap group and decreased significantly after 3 months in the LD flap group. Conclusions The volume of the LD flap continued to decrease immediately after surgery, whereas the volume of the DIEP flap increased by 10% up to 1M. Therefore, this increase in volume should be taken into consideration in studies where the initial measurements were not taken immediately after surgery.