Lateral Thoracic Artery Perforator Research Articles

Evaluation of the Intercostal Artery Perforator (ICAP) Flaps versus Lateral Thoracic Artery Perforator (LTAP) Flap in Partial Breast Reconstruction Following Breast Conservative Surgery.

Evaluation of the Intercostal Artery Perforator (ICAP) Flaps versus Lateral Thoracic Artery Perforator (LTAP) Flap in Partial Breast Reconstruction Following Breast Conservative Surgery.

Chest wall perforator flaps for partial breast reconstruction after conservative surgery: Prospective analysis of safety and reliability

IntroductionBreast-conserving surgery associated with adjuvant radiotherapy is the state of the art in the surgical treatment of breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgery through dermo-adipose flaps based in perforating arteries (muscle sparing flaps) for partial reconstruction is increasingly used as a good option for avoiding musculocutaneous flaps. In this study we evaluate the outcomes of the use of chest wall perforator flaps in the replacement of partial breast volume. MethodsA prospective cohort study of female patients that underwent a conservative oncoplastic surgery procedure with partial breast reconstruction using a dermo-adipose flap of perforating arteries of the chest wall was conducted between November 2020 and March 2022 at our centre. Primary outcomes were surgical morbidity, positive margins and reoperation rates. Characteristics associated with the occurrence of complications were further identified. ResultsForty-five patients underwent the procedure of interest during the study period. The mean age was 55 years. The median larger dimension of the tumor was 23 mm. Lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP), lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP), a combined flap and Anterior Intercostal Artery Perforator/Medial Intercostal Artery Perforator (AICAP)/(MICAP) were performed in 22, 16, 2 and 5 patients, respectively. The mean operative time was 126 min. A total of 9 (20.0%) patients required a reoperation after definitive diagnosis, 4 due to positive margins and 5 due to immediate/early surgical morbidity. ConclusionsLocal perforator flaps in oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery are a good option for immediate reconstruction after conservative surgery, showing low morbidity and favourable outcomes.

Combining a Chest Wall Perforator Flap and Bioabsorbable Implant to Facilitate Oncoplastic Breast-conserving Surgery

Oncoplastic breast conservation is classically divided into two approaches: volume displacement and volume replacement (VR). These approaches are important to use when more than 20% of the breast is removed to avoid deformity. Smaller, nonptotic breasts require VR strategies from flaps based off of local chest wall perforators. When larger volumes are required, a flap based off the thoracodorsal artery can be used. Although this flap can replace larger volumes, it usually requires a position change with increased operative time, patient morbidity, and longer recovery while also exhausting a major reconstructive modality. In an effort to avoid this increased operative complexity, we have found that combining a local chest wall perforator flap and bioabsorbable implant, which has been previously shown to be safe and effective in reconstructing partial mastectomy defects, allows for a simpler VR strategy in patients who might otherwise require a more extensive thoracodorsal artery-based flap surgery or a mastectomy. Here, we present 10 cases where we combined flaps based off the lateral, anterior or medial intercostal artery perforators or lateral thoracic artery perforator with a bioabsorbable implant to successfully perform oncoplastic breast conservation in patients who might otherwise be marginal candidates for VR using a local chest wall perforator flap.

Partial breast reconstruction of 30 cases with peri-mammary artery perforator flaps

BackgroundVolume replacement is one of the vital techniques of oncoplastic surgery (OPS) when applying breast-conserving surgery. The clinical application of peri-mammary artery perforator flaps for this indication is uneven in China. Here, we describe the results of our clinical experience with peri-mammary artery flaps for partial breast reconstruction.MethodsIn this study, 30 patients underwent partial breast resection for quadrant breast cancer followed by partial breast reconstruction with peri-mammary artery perforator flaps, which included the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap (TDAP), anterior intercostal artery perforator flap (AICAP), lateral intercostal artery perforator flap (LICAP), and lateral thoracic artery perforator flap (LTAP). All the patients’ operation plans were discussed comprehensively and were performed by sticking to every step. The satisfaction outcome was assessed with the extracted version of the BREAST-Q version 2.0, Breast Conserving Therapy Module Preoperative and Postoperative Scales both preoperatively and postoperatively.ResultsAccording to the study outcomes, the mean flap size was 5.3*4.2*2.8 cm (3.0–7.0*3.0–5.0*1.0–3.5 cm). The mean surgical time was 142 min (100–250 min). No partial flap failure was detected, and no severe complications were observed. Most patients were satisfied with the outcomes regarding the dressing, sexual life, and breast shape postoperation. Furthermore, the sensation of the surgical area, scar satisfaction, and recovery state gradually improved. Overall, LICAP and AICAP had higher scores when different flaps were compared.ConclusionsBased on this study, we found that peri-mammary artery flaps had significant value in breast-conserving surgery, especially in patients with small or medium-sized breasts. Perforators could be detected by vascular ultrasound before the operation. More than one perforator could be found most of the time. No severe complications occurred when performing a suitable plan, including discussing and recording the operation procedure; the focus of care, the choice for precise and proper perforators, and the mechanism for hiding the scars were all considered and recorded in a specific chart. Patients were satisfied with the reconstruction technique of peri-mammary artery perforator flaps after breast-conserving, and the satisfaction of AICAP and LICAP was higher. In general, this technique is suitable for partial breast reconstruction and has no negative impact on patient satisfaction.

Surgical Outcomes Following Partial Breast Reconstruction with Chest Wall Perforator Flaps

Introduction: In the last two decades, chest wall perforator flaps (CWPF) have become a versatile tissue replacement technique for partial breast reconstruction following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in well-selected cases. We present the surgical outcome of 81 patients with chest wall perforator flaps used for breast-conserving surgery. Methods: We recorded the outcomes of three oncoplastic breast surgeons who performed partial breast reconstruction with chest wall perforator flaps from 1st January 2018 to 30th June 2022 at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Data were collected on patient demographics, including age, BMI, smoking status, bra size, previous treatments, type of CWPF procedure, tumor size (measured clinically, via imaging and histologically), biopsy results, specimen weight, margins involvement, re-operation rate, surgical site infection (SSI), flap loss, flap shrinkage, hematoma, and seroma rates. Results: A total of 81 patients were included in this study, with an average age of 55.7 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 26.7 kg/m2. The bra size varied between A to FF with A (7.4%), B (28.3%), C (38.2%), D (13.6%), DD (11.1%), and FF (1.2%). 14.8% of the patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). For 45 patients, LICAP (lateral intercostal artery perforator), 16 AICAP (anterior intercostal artery perforator), 13 MICAP (medial intercostal artery perforator), and for seven patients, LTAP (lateral thoracic artery perforator) flaps were used. The average tumor was measured at 15.75 mm clinically, 19.1 mm via imaging, and 19.6 mm histologically. Biopsy showed that 16% of the tumors were ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and 84% were invasive. 16% of patients had involved margins, and re-excision was required in 10 patients, and completion mastectomy was performed in 2 patients. A thirty-day SSI rate was 6.2%, with flap-related complications, including flap loss and shrinkage, at 3.7% and 4.9%, respectively. In addition, 3.7% had a hematoma, and 17.3% had other complications. Conclusion: Partial breast reconstruction with perforator flaps is an excellent volume replacement technique in breast-conserving surgery with acceptable complications in well-selected cases.

Application of a modified lateral thoracic artery perforator flap in partial breast defects.

Breast cancer has become the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the world. Detection at an early stage, frequently allows women to benefit from breast conserving surgery. However, some patients are not satisfied with the breast shape after breast-conserving surgery, and autologous tissue flaps are needed to fill the defect in the resection area. The modified lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) flap isn't one of the commonly used flaps in breast surgery and has the advantages of a reliable blood supply, simple operation and few postoperative complications. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a modified LTAP flap for repairing partial breast defects after breast-conserving surgery. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 126 patients treated with LTAP flaps to repair local breast defects at Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University between January 2020 and June 2021. Data were collected on the demographic characteristics of these patients, tumor size and location, type of axillary lymph node surgery, availability of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and postoperative complications. The median weight of the tumor specimen was 185 g (range, 170-320 g), and this glandular tissue accounted for 30% to 40% of the total breast volume. The average flap size was 10.5 cm ×2.5 cm (length range, 8-15 cm, width range: 2-4 cm). The minimum follow-up time was 6 months, with an average of 10 months (range, 6-22 months). The mean operative time was 130 minutes (range: 90-180 minutes), and the mean hospital stay was 3 days (range, 2-5 days). All modified LTAP flaps survived completely without donor site complications. None of the patients required revision surgery on the postoperative breast. The modified LTAP flap is a reliable method for repairing partial breast defects after breast-conserving surgery. It has the advantages of a simple operation, a reliable blood supply, fewer postoperative complications, and a high flap survival rate. It is especially suitable for Asian women with small breast volumes and can achieve good breast contouring effects.

The Ultrasound Evolution of Lateral Thoracic Perforator Flaps Design and Harvest for Partial and Total Breast Reconstruction.

The lateral thoracic area is a known source for perforator flaps for partial breast reconstruction. In this paper, we report our experience in designing and harvesting lateral thoracic perforator flaps for partial and total breast reconstruction with the introduction of the "propuller" concept. Between September 2013 and August 2021, 95 flaps were performed for immediate, partial and total breast reconstruction. On a total of 95 flaps, 30 (19 thoracodorsal artery perforator(TDAP) flaps, 10 lateral intercostal artery perforator(LICAP) flaps and 1 lateral thoracic artery perforator(LTAP) flap) were harvested in the traditional fashion (control group) and 65 (57 LICAP, 2 LTAP and 6 TDAP flaps) according to the propeller concept (study group). All cases were preoperatively planned with Color-Coded Duplex Ultrasound. No flap losses were experienced in both groups. The mean operative time was 156 minutes (range 118-234) for the control group and 75 minutes (range 53-125) for the study group (p<0.0001). A significantly higher number of LICAP flaps were chosen in the study group compared to control group. None of the patients had donor site complications. Patients' and Surgeons' satisfaction was high to very high. The ultrasound preoperative planning led to the development of an easier and safer method of local perforator flap harvesting, that we named as propuller design. Its novelty lies in that perforator intraoperative selection and fully skeletonization are not needed and a more efficient flap movement (propeller plus advancement) which transfers more tissue into the new breast can be achieved safely, faster and easier.

Long-term outcomes of oncoplastic breast resection with local perforator flaps

Background. Oncoplastic breast resections with perforator flaps are relatively common now; however, many studies demonstrate contradictory results, especially in terms of long-term outcomes.Objective: to assess short-term and long-term outcomes of oncoplastic breast resection with defect repair using perforator flaps.Materials and methods. This study included 62 breast cancer patients who underwent oncoplastic breast resection with defect repair using local perforator flaps, including lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flaps (40.3 %), lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) (19.4 %), anterior intercostal artery perforator (AICAP) (27.4 %), and medial intercostal artery perforator (MICAP) (12.9 %) flaps. The assessment of oncological, functional, and aesthetic outcomes was performed in patients who were followed-up for at least a year (n = 57). Mean follow-up time was 26.5 months (range: 14–38 months).Results. The following complications were registered among the patients studied: seroma in the area of excised primary tumor (8.1 %), insufficient blood supply of the flap that caused focal lipofibrosis/liponecrosis (3.2 %), positive resection margin (3.2 %), low position of the submammary fold (11.3 %), locoregional recurrence (0 %), generalized process (3.5 %). All women evaluated their functional and aesthetic result as good or excellent. According to BCCT.core 3.0, 91.3 % of patients achieved good and excellent results.

Lateral chest wall perforator flaps in partial breast reconstruction

BackgroundBreast conserving surgery (BCS) has been a standard procedure for the treatment of breast cancer instead of mastectomy whenever possible. Lateral chest wall perforator flaps are one of the volume replacement techniques that participate in increasing the rate of BCS especially in small- to moderate-sized breasts with good cosmetic outcome. In this study, we tried to evaluate the outcome of those flaps as an oncoplastic procedure instead of the conventional flaps.MethodsThis study included 26 patients who underwent partial mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using lateral chest wall perforator flaps in the period from October 2019 to November 2020. The operative time, techniques, and complications were recorded. The cosmetic outcome was assessed 3 months post-radiation therapy through a questionnaire and photographic assessment.ResultsLateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP), lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) and combined flaps were performed in 24, 1, and 1 patients, respectively. The mean operative time was 129.6 ± 13.2 min. The flap length ranged from 10 to 20 cm and its width from 5 to 9 cm. Overall patients’ satisfaction was observed to be 88.5% as either excellent or good and the photographic assessment was 96.2% as either excellent or good.ConclusionsLateral chest wall perforator flaps are reliable and safe option for partial breast reconstruction with an acceptable aesthetic outcome. In the era of oncoplastic breast surgery, they deserve to gain attention especially with the advantages of some modifications added to the classic technique.

Invisible Surgery Concept and Scenario Strategy: How to Get the Best Aesthetic Results in Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery.

The authors believe that oncoplastic breast surgery has to achieve the best possible aesthetic results. In this article, they propose the concept of "invisible surgery." This is a combination of certain oncoplastic techniques that allows for restoration of the original appearance of the breast without obvious scars on the breast. Further, the authors classify the techniques as follows: the "level 1 technique," with contour approach; the "from inside" technique; the lateral parenchymal flap; the axillary subcutaneous adipofascial flap; the rotational lateral thoracic flap; regional island perforator flaps (lateral intercostal artery perforator, lateral thoracic artery perforator, anterior intercostal artery perforator, and medial intercostal artery perforator flaps); and the nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate expander reconstruction. These techniques were combined by internal logic-one can move from one to another according to the preoperative planning and margins status during the operation. They call their approach the "scenario strategy." The authors have performed 138 operations in 137 patients using this approach. Most of them involved the "from inside" technique and perforator flaps. The average tumor size was 2.4 cm, and the average specimen weight was 43.2 g. The total rate of complications was 14.6 percent. According to this concept, the surgery should be performed in such way that breast appearance will not change. It should be planned as one would plan a staged procedure, taking into account possible changes in the scenario during the operation to achieve the best possible aesthetic result.

The concept of "whole perforator system" in the lateral thoracic region for latissimus dorsi muscle-preserving large flaps: An anatomical study and case series.

Previous studies have reported on the abundant cutaneous perforating blood vessels around the latissimus dorsi (LD) lateral border, such as a thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) of septocutaneous type (TDAP-sc) and muscle-perforating type (TDAP-mp), or the lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP). These perforators have been clinically utilized for flap elevation; however, there have been few studies that accurately examined all the cutaneous perforators (TDAP-sc, TDAP-mp, LTAP) around the LD lateral border. Here, we propose a new "whole perforator system" (WPS) concept in the lateral thoracic region and a methodology that enables elevating large flaps with reliable perfusion in a muscle-preserving manner. We first performed an anatomical study that verified the number and perforating points of all perforators around the LD lateral border using the results of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of patients with breast cancer. Following the anatomical evaluation, we performed large muscle-preserving flap transfer that contained all of the perforators around the LD lateral border in an actual clinical setting. A total of 175 latissimus dorsi from 98 patients were included. The mean number of perforators (TDAP-sc + TDAP-mp + LTAP) per side was 4.51±1.44 (2-9); TDAP-sc was present in 57.1% (100/175) of cases, and TDAP-mp in 76.6% (134/175); the TDAP total prevalence rate (TDAP-sc + TDAP-mp) was 96.0% (168/175). The LTAP existence rate was 94.3% (165/175). Distance from the axillary artery to the TDAP-sc was 148.7±56.3 mm, which was significantly proximal to the TDAP-mp (183.8±54.2 mm) and LTAP (172.2±81.3 mm). The lateral thoracic region has an abundant cutaneous perforator system derived from the descending branch of the thoracodorsal and lateral thoracic arteries. Clinical application of the lateral thoracic WPS flap is promising, with a large survival area even with muscle-preserving procedures and requiring a relatively simple procedure.

A Workhorse Flap for Covering Moderate-sized Defects after Breast-conserving Surgery: Supercharged Lateral Thoracodorsal Flap.

Background:The lateral thoracodorsal (LTD) flap technique is a type of oncoplastic breast surgery that involves transposition of tissue from the lateral aspect of a partial mastectomy defect. It is a relatively simple procedure and shows lower donor morbidity and good aesthetic outcomes. Complications, such as fat necrosis and wound dehiscence due to poor circulation, may occur at the distal part of the flap. We used a supercharged LTD flap to reduce this problem. In this study, the outcomes of the LTD flap over 13 years were reviewed.Methods:We performed a retrospective study of 86 patients who underwent an LTD flap procedure between 2007 and 2019. We analyzed patient information using medical chart review and classified patients into groups according to lateral thoracic artery perforator supercharging. The incidence of complications, such as fat necrosis and wound dehiscence, was also analyzed.Results:The mean tumor weight was 83.67 g, and defects had a moderate size, as they represented 25.02% of the total breast volume. Fat necrosis was noted in 19.4% of cases in the group without lateral thoracic artery perforator supercharging and 4% of cases in the group with supercharging, with a significantly lower rate in the supercharged group.Conclusions:Our findings show that the LTD flap could be used to cover moderate-sized defects after breast-conserving surgery. Careful dissection to preserve the lateral thoracic artery perforator resulted in the reduction of complications, such as fat necrosis, and excellent aesthetic results.

Breast Reconstruction Using the Lateral Thoracic, Thoracodorsal, and Intercostal Arteries Perforator Flaps.

Background:Breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy represents the standard of care for early-stage breast cancer. The aim of this article was to provide a review of the literature about the use of the lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) flap, the lateral thoracodorsal (LTD) flap, and the lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flap in lateral partial breast defect.Methods:A literature search was performed via PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane. Patient’s characteristics, topography and size of breast defect, flap size and design, number of perforators, and operative time were analyzed. Aesthetic and patient-reported outcomes, postoperative complications, and donor site morbidity were also registered.Results:Thirteen articles fulfilled inclusion criteria, and 432 patients were included. Different flap designs and flap combinations were described. Satisfactory outcomes were reported for between 78% and 100% of cases. Patient satisfaction ranged from 75.8% to 92.5% of cases. The overall complication rate was 9.25%, and donor site morbidity was very low (3.7%).Conclusions:A distinct advantage of LTAP, LTD, and LICAP flap reconstruction is that the thoracodorsal pedicle is not sacrificed, not compromising eventual delayed breast reconstruction with TDAP or latissimus dorsi flaps. This staged approach to partial breast reconstruction is especially useful in cases where the oncological margins are uncertain and wider resections (or mastectomies) are secondly required.

Effects of oxidative stress and apoptosis on vascularity and viability of perforator flaps

ABSTRACT We investigated lateral thoracic and posterior thigh perforator flaps for viability, vascularization, perfusion and apoptosis in a rat model. Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups: lateral thoracic artery perforator flap (LTPF) sham, 3 × 2 cm2 LTPF, 3 × 6 cm2 LTPF, posterior thigh perforator flap (PTPF) sham, 3 × 2 cm2 PTPF, and 3 × 6 cm2 PTPF. Flap viability was determined on postoperative days 1 and 7. On day 7, flaps were photographed and their viability was measured using two-dimensional planimeter paper. Tissue samples were harvested for examination by histology and immunohistochemistry. Viability differences were statistically significant. Epithelial thickness, vascularity and number of fibroblasts were reduced in the 3 × 6 cm2 groups. Neovascularization and apoptosis based on molecular tests were not significantly different among groups. Flap size and location are important factors for closure of surgical or traumatic defects. We suggest that for clinical application, wound complications will occur less frequently with perforators that nourish large areas of flaps.

Perforator based flaps of lateral thoracic artery (LTAP) and thoracodorsal artery (TDAP) for axillary reconstruction in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease of apocrine gland-bearing skin, especially in the axilla. The coverage of large defects in the region of the axilla after radical resection poses a challenge to reconstructive surgery. The lateral chest offers, among others, two options for perforator flaps: the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap and the lateral thoracic artery perforator flap. This article introduces the lateral thoracic artery flap as an additional option for defect restoration alongside the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. A total of 13 flaps (10 lateral thoracic artery perforator flaps and 3 thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps) were used for defect reconstruction in 10 patients with axillary hidradenitis suppurativa stages II or III. All patients were assessed for surgical complications pursuant to the classification of Clavien-Dindo, subjective aesthetic results, recurrence rate, and maximum abduction angle evaluated by measuring the range of motion. All flaps healed without major or partial flap necrosis. In 12 out of 13 flaps, the aesthetic result was rated very good or good.Only one patient complained of a visible scar, but rated the overall result as satisfactory. The range of motion in the shoulder was unlimited in all cases with a maximum abduction angle of 178.8 ± 4.2°. Recurrence was not observed in any case during the postsurgical follow-up of 27.2 ± 14.4 months. The use of the two perforator-based fasciocutaneous flaps of the thoraco dorsal artery and the lateral thoracic artery offers a useful and reliable option for the reconstruction of large axillary defects while maintaining full shoulder movement and providing cosmetically satisfactory results.

Chest wall perforator flaps in partial breast reconstruction after breast conservation surgery: an additional oncoplastic surgical option

Partial breast reconstruction using chest wall perforator flaps (CWPF) is a recent option used by breast surgeons, mainly for lateral quadrant defects with a relatively large volume of excision. We report a single-centre experience of CWPF with surgery details, complications, re-excision, aesthetic and oncological outcomes.This was a prospective observational cohort study of patients who had undergone breast conservation surgery (BCS) plus CWPF reconstruction. All variables were recorded prospectively in the institutional database. A survey was done to analyse patient satisfaction at about 6 months after completion of radiotherapy.Forty patients had CWPF based reconstruction in 3 years. 57.5 % of patients had lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flap, 5% had lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) flap, 27.5% had combined LICAP plus LTAP and 10% patients had anterior intercostal artery perforator (AICAP) flap. Tumour excision cavity defect was of the lateral quadrant in 82.5%, central quadrant in 10% and medial quadrant in 7.5% of patients. The margin was positive for five patients, out of which four required cavity shave and one had a mastectomy. One patient had complete flap loss, and two patients developed surgical site infection. 96% of patients were satisfied with the scar, and 88% were happy with the treated breast in comparison to the opposite breast. 92% were comfortable going out in public and felt that in retrospect their decision not to have a mastectomy was correct. With a median follow up of 18 (10, 22) months, one patient died, and four had recurrences.CWPF may be used for partial breast reconstruction in the small non-ptotic breast with excellent outcome and high patient satisfaction scores.

Chest wall perforator flaps for partial breast reconstruction: Surgical outcomes from a multicenter study

BackgroundPerforator artery flaps based on the branches of intercostal arteries and lateral thoracic artery can be used for reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Although described more than a decade ago, these have not been adopted widely in clinical practice. We report on short-term and long-term surgical outcomes of partial breast reconstruction using chest wall perforator flaps from a prospective multicenter audit.MethodsAll patients operated for BCS and partial breast reconstruction using intercostal artery perforator or lateral thoracic artery perforator flaps from January 2015 to October 2018 were included in the analysis. Oncoplastic breast surgeons with appropriate level of training performed all tumor excisions and reconstructions as a single-stage procedure. Patient characteristics, treatment details and surgical outcomes were noted. Specific outcomes recorded were margin re-excision and complication rates.ResultsOne hundred and twelve patients underwent the procedure in the given study period. The median age was 54 years. Median specimen weight was 62.5 g and median volume of excision was 121.4 mL. Fifteen patients (13.39%) underwent a margin re-excision for close or positive margins without additional morbidity. One patient required a completion mastectomy. Eight patients (7.14%) had an early complication. None of the patients required a contralateral symmetrization procedure. The results were comparable across the participating centers.ConclusionsChest wall artery perforator-based flaps are an excellent option for lateral and inferior quadrant partial breast reconstructions. The short and long-term surgical outcomes are comparable across sites and can be performed with minimal morbidity. Patient-reported outcome measures need to be studied.

Coverage of exposed pericardium with a lateral thoracic artery perforator flap

Electricity is an indispensable part of the society that we live in, depending on it from household appliances to farms and industries. Electrical burn injuries, although form a small proportion of the total burn cases, pose significant challenges in their management due to their varied manifestations and the high associated morbidity and mortality. Most high voltage electrical injuries are work related. The entry wounds are most commonly seen over the upper extremities, whereas the exit wounds are seen over the lower extremities. The thorax presents an uncommon site for an entry wound. In this case report, the authors present one such case of electrical injury with an entry wound over the thorax presenting as a left parasternal defect that was debrided and covered successfully with a lateral thoracic artery perforator-based flap from the lateral chest wall.

A new lateral thoracic artery perforator flap design with multiple vascular territories in rats

BackgroundTo describe a new design for an extended lateral thoracic artery (LTA) perforator flap and investigate its anatomical, dynamic, and potential territories. Materials and methodsTo assess vascular territories, rats were randomized according to LTA perforator flap type into the surgical groups A, hemidorsal island flap; B, entire dorsal island flap; and C, reduced-size dorsal island flap. ResultsOn postsurgical day 7, the surviving flap areas were 95%, 92%, and 89% in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Necrosis most commonly occurred in the contralateral LTA territories in groups B and C. The immunoreactivities of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in dynamic territories, as choke vessel markers, were increased. ConclusionsWe clarified the LTA perforator flap nomenclature and defined its pedicle course and anastomosing patterns; furthermore, we demonstrated that the LTA perforator did not anastomose with its counterpart because of its unidirectional, oblique, and craniocaudal course. The LTA perforator flap was found to be a good model comprising multiple vascular territories and exhibiting continuous necrosis.

Oncological Outcomes and Complications After Volume Replacement Oncoplastic Breast Conservations-The Glasgow Experience.

INTRODUCTIONOncoplastic breast conservation surgery (OBCS) combines the principles of surgical oncology and plastic surgery. OBCS has now become a growing option for the treatment of breast cancer and forms a part of breast-conserving therapy (BCT). We sought to investigate and report our experience in two breast units in Glasgow (Victoria Infirmary and Western Infirmary) on volume replacement OBCS.MATERIALS AND METHODSDetails of patients treated with volume replacement OBCS were identified from a prospectively recorded database from November 2010 to October 2015. The clinical records included in the oncoplastic dataset were analyzed for demographics, tumor, treatment characteristics, and recurrences. The data were analyzed for follow-up to determine the pattern and timing of recurrence up to April 2016. The primary outcome of this study was tumor-free margin resection rates, and the secondary outcomes were locoregional and distant recurrence rates as these correlate with the overall oncological safety of volume replacement oncoplastic breast surgery (OPBS).RESULTSA total of 30 volume replacement oncoplastic breast conservation procedures have been carried out in this time period. The mean age of the former group was 51 years. Twice as many patients presented symptomatically than had tumors detected on screening. The mean preoperative tumor size on radiology was 25.4 mm. Patients underwent 13 thoracoepigastric flaps, 5 lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flaps, 2 thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps, 1 lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) flap, 1 crescent flap volume replacement surgery, and 8 matrix rotations. Two patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Fourteen patients had adjuvant chemotherapy, and all patients were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. Twenty-two patients were treated with hormonal therapy and four patients were treated with Herceptin. The rate of incomplete excision was 10%. Median follow-up time was 48.5 months. Only one regional recurrence was detected. Eight patients encountered some form of complication.CONCLUSIONThis study continues to show the relative oncological safety of volume replacement oncoplastic conservations as an option for reconstruction in breast cancer patients. Further research is urgently needed to build robust evidence supporting the long-term oncological safety.