【Abstract】 Objective To discuss the aesthetic effect and appl ication of refined incisions in breast reconstructionfor breast cancer patients by the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. Methods From January 2001 toOctober 2006, 77 cases with breast cancer were treated with TRAM flap to immediate breast recontruction. The patients were all femals, with an average age of 45 years (ranging from 26 years to 53 years). There were 39 cases of left breast and 38 cases of right breast. The disease course was from 1 day to 180 days. There were 11 cases of stage I , 60 cases of stage II and 6 cases of stage III, among which 34 cases were located in the upper outer quadrant, 15 in the lower outer quadrant, 22 in the upper inner quadrant and 6 in the lower inner quadrant. The size of tumors varied from 1 cm to 4 cm. As to the pathologic type, 60 cases were invasive ductal cancers, 12 ductal cancers in situ, 5 invasive lobular cancers; positive lymph node (number: 1-7) happened in 29 cases, while negative lymph node happened in 48 cases. Among the 77 cases, regular shuttle incisions were performed in 35 cases, and refined circle incisions were performed in 42 cases, which were 2 cm away from the breast tumor border. Axillary incision was necessary for the breast tumors located in upper inner, lower inner and upper outer quadrants in order to perform axillary mastectomy. Ten cases were ni pple-areola sparing. The shape, symmetry and incision scar of the reconstructed breast were evaluated and graded. Results There were 6 cases out of 77 cases of breast reconstruction in which partial necrosis happened and the necrosis rate was 7.79%. The time of follow-up was from 13 months to72 months, with an average of 39 months. No recurrence or matastasis happened in 76 cases, and distant metastasis happened only in 1 case. There were 40 cases out of 42 cases with refined incisions which were scored more than 3, and the satisfaction rate was 95.24%. There were 31 cases out of 35 cases with regular incisions which were scored more than 3, and the satisfaction rate was 88.57%. Conclusion The reasonable refined incision based on the location of the tumor is effective to improve the satisfaction rate for the shape of the reconstructed breast.
ObjectiveTo investigate the influencing factors of flap-related complications and the economic benefits of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in the patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction.MethodsBetween July 2013 and June 2018, the clinical data of 150 patients (152 breasts) who met the selection criteria after autologous breast reconstruction were analyzed retrospectively. Ten factors including age, body mass index, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC), chest radiation history, diabetes, abdominal operation history, chest wall reconstruction, reconstruction timing, flap type, intraoperative ICG angiography were analyzed by univariate analysis. Significant variables found in univariate analysis were used to perform backward multivariate logistic regression of flap related complications and local necrosis. According to the above multi factor analysis results, the patients were divided into 4 groups: ICG+NC group (group A), ICG+non-NC group (group B), non-ICG+NC group (group C), non-ICG+non-NC group (group D). The average extra costs of surgical treatment (including ICG imaging cost+cost of handling flap related complications) of each group was calculated.ResultsAll the 152 flaps survived. There were 33 flap-related complications, including 22 regional necrosis, 9 regional infection, 5 hematoma, 5 simple fat liquefaction, and 2 anasto-motic thrombosis. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative NC, flap type, and intraoperative ICG angiography had significant influence on the incidence of flap-related complications (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative NC and non-ICG angiography were the risk factors of flap-related complications (P<0.05), and also the risk factors of regional flap necrosis (P<0.05). For patients who had NC, intraoperative ICG angiography could greatly save the average extra costs. The average extra costs in group A was 1 378 yuan less than that in group C. For the patients without NC, intraoperative ICG angiography would increase the average extra costs, which was 747 yuan in group B more than that in group D.ConclusionIn autologous breast reconstruction, ICG angiography can reduce the incidence of flap-related complications, especially the incidence of regional flap necrosis, while NC is the opposite. For patients without NC, ICG angiography is not cost-effective but still can be used if conditions permit. However, for those with NC, ICG angiography is cost-effective and recommended.
Objective To explore the interaction of postmastectomy radiotherapy （PMRT） and breast reconstruction， and elucidate how to choose the type and timing of breast reconstruction. Method Literatures about PMRT and breast reconstruction were reviewed. Results PMRT might increase the incidence of complications and impair the cosmetic satisfaction of breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction might also compromise the effect of PMRT. Conclusions In patients who will receive or have already received PMRT， the optimal approach is delayed autologous tissue reconstruction after PMRT. If PMRT appears likely but may not be required at the time of mastectomy，delayed-immediate reconstruction may be considered， or immediate autologous tissue reconstruction may be considered in case of patients awareness of the increased complications and impaired cosmetic outcomes from PMRT.
ObjectiveTo review the application and research progress of autologous fat grafting in breast reconstruction.
MethodThe recent literature concerning the technique, postoperative outcome, or limitations of autologous fat grafting in breast reconstruction was extensively consulted and reviewed.
ResultsThere are several ways of breast reconstruction using autologous fat for patients who underwent mastectomy or breast conserving surgery. The complication incidence of fat grafting in breast reconstruction is low. Although the long-term outcome is unsteady, the aesthetic outcomes of autologous fat grafting can still reach a high satisfaction. However, the oncological safety of autologous fat grafting in women with breast cancer has not been fully proved.
ConclusionsThe remarkable progress has been made in the researches of autologous fat grafting, and it is an effective method in breast reconstructive surgery. Studies with high quality and longer follow-up data are urgently required to assess the oncological safety of autologous fat grafting.
Objective To introduce the treatment experiences about the skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. Methods The skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction by using transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous （TRAM） flat were performed in 10 patients with early-stage breast cancer from May 2008 to December 2011 in our hospital. The patients’ data were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were postoperative complications after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction， including TRAM flat necrosis in 1 case， papillary necrosis in 1 case and fat necrosis in the reconstructed breast with oxter wound infection in 1 case. There was no incision hernia of abdominal wall or necrosis of all TRAM flat in any case. The patients’ satisfaction that evaluation for the breast shapes of reconstructed breasts was very satisfaction in 5 cases， part satisfaction in 4 cases， and dissatisfaction in 1 case， respectively. Conclusions Because of the minimal access approach and good breast shape， the skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate TRAM flat breast reconstruction is a safe and effective way for treating early-stage breast cancer.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of immediate breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap after nipple and areola sparing modified radical mastectomy for patients with early-middle breast cancer.
MethodsSixty patients diagnosed with early-middle breast cancer by needle biopsy from November 2009 to October 2012 in this hospital were divided into two groups according to the surgical method.The breast reconstruction group (30 cases) were performed immediate breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap after nipple and areola sparing modified radical mastectomy, the control group (30 cases) were performed traditional modified radical mastectomy.The postoperative complications, clinical efficacy, quality of life, and recurrence and metastasis were compared in two groups.
Results①The ipsilateral breast was completely missing in the control group.The aesthetic effect in the breast reconstruction group was satisfactory including excellent in 22 patients, good in 7 patients, general in 1 patient.②The rates of flaps effusion, flap necrosis, and affectied limb activity limitation had no significant differences in two groups (P > 0.05).The wound healing time, operation area drainage time, hospital stay, and post-operative chemotherapy start time all had no significant differences in two groups (P > 0.05).③The frequency of psycho-logical pressure (inferiority/anxiety/fear) and rate of un-satisfaction of secondary sexual characteristics (body/curve) in the breast reconstruction group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001).The rate of social interaction fitness in the breast reconstruction group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001).④The following-up time was 12 to 38 months with an average 25 months, one case died because of brain metastasis in the control group, the rest 59 patients had no local recurrence and distant metastasis.
ConclusionsThe immediate breast reconstruction with exte-nded latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap after nipple and areola sparing modified radical mastectomy can cure cancer on the basis of satisfactory cosmetic results of breast, excellent quality of life of patients, and fewer surgical complica-tions.It does not affect postoperative adjuvant radiochemotherapy and short-and long-term efficacy for breast cancer.
Objective To study the cause of the low rate of breast conservation and reconstruction by investigating the approval degree of breast conserving therapy and breast reconstruction of women with breast diseases, to help the breast surgeons make better communication with the patients and make more pertinent choices of therapeutic methods. Methods The age, occupation, educational background, the attitudes towards breast conserving therapy and breast reconstruction， and the choice of operative method of breast reconstruction of 139 patients with breast cancer and 224 patients with benign breast disease were investigated by questionnaire. Results In breast cancer group, 23.9% （28/117） of patients chose breast conserving therapy and 35.9%（42/117） of patients chose breast reconstruction, while the rates of breast conservation and reconstruction were 53.3% （106/199） and 63.8% （127/199） in benign breast disease group. In both groups, the higher rates of breast conservation and reconstruction were associated with better educational background (in breast cancer group: P=0.029， P=0.296; in benign breast disease group: P=0.081, P=0.019） and lower age (all Plt;0.05). Patients engaged in commerce showed higher rates of breast conservation and reconstruction （in breast cancer group: P=0.013, P=0.042； in benign breast disease group: P=0.032, P=0.044）. Age, occupation or educational background was not related with the choice of operative method of breast reconstruction （Pgt;0.05). Conclusions Patients with lower age, better educational background, and better job condition have ber desire of breast conservation and reconstruction. Breast surgeons should enhance communication with those patients about relevant information of breast conservation and reconstruction to make the more pertinent choice of therapeutic methods.
Objective To review the application progress, mechanism, application points, limitations, and oncological safety of external volume expansion (EVE) assisted autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction and provide a reference for optimizing the design of EVE. Methods Based on the latest relevant articles, the basic experiments and clinical applications of EVE were summarized. ResultsEVE can reduce interstitial fluid pressure, increase blood supply, and promote adipogenic differentiation, thereby benefiting the survival of transplanted fat. EVE assisted autologous fat grafting in clinical practice can improve the retention rate of breast volume and the outcome of breast reconstruction, meanwhile it doesn’t increase the risk of local recurrence. But there is no standard parameters for application, and there are many complications and limitations. ConclusionEVE improves the survival of transplanted fat, but its complications and poor compliance are obvious, so it is urgent to further investigate customized products for breast reconstruction after breast cancer and establish relevant application guidelines.
Objective
To review the application progress of non-biological meshes for breast reconstruction (BR).
Methods
The related home and abroad researches in BR were reviewed and summarized.
Results
Non-biological meshes can be divided into degradable and nondegradable. The former has many types, whether its degradation rate can match with the grow rate of repair tissue will significantly affect the wound healing and tissue intergradation. TiLOOP, on behalf of the latter, has a good postoperative performance due to its nano TiO2 layer, lightness and flexibility. Non-biological meshes have been gradually used to cover and fix implant in BR. Compared with biological meshes, non-biological meshes are cheaper and have a more positive postoperative performance generally, but definite comparison can’t be concluded due to the limited data.
Conclusion
As non-biological meshes are applied to BR preliminarily, their effectiveness are still needed to be observed further.
Objective
To evaluate the feasibility, oncological safety, and aesthetic result of skin-spring mastectomy (SSM) or nipple-spring mastectomy (NSM) in breast reconstruction of implant (permanent gel or expander) for breast cancer patients who were not fit for the breast conserving surgery (BCS).
Methods
Between October 2005 and July 2011, 89 women with breast caner underwent SSM or NSM, with an average age of 42.4 years (range, 19-55 years) and an average disease duration of 5.7 months (range, 1-24 months). The pathological examination revealed invasive ductal carcinoma in 55 cases, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 15 cases, invasive ductal carcinoma + DCIS in 8 cases, DCIS with infiltration in 10 cases, and occult breast cancer in 1 case. According to tumor staging criterion of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), 15 cases were rated as stage 0, 51 cases as stage I, 22 cases as stage II, and 1 case as unclear. Finally, 33 patients underwent SSM and 56 patients underwent NSM according to the location and diameter of tumor and the infiltration of tumor to nipple. Secondary breast reconstruction was performed with permanent gel replacement after axillary lymph node dissection in 9 patients with positive sentinel lymph node and 1 patient with occult breast cancer; immediate breast reconstruction was performed with permanent gel in the other patients. All the patients received the chemotherapy or/and radiotherapy according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline.
Results
Complications occurred in 5 patients undergoing breast reconstruction of permanent gel after NSM, including 1 case of haemorrhage, 2 cases of infection, and 2 cases of local skin necrosis. Primary healing of incision was obtained in the others. No nipple necrosis was observed in patients undergoing NSM. All the patients were followed up 14-88 months (median, 40 months). At 10 months after operation, the aesthetic results were excellent in 40 cases, good in 33 cases, fair in 14 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 82%. No recurrence or metastasis was found during follow-up.
Conclusion
The SSM or NSM is feasible and oncological safe for patients who are not fit for BCS, with satisfactory aesthetic result.
