Effects of delayed breast reconstruction on the thoracolumbar vertebrae in patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Post-mastectomy changes vertebral column alignment. There is limited data assessing spine curvature after breast reconstruction. In this study, the effects of delayed breast reconstruction on the Cobb angle and quality of life indicator (Oswestry disability index [ODI]) were evaluated in patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy. METHODS: This study was performed as a retrospective review of 40 patients who had delayed reconstruction for breast cancer at a single center between 2015 and 2018. Patients completed a standardized questionnaire, the ODI, at the beginning and 12 months after the operation. The Cobb angles of the vertebral columns and spinal curve directions were determined using posteroanterior chest radiographs obtained pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 49.9 ± 9 years and 30.1 kg/m2, respectively. The Cobb angles were found to differ before and after the reconstruction; the difference was statistically significant, and the average change in Cobb angle was 4.3° (p = 0.03). The Cobb angles were also found to be significantly different between patients with implants and those who underwent autologous tissue reconstruction (p = 0.026). Although delayed reconstruction performed with autologous tissue or implant improves post-mastectomy scoliosis, autologous tissue reconstruction yields better outcomes. The mean preoperative ODI score was 21.6%, and 8.8% patients presented no back pain. The mean score was 3.2% at 12 months postoperation. These results are statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Breast reconstruction positively affects vertebral alignment and leads to better posture, physical function and decreased back pain in breast cancer survivors, significantly improving their quality of life.

A rare giant sarcoma of the chest wall: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma.

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma or, as formerly called, malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a type of sarcoma which originates from fibroblast and histiocytic cells. It is the most common type of sarcoma among all soft tissue sarcomas in adults. Its most common site is the lower limb, followed by the upper limb and the retroperitoneum. It is rarely encountered on chest wall. In the differential diagnosis of masses on chest wall, it is important to consider undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in surgical planning. In this article, we report a male case with a giant undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma located above the right scapula.