The FALD-V: A predictive formula for preoperative volume assessment of adipose tissue transplantation in FALD flap.

BACKGROUND: The fat-augmented latissimus dorsi (FALD) flap is an evolution of the traditional latissimus dorsi (LD) flap, which allows to obtain a total autologous breast reconstruction (BR) avoiding the use of breast implants. The aim of this study was to develop a predictive preoperative formula in order to estimate and optimize the amount of fat to be transferred during FALD flap BR, using only anthropometric measurements. METHODS: We conducted a prospective clinical study between September 2020 and April 2023. All patients underwent back pre-operative ultrasound scan to assess the subcutaneous skin paddle thickness (SPT) and a regression analysis was performed to evaluate which anthropometric variable had a better correlation with this thickness. RESULTS: Data from 66 FALD flaps were collected. The mean SPT was 11.95 mm (SD 4.56). A significant correlation between SPT and body mass index (BMI) was found (r = 0.640, p < 0.0001). Using the fat-to-capacity ratio (113%), the following formula (the FALD-V) was developed to predict the needed fat transfer into FALD flap: [-509 + 12.32 × BMI + 11.71 × skin paddle width + 17.43 × skin paddle height] × 1.13. The considered variables (BMI, skin paddle width and skin paddle height) were statistically significant (p < 0.001, p = 0.0483, p = 0.0154, respectively). The cross-validation confirmed the accuracy of the formula (r = 0.810). CONCLUSION: The FALD-V can be used as an innovative complimentary device in the planning of FALD flap one-stage total autologous BR. To enhance its application, a 3.0 WebApp at www.braflap.com (and www.breast-v.com) is available free of charge for both iOS and Android devices. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Fat-Augmented Latissimus Dorsi Flap for Secondary Breast Reconstruction in Small to Medium-Sized Irradiated Breasts.

BACKGROUND: Secondary breast reconstruction (BR) is recognized as a challenging procedure, particularly when radiotherapy (RT) has previously been performed. The aim of this study was to compare operative data and aesthetic outcomes between secondary irradiated and immediate BR using the fat-augmented latissimus dorsi (FALD) flap. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective clinical study between September of 2020 and September of 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: group A included secondary BR using the FALD flap in previously irradiated breasts, and group B included immediate BR with the FALD flap. Demographics and surgical data were compared, and an aesthetic analysis was performed. Chi-square and t tests were performed for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS: Twenty cases of FALD flap-based BR for each group were included. The two groups were found to be homogeneous for the demographic variables. The difference in mean operative time (263.1 minutes versus 265.1 minutes; P = 0.467) and complications ( P = 0.633) between the two groups were not significant. There was statistically significant difference in term of immediate fat grafting volume in favor of group A (218.2 cc versus 133.0 cc; P < 0.0001). Regarding aesthetic outcomes, the mean global score evaluation showed no statistically significant differences between groups (17.86 versus 18.21; P = 0.209). CONCLUSIONS: The authors' study states that the FALD flap can be considered a reliable procedure for secondary reconstruction in previously irradiated breasts, although it is not indicated for patients with larger breasts. This surgical technique allowed us to achieve a totally autologous BR with good aesthetic results and low complication rates, even in secondary irradiated cases. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.