RESUMO
Rationale: Lateral chest flaps represent versatile reconstructive options, especially valuable in times of global healthcare resource restriction. In this series, we present our experience with the use of lateral chest wall flaps in both immediate and delayed reconstruction from both breast conserving and mastectomy surgery. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients who had undergone a lateral chest wall flap for immediate or delayed breast reconstruction of a lumpectomy or mastectomy defect was performed. Data collected consisted of patient demographics, procedure type, tumor/oncological characteristics, as well as postoperative complications. Findings: Between September 2015 and April 2021, 26 patients underwent breast reconstruction using a lateral chest wall flap. Fifteen patients (58%) underwent immediate reconstruction (9 lumpectomy; 6 mastectomy) and 11 (42%) underwent delayed breast reconstruction. All flaps survived, though 1 patient required partial flap debridement following venous compromise hours after surgery. There were no incidences of hematoma, seroma, infection, or wound healing delay at either the donor site or breast. There was one positive margin which occurred in a mastectomy patient. Significance: This study describes the use of lateral chest wall flaps in a wide variety of reconstructive breast surgery scenarios. This technique can be safely performed in an outpatient setting and does not require microvascular techniques. Review of our outcomes and complications demonstrate that this is a safe and effective option. Our experience is that this is an easy to learn, versatile flap that could be a valuable addition to the surgeon's arsenal in breast reconstruction.
Justification: Les lambeaux thoraciques latéraux constituent une option de reconstruction polyvalente, particulièrement utile par des temps de restriction globale des ressources en soins de santé. Dans cette série, nous présentons notre expérience de l'utilisation du volet latéral de paroi thoracique aussi bien en cas de reconstruction immédiate que différée pour les chirurgies de conservation du sein et pour les mastectomies. Méthodes: Une étude de cohorte rétrospective de patientes ayant subi un lambeau latéral de la paroi thoracique pour reconstruction immédiate ou différée du sein pour lumpectomie ou mastectomie a été réalisée. Les données collectées ont inclus les caractéristiques démographiques des patientes, le type de procédure, les caractéristiques de la tumeur/oncologiques ainsi que les complications postopératoires. Résultats: Entre septembre 2015 et avril 2021, vingt-six patientes ont subi une reconstruction du sein avec lambeau latéral de la paroi thoracique. Quinze patientes (58%) ont eu une reconstruction immédiate (9 lumpectomies, 6 mastectomies) et onze (42%) ont eu une reconstruction différée du sein. Tous les lambeaux ont survécu bien qu'une patiente ait nécessité un débridement partiel du lambeau après un trouble veineux, quelques heures après l'intervention chirurgicale. Il n'y a pas eu de survenue d'hématome, de sérome, d'infection ou de retard de cicatrisation au niveau du site donneur ou du sein. Des marges positives sont survenues chez une patiente mastectomisée. Signification: Cette étude décrit l'utilisation de lambeaux latéraux de la paroi thoracique dans une grande variété de scénarios de chirurgie mammaire reconstructrice. Cette technique peut être employée de manière sécuritaire dans un cadre ambulatoire et ne nécessite pas de recours à des techniques microvasculaires. L'analyse de nos résultats et des complications démontre qu'il s'agit d'une option sécuritaire et efficace. Selon notre expérience, cette technique est facile à apprendre; le lambeau polyvalent pourrait être un supplément intéressant dans l'arsenal du chirurgien pour la reconstruction mammaire. Mots-clés: reconstruction mammaire, lambeau, perforateur, oncoplastique, chirurgie de conservation mammaire, mastectomie.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pre-operative estimation of breast mound volume for immediate breast reconstruction is necessary for operative planning, especially in direct-to-implant reconstruction. Our purpose was to investigate the relationship between pre-operative predictions of breast mound weight from 3D imaging and actual mastectomy weight and implant size. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who had previously undergone nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) by a single surgeon was performed. Pre-operative 3D images were reviewed and calculations of breast mound weight were performed by three independent reviewers. Intra-operative mastectomy weight and final implant weight were collected from patient charts. A regression analysis between calculated and actual values was performed. RESULTS: There were 59 reconstructed breasts included. Pre-operative 3D imaging-guided breast weight calculations were similar across reviewers (R=0.96). Pre-operative calculations of breast weight were 49.4g (SD=134.0) smaller than actual mastectomy specimens. Mastectomy specimens were 41.0g (SD=130.2) smaller than final implant sizes. Thereby, the relationship was as follows: Pre-operative calculated breast weight < actual Mastectomy weight < implant weight. Mastectomy weight and final implant size had linear relationships with pre-operative calculations of breast weight. Formulas for predicting mastectomy weight [mastectomy weight = 63.2 + 0.95 (pre-operative calculated weight)] and implant size [Implant weight = 209.7+ 0.56 (pre-operative calculated weight)] from pre-operative calculations of breast weight were generated. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional scanning technologies may be a useful tool to predict implant sizes for direct-to-implant breast reconstruction. Final implant size was heavier than intra-operative mastectomy weight and pre-operative calculated breast mound weight.