The Rubens flap. The deep circumflex iliac artery flap.

The Rubens free flap for breast reconstruction is another choice for autogenous tissue breast reconstruction. It uses the fatty area in the region generally described as the hip overlying or just above the iliac crest. It is based on the deep circumflex iliac artery and is indicated as a secondary choice in the presence of a previous abdominoplasty or transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction. Closure of the abdominal wall musculature along the iliac crest is the most exacting portion of this operation and is a key to its ultimate success.

Thermal injury to TRAM flaps: a report of five cases.

Five cases of burns occurring in TRAM flaps utilized for breast reconstruction are presented in this study. These injuries resulted from exposure to thermal and/or solar radiation. We believe that the physiologic changes that result from flap elevation and transposition, mainly denervation, negate the autonomic protective mechanisms for heat dissipation. This renders the flaps more susceptible to injury from these energy forms. Because of these findings, we urge all plastic surgeons who perform TRAM flap reconstructions to carefully instruct their patients to avoid exposing their flaps to heat and solar radiation.

Mastectomy specimen weight and skin dimensions as an adjunct in breast reconstruction.

In performing breast reconstruction with autogenous tissue, it has become useful to have accurate documentation of the weight and skin dimensions of the resected specimen. This enables the plastic surgeon to reconstruct a more natural and aesthetic breast. Oftentimes this information is not available and requires, at best, an estimate based on the size and shape of the remaining contralateral breast. To help take the guesswork out of an already artistic endeavor, this important information can make a substantial difference in the results obtained.

Assessment of the abdominal wall after pedicled TRAM flap surgery: 5- to 7-year follow-up of 150 consecutive patients.

To define the long-term abdominal consequences of the TRAM flap procedure, 150 consecutive patients were evaluated 5 to 7.5 years postoperatively. Of 137 surviving patients, 135 (98.5 percent) returned a questionnaire (68 single pedicle, 63 double rectus harvest, and 4 single pedicle with contralateral microvascular augmentation) and 132 (96.4 percent) were examined and tested. By questionnaire, 64 percent noted overall improvement of the abdomen, 72 percent noted improved abdominal appearance, and 20 percent noted improved posture. Decreased abdominal strength was noted by 46 percent, and decreased exercise ability was noted by 25 percent. These figures were higher after double rectus harvest (60 and 35 percent) than after single rectus harvest (35 and 16 percent) (p = 0.005 and p = 0.014, respectively). Activities of daily living were rarely (4.0 to 5.8 percent) affected. Three of the patients had uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries (two vaginal, one cesarean section). Situp performance was worse comparing postoperative patients with unoperated controls (p < 0.0005) and comparing double rectus harvest with single rectus harvest patients (p < 0.0005). Comparing double rectus harvest patients with direct abdominal closure and those closed with mesh, there was a trend toward poorer situp performance in the mesh subgroup; however, this was not statistically significant. On examination, a classic post-TRAM hernia was not encountered in any patient, but three single-pedicle patients had asymptomatic diffuse bulges through the fascial harvest site, visible only on straining to do a situp. Eight patients (seven bilateral and one single pedicle) had varying degrees of abdominal laxity, but only one had operative correction of diffusely attenuated abdominal fascia following pregnancy and delivery. Examiners' ratings of aesthetic abdominal appearance were higher for postoperative patients than for unoperated controls (p = 0.05). The vast majority of patients considered the TRAM procedure worthwhile (93 percent) and continued to recommend it to others (96 percent).

Abdominal function after pedicled TRAM flap surgery.

Through the years, many surgeons have considered the potential for weakness in the abdominal wall as a major drawback to the use of the pedicled TRAM flap. This article begins with a review of the surgical anatomy of the abdominal wall. It continues with a review of technical details; beginning with a method of partial rectus muscle and fascia harvest that respects the vascular anatomy, and followed by multilayered direct fascial closure in all patients with selective alloplastic mesh reinforcement as necessary. It is the authors' opinion that these methods optimize postoperative abdominal function, leaving a competent abdominal wall that does not deteriorate through time. Supportive data gained through a 13-year experience with 662 patients are presented.

Ruben's fat pad for breast reconstruction: a peri-iliac soft-tissue free flap.

We present a single patient with a successful breast reconstruction using the peri-iliac fat pad as a free flap based on the deep circumflex iliac artery and vein. Although the follow-up is short, in this patient the donor site has been acceptable, and we believe that this flap will have a place in the selection of donor sites for autogenous tissue breast reconstruction.

A mechanical leech for transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps.

Venous congestion in the intraoperative and postoperative period can be a problem with some transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps. We evolved a technique to allow us the ability to bleed the congested flap in a controlled manner both intra- and postoperatively. Arteriotomy cannulae are placed within the lumens of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) and vein (DIEV) and they are brought out on the lateral aspect of the reconstructed breast. We believe that intermittent venous bleeding from the DIEV allows a congested flap time to improve venous outflow and adapt to the new reversed blood circulation. When laser Doppler flow meter is simultaneously used as a monitor, bleeding from the DIEV or DIEA can improve balance between arterial and venous pressure in the flap.

Double-pedicle TRAM flap for unilateral breast reconstruction.

Autogenous breast reconstruction with the pedicled TRAM flap has been employed in 500 patients in our series. We have developed and refined indications for use of the single-pedicle TRAM flap and double-pedicle TRAM flap in unilateral breast reconstruction. In our experience with 341 unilateral breast reconstructions, we used a double-pedicle TRAM flap 19 percent of the time; however, in our most recent 50 unilateral modified radical mastectomy reconstructions, the double-pedicle technique has been employed 60 percent of the time. In general, when a TRAM flap is chosen for unilateral reconstruction of a modified radical mastectomy defect, we feel the single-pedicle TRAM flap is the procedure of choice. Carefully selected patients will benefit from the added safety of a double-pedicle TRAM procedure. The indications for the double-pedicle TRAM flap, the technique, and our results are described in detail.

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy: an update.

Breast reconstruction today is a realistic and vital part of total breast cancer treatment. All physicians should be well informed on current methods of reconstruction so that they can present the facts to their patients in an encouraging, yet realistic manner. Recent developments in breast reconstruction after mastectomy have included the increase utilization of immediate breast reconstruction at the time of mastectomy, the improvement and refinement of the TRAM flap, the increased use of the "free" flap transfer of the TRAM flap which increases blood supply to the flap, texturing of implants which appears to increase their stability on the chest wall and reduce the incidence of capsular contracture or firmness, and the introduction of the newer autogenous tissue methods including the LTTF, gluteal, and latissimus dorsi flaps. Plastic surgeons are charged with the task of becoming proficient in breast reconstruction procedures in order to offer the mastectomy patient a safe, realistic facsimile breast that will be trouble free. Fortunately, there are several good options for restoring the breast after mastectomy. The method of reconstruction should be chosen by matching the desires of informed patients with the indications and contraindications in each case. In general, silicone reconstruction is expedient and satisfactory in most patients. However, it cannot compete with autogenous tissue transfer for severe chest wall defects, covering irradiated areas, creating a large, ptotic breast, or providing a natural appearing, soft breast mount.

Breast reconstruction: progress in the past decade.

There have been numerous advances in breast reconstruction techniques of the past decade. The disappearance of the radical mastectomy along with the increased frequency of smaller tumor detection have contributed significantly to these changes. Furthermore, reliable studies have shown that breast reconstruction does not interfere with extirpative surgery or delay postoperative adjuvant therapy if indicated. Studies such as these have led increasing numbers of women to elect immediate breast reconstruction as opposed to delaying that reconstruction for months or even years after the tumor extirpation. The advent of successful breast reconstruction using autogenous tissue provided the most radical change to reconstructive techniques over the past 10 years. The TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous) flap was the first of these techniques to be introduced and has rapidly assumed a position of prominence among those techniques chosen for breast reconstruction. The LTTF (lateral transverse thigh flap) and the buttock flap, while requiring microsurgical technique, are important alternatives for those patients who choose autogenous tissue breast reconstruction and should be presented to women during the discussion of alternatives for breast reconstruction. Implant technology has continued to improve with the introduction of the tissue expander, the most important addition in the past decade. Investigations are currently underway to provide a long-term tissue expander that does not have to be removed and replaced by a permanent implant. The ultimate end result would be to create a more normal breast shape without firmness. And the use of stacked or directional expanders may allow more freedom in creation of the new breast shape to conform to the opposite side. Finally, nipple areola reconstruction has improved significantly as the tissues of the breast mound itself are used for the new nipple and areola, thereby avoiding the transfer of grafts from distant sites which do not generally maintain their size or projection over time.

A triceps musculocutaneous flap for chest-wall defects.

A posterior upper arm flap based on the profunda brachii vessels has been described to cover soft-tissue defects in the upper anterolateral chest. In our series, the posterior upper arm skin is elevated with the long head of the triceps muscle to cover seven chest-wall defects resulting from indolent postradiation open wounds following partial TRAM flap failure (n = 2), soft-tissue deficiencies following partial TRAM flap loss (n = 3), and primarily as an ancillary flap in TRAM flap breast reconstruction (n = 2). This flap also may be used to supply well-vascularized tissue in the regions of the shoulder, axilla, and posterolateral back. A prerequisite for this operation is redundant tissue of the upper arm often present in middle-aged women and in patients with lymphedema following mastectomy. In our series of seven patients, all donor sites were closed primarily, and there was no subjective functional deficit following transfer of the long head of the triceps muscle.

TRAM flap safety optimized with intraoperative Doppler.

Anatomic studies have clearly documented the variable position of the deep superior epigastric vessels in the rectus abdominis muscle. In our opinion, only that part of the rectus abdominis muscle containing the vascular pedicle should be transposed with the TRAM flap. The Doppler probe provides a simple method of identifying the dominant intramuscular vascular axis. It consistently alerts the surgeon to any unusual position of a vessel at the costal margin or within the rectus abdominis muscle. This knowledge enables a conservative yet safe dissection of the vascular pedicle, rectus abdominis muscle, and its sheath. This in turn will enable a competent abdominal closure. The Doppler technique is safe, simple, quick, noninvasive, familiar to most surgeons, and applicable to all patients.

The lateral transverse thigh free flap: an alternative for autogenous-tissue breast reconstruction.

The lateral transverse thigh free flap is a horizontal variant of the more commonly known vertical tensor fasciae latae myocutaneous free flap. Fresh cadaver injections of the lateral circumflex femoral artery indicated simultaneous perfusion of the upper lateral thigh tissues and the standard tensor fasciae latae territory extending down the lateral thigh. These experimental data strongly indicated that the clinical application would be successful. The flap is composed mostly of fat from the prominence of the upper lateral thigh ("saddlebags") based on a small plug of underlying tensor fasciae latae muscle. The amount of skin that can be included with this flap is limited in a vertical dimension to about 6 to 8 cm but is determined by the ability to close the defect. We have performed 17 flaps in 11 patients with up to 18 months of follow-up. Ten were delayed and 7 were immediate reconstructions. The chest and hip dissections are performed simultaneously by two microsurgeons. There has been one flap loss due to arterial disruption on day 3. An early problem was seroma formation in the donor site, which has been improved in the later patients by closing the dead space with sutures. The lateral transverse thigh free flap has the following advantages over other methods of autogenous-tissue breast reconstruction: (1) longer, more peripherally placed vessels, (2) easier flap dissection and no need to turn the patient during the procedure, (3) decreased postoperative morbidity and more rapid recovery, (4) reduction of an area of excess fat in those patients in whom the hips are more prominent than the abdomen, (5) greater intrinsic internal projection of the flap, and (6) excellent vascularity. The disadvantages of the flap are (1) microsurgery is required, (2) the amount of skin available is not as great as that with the gluteal or transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap, (3) the scar on the upper lateral thigh is probably more visible than on the buttock or the abdomen, and (4) a balancing procedure on the opposite hip is usually necessary in unilateral cases. Our current indications for the lateral transverse thigh free flap are (1) the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap is unavailable, (2) for a particular breast size, the thigh fat proportions are greater than the abdominal proportions, or (3) the patient prefers this option to the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous or gluteus flap. Results and complications with the lateral transverse thigh free flap will be presented along with pertinent comparisons with the other choices for autogenous-tissue breast reconstruction.

The transverse abdominal island flap for breast reconstruction. A 7-year experience.

Reported herein is a 7-year experience with autogenous tissue breast reconstruction. Current refinements in the use of the transverse abdominal island flap are detailed. In addition, there is discussion of guidelines in patient selection, perioperative management, and occurrence and prevention of complications.

The superiorly based rectus abdominis flap: predicting and enhancing its blood supply based on an anatomic and clinical study.

A detailed investigation of the blood supply of the superiorly based rectus abdominis muscle flap and the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap was done to improve the understanding of variations in flap viability and to explain the survival of the flap after internal mammary artery division and radiation. The study involved dissections of the internal mammary and superior epigastric systems, evaluation of pertinent angiograms, and impressions from observations of the vascular anatomy correlated with flap survival in over 600 clinical dissections. There is a diffuse intrathoracic collateral network involving the internal mammary system, with multiple branches and intercommunications on the same side, as well as across the midline. This enhances flap predictability and survival in some patients with internal mammary artery division or compromise. There is also a laterally based blood supply to the flap from the costomarginal artery at the costal margin which is sometimes well developed and may prevent flap compromise if preserved.

Autogenous tissue reconstruction in the mastectomy patient. A critical review of 300 patients.

The transverse abdominal island flap operation was the method of breast reconstruction after mastectomy and in chest wall reconstruction in 300 patients from September 1980 to July 1986. In 58% (221 of 383 breast reconstructions), the breast mound was formed in a single operation and required no further revision. Only 18 reconstructed breasts required modification after 1 year. Symmetry was achieved without altering the opposite breast in 113 (52% of the 217 unilateral reconstructions). Complications included one total flap loss (0.3%) and 18 partial flap losses (6%). There was one lower abdominal hernia (0.3%) and two small defects in the upper anterior rectus sheath (0.8%). Lower abdominal wall laxity occurred in two patients (0.8%), one requiring repair. As expected, there was some loss of abdominal wall strength after reconstruction but this did not affect sports or work performance in over 90% of patients. Ninety-eight per cent of respondents (272 or 278) judged the operation worth their time and effort. This major operative procedure is indicated only in healthy patients.