Immediate chest wall reconstruction using an external oblique myocutaneous flap for large skin defects after mastectomy in advanced or recurrent breast cancer patients: A single center experience.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We report 75 single-stage chest-wall reconstructions using ipsilateral external oblique myocutaneous flap (EOMCF) to cover the extensive skin defects following resection of advanced or recurrent breast tumours at the Pusan National University Hospital. METHODS: Between January 2007 and October 2015, 75 women with advanced or recurred breast cancer who underwent extensive mastectomy with immediate chest wall reconstruction using EOMCF were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean age was 50.5 ± 9.8 years and mean follow-up period was 36.7 ± 25.1 months. A total of 59 patients (78.7%) had stage III disease and the remaining 16 patients (21.3%) had stage IV. Mean excised breast tissue weight was 687.6 ± 416.5 g (range, 120.3-2797.1 g). The mean chest wall skin defect covered with an EOMCF was 228.3 ± 168.1 cm2 and corresponded to an approximately 15 × 15 cm defect. Average operative time for reconstruction was <2 h. There were no major complications such as flap loss, full thickness skin necrosis, or surgical site infections. With respect to loco-regional recurrence, nine patients (12%) experienced recurrence. Among the 59 non-stage IV patients, loco-regional relapse occurred in five patients (8.5%). CONCLUSIONS: EOMCF can effectively cover large chest wall defects with a few minor complications and reliable local disease control.