Objective To summarize the experience of 23 cases of axillary approach endoscopy-assisted bilateral skin-sparing mastectomy surgery with immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction, and to discuss its superiority and patient satisfaction. Methods The clinical data of 23 female breast cancer patients who underwent axillary approach endoscopy-assisted bilateral skin-sparing mastectomy surgery with immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction from June 2021 to June 2022 in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively included. We summarized the surgical procedures, surgical safety, and postoperative patient satisfaction. Results Twenty-three patients have operated the axillary approach endoscopy-assisted bilateral skin-sparing mastectomy surgery with immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction successfully without nipple reconstruction. Among them, 9 patients underwent dual-main surgeons’ surgery, and 14 patients underwent one-main surgeon surgery. The surgery time ranges from 3.5 to 7.0 h, mean of 4.76 h, and the mean operation time of 9 patients underwent dual-main surgeons’ surgery was shorter than that of patients underwent one-main surgeons’ surgery. The blood loss ranges from 20 to150 mL, mean of 45.7 mL. The postoperative hospital stay range from 0 to 24 d, mean of 10.7 d. Four people suffered from complications: 1 patient with prosthesis moving up, 2 patients with nipple-areola complications, and 1 patient with subcutaneous emphysema. All 23 women were followed for 3 months, and no one suffered from recurrence, metastasis, and death during this period. We surveyed people by BREAST-Q scale when pre-operation, 1 month after the operation, and 3 months after the operation. Compared with preoperative patients, the sexual well-being, psychosocial well-being, and chest physical well-being of 1 month postoperative patients were decreased, but obviously increased in 2 months. The satisfaction with breast of 3 months of postoperative patients were higher than preoperative patients. Conclusions Endoscopy-assisted bilateral skin-sparing mastectomy surgery with immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction can achieve good cosmetic results and improve surgical safety. The dual-main surgeons’ surgery can decrease the operation time, so as to reduce the risk of anesthesia for patients.
Objective To investigate the results of skinsparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction with transverse rectus abdomins musculotaneous(TRAM) flap or latissimus dorsi musculocutaneousflap plus placement of a mammary implant.Methods From June 1997 to June 2002, 11 patients were proven to have ductal carcinoma in situor huge breast carcinoid by pathological examination. The site of the biopsy incision was around the areola. The patients underwent mastectomy with skin sparing by a circumareolar incision and immediate breast reconstruction withTRAM flap or latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap plus placement of mammary implant.Autogenous tissue was used to fill the skin envelop. The second stage operation of nipple-areola reconstruction was performed on the replaced skin.Results Eleven patients were followed up 1 month to 6 years.The operative result was good and all patients had no relapse. The reconstructed breast achieved good results in shape, colour, sensation, symmetry and incision scar. Conclusion The skin sparing mastectomy and immediate autograft tissue breast reconstruction is an ideal reconstructive method for the patients with breast ductal carcinoma in situ or huge breast carcinoid in condition that there were strict operative indication and relapse can be prevented.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of combined transverse upper gracilis flap and adductor magnus perforator flap in breast reconstruction of breast cancer patients after mastectomy.MethodsBetween August 2016 and February 2017, the combined transverse upper gracilis flap and adductor magnus perforator flap was used in 12 cases of breast cancer patients who received modified radical surgery for breast reconstruction. All patients were females with the age of 32 to 59 years (mean, 41.5 years). There were 7 cases in left side and 5 cases in right side. Eight cases were received breast reconstruction by one-stage operation and 4 cases by two-stage operation. In one-stage operation cases, pathological diagnosis includes invasive ductal carcinoma in 4 cases and invasive lobular carcinoma in 4 cases. The disease duration ranged from 2 to 9 months (mean, 4.5 months). In two-stage operation cases, the time interval between mastectomy and breast reconstruction ranged from 12 to 70 months (mean, 37.4 months). The length of flap was 20-28 cm, the width of flap was 5.5-7.5 cm, the thickness of flap was 2.5-4.5 cm. The length of gracilis flap pedicle was 6.5-9.2 cm, the length of adductor magnus perforator flap pedicle was 7.5-10.4 cm. The weight of flap was 295-615 g.ResultsThe ischemia time of flap ranged from 95 to 230 minutes (mean, 135 minutes). All flaps were successfully survived. All incisions of recipient donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 7-14 months (mean, 9.5 months). The reconstructed breasts’ shape, texture, and elasticity were good and no flap contracture deformation happened. Only linear scar left in the donor sites, but the function of thighs was not affected. No local recurrence happened during follow-up.ConclusionWith appropriate patient selection and surgical technique, the combined transverse upper gracilis flap and adductor magnus perforator flap can be a valuable option as an alternative method for autologous breast reconstruction.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of post mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) on breast reconstruction after mastectomy in breast cancer patients, in order to provide evidence support for clinical treatment decision.MethodsFive databases searched in the current study include the Cochrane Library, PubMed, CNKI, VIP and WanFang database. A systematic search for control trials was performed in each database from the starting date of each database to March 1, 2021. After the two evaluators independently selected literatures, extracted data and conducted quality evaluation according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the meta analysis was carried out by Revman 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 9 cohort studies (3 447 cases) were included, including 699 cases in PMRT group and2 748 cases in non-radiotherapy group. The results of meta-analysis showed that: PMRT was associated with significant increase in capsular contracture. The incidence of capsular contracture increased from 4.34% in the non-radiotherapy group to 34.10% in patients receiving PMRT [OR=9.25, 95%CI (3.76, 22.78), P<0.000 01]. In addition, PMRT was associated with a significant increase in incidences of reconstructive failure [OR=2.55, 95%CI (1.74, 3.74), P<0.000 01] and revisional surgery [OR=2.24, 95%CI (1.58, 3.18), P<0.000 01]. Moreover it was associated with a significant reduction in patient satisfaction [OR=0.29, 95%CI (0.15, 0.57), P=0.000 30] and cosmetic outcome [OR=0.26, 95%CI (0.15, 0.43), P<0.000 01].ConclusionThis meta-analysis demonstrates that breast cancer patients who received PMRT after breast reconstruction, the rate of adverse events is increased and patients’ satisfaction and cosmetic outcome are decreased.
ObjectiveTo generalize the application and prospect of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap transfer for breast reconstruction.MethodsThe related literature using CTA for DIEP flap reconstruction of breast in recent years was reviewed and analyzed.ResultsPreoperative CTA can accurately assess the vascular anatomy of the chest and abdomen wall, precisely locating the perforator in the abdominal donor site, and identifying the dominant perforator; guide the selection of intercostal space to explore internal mammary artery and internal mammary artery perforator in the chest recipient vessels. It can also reconstruct the volume of the abdominal flap with reference to the size of the contralateral breast and pre-shape the abdominal flap, which are crucial to formulate the surgical plan and improve the reliability of flap.ConclusionPreoperative CTA has enormous application potential and prospects in locating donor area perforator, in selecting recipient vessels, and in evaluating breast volume for autologous breast reconstruction with DIEP flap.
ObjectiveTo explore the method of preventing heat steam induced skin damage in robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction (R-NSM-IBR) using Da Vinci Robots. Methods A clinical data of 128 female patients with breast cancer, who were treated with R-NSM-IBR between September 2022 and December 2023 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. During robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy, the breasts were covered with gauze cooled by ice water to reduce skin temperature in 99 cases (group A) and were not treated in 29 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in the age, affected side, body mass index, pathological type of breast cancer, and constituent ratios of adjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy between the two groups (P>0.05). Intraoperative breast skin temperature, unilateral robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy time, and the incidence of complications of breast heat steam induced skin damage were recorded. Results The time for unilateral robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy was (77.18±9.23) minutes in group A and (76.38±12.88) minutes in group B, with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The intraoperative breast skin temperature was significantly lower in group A than in group B [(25.61±0.91)℃ vs (33.38±1.14)℃; P<0.05]. Seven cases of heat steam skin damage occurred during operation, including 2 cases (2.0%) in group A and 5 cases (17.2%) in group B, with a significant difference in incidence between the two groups (P<0.05). Among them, 1 patient in group B had a vesication rupture and infection, which eventually led to the removal of the implant; the rest of the patients were treated with postoperative interventions for skin recovery. Conclusion The use of breast covered with gauze cooled by ice water during R-NSM-IBR can effectively reduce the risk of heat steam induced skin damage.
Objective To summarize the research progress of combined surgical treatment of lymphedema based on vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), and to provide systematic information for combined surgical treatment of lymphedema. MethodsLiterature on VLNT in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the history, treatment mechanism, and clinical application of VLNT were summarized, with emphasis on the research progress of VLNT combined with other surgical methods. Results VLNT is a physiological operation to restore lymphatic drainage. Multiple lymph node donor sites have been developed clinically, and two hypotheses have been proposed to explain its mechanism for the treatment of lymphedema. But it has some inadequacies such as slow effect and limb volume reduction rate less than 60%. To address these inadequacies, VLNT combined with other surgical methods for lymphedema has become a trend. VLNT can be used in combination with lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), liposuction, debulking operation, breast reconstruction, and tissue engineered material, which have been shown to reduce the volume of affected limbs, reduce the incidence of cellulitis, and improve patients’ quality of life. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that VLNT is safe and feasible in combination with LVA, liposuction, debulking operation, breast reconstruction, and tissue engineered material. However, many issues need to be solved, including the sequence of two surgeries, the interval between two surgeries, and the effectiveness compared with surgery alone. Rigorous standardized clinical studies need to be designed to confirm the efficacy of VLNT alone or in combination, and to further discuss the subsistent issues in the use of combination therapy.
Objective To summarize the anatomical types of the concomitant veins of deep inferior epigastric artery and the corresponding choice of anastomosis methods, and to evaluate the indications and safety of various methods. MethodsBetween October 2015 and June 2021, 296 female patients received breast reconstruction with autologous free lower abdominal flap, including 154 cases of immediate breast reconstruction and 142 cases of delayed breast reconstruction. The average age of the patients was 36.5 years, ranged from 26 to 62 years. Unilateral free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap transplantation was performed in 172 cases, and unilateral free muscle-sparing rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap transplantation was performed in 124 cases. The internal thoracic vessels were selected as the recipient vessels in all cases. The length of vascular pedicle ranged from 9.5 to 13.0 cm, with an average of 11.2 cm. The concomitant veins of deep inferior epigastric artery included three anatomical types: one-branch type in 26 cases (8.8%), two-branch type in 180 cases (60.8%), and Y-shaped structure in 90 cases (30.4%). Anastomosis of inferior epigastric artery was performed with the proximal end of internal thoracic artery, while that of vein should be adjusted according to the diameter, length, wall thickness, and branches of the vein. The specific classification of venous anastomosis included: ① The sole concomitant vein of deep inferior epigastric artery was anastomosed with the internal mammary vein (26 cases); ② The two concomitant veins of deep inferior epigastric artery were anastomosed with the internal mammary vein respectively (151 cases); ③ The larger one of two concomitant veins of deep inferior epigastric artery was anastomosed with the internal mammary vein, and the other one was ligated and discarded (29 cases); ④ The two concomitant veins of deep inferior epigastric artery were Y-shaped, and the common trunk segment was directly anastomosed with the internal mammary vein (31 cases); ⑤ The smaller branch of the concomitant veins of Y-shaped structure was ligated, and the thicker branch was anastomosed with the internal mammary vein (17 cases); ⑥ The concomitant veins of Y-shaped structure were anastomosed with the internal mammary veins respectively (42 cases). Results Among the patients who underwent venous anastomosis according to scheme ④, 3 cases had venous crisis of flap after operation, of which 1 case was successfully rescued by emergency exploration; the other 2 cases had flap necrosis, of which 1 case survived after being repaired by pedicled latissimus dorsi flap, and 1 case closed the wound directly. Flaps with other venous anastomosis protocols survived completely. All 296 patients were followed up 12-70 months, with an average of 37.5 months. The reconstructed breast has good shape, good elasticity, and no skin flap contracture. The donor site of the flap only left linear scar, and the abdominal wall function was not affected. ConclusionThe method of direct anastomosis of concomitant veins of deep inferior epigastric artery with Y-shaped structure is relatively risky, and the vessels are prone to be twisted and compressed, leading to the occurrence of venous crisis. It can improve the safety of surgery if only one large vein is anastomosed or two veins are separated to anastomose respectively.
ObjectiveTo understand the current research status of conservative mastectomy with breast reconstruction for breast cancer, so as to provide a reference for surgeons and patients with breast cancer to choose surgical method. MethodThe recently domestic and foreign literature on the research of conservative mastectomy with breast reconstruction for breast cancer was reviewed and summarized. ResultsAt present, conservative mastectomy mainly included nipple sparing mastectomy, skin sparing mastectomy, and skin reduction mastectomy. All three surgical methods were safe and effective in the treatment of breast cancer, and the complications could be controlled. When combined with breast reconstruction, the better cosmetic effect could be obtained, and the postoperative satisfaction and quality of life of patients were markedly improved. ConclusionsAfter comprehensively preoperative evaluation for patients with breast cancer, conservative mastectomy provides a treatment choice for them. After conservative mastectomy, individualized reconstruction scheme is formulated according to size and sagging degree of breast, as well as individual expectations of patients, which can obtain a higher quality of life while treating diseases for patients with breast cancer.
Objective To investigate if intercostal neurovascular perforator can nourish lower abdominal flap. Methods Between June 2017 and December 2020, in 39 female patients with predominant perforator originated from intercostal nerve nutrient vessels, main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessels was chosen to be the pedicle to harvest free lower abdominal flap for breast reconstruction. The age of the patients ranged from 28 to 52 years, with an average of 38.6 years. There were 16 cases on the left and 23 cases on the right. The duration of breast cancer was 3-32 months, with an average of 21.8 months. Pathological stage was stageⅡin 31 cases and stage Ⅲ in 8 cases. Among them, 25 cases were primary tumor resection and one stage breast reconstruction and 14 cases were delayed breast reconstruction. Results The lower abdominal flap pedicled with one side pedicle was harvested in 32 cases, all of which were supplied by the main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessel combined with the intercostal neurovascular perforator; 7 cases were harvested with bilateral pedicled lower abdominal flaps, of which 4 cases were supplied by the main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessel combined with intercostal neurovascular perforator on one side and deep inferior epigastric artery perforator on the other side, and the other 3 cases were supplied by bilateral main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessel and the intercostal neurovascular perforator. In the flaps nourished with the main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessel combined with the intercostal neurovascular perforator, the intercostal neurovascular perforators were one branch type in 15 cases, one branch+reticular type in 19 sides, and reticular type in 8 sides. The size of flap ranged from 26 cm×10 cm to 31 cm×13 cm; the thickness was 2.5-5.5 cm (mean, 2.9 cm); the vascular pedicle length was 7.0-11.5 cm (mean, 9.2 cm); the weight of the flap was 350-420 g (mean, 390 g). All the flaps survived completely and the incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 14-35 months (mean, 25.4 months). The shape, texture, and elasticity of reconstructed breasts were good and no flap contracture happened. Only linear scar left at the donor site, the function of abdomen was not affected. No local recurrence happened. ConclusionWhen the direct perforator of the deep inferior epigastric artery may not provide reliable blood supply for the lower abdominal flap, the intercostal neurovascular perforator with deep inferior epigastric vessels can ensure the blood supply of the free lower abdominal flap.