The midabdominal TRAM flap for breast reconstruction in morbidly obese patients

The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is ideal for postmastectomy reconstruction but is tenuous in morbidly obese patients. Because of their relatively high incidence of postoperative complications, morbidly obese patients are often not considered candidates for autogenous reconstruction. The midabdominal TRAM flap has a more favorable anatomy and may represent an alternative technique in this patient population. The records of 18 morbidly obese patients who underwent postmastectomy reconstruction using a mid-abdominal TRAM flap from 1998 through 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. The mid-abdominal TRAM flap territory includes more of the supraumbilical region than the traditional TRAM flap, corresponding to an area with more abundant musculocutaneous perforators and greater dependence on the superior epigastric vascular system. All patients underwent unipedicled mid-abdominal TRAM flap surgery. Four patients with previous subumbilical midline incisions had a delay procedure with ligation of the inferior epigastric vessels. Complications investigated were flap necrosis greater than 10 percent or sufficient to require surgical revision, abdominal donor-site breakdown, seroma formation, umbilical necrosis, abdominal wall bulging or hernia, deep vein thrombosis, infected mesh, surgical revisions, fat necrosis, and extended hospital stay. At a mean follow-up time of 15.6 months (range, 12 to 24 months), three patients had postoperative complications requiring surgical revision. Two of these patients had previous midline abdominal incisions. One patient had both partial flap necrosis and a donor-site complication. The second patient had partial flap necrosis, and the third had an abdominal donor-site complication. No occurrences of abdominal wall hernia, total flap loss, deep vein thrombosis, infected mesh, extensive surgical revision, or extended hospitalization were noted in this series. The mid-abdominal TRAM flap represents an alternative method for postmastectomy breast reconstruction in morbidly obese patients. Autologous reconstruction using a midabdominal TRAM flap may be considered in this patient population; however, additional research is required to conclusively demonstrate an improved outcome when compared with traditional reconstructive methods.     

Conventional TRAM flap versus free microsurgical TRAM flap for immediate breast reconstruction

Immediate breast reconstruction using the transverse abdominal myocutaneous island (TRAM) flap was performed in 54 patients over the past 3 years at our institution. This represented approximately 59 percent of patients undergoing all types of immediate breast reconstruction. In 10 patients, the abdominal island flap was transferred as a free flap based on the deep inferior epigastric pedicle. These patients were compared with the other 44 patients, in whom the flap was transferred using the conventional technique. The TRAM flap is well suited for immediate breast reconstruction because the procedure can be carried out simultaneously with mastectomy using separate operating teams and instruments. The operation is safe and relatively free of complications. The free TRAM group compared favorably with the conventional group in terms of complications, operating time, estimated blood loss, hospitalization, and return to functional baseline. The free TRAM flap appears to be as safe as the conventional technique with the advantages of a more limited rectus muscle harvest, improved medial contour of the breast due to the lack of tunneling, and perhaps a healthier flap because of the large donor vessels.     

Assessment of long-term nipple projection: a comparison of three techniques

Nipple-areola reconstruction represents the final stage of breast reconstruction, whereby a reconstructed breast mound is transformed into a breast facsimile that more closely resembles the original breast. Although numerous nipple reconstruction techniques are available, all have been plagued by eventual loss of long-term projection. In this report, the authors present a comparative assessment of nipple and areola projection after reconstruction using either a bell flap, a modified star flap, or a skate flap and full-thickness skin graft for areola reconstruction. The specific technique for nipple-areola reconstruction following breast reconstruction was selected on the basis of the projection of the contralateral nipple and whether or not the opposite areola showed projection. Patients with 5 mm or less of opposite nipple projection were treated with either the bell flap or the modified star flap. In patients where the areola complex exhibited significant projection, a bell flap was chosen over the modified star flap. In those patients with greater than 5-mm nipple projection, reconstruction with a skate flap and full-thickness skin graft was performed. Maintenance of nipple projection in each of these groups was then carefully assessed over a 1-year period of follow-up using caliper measurements of nipple and areola projection obtained at 3-month intervals. The best long-term nipple projection was obtained and maintained by the skate and star techniques. The major decrease in projection of the reconstructed nipple occurred during the first 3 months. After 6 months, the projection was stable. The loss of both nipple and areola projection when using the bell flap was so remarkable that the authors would discourage the use of this procedure in virtually all patients.     

Staged breast reconstruction with saline-filled implants in the irradiated breast: recent trends and therapeutic implications

A retrospective review was performed of one surgeon's experience with 40 consecutive patients who had undergone two-stage saline-filled implant breast reconstruction and radiation during the period from 1990 through 1997. A randomly selected group of 40 other two-stage saline-filled implant breast reconstructions from the same surgeon and time period served as controls. This review was undertaken because of the absence of specific information on the outcome of staged saline implant reconstructions in the radiated breast. Previously published reports on silicone gel implants and radiation have been contradictory. At the same time, the criteria for the use of radiation in the treatment of breast cancer have been expanded and the numbers of reconstruction patients who have been radiated are increasing dramatically. For example, in a 1985 report on immediate breast reconstruction, only 1 of 185 patients over a 6-year period underwent adjuvant radiation therapy, whereas in this review, there were 40 radiated breasts with saline-filled implants, 19 of which received adjuvant radiation therapy during their expansion. The study parameters included patient age, breast cup size, implant size, length of follow-up, number of procedures, coincident flap operations, Baker classification, complications, opposite breast procedures, pathologic stage, indications for and details about the radiation, and outcomes. The use of radiation in this review of reconstructed breasts can logically be divided into four groups: previous lumpectomy and radiation (n = 7), mastectomy and radiation before reconstruction (n = 9), mastectomy and adjuvant radiation during reconstruction/expansion (n = 19), and radiation after reconstruction (n = 5). The largest and most rapidly growing group of patients is of those receiving postmastectomy adjuvant radiation therapy. A total of 47.5 percent (19 of 40) of radiated breasts with saline implants ultimately needed the addition of, or replacement by, a flap. Ten percent of a control group with nonradiated saline implant reconstructions also had flaps, none as replacements. Fifty percent or more of both the radiated and control groups had contralateral surgery. Complications were far more common in the radiated group; for example, there were 32.5 percent capsular contractures compared with none in the control group. The control nonradiated implant-only group and the flap plus implant radiated group did well cosmetically. The radiated implant-only group was judged the worst. The increasing use of radiation after mastectomy has important implications for breast reconstruction. The possibility for radiation should be thoroughly investigated and anticipated preoperatively before immediate breast reconstruction. Patients with invasive disease, particularly with large tumors or palpable axillary lymph nodes, are especially likely to be encouraged to undergo postmastectomy radiation therapy. The indications for adjuvant radiation therapy have included four or more positive axillary lymph nodes, tumors 4 cm (or more) in diameter, and tumors at or near the margin of resection. More recently, some centers are recommending adjuvant radiation therapy for patients with as few as one positive lymph node or even in situ carcinoma close to the resection margin. The use of latissimus dorsi flaps after radiation has proven to be an excellent solution to postradiation tissue contracture, which can occur during breast expander reconstruction. The use of the latissimus flap electively with skin-sparing mastectomy preradiation is probably unwise, unless postmastectomy radiation is unlikely. Skin-sparing mastectomy with a latissimus flap thus should be preserved for patients unlikely to undergo adjuvant radiation therapy. Purely autologous reconstruction such as a TRAM flap is another option for these patients, either before or after radiation therapy.     

Breast reconstruction with an external oblique abdominis muscle turnover flap and a bipedicled abdominal skin flap

A new technique of breast reconstruction is demonstrated using a turnover flap of the external oblique abdominis muscle together with a sheath of the rectus muscle to enlarge the submuscular pectoralis major pocket for the implant. To overcome a tight skin, a bipedicled abdominal skin flap is transposed for breast reconstruction. In so doing, a natural-looking breast is formed by a simple operative technique with rare complications. The technique has been applied in 11 patients with good results.     

Breast reconstruction with superficial inferior epigastric artery flaps: a prospective comparison with TRAM and DIEP flaps

Breast reconstruction using the lower abdominal free superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap has the potential to virtually eliminate abdominal donor-site morbidity because the rectus abdominis fascia and muscle are not incised or excised. However, despite its advantages, the free SIEA flap for breast reconstruction is rarely used. A prospective study was conducted of the reliability and outcomes of the use of SIEA flaps for breast reconstruction compared with transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) and deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. Breast reconstruction with an SIEA flap was attempted in 47 consecutive free autologous tissue breast reconstructions between August of 2001 and November of 2002. The average patient age was 49 years, and the average body mass index was 27 kg/m. The SIEA flap was used in 14 (30 percent) of these breast reconstructions in 12 patients. An SIEA flap was not used in the remaining 33 cases because the SIEA was absent or was deemed too small. The mean superficial inferior epigastric vessel pedicle length was approximately 7 cm. The internal mammary vessels were used as recipients in all SIEA flap cases so that the flap could be positioned sufficiently medially on the chest wall. The average hospital stay was significantly shorter for patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction with SIEA flaps than it was for those who underwent reconstruction with TRAM or DIEP flaps. Of the 47 free flaps, one SIEA flap was lost because of arterial thrombosis. Medium-size and large breasts were reconstructed with hemi-lower abdominal SIEA flaps, with aesthetic results similar to those obtained with TRAM and DIEP flaps. The free SIEA flap is an attractive option for autologous tissue breast reconstruction. Harvest of this flap does not injure the anterior rectus fascia or underlying rectus abdominis muscle. This can potentially eliminate abdominal donor-site complications such as bulge and hernia formation, and decrease weakness, discomfort, and hospital stay compared with TRAM and DIEP flaps. The disadvantages of an SIEA flap are a smaller pedicle diameter and shorter pedicle length than TRAM and DIEP flaps and the absence or inadequacy of an arterial pedicle in most patients. Nevertheless, in selected patients, the SIEA flap offers advantages over the TRAM and DIEP flaps for breast reconstruction.     

The coincidence of TRAM flaps and prostheses in the setting of breast reconstruction

It is well known that transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps can be used to replace unsatisfactory prosthetic breast reconstructions; however, little has been written about the scope of breast implant use in TRAM flap patients. In this study, to ascertain the range of such therapeutic options, their frequency, and their clinical outcomes, the authors retrospectively reviewed the senior author's breast reconstruction experience from 1989 to 2000 with patients in whom both a TRAM flap and an implant were used for breast reconstruction. The authors examined the surgical indications, body habitus, bra size, chest wall irradiation history, flap type, implant type, complications, and outcomes for those patients with TRAM flap and breast implant combinations.Thirty-two women who had 50 (various) combinations of a TRAM flap and a breast implant were identified. There were more clinical scenarios than patients because many of the women had multiple scenarios. The 50 combination scenarios were then divided into six groups. Group I consisted of 14 patients who had elective prostheses placed beneath simultaneous TRAM flaps; group II consisted of 10 patients who had TRAM flaps with contralateral prosthetic reconstruction (in which two implants were received before the TRAM flaps, five implants were received simultaneously with the TRAM flaps, and three implants were received after the TRAM flaps); group III consisted of eight patients who had contralateral augmentation in addition to their TRAM flaps; group IV consisted of 11 patients who had TRAM flaps that were used to cover or replace previous prosthetic reconstructions; group V consisted of four patients in whom prostheses were used to augment or improve previous TRAM flap reconstructions; and group VI consisted of three patients who required prostheses to either reconstruct or salvage total or near-total TRAM flap failures. A broad range of implant types was used, although anatomic saline implants predominated. Forty-one percent of the patients in the review had undergone irradiation during the course of their treatment for breast cancer. Eight of the 32 patients experienced a total of twelve complications, four of which were related to the implants and eight of which involved the TRAM flaps and abdominal donor sites.Although complex, the wide variety of potential TRAM flap/breast implant combinations can be useful for patients with challenging reconstructive scenarios, particularly those that involve radiation therapy. In the group of patients reviewed by the authors, TRAM flaps were most often used in successful partnership either on the same side as or opposite to an implant reconstruction. A TRAM flap was used to salvage or replace an unsatisfactory implant reconstruction in less than a third of the patients. From a risk point of view, implants used opposite a TRAM flap reconstruction had a lower incidence of complication than did implants used beneath TRAM flaps.     

"Apron" flap and re-creation of the inframammary fold following TRAM flap breast reconstruction

To the best of our knowledge, the recreation of an inframammary fold after TRAM flap breast reconstruction has not yet been described. This article offers a technique for the creation of an inframammary fold as a secondary procedure. The technique has been performed thus far in two patients with good aesthetic outcomes and no postoperative complications. It may also be suitable for adding bulk to the TRAM flap, especially in bilateral breast reconstruction, and for other minor chest deformities.     

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.     

Breast augmentation with bilateral deepithelialized TRAM flaps: an alternative approach to breast augmentation with autologous tissue

Since the 1980s, many patients have benefited from the use of the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap for postmastectomy reconstruction. In addition to cancer reconstruction, this technique has recently been used to treat patients with breast implant intolerance and for reconstruction after siliconoma resection. However, physicians and patients alike believe that such an extensive procedure should not be used for aesthetic purposes, and to the authors' knowledge, no study has been reported on the use of pedicled TRAM flaps for aesthetic augmentation mammaplasty. In the past several years, a number of the authors' patients have requested simultaneous breast augmentation and abdominoplasty. These patients objected to the use of prosthetic implants because of potential complications such as implant failure, capsular contracture, wrinkling, and palpability. Therefore, from 1995 to 2000, the authors performed 14 cases of bilateral breast augmentation with deepithelialized, pedicled TRAM flaps. In this series, the donor-site complication rate was similar to that of the traditional TRAM flap. Surprisingly, no cases of complete or partial flap loss were clinically detected. The only complaints were pedicle bulges at the costal margins. These patients were all extremely satisfied with the results. It was concluded that the TRAM flap is safe for augmentation in a subset of carefully selected women with hypoplastic or atrophic breasts. The authors discuss patient selection, technique, and their experience with this method of breast augmentation.     

Breast reconstruction with a transverse abdominal island flap

A rectus abdominis musculocutaneous island flap for breast reconstruction following mastectomy is presented. The vascular anatomy of the abdominal wall has been clinically studied in patients undergoing abdominal lipectomy. Cadaver dissections are shown, demonstrating the anatomy, arc of rotation, and design alternatives of the rectus abdominis flap. The surgical technique is demonstrated and representative patients are shown.     

Pectoralis major "trapdoor" flap for silicone breast implant medial knuckle deformities.

Loss of breast parenchyma through surgery and physiologic involution can lead to problems of subglandular silicone breast implant palpability and even contour irregularities. This can give rise to patient concern and detracts from the aesthetics of the breast augmentation, particularly when it occurs medially. We present a simple solution to this problem on the medial side of the breast in the form of a small segmental medially based pectoralis major "trapdoor" flap that augments the implant soft-tissue cover intracapsularly, at the site where it is deficient. The technique, which has been used with success in five patients over 3 years, is described.     

Comparison of immediate and delayed free TRAM flap breast reconstruction in patients receiving postmastectomy radiation therapy.

Tumor pathologic features and the extent of nodal involvement dictate whether radiation therapy is given after mastectomy for breast cancer. It is generally well accepted that radiation negatively influences the outcome of implant-based breast reconstruction. However, the long-term effect of radiation therapy on the outcome of breast reconstruction with the free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is still unclear. For patients who need postmastectomy radiation therapy, the optimal timing of TRAM flap reconstruction is controversial. This study compares the outcome of immediate and delayed free TRAM flap breast reconstruction in patients who received postmastectomy radiation therapy.All patients at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center who received postmastectomy radiation therapy and who also underwent free TRAM flap breast reconstruction between January of 1988 and December of 1998 were included in the study. Patients who received radiation therapy before delayed TRAM flap reconstruction were compared with patients who underwent immediate TRAM flap reconstruction before radiation therapy. Early and late complications were compared between the two groups. Early complications included vessel thrombosis, partial or total flap loss, mastectomy skin flap necrosis, and local wound-healing problems, whereas late complications included fat necrosis, volume loss, and flap contracture of free TRAM breast mounds. Late complications were evaluated at least 1 year after the completion of radiation therapy for patients who had delayed reconstruction and at least 1 year after reconstruction for patients who had immediate reconstruction.During the study period, 32 patients had immediate TRAM flap reconstruction before radiation therapy and 70 patients had radiation therapy before TRAM flap reconstruction. Mean follow-up times for the immediate reconstruction and delayed reconstruction groups were 3 and 5 years, respectively. The mean radiation dose was 50 Gy in the immediate reconstruction group and 51 Gy in the delayed reconstruction group.One complete flap loss occurred in the delayed reconstruction group, and no flap loss occurred in the immediate reconstruction group. The incidence of early complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the incidence of late complications was significantly higher in the immediate reconstruction group than in the delayed reconstruction group (87.5 percent versus 8.6 percent; p = 0.000). Nine patients (28 percent) in the immediate reconstruction group required an additional flap to correct the distorted contour from flap shrinkage and severe flap contraction.These findings indicate that, in patients who are candidates for free TRAM flap breast reconstruction and need postmastectomy radiation therapy, reconstruction should be delayed until radiation therapy is complete.     

The extended vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for breast reconstruction

The extended vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap has been used in 34 patients for breast reconstruction after radical mastectomy. This flap can reconstruct a large ptotic breast mound and fill the infraclavicular and axillary areas. The operative technique and a discussion of the method are presented. There are several advantages to the extended vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. First, the main advantage of this flap is its reliable vascular supply, which can reach to the infraclavicular and axillary areas. Second, the large volume of this flap can reconstruct the large ptotic breast, fill the infraclavicular hollow, and create an axillary fold. Third, no lower abdominal wall hernias have developed, and use of alloplastic abdominal wall reinforcement is not necessary. Finally, the simultaneous beneficial effect of horizontal abdominoplasty, which further enhances the patient's body image by narrowing the waist, is unique to this vertical abdominal flap. The disadvantages of this flap include (1) the midline abdominal scar, (2) an umbilical scar on the reconstructed breast, and (3) in principle, inappropriateness for the patient who desires pregnancy postoperatively.     

Single-stage, autologous breast restoration

The skin-sparing mastectomy, when performed with immediate reconstruction, is a major advance in breast reconstruction. Traditionally, reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex is performed as a subsequent procedure. In this study, 17 patients (mean age, 43 years; range, 35 to 53 years) underwent one-stage breast and nipple-areola reconstruction over a 21-month period. In all cases of breast reconstruction, a buried transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap was used, and all patients had a simultaneous nipple-areola complex reconstruction performed. Nine patients had a Wise keyhole pattern used and contralateral reduction performed. Four patients retained all their breast skin, and a TRAM skin island was used in another four. It has recently been shown that patients with early-stage breast cancer and peripherally sited tumors have a very low risk of nipple-areola involvement. In 10 patients with early disease and peripheral tumors, the areola was retained (as a thin full-thickness graft), but more recently, in three patients with early-stage disease, the entire nipple-areola complex was used as a thin full-thickness graft. The thin full-thickness skin graft is removed from the breast in an apple-coring fashion, so that most of the ducts are retained as part of the mastectomy specimen. (There was histological confirmation of absence of tumor in the nipples of these patients.)One-stage autologous reconstruction should be considered for all patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction. In patients with early-stage disease and peripheral tumors, the nipple-areola complex may be retained through the use of a thin full-thickness graft that is applied to a deepithelialized CV flap on the TRAM flap. This allows the best method of nipple-areola complex reconstruction: by retaining the original breast envelope, the color match and texture in the reconstruction are ideal. Patient satisfaction in this study was high. Necrosis of the mastectomy flaps impaired the cosmetic results in some patients. A large multicenter study is required to confirm the effectiveness of this procedure.     

Refinements in transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap breast reconstruction: projection and contour improvements

A surgical procedure with the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap for breast reconstruction is presented using parameters from the opposite normal breast to achieve a better cone shape in the new breast to project the nipple-areola complex. This cone projection is obtained through a vertical plication of both skin/fat halves of the TRAM flap and with two supraumbilical fat flaps to avoid cone collapse. The infraclavicular and axillary regions are filled with a de-epithelialized "fish-fin" cutaneous-fat or fat-only flap, which is placed as a lateral TRAM extension. The de-epithelialized lateral extremity of the TRAM flap folded over itself gives a mound shape to the lateral aspect of the new breast, and the inverted umbilical stalk attached to the TRAM flap imitates a nipple. This procedure is based on six breast reconstructions with a 2-year follow-up. The procedure is a simple, safe, and versatile way to mimic the opposite breast. It is mostly indicated for thin patients who have small to moderate breasts without ptosis or hypertrophy who refuse breast implants or request a mastopexy or reduction mammaplasty on the opposite normal breast during the same procedure.     

Use of pectoralis minor muscle in immediate reconstruction of the breast

A technique is described in which the pectoralis minor muscle is rotated as a muscle pedicle flap to be used in immediate reconstruction of the breast. The advantages of this procedure are that it provides additional muscle coverage over the prosthesis as well as preventing lateral displacement. Seven patients have undergone this technique with excellent results.     

Immediate breast reconstruction using a laparoscopically harvested omental flap

Use of an omental flap to reconstruct the breast after cancer surgery was first reported by Kiricuta in 1963. Since then, the omentum has been widely used in cancer surgery to cover extensive thoracic defects associated with radionecrosis. In contrast, for breast reconstruction or augmentation mammaplasty, rectus abdominis and latissimus dorsi flaps have been used far more often than omental flaps. This article describes a new technique for immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omentum and reports the results obtained in 10 patients. Nine patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction after subcutaneous mastectomy. In the other patient, omentum was used in combination with skin grafting to cover a postmastectomy defect. Follow-up exceeded 16 months in the first patients. The results suggest that breast reconstruction using a laparoscopically harvested omental flap may be extremely dependable in terms of vascular supply (there was one case of partial necrosis, which healed with local management alone). The postoperative course of all patients was uneventful, and the use of laparoscopy reduced the hospital stay to less than 7 days. Donor-site scars were minimal. There was no residual loss of function, and there were no cases of incisional ventral hernia. Cosmetic results were satisfactory, with a soft breast that was both natural in appearance and stable in volume. However, in two patients the amount of omentum was found to be inadequate during the procedure; consequently, an implant was inserted under the omental flap. Breast reconstruction using a laparoscopically harvested omental flap is a new technique that allows autogenous reconstruction without disfigurement of the do-nor site and that results in a soft, natural-looking breast.     

Reconstructing the breast mound employing a secondary island omental skin flap

We have shown in an initial animal study that omentum will adequately vascularize a skin flap and allow transfer of this tissue composite for use in surgical reconstruction of the breast. Based on this experimental procedure, a technique employing a two-stage operation has been developed and used in 21 female patients in reconstruction of the breast after radical mastectomy. In the first stage, the omentum, attached to one gastroepiploic artery and vein, is exteriorized to the subcutaneous tissue of the lower abdominal wall. In the second stage, the distal omentum, now vascularizing the overlying skin and soft tissue, is moved as a secondary island flap to the anterior chest wall to complete the breast reconstruction. In all but 1 of our 21 patients who have been followed for 1 to 8 years, reconstruction of large defects, including the chest wall, breast mound, and infraclavicular axillary fold depression, was performed without use of a prosthesis. In one patient, there was complete necrosis of the flap due to vascular impairment; there were three instances of delayed healing and a significant but partial loss of the flap in one patient. All complications were encountered in the first 10 patients of the series during the time the technique was being refined.