Indications and controversies for nonabdominally-based complete autologous tissue breast reconstruction

Autologous breast reconstruction can be challenging in mastectomy patients who are not eligible for a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap reconstruction. Depending on the body habitus, alternative donor sites for free flap transfer can be found on the back, the thighs, and in the gluteal area. These alternative flaps can demand a higher level of expertise, which should be mastered by the modern day reconstructive microsurgeon. The flap choice should be tailored individually to each patient and should not be limited by the difficulty of the surgery

Reconstruction of the Achilles tendon and overlying soft tissue by free composite anterolateral thigh flap with vascularized fascia lata

Segmental loss of the Achilles tendon with overlying soft tissue and skin defect remains a complex reconstructive challenge. Successful reconstruction combines tendon repair with coverage of the defect by soft tissue flaps, creating an entity that meets up to three predetermined goals: (1) approaching preinjury functionality, (2) resisting shearing forces, and (3) achieving an esthetic result. From June 2009 to June 2011, our center submitted six patients to a one-stage procedure correcting the Achilles tendon using a composite free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap with vascularized fascia lata. The flap sizes ranged from 5 to 8 cm in width and 16 to 20 cm in length and all flaps included vascularized fascia lata which was rolled to serve as an Achilles tendon. After reconstruction our patients showed good functional results, these patients could walk, climb stairs, and tiptoe again without support. Moreover, normal footwear could be worn. A free composite ALT flap with vascularized fascia lata is a reliable option for coverage of Achilles tendon and overlying soft tissue defects, even in elderly patients

Intracranial complications of midline nasal dermoid cysts

Background: Nasal dermoid cysts are common tumors in children. Due to anomalies in embryologic development of the nasal complex, sometimes an intracranial extension exists. When these cysts become infected they can lead to meningitis, brain abscess and death. Methods: We report the case of a 1.5-year-old girl admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit after infection of a nasal dermoid cyst. Results: The infant had a spiking fever and epileptic seizures. She was stabilized, intubated and a CT scan showed a subcutaneous mass with an adjacent zone of encephalitis and brain abscess formation. Neurosurgical interventions were necessary to lower intracranial pressure and control infectious spread. After a hospital stay of 69 days the child could be discharged. Due to her young age, irreversible brain damage is expected. Conclusion: Nasal midline dermoid cysts are considered benign swellings. When an intracranial extension exists, infection can lead to deleterious complications. It is important for health care practitioners to be aware of this imminent risk. Suspicion of a nasal midline dermoid cyst should prompt a careful clinical work-up with an ultrasound followed by CT or MRI imaging. The treatment is complete excision to avoid disastrous complications and recurrences

Lumbar flap versus the gold standard : comparison to the DIEP flap

Background: The lumbar artery perforator flap is an excellent free flap for breast reconstruction whenever the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is not an option. The main indication is a lack of abdominal bulk, often seen in young BRCA-positive women seeking prophylactic amputation and immediate reconstruction. Methods: Between October of 2010 and July of 2016, a total of 661 free flap breast reconstructions were performed. The authors retrospectively analyzed patient demographics, perioperative parameters, and secondary corrections. Results: Seventy-six lumbar artery perforator flaps were retained and compared with a cohort of 560 DIEP flaps. The average body mass index for lumbar patients was 23.8 kg/m(2), with a mean age at operation of 46.3 years. Average body mass index for DIEP patients was 25.2 kg/m(2), with a mean age at operation of 48.8 years old. Lumbar artery perforator flap weight was 504 g (range, 77 to 1216 g) on average versus 530 g (range, 108 to 1968 g) for the DIEP flaps. The amount of corrective procedures performed was very similar in both cohorts: 13 percent of the lumbar artery perforator and 12 percent of the DIEP patients underwent no procedures, 62 percent in both groups underwent one procedure, and 25 percent versus 27 percent underwent two or more procedures. Lipofilling was performed in 48 percent of lumbar artery perforator flaps compared with 57 percent of the DIEP flaps (p = 0.14). Mean volume injected was 98.0 cc and 125.1 cc for lumbar artery perforator and DIEP flaps, respectively (p = 0.071). Conclusions: The lumbar flap is a good alternative whenever a DIEP flap is not possible. Bilateral autologous reconstruction is possible even in very thin patients, and secondary corrections are comparable to those for the DIEP

Comparing the lumbar and SGAP flaps to the DIEP flap using the BREAST-Q

Background: The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction. When the abdomen is not available, alternative donor sites can be found at the buttock, the lumbar region, or the thighs. These flaps are referred to as second-choice flaps. This study compares the superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap and the lumbar artery perforator (LAP) flap to the DIEP flap using patient-reported outcomes. Methods: A retrospective study was performed reviewing the records of 417 women who underwent a free flap breast reconstruction with either a DIEP, an LAP, or an SGAP flap, between 2006 and 2018. Patients were asked to fill out the BREAST-Q questionnaire, and patient-reported outcomes were analyzed and correlated to the demographic information. Results: The response rate was 54.5 percent, with 50 LAP, 153 DIEP, and 25 SGAP flap patients participating. When questioned about their satisfaction with breasts and satisfaction with outcome, all three procedures were rated similarly high. When comparing the physical well-being of the donor site and appearance of the donor site, LAP flap patients reported significantly lower scores than DIEP and SGAP flap patients. Conclusions: Patients who undergo LAP or SGAP flap breast reconstruction seem similarly satisfied with the appearance and outcome of their free flap breast reconstruction compared with DIEP flap patients. The donor-site morbidity and its impact on the patient's well-being in SGAP and LAP flap patients have been underestimated. Despite more donor-site discomfort, the LAP and SGAP flaps are feasible alternatives whenever the DIEP flap is not possible

Nipple reconstruction in autologous breast reconstruction after areola-sparing mastectomy

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Bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction to a single set of internal mammary vessels : technique, safety, and outcomes after 250 flaps

Background: The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is considered the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction. In bilateral cases, both flaps are often anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels on either side of the sternum. The authors propose a method in which both flaps are anastomosed to only the right side internal mammary artery and vein. Methods: Between November of 2009 and March of 2018, 125 patients underwent bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction with this technique. One flap is perfused by the anterograde proximal internal mammary artery and the second one by the retrograde distal internal mammary artery after presternal tunneling. Patient demographics and operative details were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Two hundred fifty flaps were performed. One hundred fifty-two flaps were prophylactic or primary reconstructions (60.8 percent), 70 were secondary reconstructions (28 percent), and 28 were tertiary reconstructions (11.2 percent). Mean patient age was 46 years, and the mean body mass index was 25 kg/m(2). Sixty patients underwent radiation therapy or chemotherapy (48 percent). The authors encountered one significant partial failure (0.4 percent) and nine complete flap failures (3.6 percent). The authors did not see a statistically significant predisposition for failure comparing the retrograde with the anterograde flow flaps, nor when comparing the tunneled with the nontunneled flaps. Conclusions: The authors' results show that anastomosing both DIEP flaps to a single set of mammary vessels is safe and reliable. The authors conclude that the retrograde flow through the distal internal mammary artery is sufficient for free flap perfusion and that subcutaneous tunneling of a free flap pedicle does not predispose to flap failure