• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the sensation changes in upper extremity and the quality of life for post-operative mastectomy patients. Methods: This study used a descriptive study design. The participants were 132 women who had mastectomies after being diagnosed with breast cancer and were participating in breast cancer self-help groups. The sensation changes in the arm of the surgery site was measured by the arm symptoms which were subjective uncomfortable feelings of the affected arm, and the quality of life was measured by Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Collected data were analyzed by ANOVA, t-test, ${\chi}^2$-test and multiple regression with SPSS WIN 12.0 program. Results: Patients with stage IV breast cancer had severe changes in sensation of the arm. Participants with lymphedema had statistically significant changes in sensation compared to participants without lymphedema, but the quality of life was not different between the two groups. Pain by the SF 36 was statistically different between the two groups, with- and without-lymphedema. The factors in upper extremity's sensation changes which influence on quality of life were pain and heaviness. Conclusion: Nursing intervention for relieving pain and heaviness of the affected arm needs to be developed in order to improve QOL of the breast cancer survivors.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effects of a PNF intervention using elastic bands on edema, range of motion (ROM), and pain in post-mastectomy patients with upper limb lymphedema, according to their hand grip type. Methods: The subjects were 14 female patients who were at Stage II lymphedema after undergoing mastectomy for Stage II breast cancer. They were randomly divided into an experimental group (n =7) and a control group (n = 7). Both groups participated in a treatment program four times (one time under the therapist's instructions and three times as self-exercise) a week for 4 weeks. Both groups repeated an upper limb PNF pattern exercise for 30 min using elastic bands after receiving a manual lymph drainage treatment for 1 hour. Here, subjects in the experimental group performed the PNF exercise with an open-hand grip by putting their hands into the loops of elastic bands and keeping their fingers spread out. Subjects in the control group performed the PNF exercise with a closed-hand grip by holding the loops of elastic bands with their fingers. In both groups, the subjects' edema, ROM, and pain levels were measured before the intervention and 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results: As a result of the experiment, both groups demonstrated edema reductions, ROM increases, and pain reductions in four areas of the upper limbs. Notably, the experimental group exhibited larger ROM increases in flexion, extension, and abduction as well as greater edema and pain reductions than the control group. In particular, the most significant effects were found in the elbow of the four upper limb areas for edema reductions and in extension for ROM increases. Conclusion: The present study indicates that exercise therapy-based approaches using elastic bands in post-mastectomy patients with upper limb lymphedema can have different effects depending on the type of hand grip (open or closed), which is the body's most distal part. Therefore, these approaches should be based on the conditions of the distal parts of the patient's body for their effective applications in clinical practice.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2000

Free TRAM flap is now increasingly suggested to patients requiring breast reconstruction after the mastectomy. This study is to introduce the experiences of bilateral free TRAM flaps for reconstruction of bilateral breasts and to suggest the way of getting the more satisfactory results. A total of 6 breasts were reconstructed in 3 patients using bilateral free TRAM flaps immediately following the mastectomy. Average operative time for bilateral breast reconstruction was 8 hours comparing to 6.5 hours for unilateral breast reconstruction. Partial or total flap loss did not occur in 6 flaps. Abdomen was repaired directly with muscle and fascia sparing technique without necessity of mesh graft. There was no complication in donor site like abdominal hernia. Bilateral breast reconstruction can achieve exceptionally good aesthetic result with low complication if it is performed with skillful technique and experience. The reason for this is that fairly good symmetry usually is obtained in the initial surgery and in most cases only minimal additional surgery is required to achieve a satisfactory aesthetic result. The one disadvantage of bilateral reconstruction with autologous tissue is the length of the surgical procedure. Although the initial bilateral breast reconstruction can be a long, tedious procedure if free flaps are used, it must be a valuable treatment option for bilaterally mastectomized patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.539-544
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• 2008

Purpose: There have been limited reports on breast reconstruction after excision of phyllodes tumor. This paper reports four patients who had immediate reconstruction of the breast following excision of phyllodes tumor. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 14 patients from March 2000 to March 2008. Clinical data were analyzed including age, presenting symptoms and signs, type of surgery and metastasis. Results: The mean age was 38.6 years. The mean follow-up period was 40.6 months. Reconstruction was performed with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap in 3 patients and transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in 1 patient. Other cases were covered with skin graft or primary repair. 2 local recurrent cases were noted. Conclusion: The breast affected by phyllodes tumor must undergo complete excision. Followed by mastectomy, immediate reconstruction of breast improved cosmetic results, and allowed a wider surgical excision margin of tumor.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2011

Purpose: This is the report on the results of 150 consecutive cases of delayed postmastectomy reconstruction with TRAM flap performed by single surgeon. The purpose of this study is to review the merits, demerits and other considerations of this method by analyzing the results. Methods: 150 patients were reviewed retrospectively who had breast reconstruction by a single surgeon from July 2001 to July 2008. Reviewed factors include demographic factors, mastectomy method, adjuvant therapies (such as radiation, chemotherapy) complication rate, simultaneous contralateral breast procedure rate, secondary touch-up procedure rate, and patients' satisfaction. Results: Ovarall TRAM flap complication rate was 22.6%. Among them, donor site complication rate was 36%, simultaneous contralateral breast procedure rate was 44.6%, secondary touch-up procedure rate was 40%. All rates were higher compared to immediate reconstruction with TRAM flap. But the patients' satisfaction was about the same as immediate reconstruction. Conclusion: Delayed postmastectomy reconstruction with TRAM flap can yield satisfactory results despite of relatively high complication rate and concomitant procedure rate when it is performed by a experienced surgeon.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to investigate the appropriate management of severe radionecrotic wounds of the anterior chest wall associated with infection of the soft tissues and ribs and exposure of vital structures(heart and lung), and present our strategies for reconstruction of these complicated patients. 9 patients have undergone radical debridement and immediate microsurgical reconstruction for severe radionecrotic wounds of the anterior chest wall over last 7 years. All patients had extensive osteomyelitis of the ribs or sternum, and chronic infection or cutaneous fistulae. 2 patients had pericardial effusions due to longstanding inflammation, and 6 patients had pleural effusions. 2 patients had ipsilateral lung collapse. 10 free flaps were performed for coverage of the huge defects. One patient required 2 free flaps to control the inflammation. 8 free TRAM flaps were used for coverage of the defects and in addition, the rectus abdominis muscle was packed into any deep cavity. 1 patients underwent latissimus dorsi muscle free flap because of previous abdominal surgery. After extensive debridement of the infected, radionecrotic wounds, all 10 free flaps were successful. All the extensive radionecrotic defects of the anterior chest wall were completely healed. Free flaps successfully covered the exposed vital structures of the heart and lungs. Patients with severe radionecrotic defects of the anterior chest wall after ablative breast cancer surgery and radiotherapy were successfully treated by radical debridement and immediate free flap surgery. The TRAM flap together with the rectus muscle is the treatment of choice for these huge defects. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap was the second choice in patients with previous abdominal surgery. The recipient vessel should be carefully selected because of possible radiation damage and inflammation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2531-2535
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer diagnosed in young women may be more aggressive, with higher rates of local and distant recurrence compared to the disease in older women. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that Korean women have a lower incidence of breast cancer than women in the United States, but that they present at a younger age than their American counterparts. We sought to compare risk factors and management of young women with breast cancer in Boston, Massachusetts (US) with those in Seoul, South Korea (KR). Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients less than 35 years old with a diagnosis of breast cancer at academic cancer centers in the US and KR from 2000-2005. Patient data were obtained by chart review. Demographic, tumor and treatment characteristics were compared utilizing Pearson's chisquare or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests where appropriate. All differences were assessed as significant at the 0.05 level. Results: 205 patients from the US and 309 from KR were analyzed. Patients in US were more likely to have hormone receptor positive breast cancer, while patients in KR had a higher rate of triple negative lesions. Patients in US had a higher mean body mass index and more often reported use of birth control pills, while those in the KR were less likely to have a sentinel node procedure performed or to receive post mastectomy radiation. Conclusions: Patients under 35 diagnosed with breast cancer in the US and KR differ with respect to demographics, tumor characteristics and management. Although rates of breast conservation and mastectomy were similar, US patients were more likely to receive post mastectomy radiation. The lower use of sentinel node biopsy is explained by the later adoption of the technique in KR. Further evaluation is necessary to evaluate recurrence rates and survival in the setting of differing disease subtypes in these patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.312-318
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• 2001

Purpose : To assess the locoregional recurrence rate, survival rate and prognostic factors after modified radical mastectomy and postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy with or with chemotherapy in high-risk breast cancer patients. Methods : Between $1984\~1995$, 48 patients underwent postoperative irradiation to the regional lymphatics and chest wall due to large tumor size $(\geq5\;cm)$ or small tumor size (<5 cm) with axillary lymph node involvement after modified radical mastectomy. The median age of the patients was 47 years (range, $31\~79\;years$). The clinical tumor size was <2 cm in 1 patient, $2\~5\;cm$ in 15 patients, and >5 cm in 32 patients. Thirty two patients had positive axillary lymph nodes. Forty two patients were irradiated to the chest wall and regional lymph node and 6 patients were irradiated in the chest wall only. Radiation dose to the chest wall and regional lymph node was 5040 cGy/28 fraction. The median follow-up time was 61 months. Results : Locoregional recurrence rate was $8\%$ and distant metastatic rate was $14\%$. The actuarial overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate was $53\%\;and\;62\%$ at 5 years, respectively. The median survival time was 57 months. Five-year overall survival rate by the stage is $70\%$ in IIB and $58\%$ in IIA. The significant prognostic factor for survival on multivariate analysis was the stage. Conclusion : Postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy in high-risk breast cancer can reduce the locoregional recurrence rate and increase the survival time by combined chemotherapy. The significant prognostic factor for survival rate was the stage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3325-3328
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• 2016

Background: There are limited studies on oncoplastic breast conserving surgery in Asian women. We aimed to determine the applicability and safety of oncoplastic surgery, highlighting the specific circumstances when it will be most useful and compare our preferred technique with the worldwide practice of oncoplastic approaches. Materials and Methods: Breast cancer patients who underwent oncoplastic breast conserving surgery at a single institution from 1st May 2014-31st March 2015 were included. Data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics and the type of oncoplastic surgery performed were collected. Results: Nineteen breast cancer patients were identified. 42.1% of patients had grade I ptosis. The indications for surgery included a large tumor to breast size ratio (52.6%), multifocal/multicentric lesions (36.8%) and asymmetric breasts (10.6%), averting a mastectomy in 89.4%. Round block was the commonest technique in 63% of patients, in contrast to the inverted T pattern most frequently used in renowned institutions in the West. Mean and median tumor size and weight of specimen were 29.4/25mm (11 - 75mm) and 77g/64g (10 - 246g) respectively. Re-excision rate was 10.5%. Complete mastectomy was performed for one patient. One patient developed wound dehiscence which was treated conservatively. Cosmetic outcome was rated as excellent/good by 94.7% of patients. The patients remained clinically well after a median 16 months follow up. Conclusions: Oncoplastic breast conserving surgery is useful in a specific subgroup of Asian patients with a relatively small breast volume and minimal ptosis. Round block was the commonest technique in our series, in contrast to the worldwide utility of oncoplastic techniques. It is oncologically safe and has good cosmetic outcomes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.194-198
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• 2021

Robot-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction is currently performed in an attempt to seek smaller and indistinct incisions. Robotic surgery system has been evolving under the concept of minimal invasive technique which is a recent trend in surgery. One of the latest version is the da Vinci SP Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical). In this report, we will share our experiences. Two patients underwent robot-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy, each followed by immediate robot-assisted expander insertion and prepectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction, respectively. There was no open conversion or major postoperative complication. One patient experienced mild infection, which was resolved by intravenous antibiotic treatment. Simple docking process, multi-joint instruments, and thirdarm functionality are among the new surgical system's advantages. The present cases suggest that robot-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using the da Vinci SP Surgical System is feasible and safe. The promising features and potential application of da Vinci SP in breast reconstruction need further study.