• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2004

Transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) free flap is widely used for breast reconstruction, however donor-site morbidities such as abdominal wall weakness, hernia, bulging are troublesome. For the purpose of minimizing donor-site morbidity, there has been a surge in interests in muscle sparing free TRAM flap preserving the anatomy of rectus abdominis muscle, fascia, and motor nerve. The purpose of this study is to investigate complication and morbidity after muscle sparing free TRAM flap. Between August, 1995 and May, 2003, there were 108 cases of muscle sparing free TRAM flap of breast reconstruction. There was no abdominal hernia. There were 4 cases of dog ear, 3 cases of marginal necrosis of apron flap, 2 cases of asymmetry of umbilicus. At 1 year after operation, most patients feel comfortness in physical exercise. Muscle sparing free TRAM flap provides ample amount of well vascularized soft tissue with small inclusion of rectus abdominis muscle and fascia. Also it minimizes donor-site morbidity with rapid recovery of abdominal strength.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2011

The incidence of breast cancer, the second most prevalent cancer type in South Korea, has increased by 6.8% annually in the last six years. The higher number of breast cancer patients has led to an increase in the cases of skin-sparing mastectomies, thereby increasing the need for reconstructive procedures. The reconstruction options include alloplastic techniques such as implant or autologous reconstruction with numerous flaps. The abdominal area is the preferred donor site for the harvest of autologous tissue for breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction using abdonimal tissue is commonly accomplished using the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. The establishment of microvascular surgery led to the development of the free TRAM flap because of its increased vascularity and decreased rectus abdominis sacrifice. The muscle-sparing TRAM, DIEP, and SIEA flap techniques were later developed in an effort to decrease the abdominal-donar-site morbidity by decreasing the injury to the rectus abdominis muscle and fascia. This article summarizes the various abdominal flaps for breast reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.68-79
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• 2010

Lower abdominal tissue is regarded as an ideal donor site for the breast reconstruction because it provides large skin territory and huge amount of soft tissues enough to the breast size. However it is not easy for the surgeon to reconstruct the really natural breast, and needs the learning curve with long time experience. Author represent the various reconstruction procedures for the breast using lower abdominal tissue such as muscle sparing free TRAM, DIEP, and SIEA free flaps to reinsure like breast. Indications, and selection of reconstructive methods, surgical timing, selection of donor sites and recipient vessel of these flaps were reviewed. In addition, detailed procedures, surgical tips and secondary adjuvant procedures are described for more symmetry of reconstructed breast. The muscle sparing free TRAM, DIEP, and SIEA free flaps would be enough to provide supple, huge amount of well vascularized tissue for the breast, if these flaps were selected for the appropriate indication according to patient's general condition, obesity, the opposite breast and abdominal tissue condition. Lower abdominal tissue was able to provide versatile designs with sufficient adipose tissue without compromising the integrity of abdominal wall.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2012

The free muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) and deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps involve transferring skin and subcutaneous tissue from the lower abdominal area and have many features that make them well suited for breast reconstruction. The robust blood supply of the free flap reduces the risk of fat necrosis and also enables aggressive shaping of the flap for breast reconstruction to optimize the aesthetic outcome. In addition, the free MS-TRAM flap and DIEP flap require minimal donor-site sacrifice in most cases. With proper patient selection and safe surgical technique, the free MS-TRAM flap and DIEP flap can transfer the lower abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue to provide an aesthetically pleasing breast reconstruction with minimal donor-site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 1999

The female breast is a potent symbol of maternity, sexuality, and feminity. Unfortunately, the frequency of breast cancer and mastectomy are increasing in Korea, so the reconstruction of breast becomes a important surgical procedure. The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap and to suggest the operative techniques for more successful results. This study is based on a series of 39 cases of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap in mastectomized patients. Among these cases, 21 patients underwent immediate reconstruction and 18 patients underwent delayed reconstruction. 2 patients underwent immediate bilateral reconstruction. The postoperative courses of these cases are uneventful. Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is one of the most challenging problems in plastic surgery. Nowadays the free TRAM flap is accepted as an excellent method of autogenous tissue breast reconstruction. We conclude that this technique has advantages as follows. The free TRAM flap has not associated with the complications of implant-based reconstruction. It provides sufficient volume for ptotic and natural breast, easily concealed donor site, and secondary aesthetic benefit of abdominoplasty. Unlike conventional pedicled TRAM flap, it has superiority in blood supply, and can make liberal setting of flap and sparing of rectus muscle. So it can provide more satisfaction about the final result of breast reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 2019

Background Thoracodorsal vessels (TDVs) and internal mammary vessels (IMVs) have both been widely employed as recipient vessels for use in free muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flaps. However, whether TDVs or IMVs are preferable as recipient vessels for autologous breast reconstruction with a free MS-TRAM flap remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes when TDVs were used as recipient vessels to those obtained when IMVs were used as recipient vessels for autologous breast reconstruction with a free MS-TRAM flap. Methods A retrospective matched-cohort study was performed. We retrospectively reviewed data collected from patients who underwent a free MS-TRAM flap for autologous breast reconstructions after mastectomy between March 2003 and June 2013. After a one-to-one matching using age, 100 autologous breast reconstructions were selected in this study. Of the 100 breast reconstructions, 50 flaps were anastomosed to TDVs and 50 to IMVs. Patient demographics and clinical outcomes including operation time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and aesthetic score were compared between the two groups. Results No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in patient demographics and clinical outcomes, including the complication rates and aesthetic scores. There were no major complications such as total or partial flap loss in either group. Conclusions The results of our study demonstrate that both TDVs and IMVs were safe and efficient as recipient vessels in terms of the complication rates and aesthetic outcomes.

• 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 Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2008

In the past decade, there has been increasing breast reconstructions after mastectomy, and the abdomen has been the gold standard for donor site. TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), MSTRAM (muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator), SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap has been widely used nowadays. Among them, DIEP free flap spares the whole rectus abdominis muscle and anterior rectus sheath resulting in decreased donor site morbidity. Between March of 2006 and February of 2008, six patients had undergone immediate breast reconstructions using DIEP free flap. The mean age of patients was 48.5 years. All patients had unilateral breast reconstructions. We dissected two perforators which were included in the unilateral pedicle. Thoracodorsal artery and its venae comitantes were chosen as recipient vessels. For venous anastomosis, we used the GEM Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System (Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc., Birmingham, Ala.) in four cases. All flaps were survived completely except one who showed fatty abdomen in old age. She showed repetitive vascular spasm intraoperatively. None of the patients had abdominal hernia, bulge or weakness. We believe that DIEP free flap provides a reliable method for autologous breast reconstruction if the patients are selected appropriately and performed by a skillful surgeon.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.428-434
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• 2020

Background Three-dimensional (3D) model printing improves visualization of anatomical structures in space compared to two-dimensional (2D) data and creates an exact model of the surgical site that can be used for reference during surgery. There is limited evidence on the effects of using 3D models in microsurgical reconstruction on improving clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing reconstructive breast microsurgery procedures from 2017 to 2019 who received computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans only or with 3D models for preoperative surgical planning were performed. Preoperative decision-making to undergo a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) versus muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flap, as well as whether the decision changed during flap harvest and postoperative complications were tracked based on the preoperative imaging used. In addition, we describe three example cases showing direct application of 3D mold as an accurate model to guide intraoperative dissection in complex microsurgical reconstruction. Results Fifty-eight abdominal-based breast free-flaps performed using conventional CTA were compared with a matched cohort of 58 breast free-flaps performed with 3D model print. There was no flap loss in either group. There was a significant reduction in flap harvest time with use of 3D model (CTA vs. 3D, 117.7±14.2 minutes vs. 109.8±11.6 minutes; P=0.001). In addition, there was no change in preoperative decision on type of flap harvested in all cases in 3D print group (0%), compared with 24.1% change in conventional CTA group. Conclusions Use of 3D print model improves accuracy of preoperative planning and reduces flap harvest time with similar postoperative complications in complex microsurgical reconstruction.