Breast reconstruction with excess reverse abdominoplasty flap

ABSTRACT

Introduction:  Mastectomy is a highly traumatic procedure for many women, and mammary reconstruction is a fundamental part of the treatment. Reconstruction has been shown to improve the psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life of these patients, and several techniques and advancements thereof have been described in order to reach the current diversity of modern procedures, whether associated with breast implants or not. This diversity in techniques enables an appropriate selection for each individual case, thus attaining better results. The objective of this report was to present an alternative breast reconstruction method using an upper abdominal flap along with breast implants.

Method:  A 59-year-old woman had undergone right radical mastectomy and three previous breast reconstruction operations with silicone prostheses, without success. We first performed reverse abdominoplasty with exploitation of an excess right flap used as prosthesis coverage. Two years later, we performed contralateral breast symmetrization using mastopexy with a change of prosthesis.

Result:  The planned breast volume reconstruction was achieved. Discrete inflammatory signals were observed in the immediate postoperative period, mainly in the upper pole, and treated with corticosteroid therapy for two weeks; this resulted in complete regression of all signs and symptoms. Seroma was aspirated (20 ml) with a syringe on the 15th postoperative day, with no recurrence. No complications, such as epitheliolysis or flap necrosis, occurred.

Conclusion:  Breast reconstruction with an abdominal flap from reverse abdominoplasty may be an option in a subset of cases, and offers satisfactory results.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Reconstruction; Implant; Reverse abdominoplasty; Skin/ abdominal flap

RESUMO

Introdução:  A mastectomia é um procedimento muito traumático para a mulher. A reconstrução mamaria é parte fundamental do tratamento para melhorar o bem estar psicossocial e a qualidade de vida destas pacientes. Muitas técnicas foram descritas e evoluíram até chegar à atual diversidade de procedimentos modernos associados ou não as próteses mamárias. Esta diversidade de técnicas possibilita a seleção adequada para cada caso, oferecendo melhores resultados. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma alternativa cirúrgica de reconstrução mamária com retalho de abdome superior associado à prótese mamária.

Método:  paciente de 59 anos com mastectomia radical direita e três cirurgias prévias de reconstrução mamária com prótese de silicone, sem sucesso. Foi utilizada abdominoplastia reversa com aproveitamento do retalho excedente direito para cobertura de prótese no mesmo tempo cirúrgico. Simetrização da mama contralateral foi obtida dois anos depois, através de mastopexia com troca de prótese.

Resultado:  Foi obtido o resultado planejado para reconstrtução do volume mamário. Discretos sinais inflamatórios no pós-operatório imediato, principalmente no polo superior, tratado com corticoterapia por duas semanas, com regressão completa dos sinais e sintomas. Aspirado seroma (20ml) com seringa no dia 15º pós cirúrgico, sem recidiva. Não ocorreram complicações como epiteliólise ou necrose do retalho.

Conclusão:  A reconstrução mamária com retalho abdominal resultante de abdominoplastia reversa pode ser uma opção em casos especiais, oferecendo resultado satisfatório.

Descritores: Câncer mamário; Reconstrução; Implante; Abdominoplastia reversa; Retalho cutâneo/abdominal

INTRODUCTION

Breast reconstruction is a fundamental aspect of mastectomy, and has been demonstrated to improve the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of these patients ¹.

The first attempts at breast reconstruction date back to the late 19^th century²-⁵, with William Halsted, based on Rudolph Virchow’s theory, performing the first radical mastectomy in 1889² and considered that plastic surgery interfered with the local control of cancer, and thus recommended avoiding reconstructive surgery in the mastectomized region.

Harold Gilles (1942) used distant skin flaps (tubed flaps of the abdomen and lower chest) to perform the first breast reconstruction ⁶. Despite the relatively good results at the time, this technique was abandoned due to the need for multiple surgical events and the high rate of complications and scarring sequelae³.

Currently, the trend of less aggressive mastectomy has facilitated breast reconstruction as a result of increased preservation of the dermal cutaneous tissue².

Depending on the experience and preference of the surgeon, some of the most commonly used breast reconstruction techniques include:

Breast implants in breast reconstruction

Developed in 1961 by Cronin, Gerow, and Dow Corning Corp., and first presented in 1963, the silicone gel breast implant changed the field of breast reconstruction, creating the basis of delayed treatment⁷. In 1978, Jarret et al. recommended submuscular placement of the implants⁸.

In France, Arion presented the first tissue expander in 1965, but it was not until in 1982 that Radovan described its use in breast reconstruction⁹, and later, in 1984, Becker first developed a permanent tissue expander¹⁰.

Latissimus dorsi flap

The use of the latissimus dorsi muscle to restore defects caused by the absence of the pectoralis major muscle was first described in 1939 by Hutchins, but it was not until 1974 that this technique was used by Brantigan for radical post-mastectomy reconstruction; subsequently, in 1976, Olivari popularized and perfected the technique¹¹,¹².

However, due to insufficient volume, this technique usually requires placement of an implant, as described by Schneider in 1977¹³.

Transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) and free TRAM flaps

The first description of this flap was in 1979 by Robbins, who used a vertically oriented skin-muscle flap of the rectus abdominis muscle¹⁴. In 1982, Hartrampf described its use with a horizontally oriented cutaneous paddle, providing a more aesthetic donor site closure. Its advantages include the fact that is provides sufficient tissue to cover large defects, while its disadvantages include weakness generated in the abdominal wall and a risk of hernias¹⁵.

Holmström (1979) was the first to describe the free flap of the rectus abdominis¹⁶, and in 1989, Grotting published a study demonstrating the advantages of this technique such as improved blood supply, reduced risk of necrosis, and improvements in the functional loss of the abdominal wall¹⁷.

Other, no less important, techniques include the deep and superficial inferior epigastric perforator and artery flaps (DIEP and SIEA)¹⁸-²³, superior and inferior gluteal artery perforator free flaps (SGAP and IGAP)²⁴,²⁵, local dermal-fat and fasciocutaneous flaps ²⁶-³¹, and upper abdominal flap³²-³⁵.

In 2009, Deós³⁶ revisited and applied new concepts to the reverse abdominoplasty³⁷,³⁸, correcting the drawbacks of the original technique, with strategic planning in terms of the markup, flap positioning, and maintenance of a stable scar, referring to this new technique as “tensioned reverse abdominoplasty “.

Although used in many surgical situations, there are no previous reports of reverse abdominoplasty for providing an additional subcutaneous tissue for breast reconstruction to protect the silicone prosthesis. In 1992, Berrino compared different reconstructive techniques for type II breast deformities³⁹, one being a flap obtained by reverse abdominoplasty, but did not present any major conclusions or detailed the technique. Nonetheless, reverse abdominoplasty may represent a practical option for breast reconstruction in carefully selected patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present report was to describe an alternative breast reconstruction method performed using an upper abdominal flap during reverse abdominoplasty.

METHOD

A 59-year-old female patient with a history of radical mastectomy for cancer in the right breast had undergone three previous procedures (in 1997, 2007, and 2009) for breast reconstruction with implants, without success. In the last surgery, a contralateral breast prosthesis was placed with the purpose of symmetrization.

Local physical examination findings:

1. Absence of right breast volume, scar retraction, and thin skin adhering to the deep planes, without subcutaneous tissue and with traces of the nipple areola complex.

2. Contralateral breast with volume provided by silicone prosthesis, without changes.

3. Upper abdominal flaccidity with sufficient fat volume to use as a dermal-fat flap for covering the breast implant.

Surgical Technique

The incision of the reverse abdominoplasty was clearly marked, following the mammary fold and midline up to the xiphoid process. The breast area D, which should be detached from the deep layers, is based on the fold and upper pole of the contralateral breast (Figure 1). After incision and reverse detachment of the supraumbilical abdomen, the abdominal flap was fixed with adhesion sutures, followed by five traction sutures to fix it to the muscle fascia in order to prevent it from sliding down (Figure 2 A-B). The excess right dermal-fat flap was decorticated in its distal half, pulled in the cephalic direction and invaginated under the previously detached skin of breast region D, serving as a protective cushion for the breast implant. The skin of the lower portion was maintained for reconstruction of the lower breast pole (Figure 3 A-D).

Figure 1
Markup.

Figure 2
(A) - Flap detachment.

Figure 2
(B) - Adhesion sutures.

Figure 3
(A) - Evaluation of the excess upper abdominal flap.

Figure 3
(B) - Assessment of the area to be decorticated and invaginated.

Figure 3
(C) - Upper portion of the decorticated flap.

Figure 3
(D) - Invagination of the decorticated flap.

The excess left flap was discarded and accommodated to the edge of the breast fold on that side.

The de-epithelialized dermal-fat flap was set in the upper pole by five mattress sutures through the skin, impeding the sliding of the flap (Figure 4. A-B). Thereafter, a 255-ml polyurethane breast implant was placed.

Figure 4
(A) - Upper portion of the decorticated flap fixed superiorly with mattress sutures.

Figure 4
(B) - End suture and placement of a vacuum drain.

The formation of the new infra-mammary fold was created using attachment points from the periosteum of the 6^th rib.

A vacuum drain was placed in the detached abdominal area as well as in the breast implant pocket D, with outlets in the medial and lateral scar, respectively, and removed on the 4^th day after surgery, with a net volume of less than 30ml.

The sutures were performed at three levels: subcutaneous (Monocryl 3-0), subdermal (Monocryl 4-0), and skin (nylon 5/0). The mattress and skin sutures were removed on the 7^th and 12^th postoperative days, respectively.

Two years later, symmetrization was obtained through mastopexy with a change of the polyurethane prosthesis in the left breast (255ml to 145ml).

RESULTS

In the immediate postoperative period, the patient presented signs of inflammation in the right breast area, especially in the upper pole, which were treated with corticosteroid therapy for two weeks, resulting in complete regression of all signs and symptoms.

Seroma (20 ml) was aspirated with a syringe on the 15^th day after surgery, with no recurrence.

The sternal region (at the height of the drain) presented a small suture dehiscence, resulting in a hypertrophic and unsightly scar; this scar was revised 13 months after surgery.

Figure 5 shows the preoperative findings, and Figure 6 shows the results of the reconstruction and symmetrization after the second surgical procedure (two years later).

Figure 5
(A) - Preoperative frontal view.

Figure 5
(B) - Preoperative oblique view.

Figure 5
(C) - Preoperative profile.

Figure 6
(A) - Postoperative frontal view.

Figure 6
(B) - Postoperative profile.

Figure 6
(C) - Postoperative profile.

DISCUSSION

Mastectomy is highly traumatic for many women, and breast reconstruction is an essential procedure to improve the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of these patients ¹.

Conservative techniques⁷,⁸ involving breast prostheses⁹,¹⁰ have changed the trends in breast reconstruction, and influenced the advances of several modern techniques. The resulting diversity of breast reconstruction techniques enables an adequate selection for each individual case, thus offering better results.

Most breast reconstruction procedures provide sufficient coverage and volume²,⁴,⁹,¹⁴; however, breast prostheses are essential to enhance the volume and shape of the breasts and for improving the results⁸-¹⁰.

In some cases, despite having preserved anatomy, the subcutaneous tissue may be scarce or absent, hence preventing the placement of the prostheses.

In such cases, when placed, they may externalize and require removal.

In addition, many procedures use local flaps of the upper abdominal region for breast reconstruction²⁷-³¹. Reverse abdominoplasty, initially described by Rebello-Franco³⁷ and recently reviewed and improved by Deós, can provide sufficient tissue from the upper abdomen to cover the breast implant³⁶.

Alternatively, the excess flap resulting from reverse abdominoplasty may be another option for breast reconstruction in well-selected patients who have supra-umbilical abdominal flaccidity.

CONCLUSION

Breast reconstruction with an abdominal flap resulting from reverse abdominoplasty displayed satisfactory results in the case described herein, and may represent an alternative option for breast reconstruction in a select patient population.

• Institution: Clinica Osvaldo Saldanha, Regent of Accredited Service.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  23 June 2023
• Date of issue
  Apr-Jun 2014

History

• Received
  03 Dec 2013
• Accepted
  04 Mar 2014