Arch Aesthetic Plast Surg.  2015 Oct;21(3):109-115. 10.14730/aaps.2015.21.3.109.

Breast Reconstruction Using a TRAM Free Flap with a Mini-Abdominoplasty Design and Flap Beveling

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. usj1011@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND
One of the most common breast reconstruction techniques that uses autologous tissue is the free muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flap. However, patients hesitate to choose this method because of the long transverse scar between the anterior superior iliac spines. Furthermore, traditional reconstruction using a free MS-TRAM flap entails donor site morbidities such as pain, hematoma, or seroma. Here, we introduce a mini-abdominoplasty-designed free TRAM flap with flap beveling, which can be a good method for breast reconstruction in Asian patients who have small breasts.
METHODS
Breast reconstruction with free MS-TRAM flaps using the mini-abdominoplasty design and flap beveling was performed in 10 patients following mastectomy. Patient age, presurgical brassiere cup size, tumor type, operation type, excised breast weight, elevated flap weight, flap weight used for the breast, recipient vessel, operation time, day that the abdominal drain was removed, and complications associated with both the flap and donor site were documented for all flaps and patients.
RESULTS
For all 10 mini-abdominoplasty-designed free TRAM flap procedures, no flap loss or donor site morbidity was noted over a mean follow-up time of 16 months.
CONCLUSIONS
The mini-abdominoplasty-designed free TRAM flap can safely and satisfactorily be implanted for the reconstruction of mastectomy defects. It can transfer the lower abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue for breast reconstruction with minimal donor site scarring and morbidity, especially in Asian patients, who generally have smaller breasts.

Keyword

Abdominoplasty; Mammoplasty; Myocutaneous flap

MeSH Terms

Abdominoplasty
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Breast*
Cicatrix
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Free Tissue Flaps*
Hematoma
Humans
Mammaplasty*
Mastectomy
Myocutaneous Flap
Rectus Abdominis
Seroma
Skin
Spine
Subcutaneous Tissue
Tissue Donors
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