J Korean Med Assoc.  2011 Jan;54(1):12-21.

Breast reconstruction using pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jinsupp@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

The demand for the breast reconstruction continues to grow following the acute increase in the incidence of breast cancer in Korea. The pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is one of the most commonly used methods among the autologous breast reconstruction options. A pedicled TRAM flap consists of the lower abdominal skin, subcutaneous fat tissue, and one of the rectus abdominis muscles. The blood flow to the flap is supplied through the muscle perforators, which should be strictly selected and preserved. This flap can provide sufficient healthy tissue, which can create the most ideal breast shape. Although the free flap has largely replaced the pedicled TRAM flap, the latter has also evolved with increased understanding of anatomy and physiology. Furthermore, if refined techniques are applied, complications can be minimized and comparable outcomes can be achieved. Besides all the advantages of autologous tissue breast reconstruction, the most distinct feature of the pedicled TRAM flap over the free flap is simplicity of flap elevation and elimination of the microsurgical crisis. The pedicled TRAM flap is still a competitive procedure, yielding consistent results with acceptable complication rates for most patients and should be considered as a primary option for breast reconstruction.

Keyword

Breast reconstruction; Transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Female
Free Tissue Flaps
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Mammaplasty
Muscles
Rectus Abdominis
Skin
Subcutaneous Fat

Figure

  • Figure 1 Transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is lifted from the abdominal wall after completion of elevation process. TRAM flap consists of the lower abdominal skin and fat tissue which will contribute to shaping of breast and rectus abdominis muscle which will play the role of bridge of blood supply.

  • Figure 2 Eighth intercostal nerve is identified just before the entrance to the rectus muscle. Ligation of the nerve is helpful to reduce rectus muscle mass.

  • Figure 3 Meticulous closure of the anterior rectus sheath is crucial to prevent abdominal bulge or hernia. Plication of the contralateral side sheath can balance the tension across the whole abdomen and smooth the contour of the abdomen.

  • Figure 4 Preoperative and postoperative photo of 32 year-old women who underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. Her left breast was reconstructed with pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap and her right breast was lifted with periareolar mastopexy. TRAM flap is the best resource to create natural and ptotic breast.

  • Figure 5 Thirty-five year-old lady underwent skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. Nipple reconstruction was done in second stage and areola tattoo is planned.

  • Figure 6 Delayed reconstruction was performed with transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap for 54 year-old lady who lost her right breast after modified radical mastectomy. Her left breast was reduced for symmetrization. TRAM flap can provide sufficient skin and soft tissue for delayed recosntruciton.


Reference

1. Ahn SH. Korean Breast Cancer Society. Clinical characteristics of breast cancer patients in Korea in 2000. Arch Surg. 2004. 139:27–30.
Article
2. Hartrampf CR, Scheflan M, Black PW. Breast reconstruction with a transverse abdominal island flap. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1982. 69:216–225.
Article
3. Shestak KC. Breast reconstruction with a pedicled TRAM flap. Clin Plast Surg. 1998. 25:167–182.
Article
4. Jones G. The pedicled TRAM flap in breast reconstruction. Clin Plast Surg. 2007. 34:83–104.
Article
5. Kim EK, Eom JS, Ahn SH, Son BH, Lee TJ. Evolution of the pedicled TRAM flap: a prospective study of 500 consecutive cases by a single surgeon in Asian patients. Ann Plast Surg. 2009. 63:378–382.
6. Boyd JB, Taylor GI, Corlett R. The vascular territories of the superior epigastric and the deep inferior epigastric systems. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1984. 73:1–16.
Article
7. Taylor GI, Caddy CM, Watterson PA, Crock JG. The venous territories (venosomes) of the human body: experimental study and clinical implications. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990. 86:185–213.
8. Dinner MI, Dowden RV, Scheflan M. Refinements in the use of the transverse abdominal island flap for postmastectomy reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg. 1983. 11:362–372.
Article
9. Spear SL, Ganz JC. Mathes SJ, Hentz VR, editors. Immediate post-mastectomy reconstruction: TRAM flap transposition techniques. Plastic surgery. 2006. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders;835–847.
10. Ducic I, Spear SL, Cuoco F, Hannan C. Safety and risk factors for breast reconstruction with pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps: a 10-year analysis. Ann Plast Surg. 2005. 55:559–564.
Article
11. Kroll SS, Netscher DT. Complications of TRAM flap breast reconstruction in obese patients. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1989. 84:886–892.
Article
12. Spear SL, Ducic I, Cuoco F, Taylor N. Effect of obesity on flap and donor-site complications in pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007. 119:788–795.
Article
13. Clugston PA, Gingrass MK, Azurin D, Fisher J, Maxwell GP. Ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flaps: the safer alternative? Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000. 105:77–82.
Article
14. Suh HS, Eom JS, Lee TJ. Anatomical location of the tendinous intersections of the rectus abdominis muscle in Korean women. J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006. 33:469–473.
15. Nahabedian MY, Dooley W, Singh N, Manson PN. Contour abnormalities of the abdomen after breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps: the role of muscle preservation. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2002. 109:91–101.
Article
16. Drever JM, Hodson-Walker N. Closure of the donor defect for breast reconstruction with rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1985. 76:558–565.
Article
17. Kroll SS, Marchi M. Comparison of strategies for preventing abdominal-wall weakness after TRAM flap breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1992. 89:1045–1051.
Article
18. Zienowicz RJ, May JW Jr. Hernia prevention and aesthetic contouring of the abdomen following TRAM flap breast reconstruction by the use of polypropylene mesh. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1995. 96:1346–1350.
Article
19. Pennington DG, Lam T. Gore-Tex patch repair of the anterior rectus sheath in free rectus abdominis muscle and myocutaneous flaps. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1996. 97:1436–1440.
Article
20. Moscona RA, Ramon Y, Toledano H, Barzilay G. Use of synthetic mesh for the entire abdominal wall after TRAM flap transfer. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998. 101:706–710.
Article
21. Schusterman MA, Kroll SS, Weldon ME. Immediate breast reconstruction: why the free TRAM over the conventional TRAM flap? Plast Reconstr Surg. 1992. 90:255–261.
Article
22. Kroll SS, Gherardini G, Martin JE, Reece GP, Miller MJ, Evans GR, Robb GL, Wang BG. Fat necrosis in free and pedicled TRAM flaps. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998. 102:1502–1507.
Article
23. Grotting JC, Urist MM, Maddox WA, Vasconez LO. Conventional TRAM flap versus free microsurgical TRAM flap for immediate breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1989. 83:828–841.
Article
24. Kim EK, Lee TJ, Eom JS. Comparison of fat necrosis between zone II and zone III in pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps: a prospective study of 400 consecutive cases. Ann Plast Surg. 2007. 59:256–259.
Article
25. Jewell RP, Whitney TM. TRAM fat necrosis in a young surgeon's practice: is it experience, technique, or blood flow? Ann Plast Surg. 1999. 42:424–427.
Article
26. Mizgala CL, Hartrampf CR Jr, Bennett GK. Assessment of the abdominal wall after pedicled TRAM flap surgery: 5- to 7-year follow-up of 150 consecutive patients. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1994. 93:988–1002.
27. Kroll SS, Schusterman MA, Reece GP, Miller MJ, Robb G, Evans G. Abdominal wall strength, bulging, and hernia after TRAM flap breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1995. 96:616–619.
Article
28. Suominen S, Asko-Seljavaara S, von Smitten K, Ahovuo J, Sainio P, Alaranta H. Sequelae in the abdominal wall after pedicled or free TRAM flap surgery. Ann Plast Surg. 1996. 36:629–636.
Article
29. Kang BS, Eom JS, Lee TJ. Evaluation of abdominal wall function after TRAM breast reconstruction: a prospective study in 375 consecutive cases. J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007. 34:435–439.
30. Eom JS, Hwang CH, Kim EK, Kim TG, Lee TJ. Secondary contouring of reconstructed breast with fat graft. J Korean Soc Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2009. 15:139–143.
31. Slezak S, McGibbon B, Dellon AL. The sensational transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap: return of sensibility after TRAM breast reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg. 1992. 28:210–217.
Article
32. Place MJ, Song T, Hardesty RA, Hendricks DL. Sensory reinnervation of autologous tissue TRAM flaps after breast reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg. 1997. 38:19–22.
Article
33. Lee SH, Lee TJ, Eom JS, Son BH, Ahn SH, Lee SD. Incidence and risk factors of pulmonary thromboembolism in pedicled TRAM breast reconstruction. J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006. 33:193–197.
34. Chung MS, Yoon HS, Son BH, Lee JS, Kim HJ, Park EH, Ahn SH, Lee TJ, Eom JS, Choi HS, Kwak BS. The efficacy of enoxaparin for the prevention of a pulmonary thromboembolism in a skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate recons-truction in breast cancer. J Breast Cancer. 2008. 11:125–132.
Article
35. Kim EK, Eom JS, Ahn SH, Son BH, Lee TJ. The efficacy of prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin to prevent pulmonary thromboembolism in immediate breast reconstruction using the TRAM flap. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009. 123:9–12.
Article
36. Lee TJ, Kirk I, Yoon SY, Chang H. Simultaneous TRAM flap breast reconstruction with contralateral reduction mammoplasty. J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004. 31:303–308.
Full Text Links
  • JKMA
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr