Background: Breast reconstruction (BR) after radical mastectomy is intended to recreate symmetrical natural-appearing breasts while preserving patient safety and quality of life.
Purpose: To evaluate the esthetic results and the complications of various BR methods after radical mastectomy.
Patients and method: Between August 2006 and March 2010, 36 women underwent BR after mastectomy in our institution. Their charts were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate the results and complications. We used immediate BR for Stage I and IIa breast carcinoma, and delayed BR for stage IIb and III breast carcinoma.
Results: We performed a pedicled Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle flap in 13 cases, pedicled Latissimus Dorsi with silicone implant in 10 cases, free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap in 9 cases, and other procedures in four cases. The encountered complications were: total flap failure--one case, partial edge flap necrosis--three cases, donor area wound dehiscence--one case, seroma--one case, local infection--one case.
Discussion: Trends in BR in recent years focus more on free perforator flaps, with the DIEP flap being the leader. Internal mammary vessels are most often used as recipient vessels for anasthomoses. Immediate BR when indicated has better aesthetic results. In less well-developed countries, insurance companies do not cover implant expenses and the autologous procedures remain the best option.