Breast reconstruction with a free DIEP (TRAM) flap complicated by cardiac tamponade and arrest: a case report

G F Pratt; J G Faris; M Lethbridge; L G Teh

doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2008.10.019

Breast reconstruction with a free DIEP (TRAM) flap complicated by cardiac tamponade and arrest: a case report

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2009 Mar;62(3):e73-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2008.10.019. Epub 2008 Dec 9.

Authors

G F Pratt¹, J G Faris, M Lethbridge, L G Teh

Affiliation

¹ Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands 6009 Western Australia. georges@iinet.net.au

PMID: 19081309
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2008.10.019

Abstract

Breast reconstruction with free-tissue transfer is now well established and provides excellent aesthetic results. There has been an increasing swing in the literature in the use of internal mammary vessels as the preferred recipient vessels for this procedure. We present a case of a hitherto undocumented life-threatening complication related to the use of these vessels.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Anastomosis, Surgical / methods
Breast Neoplasms / surgery
Cardiac Tamponade / etiology*
Female
Heart Arrest / etiology*
Humans
Intraoperative Complications / etiology*
Mammaplasty / adverse effects*
Mammary Arteries / transplantation
Surgical Flaps / blood supply*
Veins / transplantation