Background: Skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy facilitates immediate one-stage reconstruction with an implant. Traditionally, an acellular dermal matrix or a muscle flap has been used because the inferolateral portion of the implant cannot be covered by the pectoralis major muscle. However, this method has drawbacks, including infection, cost, and donor-site morbidity. Therefore, we used an autologous conjoined fascial flap composed of the pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and external oblique fascia in patients with small-to-medium breasts.
Methods: A series of 11 immediate breast reconstructions in 11 patients was carried out from March 2010 to June 2011. The conjoined fascial flap and smooth round implants were used in all patients. Postoperative photographs were evaluated by a blinded panel and scored on a four-point scale. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by a postoperative questionnaire that had five items designed to evaluate quality of life with the reconstruction.
Results: The mean body mass index was 23.2 kg/m(2), follow-up period was 30.9 months, and implant volume was 286.3 cc. Regarding complications, we observed one case of partial skin flap necrosis and one case of seroma accumulation in the axilla, both of which healed with conservative care. The mean overall breast satisfaction score was 3.18 ± 0.5.
Conclusions: The conjoined fascial flap is a viable alternative for immediate one-stage breast reconstruction with an implant. We recommend appropriate patient selection with a body mass index greater than 20 kg/m(2) and small-to-medium sized nonptotic breasts.
Level of evidence iv: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .