Breast reduction surgery in the UK and Ireland - current trends.
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INTRODUCTION: This paper reviews the current status of bilateral breast reduction surgery in the UK and Ireland. It examines the pre-operative, operative and postoperative management of women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire established information about surgeons' experience, bilateral breast reduction work-load, pre-operative assessment, selection criteria, issues of operative technique and postoperative management. This was sent to 230 consultant plastic surgeons working in the NHS in the UK and Ireland. RESULTS: There was a 61% response rate. Of respondent surgeons, 82% always perform pre-operative photography, 71% never do a mammogram even in patients above the age of 50 years. Body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used criteria for patient selection (60%). Two-thirds of the surgeons use an inferior pedicle technique and 75% of surgeons work in health authorities that restrict breast reduction surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There was significant variation in practice among surgeons performing bilateral breast reduction. This may reflect a lack of evidence base for practise. Published literature focuses almost exclusively on the description of different techniques. Further work is required to evaluate the role of pre-operative mammography, specimen mammography, antibiotics and selection criteria for surgery. (+info)
TRAM flap for immediate post mastectomy reconstruction: comparison between pedicled and free transfer.
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Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is primarily carried out to improve the patients' quality of life. The most commonly used autologous tissue for reconstruction is the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (TRAM). The TRAM flap could be transferred either as pedicled or a free flap with microvascular anastomosis. The following work was carried out to evaluate the two techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one female patients with operable breast cancer consented to immediate breast reconstruction during the period from June 1998 to December 2000. Fifteen patients had a free TRAM flap reconstruction. In sixteen patients, a pedicled TRAM flap was used. Three patients in the pedicled group underwent bilateral breast reconstruction, thus there were 19 pedicled flaps available for evaluation. Four patients in the pedicled flap group underwent reduction mammoplasty of the normal breast and in five other patients a bipedicled flap was used to achieve size matching with the reconstructed breast. Criteria for analysis included operative data, hospital stay, donor site morbidity, abdominal wall integrity, flap related complications, fat necrosis and final aesthetic result. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups as regards age and, operative time. The pedicled flap group had shorter hospital stay and less blood loss than the free flap group, which was statistically significant (p=0.007 and p=0.001, respectively). In the pedicled flap group, two patients (10.5%) experienced partial flap loss and fat necrosis was detected in two other patients. For the free flap group, two patients (13.3%) developed complete flap loss, but none suffered fat necrosis. Donor site morbidity was equal in both groups. The total number of complications was higher in the pedicled group (7/19) (36.8.8%) than in the free flap group (5/15) (33.3 degrees k) but this was not statistically significant (p=0.27). None of the patients in both groups developed abdominal wall hernia, but abdominal wall weakness was evident in eight patients in the pedicled flap group that gradually improved over 2-3 months. Aesthetic results were comparable in both groups with a slightly better figure for the free flap group, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.23). IN CONCLUSION: Although free TRAM flap seems to provide several advantages over the pedicled group, namely skin volume available for harvesting, preservation of abdominal wall integrity, and better flap contouring, yet the pedicled TRAM flap is a reliable and easy technique that will produce matching aesthetic results. (+info)
Video-assisted breast surgery: reconstruction after resection of more than 33% of the breast.
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BACKGROUND: Improvements in reconstructive mammoplasty methods have made it possible to resect more of the mammary gland while achieving good esthetic results in breast-conserving surgery. We report the esthetic results of extended wide resection of the breast with reconstruction procedures. METHODS: Breast-conserving surgery was performed using a video-assisted breast surgery (VABS) technique. Breast reconstruction was simultaneously performed using the following three methods: mobilization of the remnant mammary gland, transplantation of the lateral tissue flap, and filling with an absorbent synthetic fiber mesh or cotton. The cosmetic results were evaluated with an original five-item-by-four-step scoring system: ABNSW-assessing asymmetry, breast shape, nipple shape, skin condition, and wound scar. RESULTS: From December 2001 through March 2006, we performed endoscopic VABS in 130 patients with breast diseases. The candidates were 29 patients with breast cancer who required resection of more than 33% of the mammary gland because of ductal carcinoma in situ (1 patient), multiple cancers (6 patients), widely extended lesions (20 patients), and lesions after preoperative systemic therapy (2 patients). Twenty-one patients underwent resection of 33% to 50% of the breast, and 8 underwent resection of more than 50% of the breast. All surgical margins were negative on examination of permanent histological preparations. The original shape of the breast was preserved. There was no local recurrence after follow-up times of 33 months (maximum) and 19 months (average). CONCLUSIONS: The newly devised reconstruction methods with VABS can markedly increase the mammary gland resection volume while achieving a good esthetic outcome, ensuring a precise disease-free surgical margin, and expanding the indications for breast-conserving therapy. (+info)
Silicone gel-filled breast implants approved.
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After rigorous scientific review, the Food and Drug Administration has approved the marketing of silicone gel-filled breast implants made by two companies for breast reconstruction in women of all ages and breast augmentation in women ages 22 and older. The products are manufactured by Allergan Corp. of Irvine, Calif., and Mentor Corp. of Santa Barbara, Calif. (+info)
Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for breast reconstruction: experience with 43 flaps.
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BACKGROUND: In the past decade, there has been increasing breast reconstructions after mastectomy. The ideal material for reconstruction of a breast is fat and skin. The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap has been the gold standard for breast reconstruction until recently. Abdominal wall function is a major concern for plastic surgeons in breast reconstruction with TRAM flaps. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap spares the whole rectus abdominis muscle, includes skin and fat only, and therefore preserves adequate abdominal wall competence. The aim of this study was to summarize our experience in breast reconstruction with DIEP flap. METHODS: Between March 2000 and August 2005, a total of 43 breast reconstructions were performed on 40 patients by our surgeons using DIEP flap (3 patients had bilateral procedures), 14 of them were immediate surgeries and 26 were delayed. Abdominal function, satisfaction with the donor site and reconstructed breast, and the sensation recovery was assessed respectively during follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 38.6 years (range, 28 - 50). The size of the flaps was 11 cm x 26 cm in average (height 10 - 12 cm, width 15 - 33 cm). The mean length of the vascular pedicles was 9.3 cm (range, 7 - 12). The patients were followed up for a mean of 16 months (range, 6 - 30 months). During the follow-up, 2 (5%) patients had total flap loss, 2 (5%) had partial necrosis, 4 (9%) had wound edge necrosis in the abdomen, and 1 had axillary seroma. None of the patients had hernia, and all of them were able to resume their daily activities after the operation. Patient satisfaction with the reconstructed breast rated high, 95% of the patients achieved spontaneous return of sensation in the reconstructed breast, but none of them had a sensation equivalent or approximate to the normal. CONCLUSIONS: The DIEP flap has the same benefits as the TRAM flap without destroying the continuity of the rectus muscle. It can reduce donor-site morbidity and provide an aesthetic refinement in breast reconstruction. (+info)
Correlates of referral practices of general surgeons to plastic surgeons for mastectomy reconstruction.
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BACKGROUND: General surgeons' attitudes toward breast reconstruction may affect referrals to plastic surgeons. The propensity to refer to plastic surgeons prior to surgical treatment decisions for breast cancer varies markedly across general surgeons and is associated with receipt of reconstruction. In this study, the authors used data from a large physician survey to examine factors associated with general surgeons' propensity to refer breast cancer patients to plastic surgeons prior to mastectomy. METHODS: The authors surveyed all attending general surgeons (N=456 surgeons) from a population-based sample of breast cancer patients who were diagnosed in Detroit and Los Angeles during 2002 (N=1844 patients), with a surgeon response rate of 80%. The dependent variable was surgeon report of the percentage of their mastectomy patients in the past 2 years who they referred to plastic surgeons prior to initial surgery (referral propensity). Referral propensity was collapsed into 3 categories (<25%, 25-75%, and >75%) and regressed on the following covariates using logistic regression: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry; number of years in clinical practice; surgeons' sex; annual breast surgery volume; and hospital setting. RESULTS: Only 24% of surgeons referred>75% of their patients to plastic surgeons prior to surgery (high referral propensity). High referral propensity was associated independently with surgeons who were women (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; P=.03), high clinical breast surgery volume (OR, 4.1; P<.01), and working in cancer centers (OR, 2.4; P=.01). High-referral surgeons and low-referral surgeons also had different beliefs about women's preferences for reconstruction, with the low-referral surgeons perceiving more access barriers (cost, availability of plastic surgeons) and a lower patient priority for reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of surgeons do not refer breast cancer patients to plastic surgery at the time of surgical decision-making. Surgeons who have a high referral propensity are more likely to be women, to have a high clinical breast volume, and to work in cancer centers. These data support the importance of comanagement through multidisciplinary care models. Women need more opportunities to discuss reconstructive options to make informed surgical treatment decisions about their breast cancer. (+info)
Breast pathology in complications associated with polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) mammoplasty.
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OBJECTIVE: To study the tissue pathology of breast lesions associated with hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel injection augmentation mammoplasty. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Private anatomical pathology practice, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Eight patients who underwent lumpectomy of the breast due to complications of hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel injection for augmentation mammoplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel in breast tissue and associated pathological changes. RESULTS: We reviewed the pathological changes in breast tissue associated with hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel injection in eight cases retrieved from our archive. Microscopically, the hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel appeared as pools of pale violet gelatinous material of variable size, between the interstices of connective tissue and fat cells. The larger pools were often surrounded by cellular reactions consisting of histiocytic cells and foreign body-type multinucleated giant cells. Inflammatory reaction featuring infiltration by lymphocytes and plasma cells in the adjacent breast tissue was observed in samples from four patients, and a sample from another patient showed acute inflammation with abscess formation. There was no evidence of abnormal cellular proliferation, atypia or malignant change in the stromal connective tissue or ductal-acinic epithelial components of the breast tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel injection for augmentation mammoplasty can give rise to a breast lump and inflammation. Pathologically, this complication is associated with fibrosis, foreign body reaction, and inflammation. (+info)
Immediate breast reconstruction with expander assisted latissimus dorsi flap after skin sparing mastectomy.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDMF) used to be the standard practice for breast reconstruction; however, with the increased use of tissue expanders and the development of the transverse rectus-abdominis myocutaneous flap for autologous tissue breast reconstruction, its use has decreased. To reassess the role of the LDMF in breast reconstruction, a prospective study was performed to evaluate women who had a skin sparing mastectomy followed by immediate reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi flap and tissue expander implant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five women with early breast cancer underwent immediate latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps with tissue expander after skin sparing mastectomy. The oncologic safety of skin sparing mastectomy, the postoperative aesthetic results and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Between May 2003 and April 2005, 25 consecutive women diagnosed with breast cancer underwent skin sparing mastectomy and expander assisted immediate latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction. Their median age was 42 years, ranging from 34 to 48 years. The procedure duration ranged from 2.5 to 6 hours, with a median of 3.9 hours, however, expansion was completed by 4 months (range 1 to 8 months). Patients were discharged 7 days after surgery with a range of 5 to 15 days. The complication rate was low, manifesting with skin flap necrosis in 12%, wound infection in 4%, and port site extrusion in 4%. There was no flap loss. With the exception of seroma formation, the donor site morbidity was low (seroma 40%, hematoma 4%, back pain 8%, and limited arm movement 4%). No local recurrence was recorded. The aesthetic result of surgery was rated as excellent in 20%, good in 60%, fair in 24%, and poor in 4% of cases. The duration of post-operative follow up was 14.7 months, ranging from 6 to 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Skin sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction is an oncologically safe technique. The use of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap with tissue expansion has proved to be an effective and aesthetic method of immediate breast reconstruction after skin sparing mastectomy. (+info)