Pre-expanded Muscle-sparing Latissimus Dorsi Flaps for Reconstruction of Severe Scar Contractures on the Anterior Chest

Objective To investigate the utility of pre-expanded muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi flaps in the reconstruction of deformities secondary to severe scar contractures on the anterior chest.Methods The function of the latissimus dorsi was preserved with blood supply from the main or lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery.The entire treatment period was divided into two stages,during which segmental latissimus dorsi flaps were pre-expanded in stage I and anterior chest scar deformities were reconstructed in stage II.During stage I,the musculocutaneous perforators arising from the lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery were determined by ultrasound preoperatively;the flap design included the anterior segment of the latissimus dorsi supplied by the musculocutaneous perforators from the lateral branch;and a tissue expander was placed following flap dissection and then infused with saline intermittently for 4–6 months.In stage II,the chest scars were excised,and breast tissues were repositioned;the continuity of the medial branch of the thoracodorsal nerve to the muscle was preserved when reconstruction was performed using the segmental latissimus dorsi flaps supplied by the main or lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery.Results From October 2010 to October 2019,21 patients(on 24 sides)underwent reconstructive procedures for extensive scar contractures on the anterior chest.All flaps survived,and their donor sites were sutured directly.During a follow-up of 3 months to 8 years,the flaps became soft and exhibited color similar to that of the adjacent tissues.The limited neck and shoulder movements improved,and postoperatively,all female patients were satisfied with the shape of their breasts.Additionally,neither apparent weakening on the adduction,internal rotation,or extension strength of the shoulder joint on the affected side nor marked depression deformity in the back was observed.Conclusion Pre-expanded muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi flaps with blood supply from the main or lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery proved to be a desirable option for the reconstruction of extensive scar contractures on the anterior chest.

IMMEDIATE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION WITH LATISSIMUS DORSI MUSCULOCUTANEOUS FLAP: A SUITABLE OPTION FOR CHINESE WOMEN AFTER MASTECTOMY

Objective： To discuss the suitable immediate breast reconstruction modalities for Chinese patients by comparing the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocytaneous flap （TRAM） reconstruction with latissimus dorsi myocytaneous flap （LTD） reconstruction plus implants or not after mastectomy due to breast cancer. Methods： From Jan. 2000 to Jul. 2005, 74 staged 0-II patients （mean age 39） were performed immediate breast reconstruction with autologous tissue either using LTD flaps or pedicled TRAM flaps with supplemental implants when necessary after mastectomy due to breast cancer and the charts were reviewed. Results： The age, marriage and menses status did not affect the selection of modalities and the need of implants. In 74 patients, 62 cases （83.8%） were performed LTD reconstruction with 13 implants and 12 cases received TRAM with 1 implant. The difference in need of implants or not between the two modalities had no statistical significance （P=0.442, Fisher＇ exact test）. Aesthetic results judged as good or fair were in 88% patients and the cosmetic effects between LTD and TRAM groups or implant and non-implant groups had no differences. All reconstructions were successful, with 4.1% cumulative locoregional recurrence and 100% overall survival by following up to 66 months （median 9 months）. The DFS and RFS between the two modalities had no significant differences by log rank test. Conclusion： Immediate autologous tissue reconstruction makes it possible to regain the natural and symmetric contour of breast without increased local recurrence. The LTD flap reconstruction is a suitable option for most Chinese women as well as the pedicled TRAM flap.

Intrathoracic latissimus dorsi muscle transposition: a reliable technique for prevention of bronchopleural fistula developing after extrapleural pneumonectomy and external beam radiotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Objective: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a life threatening complication after pneumonectomy. Extra thoracic skeletal muscle transposition especially latissimus dorsi muscle flap (LDMF) had been used to prevent this complication. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of LDMF in preventing BPF developing after extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and external radiation therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Methods: Between May 1999 and Dec. 2008, 37 patients with MPM were operated upon by EPP using LDMF prophylactically to reinforce the bronchial stump, and then received external radiation therapy with or without postoperative chemotherapy. Results: The mean age of all patients was 46.7 (range 26-57) years. Twenty five patients were males and 12 patients were females. Twenty three patients had MPM of the right side and 14 patients had MPM of the left side. The peri-operative mortality was 2.7% and only few flap related postoperative morbidity were reported in the form of minor seroma and subcutaneous surgical emphysema. The median follow up was 17 (range 9-43) months. All cases completed their postoperative external radiation therapy with no reported cases of early or late BPF. Conclusion: Intrathoracic pedicled LDMF transposition is proved to be effective in prevention of BPF developing after EPP and external radiation therapy in MPM and it is advised to be a routine step in EPP in these cases and to use more sophisticated technique of postoperative external beam radiotherapy (3D conformal or IMRT) to minimize this complication.

Latissimus Dorsi Mini-Flap as a Volume Replacement Technique after Partial Mastectomy for Breast Cancer in the Upper and Central Breast Quadrants: A Single Center Experience

Background: The latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flap plays an essential role in breast reconstruction after partial mastectomy for cancer because of its stability and versatility. We evaluated both oncologic and aesthetic outcomes in addition to the related complications of this flap as an adjunct to breast conserving surgery in the management of breast cancer patients. Methods: All patients underwent a one-stage procedure with immediate reconstruction through two-steps operation;wider local excision utilizing oncoplastic principles and mini flap harvest & volume replacement. Results: The study included 34 cases with early breast cancer;30 patients had partial breast resection and defect refilling by LD mini-flap, three patients underwent mastectomy and one patient underwent extended LDF. The mean defect volume was (212.63 cm3 ± 59.57) cm3, while the mean flap volume was (218.27 cm3 ± 53.64 cm3). Patient self-evaluation of the cosmetic outcome was excellent in 20%, good in 60% and satisfactory in 20% of patients. Panel evaluation according to Harvard scale showed excellent in 36.7%, good in 36.7%, fair in 26.7% of patients. The median hospital stay was 4 days. The postoperative complications included wound gap in 4 patients (13.3%), postoperative donor site seroma in 16 patients (53.3%). No flap loss or necrosis, no affection on arm or shoulder mobility occurred. Lastly, no tumor recurrence till now. Conclusion: Latissimus dorsi mini-flap can achieve adequate cosmetic and oncologic outcomes with a low incidence of complications in patients with early stage (I/II) breast cancer and small to medium sized breasts.

Natural History of Seroma Following the Immediate Latissimus Dorsi Flap Method of Breast Reconstruction

Background： The latissimus dorsi （LD） flap procedure remains a popular and useful breast reconstrtlction tool in China and Western countries, and donor site seroma formation is the main complication. This study was conducted in Chinese patients to determine whether stable cases of seromas would resolve without treatment. Methods： A retrospective review of 45 consecutive cases of immediate breast reconstruction with LD flap from April 2012 to February 2017 was conducted. The scope of the seroma was demarcated with a marker pen, and cases that remained stable over time （i.e. the size of the seroma did not increase） were observed without treatment. The measured outcomes included the incidence ofseromas, the volume and duration of postoperative wound drainage, and other demographic characteristics. Results： Twenty-four patients （53.3%） developed a seroma at the donor site. Of these, 21 patients （87.5%） did not require treatment, and the seroma resolved over time. The mean duration of a sustained serol-na was 6.8 ± 1.4 weeks （range： 4-9 weeks）. Conclusions： This study observed the scope and progression of the seromas and found that seromas at the LD donor sites resolved over time without treatnlent.

Application of three-dimensional digitalized reconstruction of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap

Developments of digital technology and three-dimensional(3D)reconstruction allowed a precise description of anatomic structures.With the introduction of Visible Human Project and Virtual Chinese Human(VCH)techniques,more detailed anatomic images could be obtained.Digitized visible models of these structures can be applied as a useful tool in clinical training.The aim of this study was to reconstruct the normal structures of thoracodorsal artery in 3D images and to establish the digitized visible models of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous(LDM)flap.The cross-sectional images from the four VCH datasets were reviewed to study LDM and thoraco-dorsal artery structures on a section-by-section basis.Next,two adult fresh cadaver specimens were perfused with lead oxide-gelatine mixture and subject to radio-graphic CT scanning on their torsos.The cross-sectional images from the CT images were reviewed to study thor-acodorsal artery structures.Three-dimensional computer-ized reconstructions of LDM flap structures were conducted from these datasets by using Amira 3.1(TGS)software respectively.The 3D reconstructed visible models established from these datasets perfectly displayed the anatomic characteristics of LDM flap.

Treatment options for irreparable postero-superior cuff tears in young patients

Rotator cuff tears(RCTs) occur more commonly with advanced age,with most rotator cuff abnormalities in patients less than 30 years old being painful tendinoses or partial-thickness RCTs.Irreparable postero-superior cuff tears has been reported as frequent as 7% to 10% in the general population,and the incidence of irreparable RCTs in young patients is still unknown.Several surgical procedures have been proposed for young patients with irreparable postero-superior RCTs,such as rotator cuff debridement,partial rotator cuff repair,biceps tenotomy/tenodesis,rotator cuff grafting,latissimus dorsi tendon transfer,and reverse shoulder arthroplasty.After being thoroughly investigated in open surgery,arthroscopic techniques for latissimus dorsi tendon transfer have been recently described.They have been shown to be an adequate option to open surgery for managing irreparable postero-superior RCTs refractory to conservative management.

Functional muscle transfer for restoration of elbow flexion:a review

Elbow flexion is essential to help position the hand in space and for functional use of the upper extremity.Loss of elbow function can be secondary to many etiologies,including but not limited to brachial plexus injury,traumatic muscle loss,oncologic treatment,poliomyelitis or congenital absence of motor function.The end result is a significant functional limitation of the upper extremity.One method to address the loss of elbow flexion is the use of a functional muscle transfer.These transfers can be performed as pedicled rotational transfers or free functional muscle transfers.This article reviews functional muscle transfers for restoration of elbow flexion as a treatment option for patients with an otherwise unreconstructable extremity.

Poland＇s syndrome in women： 24 cases study and literature review

Background Since its first description in 1841, numerous variations and treatments of Poland＇s syndrome （congenital deficiency of the pectoralis major muscle associated with brachysyndactyly） have been reported. None of the reports, however, involved female Chinese patients. Methods A retrospective study of 24 female patients was conducted to guide the selection of methods of surgical reconstruction. The patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of thoracic tissue development. Type I （mild）： Limited tissue loss which can be treated with simple filling with autologous fat and/or an artificial breast implant. Type II （moderate）： Moderate thoracic tissue hypoplasia where the breast parenchyma can still offer adequate implant coverage. Mammoplasty using a latissimus dorsi muscular flap with an implant was performed in this group. The flap was used to fill the infraclavicular hollow, and the implant was placed in the dual-plane pocket. Type Ⅲ （severe）： Severe thoracic tissue hypoplasia, without sufficient parenchyma to offer implant coverage. A latissimus dorsi muscular flap was used to form a total submuscular pocket in which an implant was placed. Results The numbers of Type Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ patients were 15, 3, and 6, respectively. All of the flaps and injected fat demonstrated good survival. Satisfactory cosmetic results were exhibited during the follow-up period of 1 to 9 years. Conclusions Although this group of patients showed varied conditions, they can be roughly divided into three types according to the degree of thoracic tissue development. In our experience, this classification is simple and useful in choosing the breast reconstruction options.

Cost-effectiveness of one-stage versus two-stage breast reconstruction in the United Kingdom

Aim:Permanent expanders allow for breast reconstruction as a single stage.These prostheses are more expensive than conventional tissue expanders,but this excess cost is markedly offset as only one operation is required.However,if the revision rate is sufficiently high,then this effect is negated.We aim to compare costs of one-stage vs.two-stage reconstruction at a single center,taking into account explantation and unexpected admissions following complications.Methods:A retrospective review was carried out on all patients who underwent one-stage and two-stage reconstruction over a 5-year period by a single surgeon.A cost analysis was performed taking into account,explantation and additional admissions.Results:One hundred and forty-three one-stage and 45 two-stage procedures were included.The explantation rate for one-stage procedures is 36%,at a mean of 12.9 months postimplantation,the majority of which were exchanged for silicone implants to improve cosmesis.Four(9%)of the two-stage procedures were explanted a mean of 18 months postreconstruction.Overall,one-stage reconstructions were significantly more expensive than the two-stage group(P=0.016).Conclusion:There are many benefits of one-stage breast reconstruction.However,it does not appear to be cost-effective when additional admissions for explantation surgery are taken into account.