Introduction Breast reconstruction has become integral part of breast cancer treatment. Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP)-based flap is considered the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction. Aims and Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the patient satisfaction and the incidence of complications in DIEP flaps in an Indian setup for breast reconstruction. Materials and Methods This is a prospective, nonrandomized study at a single institute-Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport Road, Bangalore. Eligible patients were women aged between 28 and 60 years with primary breast cancer requiring mastectomy and radiotherapy, who consented for DIEP flap reconstruction. Results The study includes subjects who had autologous breast reconstruction after mastectomy with DIEP flap between January 2019 and August 2021 that included 31 patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Four flaps were turbocharged and 17 flaps were superdrained primarily. The average operative time for the whole procedure by adopting a two-team approach is 353.8 ± 43.793 minutes. About 94.1% patients had excellent aesthetic score results. Six patients developed mastectomy flap necrosis, one had fat necrosis that was managed conservatively, whereas one patient had donor site re-exploration for hematoma. We had no DIEP flap necrosis, seroma, flap site hematoma, or flap failure. Physical well-being module of Breast-Q indicated an average of 83 points, psychosocial well-being module indicated 80 points, whereas sexual scores reverted an average of 77 points. Among satisfaction module, aesthetic outcomes for breast showed an average of 94 points, whereas the donor site had 96 points. Satisfaction with information, surgeon, medical staff each gained more than 87 points. Conclusion Breast reconstruction with DIEP flap yields good aesthetic outcomes and quality of life in Indian population. The incidence of fat necrosis, flap and donor site complications is less over time and will enhance the patient satisfaction score further.
Background The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap was described by Cavadas et al in 2001. The aim of this study was to analyze the flap characteristics in the regional population and was planned as a cadaveric dissection study. Methods Thirty-three legs of fresh cadavers were studied for perforator characteristics, length, and origin of pedicle and skin paddle thickness. Observations were documented and analyzed. Results Seventeen right legs (51.5%) and sixteen left legs (48.5%) were studied. Twenty-five pedicles originated from popliteal artery (86.2%) and four (13.8%) from the common sural trunk. No perforators were seen in four legs. The mean number of perforators is 2 (0-6). The mean distance of perforator from midpoint of popliteal fossa was 10.7 cm (8-13 cm) and from posterior midline it was 3.2 cm. The mean size of the perforator was 1.1 ± 0.8 mm (0.8-1.5 mm). The mean pedicle length was 9.3 ± 1.3 cm. The mean flap thickness was 4.3 ± 0.7 mm (3.0-5.5 mm). There was no correlation for flap or perforator characteristics with side of leg. Conclusion This study concludes that MSAP is a good flap in terms of perforator characteristics, pedicle length, and flap thickness, when a medium sized thin flap with long pedicle is needed. The location of perforator on calf varies in different population. Being a perforator flap, anatomical variability is common and should be thought of while choosing this flap.
Background The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and latissimus dorsi (LD) flaps are two widely used autologous breast reconstructions. Despite studies on flap-volume changes, the time of the first measurement is not immediately after surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the change in volume over time from the immediate postoperative period using a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. Methods Patients who underwent breast reconstruction with a DIEP or LD flap between October 2019 and December 2020 at Showa University Koto Toyosu Hospital were included. The Kinect 3D scanner was used to measure the reconstructed and healthy breast volumes immediately after surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The control group was the healthy side, and the volumes obtained at each time point and ratios (to the immediate postoperative period) were calculated and analyzed using a linear mixed model. Results Of the 25 patients and 26 breasts examined, the postoperative increase in volume ratios was statistically significant in the DIEP flap group, except for the sixth month, but decreased significantly in the LD group. Compared with the control group, the volume ratio was significantly higher up to 3 months in the DIEP flap group and decreased significantly after 3 months in the LD flap group. Conclusions The volume of the LD flap continued to decrease immediately after surgery, whereas the volume of the DIEP flap increased by 10% up to 1M. Therefore, this increase in volume should be taken into consideration in studies where the initial measurements were not taken immediately after surgery.