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Transverse Upper Gracilis Flap with Implant In Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: a Case Report
Author(s) -
Trignano Emilio,
Fallico Nefer,
Dessy Luca A.,
Armenti Andrea F.,
Scuderi NicolÒ,
Rubino Corrado,
Ramakrishnan Venkat
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.22165
Subject(s) - medicine , breast reconstruction , diep flap , implant , surgery , mastectomy , prosthesis , rectus abdominis muscle , breast implant , breast cancer , cancer
Autologous flaps can be used in combination with prosthesis in postmastectomy breast reconstruction. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is considered the preferred choice among autologous tissue transfer techniques. However, in patients with a peculiar figure (moderately large breasts and large thighs with flat stomach), who cannot use their abdominal tissue, the transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap with implant is investigated as a further option for breast reconstruction. This report presents a patient who underwent the TUG flap plus implant reconstruction. A bilateral skin‐sparing mastectomy was performed removing 340 g for each breast. The volume of the TUG flaps was 225 g (left) and 250 g (right). Preoperative volumes were restored by placing under the TUG muscle a round textured implant. No complications occurred during the postoperative period both in the recipient and donor site and the outcomes of the procedure were good. In cases where the use of the DIEP flap is not possible because of past laparotomies or inadequate abdominal volume, the TUG flap plus implant may be considered as a valid alternative. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:149–152, 2014.