Simultaneous pectoralis major myocutaneous flap combined with breast reduction for sternal defect coverage.
BACKGROUND
The pectoralis myocutaneous island flap is a well established technique for tissue reconstruction. In female patients with concomitant breast hypertrophy there may be a simultaneous indication for breast reduction mammoplasty. The inferior pole of the breast and the inframammary fold coincide with the skin island territory of myocutaneous flaps supplied by the thoracoacromial artery.


METHODS
A technique is described where this tissue is preserved as the flap skin island in combination with a superior pedicle reduction mammoplasty. The technique is illustrated with two exemplary cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique is suitable in women with relative unilateral or absolute bilateral large breasts with a combined sternal defect and should be taken into consideration for respective cases.
Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Hugstetterstrasse 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany. niklas.iblher@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Niklas
N
Iblher
Vincenzo
V
Penna
Stefan
S
Krischak
G Bjoern
GB
Stark
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000637:transplantation; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting