title: Long-term results of breast volume replacement using an inframammary adipofascial flap after breast-conserving surgery.
abstract: We have used an inframammary adipofascial flap for breast-conserving reconstruction in the inferior portion of the breast since 2005. The aim herein is to report this oncoplastic procedure in detail, including the long-term results. The surgical procedure was as follows: A skin incision is made at the inframammary line. After partial resection of the breast, a tongue-shaped flap of the fat and the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle are pulled up in the inframammary area. The flap is then inserted into the breast area where the tumor was removed, and it is secured with absorbable sutures to the surrounding breast tissue. When making the flap, it is very important to preserve several intercostal perforators around the inframammary line. Cosmetic results at more than 5 years after the operation in the 5 patients were assessed using photographs. The results were found to be good in 4 cases (80%) and poor in 1 case. The poor outcome was a case with 100% fat necrosis of the flap. This surgical procedure is easy to perform, and the long-term cosmetic outcomes were good, without complications. We consider this procedure to be useful for breast-conserving reconstruction after breast cancer occurring in the inferior portion of the breast.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan, mokomoko@clin.medic.mie-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanamura
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kashikura
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000601:surgery; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary