title: Usefulness of a lateral thoracodorsal flap after breast conserving surgery in laterally located breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast-conserving surgery is widely accepted as an appropriate method in breast cancer, and the lateral thoracodorsal flap provides a simple, reliable technique, especially when a mass is located in the lateral breast. This study describes the usefulness of a lateral thoracodorsal flap after breast conserving surgery in laterally located breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2008 to February 2013, a lateral thoracodorsal flap was used in 20 patients with laterally located breast cancer treated at our institution. The technique involves a local medially based, wedge shaped, fasciocutaneous transposition flap from the lateral region of the thoracic area. Overall satisfaction and aesthetic satisfaction surveys were conducted with the patients during a 6-month postoperative follow-up period. Aesthetic results in terms of breast shape and symmetry were evaluated by plastic surgeons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average specimen weight was 76.8 g. The locations of the masses were the upper lateral quadrant (n=15), the lower lateral quadrant (n=2), and the central lateral area (n=3). Complications developed in four of the cases, partial flap necrosis in one, wound dehiscence in one, and fat necrosis in two. The majority of the patients were satisfied with their cosmetic outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Partial breast reconstruction using a lateral thoracodorsal flap is well matched with breast color and texture, and the surgery is less aggressive than other techniques with few complications. Therefore, the lateral thoracodorsal flap can be a useful, reliable technique in correcting breast deformity after breast conserving surgery, especially in laterally located breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduated School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Dug
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Dong Wan
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Jeong Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kang Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Ho Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Byung Chae
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Ho Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jin Suk
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Byun
keywords: Mammaplasty; Mastectomy; Surgical flaps
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