Immediate breast reconstruction with laparoscopically harvested omental flap: A retrospective analysis with a maximum 12-year follow-up

What are the short‐ and long‐term abdominal consequences of an omentectomy? A systematic review

“…Twenty‐one studies were included that reported on extra‐peritoneal omental pedicles or free flaps (Table 3). 20–41 …”

“…Short‐term complications mainly consisted of postoperative ileus, abdominal wound infections and wound dehiscence and the occurrence varied between 0.7% and 23% 20–37,39,40 . Most of the complications were temporary but one of the patients died due to progressive peritonitis 20 .…”

“…Twenty-one studies were included that reported on extra-peritoneal omental pedicles or free flaps (Table 3). Indications for reconstructions varied widely and consisted of breast reconstruction, 24,30,32,33,35,37,40 thoracic reconstruction, [20][21][22]28,31,38 head and neck reconstruction, 26 cardiothoracic surgery, 27 lymphatic flap transfer, 29,34 lower extremity reconstruction for Buerger disease 23 and a combination. 25 Follow-up ranged between 14 months and a maximum of 8.5 years.…”

“…30,33 3.7 | Short-term outcome Short-term complications mainly consisted of postoperative ileus, abdominal wound infections and wound dehiscence and the occurrence varied between 0.7% and 23%. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]39,40 Most of the complications were temporary but one of the patients died due to progressive peritonitis. 20 Lee et al also reported a significantly higher pulmonary complication rate after an omentectomy for gastric cancer compared to patients with a partial omentectomy.…”

“…25 Nine studies reported no long-term donor site morbidity. 20,22,24,27,29,30,32,36,37,39,40 4 | DISCUSSION The omentum has the ability to provide the abdominal cavity with immune cells in case of intra-abdominal infections and limit the infection and its spread. 20 Although reported complications rates at short-term are low, an omentectomy is not without consequences.…”