Immediate transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction in underweight Asian patients

Abstract

Immediate breast reconstruction using TRAM flap alone can be performed with acceptable complication rates and comparable patients' satisfaction score in a well selected underweight Asian women as in a normal weight group.

Trends in Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction in an Asian Population: A 12-Year Institutional Review

“…With the evolution of the reconstruction techniques and the introduction of muscle-sparing techniques, the incidence of abdominal hernia has been reduced significantly from 3% to 1% over the last 5 years in our centre. Similarly, Kim et al have demonstrated that IBR with the TRAM flap is a viable option for patients with a low BMI (<18.5 kg/m 2 ) in a study of 564 patients with acceptable complications rates in an Asian centre (30,31). The median age of women who underwent postmastectomy reconstruction was 46 years old, which was younger than the median age of 55-59 years old at diagnosis of breast cancer in Singapore (32).…”

Bilateral Autologous Breast Reconstruction in a Patient with Unilateral Breast Cancer: A Case Report

“…It has also been associated with a more readily obtained final outcome and fewer secondary procedures [1,2,13]. Especially in small-breasted Asian women, implant-based reconstruction usually results in narrow breasts with excessive projection because small breasts tend to be wide and flat compared with most available implants [14]. Recently, we showed acceptable aesthetic results with comparable complication rates in underweight Asian women who underwent reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flaps [14].…”

“…Especially in small-breasted Asian women, implant-based reconstruction usually results in narrow breasts with excessive projection because small breasts tend to be wide and flat compared with most available implants [14]. Recently, we showed acceptable aesthetic results with comparable complication rates in underweight Asian women who underwent reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flaps [14]. Autologous reconstruction can also provide a skin island when the nipple-areolar complex must be sacrificed for oncologic reasons or due to excessive tension in larger reconstructions, as in this case.…”

Review of three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging for oncoplastic, reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery

“…Independent clinicians (and/or lay people) may be recruited to perform a 'panel assessment' of photographs in which the various aspects of cosmesis such as breast shape, size and cleavage are considered in addition to overall appearance [3,4]. Such assessments are subjective and often lack accuracy and reproducibility [5,6].…”