Lumbar Artery Perforator Flap: Video Surgical Sequence

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

2021

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Introduction:The DIEP flap is considered the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction. Despite the benefit of a lifelong natural reconstruction, some argue that the potential drawbacks, specifically operative time and recovery, are significant. We recently focused specifically on process analysis in our DIEP flap practice and present a comprehensive analysis in efficient DIEP flap breast reconstructions. Methods: Fifty consecutive bilateral DIEP flaps were prospectively tracked (100 flaps). The procedure was divided into segments (recipient site preparation, DIEP flap dissection/harvest, microsurgery, breast shaping, and abdominal closure). All individual step times were recorded for each team member. Relevant patient characteristics, intraoperative details and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Results: Average surgical time was 3 hours and 58 minutes (the fastest time recorded was 2 h and 14 min). There were no immediate postoperative complications. The anastomotic revision rate was 6%. Four surgeons contributed 34.7% of the time, three surgeons 32.2% of the time, two surgeons 23.6% of the time, and one surgeon 4.8% of total time. In procedures under 4 hours, four surgeons contributed simultaneously 36.7% of the time compared to 21.8% in the longer procedures (P = 0.004). Four surgeons contributed 45.4% of the time (P = 0.01) in the subthree-hour bilateral DIEP flap procedures. Conclusions: Efficient DIEP flap breast reconstruction can be accomplished with a well-trained and coordinated team approach involving like-minded surgeons with extensive experience working together. The synergistic map shows constant movement with utilization of hidden time, without sacrificing education, outcomes, or innovation.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient DIEP Flap: Bilateral Breast Reconstruction in Less Than Four Hours

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

2021

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“…Perforator identification and dissection are performed as was previously presented. 7 Once the flaps are isolated on the perforators, the lateral lumbar region is partially closed over drains. One flap is harvested.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lumbar Artery Perforator Flap: Initial Experience with Simultaneous Bilateral Flaps for Breast Reconstruction

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

2020

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Background: The lumbar artery perforator (LAP) flap is a useful alternative for patients who are not a candidate for breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. Due to the positioning and concerns for prolonged ischemia time, bilateral breast reconstruction using LAP flaps is frequently performed in separate stages. We present our early experience performing simultaneous LAP flaps for bilateral breast reconstruction. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent breast reconstruction with LAP flaps from December 2018 to September 2019. Demographics, flap data, and complication data were collected. Surgical sequence is presented. Results: A total of 30 simultaneous bilateral breast reconstruction were performed with LAP. We experienced 1 flap loss in an undiagnosed hypercoagulable patient. The average patient age was 52.7 years, and the average body mass index was 26.9. Most patients had a surgically absent abdominal donor site (66.7%). The average operative time was 510 minutes and ischemia time was 90.3 minutes. All flaps were performed using a composite deep inferior epigastric arterial/venous graft. Conclusions: The LAP flap is an innovative, yet technically challenging, choice for autologous breast reconstruction. In our experience, simultaneous bilateral breast reconstruction using LAP flaps can be safely performed in a single surgical stage; however, we recommend caution and a coordinated team approach. With simultaneously performing bilateral LAP flaps, there is an inherent prolonged ischemia time and, thus, an increased possibility for vasospasm and intraoperative revisions. This experience represents the first series of bilateral LAP flaps performed simultaneously.

“…2–4 Historically, common alternative options include the gluteal flaps, 5,6 thigh flaps, 3,7–10 and back flaps. 11–13 Alternative flap selection often depends on surgeon experience and the patient’s anatomy. In thin patients, it can be difficult to locate a single suitable donor site, and thus, in some situations, multiple flaps are required for a single breast.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Surgical Outcomes of Autologous Breast Reconstruction in Low BMI Patients; Beyond the Gold Standard DIEP Flap

Martinez

Plastic &Amp; Reconstructive Surgery

2023

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Background: Autologous breast reconstruction provides higher satisfaction than implant-based reconstruction in women with low body mass index (BMI). However, the accepted standard of microvascular breast reconstruction, the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, can be challenging to achieve due to the paucity of adnominal bulk in these patients. This study compared operative outcomes in women with BMI less than 23.5 following reconstruction after one of three free flap methods: the DIEP flap, alternative flaps (ie, lumbar artery perforator flap or profounda artery perforator flap), and stacked flaps. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on thin patients (BMI <23.5) who underwent autologous breast reconstruction between 2010 and 2021 by two senior authors (N.T.H. and S.S.T.) at a single institution. One hundred fifteen patients were divided into three reconstructive groups. Flap weights, complication rates, secondary revisions, and fat grafting in each group were then compared. Results: The success rate in all three groups was 100%, with only one partial flap loss in the stacked group. There was a significant difference in overall minor complications and donor complications among the three groups, with alternative flaps experiencing the most. All three groups had similar incidences of recipient breast complications, medical complications, need for secondary revisions, and amount of fat grafted. Conclusions: Autologous breast reconstruction in low BMI patients yields successful and durable results. This study shows that predictable results in the thin patient population can be obtained via alternate autologous methods beyond the standard DIEP flap. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.