The external dermo glandular mammary flap: an alternative technique for chest wall reconstruction

Chest wall reconstructions can be challenging procedures especially after large thoracic defects generated by cancer resections. We report a case of an anterior chest wall defect after a recurrent metaplastic carcinoma of the breast 7 years after the mastectomy. A partial sternectomy was carried out...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of plastic surgery 2012-11, Vol.35 (11), p.823-825
Main Authors: Kotti, Bouraoui, Hdiji, Achraf, Hassouna, Jamel Ben, Rahal, Khaled
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ideas and Innovations
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Plastic Surgery
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Summary:Chest wall reconstructions can be challenging procedures especially after large thoracic defects generated by cancer resections. We report a case of an anterior chest wall defect after a recurrent metaplastic carcinoma of the breast 7 years after the mastectomy. A partial sternectomy was carried out in conjunction with resection of the first four right ribs. Chest wall skeletal defects were reconstructed with polypropylene mesh folded in four under tension. Soft tissue reconstruction was performed with an external controlateral dermoglandular flap after a mammoplasty. The 12 × 38 cm flap remained on the external mammary vascularization and was tunneled to cover the defect. After follow-up, the patient remains disease-free with satisfactory quality of life. This new breast flap can expand the therapeutic arsenal to cover such chest wall defects offering, at the same time, a mammoplasty.
ISSN:0930-343X
1435-0130
DOI:10.1007/s00238-012-0700-8