Effects of DIEP flap-based breast reconstruction on respiratory function

Breast reconstruction (BR) is an essential part of breast cancer treatment, and the DIEP flap is considered the gold standard reconstruction technique, which uses a free abdominal flap. Concerns have been raised regarding the effects of abdominoplasty on respiratory functions. This topic has not bee...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2023-06, Vol.81, p.99-104
Main Authors: Sorotos, Michail, Firmani, Guido, Schiavone, Laurenza, Ricci, Alberto, Santanelli di Pompeo, Fabio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdominal Muscles - surgery
Abdominoplasty
Breast Neoplasms - surgery
Breast reconstruction
DIEP flap
Donor-Site closure
Epigastric Arteries - surgery
Female
Free Tissue Flaps - surgery
Humans
Mammaplasty - methods
Perforator Flap - surgery
Respiratory function
Retrospective Studies
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Summary:Breast reconstruction (BR) is an essential part of breast cancer treatment, and the DIEP flap is considered the gold standard reconstruction technique, which uses a free abdominal flap. Concerns have been raised regarding the effects of abdominoplasty on respiratory functions. This topic has not been addressed regarding donor-site closure of DIEP flaps. Our aim is to prospectively compare preoperative and postoperative spirometry in patients undergoing DIEP flap-based BR, investigating its impact on respiratory function. We enrolled 21 patients who received BR with DIEP flap in our institution, who underwent pulmonary function assessment by spirometry 1 month preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. We assessed Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). Statistical analysis was performed using the paired samples test. An improvement in the mean values of all 4 variables was found at 1 year from surgery. Namely, FEV1 improved by 0.1 L with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.39 L, FVC by 0.04 L with SD of 0.627, FEV1/FVC by 2.11 L with SD of 7.85 L, and PEF by 1.2 L with SD of 1.45 L. Only PEF was statistically significant [P = 0.001]. Our results suggest that DIEP flap BR does not negatively impact respiratory function. Although further knowledge is required, we confirm the possibility of considering the indication for abdominoplasty and DIEP flap reconstruction in patients with altered and reduced pulmonary function.
ISSN:1748-6815
1878-0539
DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2023.02.025