BACKGROUND Functional outcomes in breast reconstruction are important quality measures and aid in patients' decision-making process. To address the concerns of abdominal wall morbidity with transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstructions, the authors prospectively evaluated the long-term effects of postmastectomy breast reconstruction on trunk function using objective c...

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of exhalation exercises on trunk muscle activity and Oswestry Disability Index by inducing trunk muscle activity through increasing intra-abdominal pressure and activating muscles, contributing to spinal stability. [Subjects and Methods] This intervention program included 20 male patients with chronic low back pain. A total of 10 subjects each were r...

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of draw-in exercise on abdominal muscle activity in the standing and supine positions. [Methods] Twenty healthy women participated in this study. The subjects were required to complete two draw-in exercises (standing and supine positions) using a biofeedback pressure unit. The root mean square (RMS) values of the EMG data were expres...

As microvascular techniques continue to improve, perforator flap free tissue transfer is now the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. Various options are available for breast reconstruction with autologous tissue. These include the free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, superficial inferior epigastric artery flap, supe...

BACKGROUND The abdomen remains a popular donor site for autologous tissue breast reconstruction. Recently, however, some authors have questioned whether the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap should remain a first-line reconstruction option. METHODS Between 1998 and 2009, 188 women underwent breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flaps by the senior author (J.A.A....

[Purpose] This study assessed the activity of the abdominal muscles according to the angle of the knee joints during sit-to-stand. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty healthy adult males participated in this study. Subjects initiated sit-to-stand at knee joint angles of 60°, 90°, or 120°. An electromyography system was used to measure the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the rectus abdomini...

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in the female population. Significant psychological, social, and sexual morbidity can follow mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer owing to the realization of the life-threatening disease as well as impaired body image [1]. Breast reconstruction improves the patient’s self-confidence after the loss of a breast from cancer or trauma [2]. Of ...