Breast reconstruction has evolved significantly during its short, 40-year history. What began as limited reconstruction through the use of local skin flaps has now become an entire array of procedures including novel autologous flaps and new techniques in implant/expander use. Throughout this evolution, the primary goal of reconstruction has always remained the same: to recreate the most natura...

Breast reconstruction with a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap can result in significant abdominal wall donor-site morbidity. Although the pedicled TRAM flap donor area reinforced with mesh results in decreased rates of postoperative abdominal bulging and hernias, the best technique to accomplish that is yet to be elucidated. We present our novel technique of posterior com...

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....

The majority of women who are undergoing mastectomy can also have breast reconstruction. In most breast units, implants and latissimus dorsi flaps can be performed. The more sophisticated transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap-based reconstructions are generally performed by plastic surgeons so that there may be logistic problems in using these techniques for immediate reconstruct...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare patient satisfaction following unilateral pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) and free abdominal flap reconstruction. METHODS Patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction using pedicled TRAM or free abdominal flaps (muscle-sparing TRAM or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap) and completed the BREAST-Q wer...

Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases treated by general and plastic surgeons. Reconstruction of the breast began in the 1960s with the invention of the silicone breast implant. Since then, breast reconstruction has undergone an evolution. It is possible to add a woman’s own tissue to enhance an implant reconstruction, as in the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, but often autologou...

HYPOTHESIS Immediate transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous breast reconstruction combined with postoperative radiation therapy after mastectomy is safe and effective. DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING University-based teaching hospital. PATIENTS From January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2003, 252 patients underwent mastectomy and immediate transverse rectus abdominis myocutane...

BACKGROUND/AIM The pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap remains widely used as a breast reconstruction technique. The bipedicled TRAM flap is not as preferable as it was formerly, mainly because of its donor site complications. However, in a number of situations, a bipedicled TRAM flap may be the only alternative. Therefore, a three-layer primary closure technique used ...

Breast conserving surgery for breast cancer has led to an increased interest in reconstruction following mastectomy. The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap has been proven to give good results in terms of restoration of body symmetry with near normal contour and consistency. Furthermore, immediate reconstruction has the advantage of a single procedure with less psychological morbidit...

INTRODUCTION Breast reconstruction with autologous tissue transfer is now a standard operation, but abnormalities of the abdominal wall contour represent a complication which has led surgeons to invent techniques to minimize the morbidity of the donor site. CASE PRESENTATION We report the case of a woman who had bilateral transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (TRAM-flap) breast recons...