BACKGROUND The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap has been shown to be a reliable option for breast reconstruction. A further refinement in the transfer of lower abdominal tissue for breast reconstruction is the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap. A retrospective study was conducted to assess the reliability and examine the outcomes of SIEA flaps for breast reconstr...

OBJECTIVE The report herein presents a case of a 49-year-old woman with left breast cancer who presented seeking immediate autologous reconstruction. Surgical history included an abdominal hysterectomy and an abdominal contouring procedure. This is a first description of a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap after abdominal wall manipulation of this magnitude. METHODS Computed tomographi...

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...

Recent reports of breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap indicate increased fat necrosis and venous congestion as compared with the free transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap. Although the benefits of the DIEP flap regarding the abdominal wall are well documented, its reconstructive advantage remains uncertain. The main objective of this study wa...

One commonly expressed concern regarding transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction surgery is the return of sensation to the abdomen. Although many studies have focused on abdominal wall muscle incompetence or herniation, there is limited literature discussing postoperative abdominal sensation. The purpose of this study was to assess abdominal sensation a minimu...

UNLABELLED Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is primarily carried out to improve the patients' quality of life. The most commonly used autologous tissue for reconstruction is the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (TRAM). The TRAM flap could be transferred either as pedicled or a free flap with microvascular anastomosis. The following work was carried out to evaluate the two...

Background Lateral sphenoid encephaloceles present a surgical challenge. These encephaloceles may be difficult to access given their lateral location and proximity to the neural and vascular structures of the sphenoid floor, pterygopalatine fossa, and lateral and superior sphenoid walls. Additionally, many patients have idiopathic intracranial hypertension, increasing the risk of recurrence. Wh...

In breast reconstruction using a free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, the trimming process for the flap area, which is usually the upper portion of the reconstructed breast, is critical to creating a natural-looking breast. In this study, we investigated which subcutaneous fat layer of the abdominal flap benefited most from a well-maintained...

BACKGROUND The effect of liposuction on the perforators of the lower abdominal wall has been investigated in several studies. There are controversial results in the literature that have primarily demonstrated the number and patency of the perforators. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of liposuction on the perfusion of perforator-based abdominal flaps using a combined laser-Dopp...

Most postmastectomy defects are reconstructed by use of lower abdominal-wall tissue either as a pedicled or free flap. However, there are some contraindications for using lower abdominal flaps in breast reconstruction, such as inadequate soft-tissue volume, previous abdominoplasty, lower paramedian or multiple abdominal scars, and plans for future pregnancy. In such situations, a gluteal flap h...