Objective:To study vascular anastomosis patterns of internal mammary vessels (IMAV) as recipient vessels in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction and evaluate clinical outcomes.Methods:Early stage breast cancer patients receiving modified radical surgery with either immediate DIEP flap breast reconstruction or delayed DIEP breast reconstruction in the Department of Oncoplastic Plastic Surgery , Hunan Cancer Hospital from September, 2015 to January, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Unilateral pedicled DIEP flap was used in all cases with Zone Ⅳ discarded. IMAV were chosen as sole recipient vessels. According to the anatomy of flap pedicle and IMAV, the corresponding anastomosis patterns were selected, including: (1) two ends method. (2) one proximal end method. (3) two proximal ends method. (4) proximal trunk and its branch method. (5) distal end method. (6) proximal end to side method. Flap survival, breast morphology, recurrence of breast cancer, donor site wound healing were followed up. Descriptive methods were used for statistical analysis.Results:Two hundred and eight breast cancer patients were enrolled. The average age was 38.7±3.5 years (27-65 years). One hundred and nine cases received immediate breast reconstruction and 99 received delayed breast reconstruction. The average weight of flap was 410 g (295 - 640 g). The flap length was 23.9±0.8 cm. The width was 12.2±0.5 cm. The thickness of flap was 4.3±0.4 cm. The length of pedicle was 10.9±0.3 cm.One hundred and ninty-four DIEP flaps had two accompanying veins and 14 had one accompanying vein. One hundred and seventy-three cases had one internal mammary vein and 35 had two internal mammary veins. Vascular anastomosis patterns: Method 1 was used in 89 cases, method 2 in 49 cases, method 3 in 35 cases, method 4 in 25 cases, method 5 in 7 cases and method 6 in 3 cases. Among 208 flaps two failed. One flap using method 1 had vascular pedicle torsion and the other using method 2 had venous thrombosis. One case received secondary implant reconstruction following debridement and the other had recipient site was closed primarily. All the other 206 flaps survived completely without contracture deformation. The reconstructed breasts had good shape and elasticity. Linear scar was left on the donor sites. The abdominal wall function was not affected. All patients were followed up for 12-48 months (22.6 months on average) with satisfactory results. One case had brain metastasis and received further treatment. No local recurrence was found.Conclusions:According to the specific anatomy of the vascular pedicle of DIEP flap and the internal mammary vessels, the vascular anastomosis method was selected flexibly to ensure breast reconstruction safety with satisfactory results.

Objective:To study vascular anastomosis patterns of internal mammary vessels (IMAV) as recipient vessels in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction and evaluate clinical outcomes.Methods:Early stage breast cancer patients receiving modified radical surgery with either immediate DIEP flap breast reconstruction or delayed DIEP breast reconstruction in the Department of Oncoplastic Plastic Surgery , Hunan Cancer Hospital from September, 2015 to January, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Unilateral pedicled DIEP flap was used in all cases with Zone Ⅳ discarded. IMAV were chosen as sole recipient vessels. According to the anatomy of flap pedicle and IMAV, the corresponding anastomosis patterns were selected, including: (1) two ends method. (2) one proximal end method. (3) two proximal ends method. (4) proximal trunk and its branch method. (5) distal end method. (6) proximal end to side method. Flap survival, breast morphology, recurrence of breast cancer, donor site wound healing were followed up. Descriptive methods were used for statistical analysis.Results:Two hundred and eight breast cancer patients were enrolled. The average age was 38.7±3.5 years (27-65 years). One hundred and nine cases received immediate breast reconstruction and 99 received delayed breast reconstruction. The average weight of flap was 410 g (295 - 640 g). The flap length was 23.9±0.8 cm. The width was 12.2±0.5 cm. The thickness of flap was 4.3±0.4 cm. The length of pedicle was 10.9±0.3 cm.One hundred and ninty-four DIEP flaps had two accompanying veins and 14 had one accompanying vein. One hundred and seventy-three cases had one internal mammary vein and 35 had two internal mammary veins. Vascular anastomosis patterns: Method 1 was used in 89 cases, method 2 in 49 cases, method 3 in 35 cases, method 4 in 25 cases, method 5 in 7 cases and method 6 in 3 cases. Among 208 flaps two failed. One flap using method 1 had vascular pedicle torsion and the other using method 2 had venous thrombosis. One case received secondary implant reconstruction following debridement and the other had recipient site was closed primarily. All the other 206 flaps survived completely without contracture deformation. The reconstructed breasts had good shape and elasticity. Linear scar was left on the donor sites. The abdominal wall function was not affected. All patients were followed up for 12-48 months (22.6 months on average) with satisfactory results. One case had brain metastasis and received further treatment. No local recurrence was found.Conclusions:According to the specific anatomy of the vascular pedicle of DIEP flap and the internal mammary vessels, the vascular anastomosis method was selected flexibly to ensure breast reconstruction safety with satisfactory results.

Objective:To explore the necessity of combined transverse upper gracilis flap and adductor magnus perforator flap in breast reconstruction.Methods:From December 2016 to February 2019, 16 female breast cancer patients, aged 27-59 years, with an average of 40.3 years, were treated in the Department of Oncoplastic Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital. The tumors were unilateral in 9 cases on the left side and 7 cases on the right side, with a diameter of 1.5-4.5 (2.9±0.3) cm, and all of them were stage I. Pathological diagnosis included 9 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma and 7 cases of invasive lobular carcinoma. After the modified radical mastectomy, the medial thigh perforator flap was used to reconstruct the breast. Patients were randomly divided into group A and group B. In group A, the gracilis myocutaneous flap combined with the adductor magnus perforator flap was elevated. In group B, the adductor magnus perforator flap with large size reaching the front edge of gracilis muscle was directly harvested. After all the flaps were harvested with only one major adductor perforator as vascular pedicle, ICG fluorescence imaging technology was used to verify the blood supply of the flaps.Results:Eight cases of gracilis myocutaneous flap combined with adductor magnus perforator flap and 8 cases of adductor magnus perforator flap were transplanted, The length, width and thickness of the flaps were (27.5±0.4) cm, (7.1±0.5) cm and (3.8±0.4) cm, (7.4±0.3) cm and (10.8±0.5) cm respectively. The average weight of the flap was 255 g (195 g-315 g). The mean ischemia time was 75 min (55-90 min). In 16 cases, the proximal and distal ends of internal mammary vessels were used as the recipient vessels. Only anastomosing the adductor magnus perforator vessels could ensure the reliable blood supply of the flap. All flaps survived successfully in one stage. The appearance of reconstructed breast was good and there was no obvious flap contracture and deformation. 16 cases were followed up for an average of 12.5 months, and the patients＇ self perception and appearance were satisfactory. Only hidden linear scar was left on the donor site of the medial thigh flap, and the function of hip joint and leg was not affected.Conclusions:Large size of medial thigh perforator flap pedicled with the perforator of adductor magnus can be safely and reliably cut with no needing additional harvest of gracilis muscle vascular pedicle.

Objective:To present the authors’experience using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap for the salvage of tissue expander implantation failed breast reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of all patients who underwent breast reconstruction salvaged by means of a DIEP flap because of failed tissue expander implantation in the Department of Oncology Plastic Surgery of Hunan Province Cancer Hospital from July 2016 to January 2019. Flap survival, breast shape, wound healing and abdominal wall function were reviewed.Results:A total of 13 patients, female, 28 to 53 years old, were included in this study. All the patients had undergone modified mastectomy and failed tissue expander implantation before, and the expanders were removed because of infection in 3 cases, the capsule contracture and displacement in 4 cases and patients feeling uncomfortable and refused prosthesis implantation in 6 cases. Unilateral reconstruction was performed in all cases, 8 cases of left breast and 5 cases of the right. Thirteen free DIEP flaps were harvested. The length, width and thickness of DIEP flap were (25.5 ± 0.6) cm, (12.6 ± 0.4) cm and (5.9 ± 0.7) cm respectively, and the length of vascular pedicle was (11.3 ± 0.4) cm. The average weight of the flap was 435 g (390-510 g). The average operation time was 440 min (390-560 min). The proximal end of internal mammary vessels were used as the recipient vessels in 6 cases, the proximal and distal end of internal mammary vessels were used as the recipient vessels in 4 cases, the thoracodorsal vessels in 2 cases and combined the thoracodorsal vessels and the proximal end of internal mammary vessels in 1 case. All flaps survived successfully. The average follow-up period was 16.5 months (range, 12-39 months). The appearance and texture of reconstructed breast were good, and there was no flap contracture and deformation. Only concealed linear scar was left in the donor site. The motor function of abdominal wall was not limited.Conclusions:Salvaging failed tissue expander implantation breast reconstruction using DIEP flap is safe and efficient, with satisfying breast appearance and low complication rate.

Objective:To present the authors’experience using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap for the salvage of tissue expander implantation failed breast reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of all patients who underwent breast reconstruction salvaged by means of a DIEP flap because of failed tissue expander implantation in the Department of Oncology Plastic Surgery of Hunan Province Cancer Hospital from July 2016 to January 2019. Flap survival, breast shape, wound healing and abdominal wall function were reviewed.Results:A total of 13 patients, female, 28 to 53 years old, were included in this study. All the patients had undergone modified mastectomy and failed tissue expander implantation before, and the expanders were removed because of infection in 3 cases, the capsule contracture and displacement in 4 cases and patients feeling uncomfortable and refused prosthesis implantation in 6 cases. Unilateral reconstruction was performed in all cases, 8 cases of left breast and 5 cases of the right. Thirteen free DIEP flaps were harvested. The length, width and thickness of DIEP flap were (25.5 ± 0.6) cm, (12.6 ± 0.4) cm and (5.9 ± 0.7) cm respectively, and the length of vascular pedicle was (11.3 ± 0.4) cm. The average weight of the flap was 435 g (390-510 g). The average operation time was 440 min (390-560 min). The proximal end of internal mammary vessels were used as the recipient vessels in 6 cases, the proximal and distal end of internal mammary vessels were used as the recipient vessels in 4 cases, the thoracodorsal vessels in 2 cases and combined the thoracodorsal vessels and the proximal end of internal mammary vessels in 1 case. All flaps survived successfully. The average follow-up period was 16.5 months (range, 12-39 months). The appearance and texture of reconstructed breast were good, and there was no flap contracture and deformation. Only concealed linear scar was left in the donor site. The motor function of abdominal wall was not limited.Conclusions:Salvaging failed tissue expander implantation breast reconstruction using DIEP flap is safe and efficient, with satisfying breast appearance and low complication rate.

Objective:To explore the anatomical classification and application of chimeric myocutaneous medial thigh perforator (MTP) flap in head and neck reconstruction.Methods:From September 2015 to December 2018, the clinical data of 74 patients (62 males and 12 females, age ranging from 31 to 69 years, with a mean age of 50.2 years) with oral tumor, who underwent radical resection in Hunan Cancer Hospital, including 39 cases of tongue carcinoma, 24 cases of gingival carcinoma and 11 cases of buccal cancer, 26 cases of stage T4N1M0, 22 cases of stage T4N0M0,15 cases of stage T3N1M0, and 11 cases of stage T3N2M0 were retrospectively analyzed in this work.The arteries and the veins contributing to MTP were anastomosed respectively with superior thyroid arteries, while the venae comitans were anastomosed with superior thyroid venae veins or internal jugular venae vein. The size of soft tissue defect, the length, width and thickness of free medial thigh flap, the length and source of vascular pedicle were recorded. The flap survival, functional status and donor area recovery were observed.Results:The postoperative defects in size ranged from 4.0 cm×3.5 cm to 9.0 cm×5.5 cm, which were reconstructed by free chimeric myocutaneous MTP flaps. The mean length of MTP flaps was (12.5±0.4) cm, the mean width was (7.2±0.4) cm, the mean thickness was (3.5±0.2) cm. The mean pedicle length was (8.6±0.4) cm. The perforators existed consistently in all cases, and the vascular origins were classified into 6 types. There were 4 cases (5.4%) of the perforating branches originating from femoral artery between the medial femoris and the adductor longus, 6 cases (8.1%) of the perforating branches of the profunda femoral artery from the adductor longus, 16 cases (21.6%) of the perforating branches of the profunda femoral artery from the gracilis, 9 cases (12.2%) of the perforating branches of the profunda femoral artery between the gracilis and the adductor longus, 29 cases (39.2%) of the perforating branches of the profunda femoral artery from the adductor longus, and 10 cases (13.5%) of branches of the profunda femoral artery from the semimembranous muscle. All 74 flaps survived uneventfully. The donor sites and recipient sites were closed directly in all cases. All patients were followed up for 12-36 months with satisfied esthetic and functional results. Only linear scars were left in the donor sites, and the thigh function was not affected. Local recurrence happened in 4 cases, which were treated with radical resection and the left defects were reconstructed with pedicled pectoral major myocutaneous flaps.Conclusion:The chimeric myocutaneous MTP flap has good color match and texture, with abundant tissue, and consistent blood supply, and it can be harvested in various forms while leaving minimal morbidity at donor site, being an idea choice for reconstruction after surgery of oral cancer.

Objective:To explore the selection and effects of flap/myocutaneous flap repair methods for the defect after perineum tumor resection.Methods:From January 2011 to February 2017, 31 patients with vulvar tumor who were admitted to Hunan Cancer Hospital underwent repair of wound after tumor resection with various flaps/myocutaneous flaps. The patients were composed of 5 males and 26 females, aged 39-76 years, with 27 vulvar cancer and 4 Paget′s disease in primary diseases. The size of defects after vulvar tumor radical resection ranged from 8.0 cm×4.5 cm to 27.5 cm×24.0 cm. According to the theory of perforasome, the defects were repaired by the external pudendal artery perforator flap, deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, anterolateral thigh flap, internal pudendal artery perforator flap, gracilis myocutaneous flap, and profunda artery perforator flap based on the specific size and location of perineum and groin where the defect was located. According to the blood supply zone of flap, totally 17 local translocation flaps, 18 axial flaps/myocutaneous flaps, and 7 V-Y advancement flaps were resected, with an area of 7.0 cm×4.0 cm to 21.0 cm×13.0 cm. All the flaps/myocutaneous flaps were transferred in pedicled fashion, and the donor sites were closed without tension. The number of flaps/myocutaneous flaps, wound closure, flaps/myocutaneous flaps survival, and follow-up were observed and recorded.Results:Altogether 42 flaps/myocutaneous flaps were harvested in 31 patients. Two flaps/myocutaneous flaps were used in 11 cases for large circular defect repair. All the defects achieved tension-free primary closure. The blood supply of 32 flaps/myocutaneous flaps was good, while insufficient blood supply was noted in the other 10 flaps/myocutaneous flaps. Seventeen flaps/myocutaneous flaps survived smoothly. Wound dehiscence occurred in 5 flaps/myocutaneous flaps 8 to 14 days postoperatively, which was healed with dressing change. Temporary congestion was noted in 7 flaps/myocutaneous flaps 2 to 5 days postoperatively, which recovered without special treatment. Three flaps/myocutaneous flaps had infection 7 to 15 days postoperatively, two of which recovered after dressing change, while the other one had partial necrosis and received debridement and direct closure. Two flaps/myocutaneous flaps were totally necrotic 8 to 15 days postoperatively, which were repaired with pedicled rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap after debridement. Seven flaps/myocutaneous flaps had partial necrosis 7 to 20 days postoperatively and were healed after dressing change. Twenty-four patients were followed up for 9-38 months. The color of flaps/myocutaneous flaps was similar to that of the surrounding skin, the shape of vulva was natural, the movement of hip joint was not limited, the function of micturition and defecation was not affected, and tumor recurrence was noted in 3 patients.Conclusions:For the complicated large defect after perineum tumor resection, the flexible application of different forms of flaps/myocutaneous flaps to repair according to different areas regains the appearance and function. However, there are many complications, so it is necessary to further strengthen the postoperative care.

On April 11, 2019, a 36-year-old female patient was admitted to Hunan Cancer Hospital. Five years after the modified radical mastectomy for right breast cancer, she planned to undergo scar releasing and reconstruction of right chest wall and free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap transfer, right breast reconstruction, and left breast mastopexy. The defect of right chest wall after scar resection was 18 cm×10 cm. During the operation, the vascular pedicle of DIEP flap was accidentally injured, then the profunda artery perforator flap in left inner thigh was designed for salvage. The size of the flap was 20 cm×11 cm, the thickness was 4.5 cm, the length of perforator vessel pedicle was 7.6 cm, and the weight of the flap was 360 g. The right breast defect was repaired with the transferred flap and the deep cavity was filled. The vascular pedicle of profunda artery was anastomosed with the proximal end of the right internal mammary artery. The blood supply of the flap was good during surgery. The left breast mastopexy was completed at the same time, and the donor site of thigh and abdomen was closed directly. The flap survived well and the donor site healed well after surgery. During the follow-up of 7 months post surgery, the appearance and function of thigh donor site were good, no obvious complications were found, and the reconstructed breast was smaller than the contralateral side. This case suggests that the profunda artery perforator flap could be a valuable option as an alternative for DIEP harvesting failure for autologous breast reconstruction.

Objective: To explore the clinical application of the transverse upper gracilis flap (TUG) in breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients. Methods: From March 2010 to September 2016, 15 breast cancer patients received radical or modified radical mastectomy in Hunan Cancer Hospital, 8 cases of breast cancer were in stage Ⅰ and 7 cases was in stage Ⅱ. The age of patients ranged from 37 to 62 years old, (39.5±4.7) years. The TUG flap was used to reconstruct breast at the same time.The donor leg is placed in frog-leg position. Free TUG flap was harvested with gracilis muscular branch of profunda artery as pedicle. To keep tight connection between skin paddle and gracilis muscle, the perforators are not visualized. The flap was transferred to reconstruct breast, and the donor site was directly closed. Results: Mean operative time of unilateral reconstruction was 5 hours and (35± 44) minutes (with the range from 4 hours and 17 minutes to 6 hours and 5 minutes). Mean ischemia time was (52± 9 )minutes (with the range from 40 minutes to 1 hour and 16 minutes). The length of flap was (27.1±0.1) cm. The width of flap was (7.8±0.5) cm. The thickness of flap was (3.4±0.2) cm. The length of pedicle was( 6.8±0.5) cm.The average weight of flap was 350 g (ranged from 285 g to 525 g). All TUG flaps were survived. The shape, texture and elasticity of all reconstructed breasts were satisfactory, and there is no flap contracture deformation happened. Only linear scar left in the donor sites, without sacrifice of the function of thighs. All 15 patients were followed for 9-36 months (16.5 months on average). No local recurrence happened. Conclusion TUG flap can be safely harvested. It is reliable, with good texture. It is an alternative method for breast reconstruction after radical or modified radical mastectomy.

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap carrying lymphatic groin flap for treatment of upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Methods: From October 2014 to December 2016, 10 female patients, aged 37-60 (48±8) years, who had lymphedema in the upper limb after radical mastectomy, were admitted to Department of Oncology Plastic Surgery of Hunan Cancer Hospital. Three patients suffered recurrent erysipelas infections, and 4 patients suffered consistent neuropathic pain in the upper limb. Free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap carrying lymphatic groin flap was used for breast reconstruction and lymphedema treatment. Operation was performed by 2 surgeon groups including recipient site prepare group and flap harvest group. In the 10 patients, the length of the flaps was (26.2±0.3) cm, the width of the flaps was (13.4±0.4) cm, and the thickness of the flaps was (3.4±0.3) cm. All the donor sites in the abdomen were closed directly. The choices of vascular pedicles and vessels in the recipient sites, operation time, complications, operation effects, and follow-up were recorded. Results: (1) Bilateral vascular pedicle was adopted in flaps of 5 patients. Unilateral vascular pedicle was adopted in flaps of 5 patients. The recipient vessels were proximal and distal ends of internal thoracic vessels in 4 cases, the proximal end of thoracodorsal vessels in 3 cases, the proximal end of internal thoracic vessels in 2 cases, and the proximal end of internal thoracic vessels and thoracodorsal vessels in 1 case. (2) The operation time of the patients was 330-480 (406±55) min. (3) Subcutaneous edema was observed in flaps of 2 patients and donor site of 1 patient, which were all healed by dressing change therapy. The other flaps survived successfully. The reconstructed breasts were in good shape and elasticity. Nine patients had different degrees of relief in lymphedema in the upper limb. All 10 patients were followed up for 6 to 28 months, no one had recurrent erysipelas infections, and neuropathic pain in the upper limb was relieved in 2 patients. Only linear scar was left in the donor sites of 10 patients, and the function of abdomen was not affected without related complications. Conclusions Free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap carrying lymphatic groin flap can simultaneously accomplish breast reconstruction and upper limb lymphedema treatment, which is worthwhile to be popularized in clinic.