Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences
DOI
10.3906/sag-1603-47
Abstract
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 with bipedicled TRAM flap breast reconstructions that can avoid donor site complications without using a mesh is presented. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was performed that included patients who underwent bipedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction with the three-layer primary closure technique. Between 2000 and 2015, 124 breast reconstruction patients were reviewed for donor site morbidity. Results: During the 15-year study period, 106 patients had conventional bipedicled TRAM flaps and 18 had bipedicled TRAM flaps with a surgical delay procedure. For all groups, none of the patients developed abdominal wall hernia, but three patients had bulging. Partial flap loss was the most common flap complication, present in 6 flaps (4.8%). Conclusion: The suturing technique studied provided abdominal wall closure without the use of a mesh even when utilizing a bilateral pedicle with very low complication rates.
Keywords
Abdominal hernia, donor site complication, pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, primary closure, TRAM flap
First Page
861
Last Page
867
Recommended Citation
KARAGÖZ, HÜSEYİN; ŞAHİN, CİHAN; SEVER, CELALETTİN; KÜLAHCI, YALÇIN; EREN, FİKRET; CESUR, CEYHUN; and YÜKSEL, FUAT
(2017)
"Three-layer primary closure of the bipedicled TRAM flap donor site for unilateralbreast reconstruction: a 15-year experience with 124 consecutive patients,"
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences: Vol. 47:
No.
3, Article 22.
https://doi.org/10.3906/sag-1603-47
Available at:
https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/medical/vol47/iss3/22
