February 12, 2018 Tags: Plastic Surgery News, breast reconstruction, ADM breast reconstruction, TRAM flap, DIEP flap
The most commonly used technique for breast reconstruction is tissue expander with implant. A recent study conducted by the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of South Florida investigated the use of acellular dermal matrices (ADM) during reconstructive surgeries, which has been found to increase patients’ risks of infection, seroma, hematoma, skin flap necrosis, and total complications. The study concluded that ultimately, although ADM may be appropriate for specific patients, its use in tissue expander breast reconstruction should be judiciously selected.
The Annals of Plastic Surgery journal recently asked if the use of Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap was now obsolete due to the superiority of DIEP flap in breast reconstruction. Literature and studies were examined to reach the following conclusion: “In a carefully selected patient and circumstances where microsurgery is suboptimal, unipedicled TRAM flap can be a safe and viable option with satisfactory outcomes. It should continue to remain as part of core plastic surgery training and armamentarium of plastic surgeons in autologous breast reconstruction.”
For more information:
http://news.doximity.com/entries/10943665?authenticated=false
