The superiorly based partial rectus abdominis and external oblique flap for lower pole coverage in prosthetic breast reconstruction: A prospective cohort study of 47 consecutive flaps

Quoc Lam, Jake Nowicki, Tamara Crittenden, Benjamin H.L. Howes, Nicola R. Dean

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated health related quality of life and morbidity in patients who had a superiorly based partial rectus abdominis and external oblique (SPREO) flap for lower pole coverage as a component of 2-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction. Methods: A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing immediate and delayed 2-stage breast reconstruction including a SPREO flap for lower pole coverage was conducted. The BREAST-Q and a study-specific questionnaire were used to determine outcomes after this procedure. BREAST-Q questionnaires were completed preoperatively and postoperatively and compared with normative values. Results: BREAST-Q questionnaires were completed by 27 women. The mean patient agewas 54.3 ± 9.6 years.Mean BREAST-Qscores improved significantly between preoperative and postoperative time points in Satisfaction with Breasts (preoperative 43.2 ± 26.9, postoperative 66.2 ± 19.5, P = 0.001) and Psychosocial Wellbeing (preoperative 59.4 ± 16.4 postoperative 75.5 ± 19.4, P = 0.002).Mean scores were not significantly different in the domains Physical Wellbeing Chest, Physical Wellbeing Abdomen and Sexual Wellbeing. Postoperative BREAST-Q scores were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than previously published normative scores in Satisfaction with Breasts. Conclusions: This study reports the use of the SPREO flap for lower pole coverage in 2-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction and demonstrates that it may be a useful addition to the existing repertoire of flaps used in breast reconstruction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)481-487
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Plastic Surgery
Volume85
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2020

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Breast reconstruction
  • External oblique flap
  • Quality of life

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