Abstract
Background
Breast cancer is a common female malignancy with numerous reconstructive options following mastectomy. However, in recurrent disease, few donor sites exist. The scapular flap may reconstruct ablative defects after recurrence. This paper describes its 5-year application.
Methods
All patients with recurrent breast cancer necessitating chest wall reconstruction with a scapular flap were included in this 5-year study. Patients were prospectively followed up for clinical, surgical and patient-reported outcome measures.
Results
Eight patients underwent scapular flap chest wall reconstruction for recurrent breast cancer. The majority of tumours were invasive ductal carcinomas (n = 5; 62.5 %). Mean duration from primary breast cancer to scapular flap reconstruction was 12 years (range 2–32 years). All flaps survived, including patients who smoked and received adjuvant radiotherapy. Donor site morbidity was minimal with full ipsilateral limb functioning.
Conclusions
Scapular flap reconstruction of the chest is a safe, reliable and consistent technique in recurrent breast cancer.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the dedication of Mrs Annie Giles and Miss Maria Mitsis, Department of Plastic Surgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, and Dr Sulaman Magdub, Department of Histopathology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, for their generous assistance and expertise with this study. Images were expertly drawn by Mr Paul Bodenham, Medical Illustrator, North Bristol NHS Trust and generously donated by Mr David Izadi, Plastic Surgery Specialist Registrar. We would also like to acknowledge the clinical photographs taken by the Department of Medical Illustration, North Bristol NHS Trust.
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National conference presentation
Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland Annual Congress (Bournemouth, UK) May, 2008 (initial data presented)
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Davis, C.R., Khattak, A., Cawthorn, S.J. et al. Chest wall reconstruction after recurrent breast cancer using the scapular flap. Eur J Plast Surg 36, 749–756 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-013-0888-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-013-0888-2