A. Redondo Camacho's research while affiliated with Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía and other places

The use of DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap surgery in breast reconstruction is often conditioned by the patient and the oncologic treatment characteristics to such an extent that several working groups advise against this surgical procedure when any of these factors is present. In the study of this interaction, an analysis of its impact on the flap feasibility and its correlation with postoperative complications was carried out as an attempt to gain accuracy in the prescription of this technique. The factors under assessment were smoking habits, previous surgical interventions involving the abdominal wall to any extent, patient obesity, contralateral breast size, pre- and post-reconstruction radiotherapy, and lastly the medical costs. These factors coincide with the most debated issues in the related literature. The results of 55 breast reconstructions by DIEP flap surgery performed between january 2000 and november 2005 were evaluated, together with the latest studies and publications on the subject. The study revealed a poor correlation between DIEP flap surgery failure rates and the conditioning factors analyzed, while two scenarios proved to be absolutely incompatible with successful DIEP flap surgery: previous abdominoplasty and adjuvant radiotherapy after immediate reconstruction. In light of the excellent global results obtained, DIEP flap surgery is recommended over other therapeutic options.

The use of DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap surgery in breast reconstruction is often conditioned by the patient and the oncologic treatment characteristics to such an extent that several working groups advise against this surgical procedure when any of these factors is present. In the study of this interaction, an analysis of its impact on the flap feasibility and its correlation with postoperative complications was carried out as an attempt to gain accuracy in the prescription of this technique. The factors under assessment were smoking habits, previous surgical interventions involving the abdominal wall to any extent, patient obesity, contralateral breast size, pre- and post-reconstruction radiotherapy, and lastly the medical costs. These factors coincide with the most debated issues in the related literature. The results of 55 breast reconstructions by DIEP flap surgery performed between january 2000 and november 2005 were evaluated, together with the latest studies and publications on the subject. The study revealed a poor correlation between DIEP flap surgery failure rates and the conditioning factors analyzed, while two scenarios proved to be absolutely incompatible with successful DIEP flap surgery: previous abdominoplasty and adjuvant radiotherapy after immediate reconstruction. In light of the excellent global results obtained, DIEP flap surgery is recommended over other therapeutic options. © 2009 Sociedad Española de Cirugía Plástica, Reparadora y Estética (SECPRE).

Introduction. The availability of easily pliable skin has allowed the functional reconstruction of oral cavity defects. Although the radial forearm free flap is the most frequently used flap for the reconstruction of surface defects of the oral cavity, the lateral arm free flap may be preferable in some situations. Objectives. The aim of the present paper is to show the advantages and disadvantages and our indications and results for the lateral arm flap in intraoral reconstruction. Material and methods. This is a prospective work on the use of the lateral arm free flap for the reconstruction of oral cavity defects after ablative surgery. The parameters that have been evaluated are: flap viability, morbidity in the donor site, length of the pedicle, selection of recipient vessels, complications and functional results in the reconstructed area. Results. The lateral arm flap has been used in primary reconstruction after ablative surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity in ten patients. One flap was lost because of venous thrombosis. The donor site was repaired by direct closure in 8 cases and a split thickness skin graft had to be used in 2 cases. Mean pedicle length was 8.75 cm. In 9 cases a favorable functional result was achieved. Conclusions. Fasciocutaneous lateral arm flap allows the reconstruction of oral cavity defects achieving good functional results. Morbidity in the donor site is minimal and, in most cases, direct closure permits the repair of the donor site.

Introduction. The availability of easily pliable skin has allowed the functional reconstruction of oral cavity defects. Although the radial forearm free flap is the most frequently used flap for the reconstruction of surface defects of the oral cavity, the lateral arm free flap may be preferable in some situations. Objectives. The aim of the present paper is to show the advantages and disadvantages and our indications and results for the lateral arm flap in intraoral reconstruction. Material and methods. This is a prospective work on the use of the lateral arm free flap for the reconstruction of oral cavity defects after ablative surgery. The parameters that have been evaluated are: flap viability, morbidity in the donor site, length of the pedicle, selection of recipient vessels, complications and functional results in the reconstructed area. Results. The lateral arm flap has been used in primary reconstruction after ablative surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity in ten patients. One flap was lost because of venous thrombosis. The donor site was repaired by direct closure in 8 cases and a split thickness skin graft had to be used in 2 cases. Mean pedicle length was 8.75 cm. In 9 cases a favorable functional result was achieved. Conclusions. Fasciocutaneous lateral arm flap allows the reconstruction of oral cavity defects achieving good functional results. Morbidity in the donor site is minimal and, in most cases, direct closure permits the repair of the donor site.

Hand coverage is a challenge for plastic surgeons, because there are many therapeutic options available. The distally based posterior interosseous artery flap is one of the most useful elections for reconstruction of this defect. However, we can find problems in dissecting the flap due to an inconstant vascular anatomy. Anatomical variants are well known and they can be of two types: the absence of the distal anastomosis with the anterior interosseous artery and the hypoplasia or aplasia of the middle third of fhe posterior interosseous artery, with a relatively high rate of partial flap loss which may result in coverage failure. In order to prevent an unsuccessful flap harvest, we have used an interosseous free flap for a woman with a 7 x 7 cm defect in the dorsum of her left hand.

Hand coverage is a challenge for plastic surgeons, because there are many therapeutic options available. The distally based posterior interosseous artery flap is one of the most useful elections for reconstruction of this defect. However, we can find problems in dissecting the flap due to an inconstant vascular anatomy. Anatomical variants are well known and they can be of two types: the absence of the distal anastomosis with the anterior interosseous artery and the hypoplasia or aplasia of the middle third of fhe posterior interosseous artery, with a relatively high rate of partial flap loss which may result in coverage failure. In order to prevent an unsuccessful flap harvest, we have used an interosseous free flap for a woman with a 7 x 7 cm defect in the dorsum of her left hand.

Breast reconstruction through microsurgical autotrasplant is the most common procedure in breast cancer patients. The technical advances have allowed the development of the free TRAM flap (later the DIEP flap), which are the prime examples of the therapeutic material in this field. The implementation of microsurgical techniques has improved the results in breast reconstruction by increasing the survival rate and decreasing the complications. For plastic surgeons, the practice of this procedure is a genuine challenge which, nowadays, should become a daily task in all Plastic Surgery Units. In our Plastic Surgery Unit, the implementation of these techniques started in 1999, having practiced 42 cases so far. At first, the development of the microsuture was the most important issue; every surgeon"s effort was directed to achieve an optimal suture. The rest was considered of lesser importance. However, our conception has changed: we consider that the most important issue now is not only the effort mentioned above but, mainly, a satisfactory reshaping of the flap in ordee to give the breast an actual appearance. In the present study, we put forward a series of technical advices that can be useful when finishing breast reconstruction through either free TRAM or DIEP, recreating a new breast as similar to the counterside healthy breast as possible. We show up, then, the importance of this fact in order to achieve a successful breast reconstruction.

Breast reconstruction through microsurgical autotrasplant is the most common procedure in breast cancer patients. The technical advances have allowed the development of the free TRAM flap (later the DIEP flap), which are the prime examples of the therapeutic material in this field. The implementation of microsurgical techniques has improved the results in breast reconstruction by increasing the survival rate and decreasing the complications. For plastic surgeons, the practice of this procedure is a genuine challenge which, nowadays, should become a daily task in all Plastic Surgery Units. In our Plastic Surgery Unit, the implementation of these techniques started in 1999, having practiced 42 cases so far. At first, the development of the microsuture was the most important issue; every surgeon's effort was directed to achieve an optimal suture. The rest was considered of lesser importance. However, our conception has changed: we consider that the most important issue now is not only the effort mentioned above but, mainly, a satisfactory reshaping of the flap in order to give the breast an actual appearance. In the present study, we put forward a series of technical advices that can be useful when finishing breast reconstruction through either free TRAM or DIEP, recreating a new breast as similar to the counterside healthy breast as possible. We show up, then, the importance of this fact in order to achieve a successful breast reconstruction.

Breast reconstructions after breast cancer surgery are primarily performed to improve patient’s quality of life. This study investigates patient’s satisfaction and quality of life with breast reconstruction after deep inferior epigastric perforator (D.I.E.P.) flap surgery and to evaluate the aesthetic result of the breast reconstruction. Thirty-three patiens, from fifty-one DIEP breast reconstruction made between january 2000 and december 2004 were answered about three questionnaires concerning to general aspect, body image, and subjective sensation. The body image outcome was also evaluated by one plastic surgeon and a nurse. The panel evaluated breast reconstruction on 4 subescales. General satisfaction in our study was higher than in previous ones. We have received a high degree of symmetry in the objetive evaluation and a high score in body integrity in the subjective evaluation. We have found a stronger correlation between clinical observer answers compared with patient´s assessment and a strong correlation between body integrity and general satisfaction outcome