Download PDF
J Reconstr Microsurg 2002; 18(1): 023-028
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-19705
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Sense and Sensibility: Breast Reconstruction with Innervated TRAM Flaps

Jeffrey Scott Isenberg
  • Department of Immunology and Cancer, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 January 2002 (online)

Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

During a 25-month period, ten patients underwent post-oncologic breast reconstruction with innervated TRAM flaps. All patients were noted to have a more rapid and full return of sensation by the modalities tested than has been reported among patients with non-innervated TRAM-flap reconstructions. No complications relating to the microneural surgery were noted. Three patients experienced complications common to TRAM flaps in general: specifically, these were skin-flap necrosis in the cutaneous portion of one flap, skin necrosis of the infraumbilical skin flap at the closure site, and abdominal bulging at the donor area. Given the minimal increase in operating time required for the completion of the innervated TRAM-flap reconstruction and the obvious benefits in terms of postoperative sensation, this seems potentially to be an important modification to what is already a well-established technique.

KEYWORD

Innervated TRAM flap - sensory breast reconstruction

REFERENCES

  • 1 Hartrampf Jr R C. Bennett GK.  Autogenous tissue reconstruction in the mastectomy patient: a critical review of 300 patients. Ann Surg . 1987;  205 508-519
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Aspuland O, Korlof B. Late results following mastectomy for cancer and breast reconstruction.  Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg . 1984;  18 221-225
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Noone R B, Murphy J B, Spear S L, Little J W. A six-year experience with immediate reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1985;  76 258-269
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Courtiss E H, Goldwyn R M. Breast sensation before and after plastic surgery.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1976;  58 1-13
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Shaw W W, Orringer J S, Ratto L L, Mersmann C A. The return of sensibility in breasts reconstructed with autologous tissue. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, Scottsdale, Arizona, May 10, 1989
  • 6 Liew S, Hunt J, Pennington D. Sensory recovery following TRAM flap breast reconstruction.  Br J Plast Surg . 1996;  49 210-213
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Dellon A L. Sensory recovery in replanted fingers and transplanted toes: a review.  J Reconstr Microsurg . 1986;  2 123-129
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Leuny P C. Sensory recovery in transplanted toes.  Microsurgery . 1989;  10 242-244
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Slezak S, McGibbon B, Dellon A L. The sensational transverse rectus abdominis musculotaneous (TRAM) flap: return of sensibility after TRAM breast reconstruction.  Ann Plast Surg . 1992;  28 210-217
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Lehmann C, Gumener R, Montandon D. Sensibility and cutaneous reinnervation after breast reconstruction with musculocutaneous flaps.  Ann Plast Surg . 1991;  26 325-327
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Yano K, Matsuo Y, Hosokawa K. Breast reconstruction by means of innervated rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1998;  102 1452-1460
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar