Breast-sparing reconstruction with latissimus dorsi miniflaps

Abstract

Volume loss following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is the key reason for major local deformity and a bad cosmetic outcome. Latissimus dorsi miniflaps can be used to reconstruct central and upper quadrant resection defects, replacing the volume excised with autogenous tissue. Partial mastectomy, axillary dissection, flap harvest and reconstruction of the resection defect is performed as a one-stage procedure through a single lateral incision. This oncoplastic approach allows extensive local excision during BCS without cosmetic penalties in a group of patients normally treated by mastectomy.