Usefulness of breast-volume replacement using an inframammary adipofascial flap after breast-conservation therapy

Abstract

In breast-conservative therapy (BCT), it is difficult to repair defects in the inferior portion of the breast. We performed an immediate reconstruction using an inframammary adipofascial flap after breast conservation in 4 patients with breast cancer in the inferior portion of their breasts and evaluated the usefulness of the procedure. A skin incision is made at the inframammary line. Immediately following BCT, a tongue-shaped flap of the fat and the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle are pulled up and inserted to reconstruct the breast mound. The cosmetic outcomes of all patients were good, and this surgical procedure can be easily performed by general surgeons without the need of assistance by plastic surgeons. We believe this to be a useful surgical modality for the reconstruction of BCT in the inferior portion breast cancer.