Breast conserving surgery has been reserved for patients with favorable proportion between
tumor dimensions and breast size. Introduction of local flaps from the lateral thoracic region has widened the indications for
breast conserving surgery, by allowing surgeons to perform wider excisions, thus yet be able to ensure
tumor-free
surgical margins and a good aesthetic result. We have used lateral intercostal
perforator flaps and flaps harvested on the lateral thoracic artery and lateral thoracic artery axial flap in patients with small breasts and an unfavorable
tumor to breast size proportion. From May 2015 to October 2016, 19 patients with
breast tumors have been treated with BCS and immediate volume replacement reconstruction by pedicle
perforator flaps from the lateral thoracic region. In 15 patients lateral intercostal artery
perforator flaps or lateral thoracic artery
perforator flaps were used after quadrantectomy or wide local excision, in 3 patients as volume replacement after
mastectomy and in 1 patient after
mastectomy following previous augmentation
mammoplasty. In all patients, good breast symmetry was achieved, with no major complications.
Fibrosis of the flap and residual breast parenchyma, with volume reduction were noticed after postoperative
radiotherapy in thin patients or flaps with little subcutaneous fat.
Perforator flaps from the lateral thoracic region should become the gold standard for reconstructions after
breast conserving surgery involving less than 20% of the breast volume or after
mastectomy in patients with small breasts. The operating procedure is safe, quick and allows sparing of the latissimus dorsi muscle and thus minimal donor site morbidity, as well as an excellent aesthetic result.