Outpatient Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction

Background:. The extensive nature of perforator-based breast reconstructions, combined with the need for postoperative flap monitoring, often leads to long hospitalizations. We present an early report demonstrating the feasibility and advantages of a modified operative technique and recovery protoco...

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Main Authors: Carlos A. Martinez, MD, Sean G. Boutros, MD, FACS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2020-09-01
Series:Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003109
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author Carlos A. Martinez, MD
Sean G. Boutros, MD, FACS
author_facet Carlos A. Martinez, MD
Sean G. Boutros, MD, FACS
author_sort Carlos A. Martinez, MD
collection DOAJ
description Background:. The extensive nature of perforator-based breast reconstructions, combined with the need for postoperative flap monitoring, often leads to long hospitalizations. We present an early report demonstrating the feasibility and advantages of a modified operative technique and recovery protocol, allowing us to perform outpatient breast reconstructions with the DIEP flap. This follow-up comprises the experience gained, which is expanded to other perforator-based flaps and not limited to DIEP breast reconstructions. Methods:. We have implemented a general protocol in patients undergoing breast reconstruction with autologous flaps, promoting early mobilization and discharge by improving postoperative pain and decreasing opioid requirements. This protocol includes intraoperative local anesthesia, a microfascial incision for DIEP harvest with rib preservation, along with prophylactic anticoagulation. Results:. Ninety-two consecutive patients underwent autologous tissue-based breast reconstruction with DIEP, IGAP, and PAP flaps. No intraoperative complications were reported. All patients were discharged within 23 hours, without evidence of flap compromise. One patient required operative takeback for evacuation of a hematoma on postoperative day 4. No partial or total flap losses were documented. The aim of any procedure should be to get to the patient back to the preoperative status as quickly as possible, as prolonged hospitalizations are associated with higher incidences of infection, deep venous thrombosis, overall dissatisfaction, and higher overall costs of care. Conclusions:. By using a modified operative technique, multimodal pain control, and postoperative anticoagulant therapy, outpatient perforator-flap–based breast reconstructions can be performed with high success and low complication rates.
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spelling doaj.art-cd38996fa6fb4cf2a400ec266578d2d32022-12-21T18:18:37ZengWolters KluwerPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open2169-75742020-09-0189e310910.1097/GOX.0000000000003109202009000-00003Outpatient Microsurgical Breast ReconstructionCarlos A. Martinez, MDSean G. Boutros, MD, FACSBackground:. The extensive nature of perforator-based breast reconstructions, combined with the need for postoperative flap monitoring, often leads to long hospitalizations. We present an early report demonstrating the feasibility and advantages of a modified operative technique and recovery protocol, allowing us to perform outpatient breast reconstructions with the DIEP flap. This follow-up comprises the experience gained, which is expanded to other perforator-based flaps and not limited to DIEP breast reconstructions. Methods:. We have implemented a general protocol in patients undergoing breast reconstruction with autologous flaps, promoting early mobilization and discharge by improving postoperative pain and decreasing opioid requirements. This protocol includes intraoperative local anesthesia, a microfascial incision for DIEP harvest with rib preservation, along with prophylactic anticoagulation. Results:. Ninety-two consecutive patients underwent autologous tissue-based breast reconstruction with DIEP, IGAP, and PAP flaps. No intraoperative complications were reported. All patients were discharged within 23 hours, without evidence of flap compromise. One patient required operative takeback for evacuation of a hematoma on postoperative day 4. No partial or total flap losses were documented. The aim of any procedure should be to get to the patient back to the preoperative status as quickly as possible, as prolonged hospitalizations are associated with higher incidences of infection, deep venous thrombosis, overall dissatisfaction, and higher overall costs of care. Conclusions:. By using a modified operative technique, multimodal pain control, and postoperative anticoagulant therapy, outpatient perforator-flap–based breast reconstructions can be performed with high success and low complication rates.http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003109
spellingShingle Carlos A. Martinez, MD
Sean G. Boutros, MD, FACS
Outpatient Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
title Outpatient Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
title_full Outpatient Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
title_fullStr Outpatient Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
title_full_unstemmed Outpatient Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
title_short Outpatient Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
title_sort outpatient microsurgical breast reconstruction
url http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003109
work_keys_str_mv AT carlosamartinezmd outpatientmicrosurgicalbreastreconstruction
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