Strategies for chest reconstruction following extensive resection of locally advanced breast tumors: an 11-case series

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Breast cancer is a major cause of mortality among women in Brazil. Locally advanced breast tumors are classified as stage III because they compromise the breast tissue in all or almost all of its extensions and regional lymph nodes, without distant metastases. Surgical treatment of these advanced tumors includes modified radical mastectomy, which involves axillary dissection and large skin resection, leading to major defects in the chest cavity that require complex reconstruction.

Method:

A retrospective clinical study including a series of 11 cases diagnosed with locally advanced breast tumors was performed from January 2006 to March 2014.

Results:

The chest cavity reconstruction methods performed after resection of advanced breast tumors included three fasciocutaneous flaps, two skin grafts, and six reconstructions with muscle flaps. These procedures resulted in effective coverage of extensive chest defects.

Conclusion:

Aggressive surgical treatment is feasible in these tumors; although numerous reconstruction options are available, individual case assessment is necessary to determine the optimal technique to reduce surgical trauma and lower morbidity in order to avoid delays in adjuvant treatment in these patients. The reconstructions were safe, with satisfactory results similar to those reported in the literature.

Keywords:
Chest wall; Surgical flaps; Mastectomy; Breast tumor/surgery