The gold standard for autologous reconstruction in the post-mastectomy patient remains the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, although many women may not be candidates for abdominally based free tissue transfer. In this scenario, there are several other donor site options based from the thigh (transverse and diagonal upper gracilis flaps, profunda artery perforator flap, lateral thigh flap) and trunk (lumbar artery perforator flap, superior and inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps). This study will review the history, relevant anatomy, surgical technique and outcomes for alternative flaps in autologous reconstruction. Additionally, preoperative imaging (CTA, MRA) and novel applications (stacking flaps, neurotization) in breast reconstructive microsurgery will be discussed.

Summary: Full dental rehabilitation following segmental mandibulectomy or maxillectomy for oncologic tumor ablation should be the goal for every patient. But despite advances in technology and reconstructive techniques, many patients do not achieve timely or complete oral rehabilitation. Recognizing this fault, we recently adopted an innovative workflow to increase the number of patients undergoing dental restoration, irrespective of tumor pathology or need for adjuvant radiotherapy. Preoperatively, every osseous jaw reconstruction undergoes virtual surgical planning to incorporate the placement of endosseous implants into the fibula osteocutaneous free flap. The dental implants are then placed intraoperatively at the time of tumor ablation and reconstruction. Four-to-six weeks following the initial surgery, the patient returns to the operating room for vestibuloplasty and exposure of the dental implants. Within 3 days of the vestibuloplasty, a temporary dental prosthesis is placed in the dental clinic, and the patient can then begin radiation therapy if needed. Following adjuvant radiation therapy, the temporary prosthesis can be replaced with a permanent one. At our institution, this innovative workflow has allowed for earlier aesthetic restoration of the jaw and greatly expanded the number of patients able to achieve oral rehabilitation. Herein, we describe this innovative workflow and provide technical pearls for successful execution.

Background: Despite the rise in rates of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, few studies have used patient-reported outcomes to assess satisfaction between unilateral and bilateral breast reconstruction with autologous tissue. The purpose of this study was to investigate patient satisfaction and quality of life following autologous reconstruction to determine whether differences exist between unilateral and bilateral reconstructions to better guide clinical decision-making. Methods: The current study examined prospectively collected BREAST-Q results following abdominal free flap breast reconstruction procedures performed at a tertiary academic medical center from 2009 to 2017. The reconstruction module of the BREAST-Q was used to assess outcomes between laterality groups (unilateral versus bilateral) at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and more than 3 years. Results: Overall, 405 patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction completed the BREAST-Q. Cross-sectional analysis at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years revealed similar satisfaction scores between groups; however, bilateral reconstruction patients demonstrated higher satisfaction scores at more than 3 years (p = 0.04). Bilateral reconstruction patients reported lower scores of abdominal well-being at 1 year, 2 years, and more than 3 years (p = 0.01, p = 0.03, and p = 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: These results suggest that satisfaction with breasts does not differ with the laterality of the autologous reconstruction up to 3 years postoperatively but may diverge thereafter. Bilateral reconstruction patients, however, have lower satisfaction with the abdominal donor site. These data can be used in preoperative counseling, informed consent, and expectations management in patients considering contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.