Immediate reconstruction using inframammary adipofascial flap of the anterior rectus sheath after partial mastectomy

Treatment of early breast cancer using breast conservative therapy (BCT) usually ensures local control and acceptable cosmetic results. To repair defects caused by partial mastectomy in the lower region of the breast, some reconstruction should be used. We developed a procedure involving the cranial based adipofascial (anterior rectus sheath) flap from immediately below the inframammary area for the reconstruction of defect due to partial mastectomy for patients with early breast cancer. In this procedure, a skin incision is made at the inframammary line, and the inframammary skin area is undermined. A tongue shaped flap composed of the subcutaneous fat and the anterior sheath of rectus abdominis muscle is pulled up and a C-shaped flap is rotated, Gathered. and inserted to reconstruct the breast defect. (C) 2007 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.