Current Research Trends and Updates in Breast Reconstruction

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery/Aesthetic Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 1242

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Interests: microsurgery; breast reconstruction; lymphedema; super-microsurgery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recently, the field of breast reconstruction has undergone tremendous technological and innovative advances, expanding surgical treatment options and improving patient outcomes. As the field has advanced, various surgical techniques (such as robotic breast surgery, lymphatic reconstruction using super-microsurgery, direct-to-implant reconstruction, multiple free-flap reconstruction, and breast sensation restoration) have emerged to elevate the care received by breast cancer patients.  In this Special Issue, titled “Current Research Trends and Updates in Breast Reconstruction”, we seek to provide insights into the latest research trends and advancements in this area and to present innovative breast reconstruction findings from world-renowned experts in the field.

Dr. Min-Jeong Cho
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • breast reconstruction
  • microsurgery
  • supermicrosurgery
  • robotic surgery
  • patient outcomes

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1522 KiB  
Article
Navigating the Pandemic: Shifts in Breast Reconstruction Trends and Surgical Decision-Making in the United States
by Seung Eun Hong and Daihun Kang
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(14), 4168; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13144168 - 16 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast reconstruction trends in the United States, focusing on implant-based and autologous techniques, as well as the timing of reconstruction (immediate vs. delayed). Methods: A retrospective analysis of [...] Read more.
Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast reconstruction trends in the United States, focusing on implant-based and autologous techniques, as well as the timing of reconstruction (immediate vs. delayed). Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from 2015 to 2022 from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ National Plastic Surgery Statistics was conducted. Annual trends in breast reconstruction procedures were analyzed, comparing the pre-pandemic (2015–2019) and pandemic (2020–2022) periods. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the impact of missing data from 2019 and 2021. Results: The total number of breast reconstructions increased from 106,338 in 2015 to 151,641 in 2022. The proportion of implant-based reconstructions decreased from 81.41% pre-pandemic to 76.51% during the pandemic (p < 0.001), with a notable rise in direct-to-implant procedures from 10.37% to 19.12% (p < 0.001). Autologous reconstructions increased from 18.59% to 23.49% (p < 0.001). Among autologous techniques, DIEP flaps remained the most popular. Immediate reconstruction rates increased from 72.61% pre-pandemic to 75.57% during the pandemic, while delayed reconstruction rates decreased from 27.39% to 24.43% (p < 0.001). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these trends. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant shift towards autologous breast reconstruction techniques, particularly DIEP flaps, and an increase in immediate reconstructions in the United States. Within implant-based reconstructions, the proportion of DTI procedures increased while the proportion of tissue expander procedures decreased. These changes likely reflect adaptations in surgical practice and decision-making processes in response to the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, rather than alterations in surgical techniques themselves. The insights gained from this study can help guide plastic surgeons and healthcare providers in preparing for future pandemics or similar disruptions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research Trends and Updates in Breast Reconstruction)
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12 pages, 7646 KiB  
Review
Restoring Sensation through Abdominal Flap Neurotization in Breast Reconstruction
by Max L. Silverstein and Arash Momeni
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(13), 3826; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13133826 - 29 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Breast sensation plays a significant role in the safety and quality of life of women who undergo mastectomy and reconstruction. In 1992, Slezak et al. introduced the concept of abdominal flap neurotization to improve sensation of the reconstructed breast. Over the next 30 [...] Read more.
Breast sensation plays a significant role in the safety and quality of life of women who undergo mastectomy and reconstruction. In 1992, Slezak et al. introduced the concept of abdominal flap neurotization to improve sensation of the reconstructed breast. Over the next 30 years, numerous studies iterated on Slezak’s technique, suggesting technical modifications and new methodologies for assessing sensory recovery. Despite evidence that reinnervation increases patient satisfaction following autologous breast reconstruction, abdominal flap neurotization remains a rarely performed procedure. In this article, we review the evolution of flap neurotization in breast reconstruction and describe our approach to facilitating sensory recovery of the breast while limiting donor site morbidity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research Trends and Updates in Breast Reconstruction)
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