[Breast reconstruction using a rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap: analysis of 234 cases]

The pedicled rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap is a very sophisticated form of breast reconstruction. Provided the indications are carefully set out and a perfect mastery of the technique, the rate of complications is consequently very low (9 reinterventions for 234 cases: 3.8%). The authors stress one particular point which they deem important: the preliminary vascular preparation to improve arterial flow and venous drainage of the internal mammary pedicled. The high rate of good results and of patient satisfaction--84% in the reported series--makes this form of reconstruction the prime method to choose in the case of patients with different types of carcinoma and more particularly in the early stages of breast cancer or when there is a need for prophylactic mastectomy.