Reconstruction with bilateral pedicled TRAM flap for paraffinoma breast

Although autogenous tissue can be used to replace unsatisfactory prosthetic breast reconstructions in mastectomy patients, because of the magnitude, complexity, and many potential complications associated with the procedure, combined with a long-term recovery, the use of an implant to replace the mastectomy defect is still the most common method for paraffinoma breast treatment. Between July of 1996 and June of 2003, 21 paraffinoma breast patients underwent bilateral pedicle transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction. There were 10 primary cases that had never been treated before this visit, including a case of unilateral associated breast cancer. There were also 11 secondary cases that had prostheses implanted after removal of materials injected in other clinics. The diagnoses included unacceptable breast contour in 11 patients, breast hardening in 11 patients, palpable nodules in five patients, nipple malposition in four patients, prominent scarring in three patients, breast skin necrosis in one patient, and nipple necrosis in one patient. A 100 percent flap survival rate with no clinical fat necrosis was achieved. There were 11 of 21 abdominal hypertrophic scars, six of 21 prechest (anterior surface of the thorax) hypertrophic scars, and no abdominal hernia; the symmetry satisfaction rate was 100 percent among primary cases and nine of 11 in secondary cases. The breast softness satisfaction rate in primary cases was also 100 percent and nine of 11 for secondary cases. Excellent cosmetic results were achieved in all patients (42 breasts in total). The unfavorable results of the secondary cases (patients with previous treatments) indicate that it is impossible to completely remove all of the injected foreign body by resection. This also means that scar appearance can only be minimized if resection of the entire paraffinoma is performed through a periareolar incision. The excellent results of the primary cases show that immediate autogenous tissue reconstruction should be the first alternative and is the best option for treating foreign-body granuloma breast, given that autogenous tissue is available. Similarly, the results of the secondary cases also demonstrate that autogenous tissue reconstruction could be considered in reversing some unfavorable results of past treatments.