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Pregnancy Following Breast Reconstruction with TRAM Flaps
F R Carramaschi1, M L Ramos, J A Pinotti
1Woman's Health Reference Center, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil Division of Plastic Surgery, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
From a retrospective study of 250 patients submitted to immediate breast reconstruction with TRAM flap after mastectomy for breast cancer, we reported the occurrence of pregnancy in seven cases from January 1992 to January 1996 at the Women's Health Reference Center and at the University of São Paulo Medical School. There were six immediate and one delayed reconstructions. Mean age was 35 years old. Outpatient follow-up was 13 months (mean 6-42 months). Two of the seven patients developed abdominal bulge, but no hernias were detected in this group. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic result. Seven of them came to term. No abnormalities were found in their children. During the same period of time bulging was found in 10% of the 250 patients. Breast reconstruction with TRAM flap is safe even if patients become pregnant, and in this study TRAM flaps did not cause dyfunctional labor or significant abdominal wall damage.