Lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) flap in partial breast reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Oncologic Surgery

Background:

• Pedicled perforator flaps, including thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) and lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flaps, are established techniques for partial breast reconstruction.
• The lateral chest wall is a source of perforator flaps for breast reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) flap as a novel option for partial breast reconstruction.
• To report the clinical experience and outcomes associated with LTAP flap utilization.

Main Methods:

• Review of the anatomical basis of the LTAP flap.
• Analysis of a consecutive series of patients undergoing partial breast reconstruction using lateral chest wall perforator flaps.

Main Results:

• The LTAP flap was utilized in 44% of lateral chest wall perforator flaps (12 pure LTAP, 19 combined LTAP/LICAP) in a series of 75 cases.
• One LTAP flap experienced early venous compromise, which resolved spontaneously.

Conclusions:

• The LTAP flap is a dependable choice for partial breast reconstruction, especially in immediate settings.
• LTAP flaps offer comparable harvestable size to LICAP flaps and can be used independently or to enhance LICAP flap perfusion.