Oncoplastic Volume Replacement for Breast Cancer: Latissimus Dorsi Flap versus Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Flap

Volume replacement oncoplastic breast techniques have become one of the standard lines in the treatment of early breast cancer. They have better cosmetic outcome and patient satisfaction. Latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is one of the most commonly used flaps for these techniques. Although it shows satisfactory surgical outcomes, postoperative shoulder dysfunction is an obvious drawback. The aim of this study was to compare LD flap with thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap after breast-conserving surgery regarding surgical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and impact on shoulder function.

The study included 42 adult female patients with early breast cancer who were eligible for conservative breast surgery and immediate breast reconstruction. Patients were divided into 2 equal groups: group A where patients underwent immediate reconstruction using LD flap and group B where patients underwent reconstruction using TDAP flap. Follow-up was designed for 12 months for early outcome, patient satisfaction, and shoulder functions.

The mean age of the included patients in group A and group B was 40.95 ± 5.06 and 40.33± 5.25 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in flap dimensions, postoperative complications, or cosmetic outcome in both groups. However, significantly less shoulder dysfunction was documented in cases of TDAP compared to LD flap at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

TDAP flap is as reliable a technique as LD flap regarding the feasibility, postoperative complications, and the cosmetic outcome with significantly better functional outcome of the shoulder.