Reduction mammoplasty after abdominally-based free flap breast reconstruction: Indications, techniques, and outcomes

As obesity continues to increase in prevalence in the United States, more patients requiring breast reconstruction have higher body mass index (BMI) and potentially larger breasts and larger abdominal flaps and may benefit from reduction mammoplasty after autologous reconstruction. There is a paucity of literature describing the methods and safety of secondary breast reduction for patients who have had abdominally-based autologous breast reconstruction. Our study demonstrates that secondary reduction of autologous free flap-based breast reconstruction is safe to perform when scheduled at least 2 months after the index procedure and can be accomplished utilizing various reduction techniques depending on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed. LAY SUMMARY: Our study evaluated methods and safety of secondary breast reduction for patients who have had abdominally-based autologous breast reconstruction and demonstrated that secondary reduction is safe to perform a minimum of 2 months after the index procedure and can be accomplished utilizing various reduction techniques depending on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed.