Burned breast: treatment with a transverse rectus abdominis island musculocutaneous flap

A contralateral transverse rectus abdominis island musculocutaneous flap was employed in the treatment of a unilateral burned breast. The vascularization of the flap was based on the superior epigastric pedicle. The advantages of this method are that a transverse island musculocutaneous flap of the rectus muscle can be used with good results in the reconstruction of the burned breast; and that in patients with hypertrophic contralateral breasts, the inferior pole of the opposite breast can be added to obtain a larger area of the flap. The cutaneous color and the texture offered by this method assure a more symmetrical appearance in the area.