Umbilical Inset Incision Type Influences Abdominal Donor Site Healing in Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Surgical Complications
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Delayed abdominal wound healing is a frequent complication in autologous breast reconstruction.
• The study investigates the impact of umbilical incision techniques on abdominal wall vascularity and subsequent wound healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if umbilical inset incision type influences the incidence of delayed abdominal wound healing after autologous breast reconstruction.
• To identify specific incision techniques associated with higher complication rates.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 488 patients undergoing abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction (2014-2021).
• Analysis of primary outcome: delayed abdominal wound healing (major/minor).
• Evaluation of umbilical inset incision type (elliptical, vertical, inverted-U) as a predictor using univariate and multivariate analysis.

Main Results:

• Abdominal wound healing complications occurred in 13% of patients.
• Elliptical incisions had the lowest complication rates (p < 0.001).
• Inverted-U and vertical incisions were associated with significantly higher odds of wound healing complications (OR 5.9 and 4.6, respectively) in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

• Abdominal wall vascularity is crucial for donor site healing in autologous reconstruction.
• Inverted-U and vertical umbilical inset incisions are linked to increased rates of wound healing complications.
• Elliptical incisions represent a potentially safer choice for umbilical closure in this patient population.