Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
03:07
Single-Port Robotic-assisted Transaxillary Breast-conserving Surgery: A Prospective, Single-arm, Non-randomized Phase IIa Clinical Trial
Published on: August 19, 2025
The FAST Protocol: A Novel Approach for Staged Autologous Breast Reconstruction
Pooja S Yesantharao1, Jasmine Hou1, Sarah Sorice-Virk1
1From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|July 28, 2026
Summary
The novel FAST protocol for autologous reconstruction offers reduced infection and skin necrosis risks compared to traditional methods. This approach optimizes timing for breast reconstruction, balancing speed and quality.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Oncology
- Reconstructive Surgery
Background:
- Autologous reconstruction timing is debated.
- A novel flap after short tissue expansion (FAST) protocol was developed.
- FAST combines immediate and staged reconstruction benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate outcomes of the FAST protocol.
- Compare FAST with immediate, delayed, and traditional staged autologous reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective investigation of patients (2017-2024).
- Comparison between FAST protocol, immediate, traditional staged, and delayed reconstruction.
- Statistical analyses performed using Stata v18.
Main Results:
- Traditional staged reconstruction increased infection odds versus FAST (P=0.02).
- Immediate reconstruction increased mastectomy skin necrosis odds versus FAST (P=0.01).
- Immediate reconstruction had longer operative time; no differences in donor site complications or readmissions.
Conclusions:
- FAST protocol maximizes mastectomy skin quality and minimizes reconstruction time.
- FAST reduces infection risk by decreasing prosthesis in-situ time.
- FAST protocol is a promising model for optimizing autologous reconstruction timing.
