Journal of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery

The Use of the Latissimus dorsi Flap in Breast Reconstruction of Post- Mastectomy Patients: Is Superior to the Use of Expander / Prosthesis?

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Current treatment is based on optimal oncological and aesthetic results, since it will affect to body image, sexuality and physical, mental and social life. The objective is to evaluate the level of satisfaction of patients after immediate breast reconstruction, and assess differences depending on the type of reconstruction (reconstruction with Latissimus dorsi flap and prosthesis vs. expander-prosthesis).
Methods and findings: Retrospective study including all women with non-metastatic breast cancer and mastectomy and subsequent reconstruction with expander / prosthesis or Latissimus dorsi flap from January 2008 to September 2015, evaluating the level of satisfaction with MBROS body image questionnaire. We obtained a total of 48 patients, 27 with mastectomy and reconstruction with expander / prosthesis and 21 patients with mastectomy and reconstruction with Latissimus dorsi muscle flap and prosthesis. The score obtained from the patients in the first group (expander / prosthesis) ranged between 24 and 33; the score obtained from patients in the second group (Latissimus dorsi and prosthesis) ranged between 31 and 37.
Conclusion: Mastectomy patients reconstructed with an expander and prosthesis appear to have more physical and psychological effects, as well as greater altered body image and sexuality, when compared to mastectomy patients reconstructed with Latissimus dorsi flap and prosthesis.

Author(s):

Tatiana Gomez-Sanchez

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