Breast oedema following free flap breast reconstruction

The Breast : Official Journal of the European Society of Mastology
Jennifer GreenhoweD Alex Munnoch

Abstract

Breast oedema causes significant morbidity and is historically difficult to quantify. The aim of this study was to identify changes in breast tissue water content from pre-operative levels in the native breast to post-operative levels in mastectomy skin flaps and free flaps in the reconstructed breast. One hundred patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy and immediate free flap breast reconstruction were examined pre-operatively and at three post-operative appointments. A validated moisture meter was used to record dermal water percentages of each breast quadrant and areola in both breasts pre-operatively, then four quadrants of both breasts plus the unaffected areola and free flap at each post-operative review. Native skin of the reconstructed breast showed significant, persistent increase in MWC from 45.6% ± 0.5% to 72.8% ± 0.9% at 1st follow up (p < 0.001), decreasing only to 67.6% ± 0.8% by 3rd follow up. There was a marked difference (p < 0.001) in the mean water content (MWC) of the initial free flap (39.7% ± 0.6%) compared to 61.8% ± 1.7% at 1st follow up, then 55.1% ± 1.4% at 2nd and 53.7% ± 1.3% at 3rd follow ups. The unaffected breast showed a small but significant increase in MWC of all quadrants at subsequent follo...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 22, 2017·International Journal of Palliative Nursing·Marie Todd
Nov 18, 2018·Sensors·Susanne DembaSandra Rose-Meierhöfer
May 8, 2020·Breast Cancer Research and Treatment·Asha Heydon-WhiteKaren C Peebles
Aug 4, 2021·Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery·Linda TallrothMagnus Becker

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