Level C· Early human research exploring benefitsProspective StudyEurope PMCOpen access

Volume Change of Muscle and Fat Portions of Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap after Breast Reconstruction

Kang CM., Shim JS., Park SH., Jeong YJ., Seol KH., Kwak SG.

Prospective Study, published in Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open (2021) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.

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Level C· Early human research exploring benefitsEvidence level of this study

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

  • Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
  • Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
  • Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
  • Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
  • Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
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This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.

Study type
Prospective Study
Journal
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open (2021)
Reported sample size
—
Source database
Europe PMC
PMID
33868878
PMCID
PMC8049152
DOI
10.1097/gox.0000000000003536
Citations
8

Abstract (original English)

Background Myocutaneous flaps are composed of muscle and fat portions, and exhibit volume changes with time. However, no consideration is generally given to volume changes of muscle and fat portions occurring in the flap. Therefore, we conducted this study to analyze the volume changes of muscle and fat portions of pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps over time. Methods Sixteen patients who underwent breast reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap between 2009 and 2017 were enrolled in this study. Using their postoperative computed tomography scan data, we measured the volume of muscle and fat portions of the flap, and performed a statistical analysis of volume changes over time. We also measured the volume of latissimus dorsi muscle on the opposite side and compared the difference in muscle volume. Results The volume of the muscle portion of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap decreased by approximately 24%, from 6 months to postoperative year 2; from the third year, it shrank with a decrease rate similar to that of normal muscle. The fat portion of the flap showed no regular volume changes. Conclusions Atrophy of the muscle portion is the primary cause of volume change of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps over time. it is necessary to understand the difference in the volume change patterns of the muscle and fat. To maintain a long-term satisfactory r

What this study does not prove

  • • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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