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Pfister P, Müller SLC, Eberhardt AL, Rodriguez M, Menzi N, Haug M, Schaefer DJ, Kappos EA, Ismail T. Impact of Adjuvant Radiotherapy on Free Flap Volume in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Scoping Review. J Clin Med 2023; 13:217. [PMID: 38202224 PMCID: PMC10779607 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In autologous breast reconstruction, a sufficient flap volume is fundamental to restore breast shape and ensure an aesthetic outcome. After mastectomy, postoperative irradiation is regularly indicated in the oncological treatment algorithm. When administering radiation therapy after autologous reconstruction, the tissue transferred is inherently irradiated. Although there is evidence that points to a reduction in flap volume after adjuvant radiotherapy, the data have been contradicting and inconclusive. To address this anecdotal evidence, we performed a scoping review of the current literature that addresses the effect of radiotherapy on breast flap volume. Six two-armed studies, comprising a total of 462 patients, reported on the effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on free flap volume changes. Of those, two studies found a significant negative impact of radiotherapy on free flap volume, while the other four studies did not. Reported flap volume changes ranged from no change to a reduction of 26.2%, measured up to two years postoperatively. The selected studies contain varying patient numbers, follow-up timepoints, types of flaps, and measuring methods, contributing to a relatively high heterogeneity. While we present some evidence suggesting a significant impact of adjuvant radiotherapy on breast flap volume, future studies are needed to further investigate this potential correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Pfister
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
| | - Seraina L. C. Müller
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
| | - Anna-Lena Eberhardt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Medea Rodriguez
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
| | - Nadia Menzi
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
| | - Martin Haug
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dirk J. Schaefer
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth A. Kappos
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tarek Ismail
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
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