Upper body lift and breast reshaping with lateral chest wall perforator propeller flap following massive weight loss

BACKGROUND

After massive weight loss (MWL), female patients often develop upper trunk laxity and severe breast deformities. Usually several procedures are required to address upper body contouring issues.

OBJECTIVES

To achieve better breasts and improve upper body contour, the authors employed a combined approach, associating lateral chest wall perforator propeller flaps with an upper bodylift (UBL).

METHODS

Between September 2015 and March 2017, nine post-bariatric patients underwent simultaneously an UBL and autologous augmentation breast reshaping with lateral chest wall perforator propeller flaps. The authors analyzed the clinical indications, results and complications of this procedure.

RESULTS

Eighteen lateral perforator propeller flaps for autologous breast augmentation-mastopexy associated with an UBL were performed successfully. Mean pre-MWL body mass index (BMI) was 54.3±10.9kg/m², with a mean preoperative pre-UBL BMI of 28.7±3.6kg/m². The average weight loss before surgery was 67.7±22.4kg. The flaps were harvested on intercostal and/or lateral thoracic arteries. All donor sites had been closed primarily. Following the classification of Dindo and Clavien, four minor complications (I, II), and two major complications (IIIb), including two hematomas requiring reoperation, were reported. No flap necrosis occurred. Follow-up averaged 27.9±8.4months. The patients' satisfaction with their improved breast shapes and chest wall contours was "good", with an aesthetic outcome mean ranked 3.8±0.8 (out of 5).

CONCLUSIONS

After MWL, upper body deformities can be treated safely and reliably by a combined approach, associating an UBL and autologous lateral chest wall perforator flaps to provide more natural and durable breast shapes, as well as an upper circumferential reshaping.