Selection of a recipient vessel for microvascular
TRAM-flap breast reconstruction is an important,
but not always straightforward decision. Despite the
fact that the internal mammary artery and vein are
currently our preferred vessels for microsurgical anastomosis,
these vessels are not always available for
reconstruction [17]. In particular, in 10%-15% of
patients the left internal mammary vein divides at
or above the second rib cartilage into two small veins
that are not suitable for microsurgical anastomosis. In
some patients who have had a previous axillary lymph
node dissection, particularly if it was combined with
irradiation, the thoracodorsal vessels are encased in
scar and not usable [7]. Selection of vessels should be
based on the patient’s characteristics and anatomical
considerations.
Table I. Clinicopathological details and the development of fat necrosis in the study group (n=840).
Clinicopathological variables
Internal mammary
recipient vessels
(n=109)
Thoracodorsal recipient
vessels
(n=731)
p-value
No. (%) No. (%)
Smoking:
Smokers 9 8 113 15 0.06
Non-smokers 100 92 618 85
Preoperative radiotherapy:
Yes 29 27 45 6 0.000
No 80 73 686 94
Previous abdominal surgery:
Yes 35 32 189 26 0.20
No 74 68 542 74
Body mass index (kg/m2):
30 or more 17 16 79 11 0.15
< 30 92 84 652 89
Surgical centre:
1 (n=723) 60 55 663 91 0.000
2 (n=117) 49 45 68 9
Fat necrosis
Yes 13 12 130 18 0.17
No 96 88 601 82