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RACS ASC 2025
Mastectomy skin flap necrosis after implant-based breast reconstruction: Intraoperative predictors and indocyanine green angiography
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Verbal Presentation

4:10 pm

03 May 2025

Meeting Room C4.9

The Grantley Gill Breast Surgery Research Paper Prize Session

Disciplines

Breast Surgery

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Presentation Description

Institution: Chris O'Brien Lifehouse - NSW, Australia

Purpose: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) carries significant risk of mastectomy skin flap necrosis (MSFN) which can compromise oncological, surgical, and quality-of-life outcomes. Prospective data on intraoperative predictors of MSFN could help mitigate this risk. Methodology: Single institution prospective trial of patients undergoing NSM implant-based reconstruction for breast cancer (2021-2024). Flap perfusion evaluated using clinical assessment, and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography perfusion values and angiogram patterns. Ischaemic complications up to 90 days postoperative documented. Patient, operative factors, and perfusion analyses, evaluated with univariate and multivariate analysis. Trial registration: ACTRN12621000828820. Results: One hundred eighty-eight patients underwent 274 NSMs. Eight percent of breasts (22 of 274) developed nipple or skin flap necrosis. Multivariate analysis identified previous radiotherapy, ICG angiography absolute perfusion value <14units, and absence of a second intercostal perforator vessel as independent factors associated with necrosis (HR2.17, 95%CI 0.92-4.11, p=0.037; HR2.53, 95%CI 1.43-3.6, p=0.014; HR1.2, 95%CI 0.2-1.95, p=0.047; HR2.81, 95%CI 1.13-3.44, p=0.046, respectively). Mastectomy incision type, clinical assessment of flap perfusion, mastectomy weight, and initial tissue expander fill ratio were not found to be independent factors associated with necrosis. Conclusion: Preservation of the second intercostal perforator vessel was identified as a modifiable intraoperative factor that may decrease risk of necrosis after NSM. Poor intraoperative perfusion, as detected by ICG angiography, was associated with a greater likelihood of necrosis.
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Authors
Authors

Dr Chu Luan Nguyen - , Dr Susannah Graham - , Dr Farhad Azimi - , A/Prof Cindy Mak - , A/Prof Carlo Pulitano - , A/Prof Sanjay Warrier -