Diced Cartilage in Breast Reconstruction

ISAR Klinikum

Status: Completed

Conditions: Microsurgery; Mammaplasty; Rip Reconstruction Cartilage

Treatments: Procedure: diced cartilage

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06504173

DIC-RIP

Details and patient eligibility

About

Exposure of internal mammary vessels in autologous breast reconstruction often requires removal of a rib cartilage segment, which can lead to contour deformity in the craniomedial breast pole. This study evaluated the use of diced cartilage (DC) to counteract substance loss in the microvascular anastomosis area, and investigated safety and suitability of the procedure to avoid postoperative deformities.

Full description

This retrospective, single-center cohort study included all breast reconstructions in which DC was used from October 2021 to June 2023. Reconstructions using DC were subdivided based on previous exposure to breast radiotherapy (DC vs. DCR). The control group consisted of an equal number of consecutive reconstructions performed prior to the use of DC. The effect of DC on breast contour preservation was investigated using breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; > 6 months post-op) and photographic documentation (6-month follow-up).

Enrollment: 173 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 99 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Autologous free flap breast reconstruction using the internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels from October 2021 to June 2023
• MRI subcohort: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed at least 6 months postoperatively

Exclusion criteria

• Autologous free flap breast reconstruction using a perforator of the internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels from October 2021 to June 2023
• Autologous free flap breast reconstruction using the thoracodorsal vessels as recipient vessels from October 2021 to June 2023

Trial design

173 participants in 2 patient groups

diced cartilage (DC)

Description:

After removing a part of the rip cartilage and microsurgery, the exposed internal mammary vessels in autologous free flap breast reconstruction was restored with diced cartilage (DC) out of the removed rip cartialge.

Treatment:

Procedure: diced cartilage

control

Description:

After removing a part of the rip cartilage and microsurgery, the exposed internal mammary vessels in autologous free flap breast reconstruction was NOT restored.