Nerve Coaptation in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Breast Cancer

Treatments: Procedure: Sensory nerve coaptation

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03428789

METC 16-4-147

Details and patient eligibility

About

The sensory recovery of the breast remains an undervalued aspect of breast reconstruction and surgical reinnervation is not regarded as a priority by most reconstructive surgeons. A prospective study was conducted of all patients who underwent either innervated or non-innervated DIEP flap breast reconstruction in Maastricht University Medical Center and returned for follow-up between September 2015 and July 2017. Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments were used for sensory testing of the breast. This study showed that nerve coaptation in DIEP flap breast reconstruction resulted in a significantly improved sensation of the reconstructed breast compared to non-innervated flaps.

Enrollment: 81 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female patients 18 years or older
• Unilateral or bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction
• Returned for follow-up between September 2015 and July 2017
• Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Bilateral breast reconstruction with a unilateral innervated DIEP flap and a contralateral non-innervated flap
• Flaps that required a take-back

Trial design

81 participants in 2 patient groups

Innervated DIEP flaps

Description:

Patients in this group underwent immediate or delayed, unilateral or bilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction with additional sensory nerve coaptation.

Treatment:

Procedure: Sensory nerve coaptation

Non-innervated DIEP flaps

Description:

Patients in this group underwent immediate or delayed, unilateral or bilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction without sensory nerve coaptation.