Sensory 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

NCT04093999

METC 16 - 4 - 147

Details and patient eligibility

About

Restoring the sensation of the breast becomes increasingly recognized as a critical part of autologous breast reconstruction. A prospective study was conducted of all patients who underwent either innervated or non-innervated deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction in Maastricht University Medical Center between August 2016 and August 2018 and who returned between for a follow-up visit between the start of the study and August 2019. Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments were used for sensory testing of the breast.

Enrollment: 126 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 August 2016 and August 2019
• Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Total flap loss complication
• Flaps that required a take-back
• Follow-up less than six months postoperatively
• Only one postoperative measurement at less than 12 months follow-up
• Mixed reconstructions: an innervated breast reconstruction on one side and a noninnervated breast reconstruction on the other side

Trial design

126 participants in 2 patient groups

Innervated DIEP flaps

Description:

Patients in this group underwent immediate or delayed, unilateral or bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction with additional sensory nerve coaptation.

Treatment:

Procedure: Sensory nerve coaptation

Noninnervated DIEP flaps

Description:

Patients in this group underwent immediate or delayed, unilateral or bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction without sensory nerve coaptation.