The Significance of Latissimus Dorsi Flap Innervation in Delayed Breast Reconstruction

Tampere University Hospital

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Significance of Latissimus Dorsi Flap Innervation in Delayed Breast Reconstruction

Treatments: Procedure: denervation of thoracodorsal nerve or saving the nerve

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01239524

R06075

Details and patient eligibility

About

Breast reconstruction with a pedicled myocutaneous latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is a widely used reconstruction method. It is controversial if surgical denervation by transecting the thoracodorsal nerve should be performed or not. It is assumed that after denervation the latissimus dorsi muscle will significantly atrophy and lose volume. On the other hand discomforting signs and symptoms from muscle contraction are believed to be prevented if flap is denervated. The aim of the study was prospectively evaluate the influence of LD-flap innervation on the functional and aesthetic outcome of delayed breast reconstruction, and to compare the change in muscle structure in breast MRI and histopathology.

Enrollment: 28 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 20 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• delayed LD-flap breast reconstruction, no recurrent disease observed

Exclusion criteria

• recurrent cancer, partial resection of the breast

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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28 participants in 2 patient groups

DE-group

Other group

Description:

surgical denervation by excising 1 cm of proximal thoracodorsal nerve

Treatment:

Procedure: denervation of thoracodorsal nerve or saving the nerve

IN group

Other group

Description:

thoracodorsal nerve is saved intact

Treatment:

Procedure: denervation of thoracodorsal nerve or saving the nerve