Intraglandular flap technique for tumors located in the upper outer quadrant of the breast

Abstract

We applied the intraglandular flap technique with racquet incision for tumors located in the upper outer quadrant of medium to small size breasts of 47 patients. It is an easy and safe technique with respect to cosmetic results, surgical margins, and complications.

Background: The intraglandular flap is a volume replacement technique in which glandular tissue is used to close the tissue defect. We applied the intraglandular flap technique with racquet incision for tumors located in the upper outer quadrant of medium to small size breasts of 47 patients. In this report, we present our preliminary results of this technique.

Patients and methods: The intraglandular flap technique using a racquet incision was used on 47 consecutive breast cancer patients with T1 and T2 tumors, and analyzed prospectively.

Results: The median age of the patients was 46.5 (range, 24-63 years). The mean tumor size was 2.53 ± 0.8 cm. The volume of the resected specimen was 185 ± 29 cm(3). The mean length of incision was 9.68 ± 1.8 cm. The mean distance from the tumor to the nearest surgical margin was 1.65 ± 0.4 cm. Fat necrosis was evident in 8 patients (17%) and hematoma in 2 patients (4.2%). The other complications like seroma, glandular, and flap necrosis were not observed.

Discussion: Intraglandular flap technique with racquet incision used for tumors located in the upper outer quadrant of patients with medium and small breasts is an easy and safe technique with respect to cosmetic results, surgical margins and complications. The learning period of this technique is quite short. When used in patients with dense breasts the incidence of fat necrosis was found to be low.