Breast Reconstruction Utilizing Buried Dermato-cutaneous Skin Flaps and Immediate Adipocyte Transfer: A Minimally Invasive Autologous Breast Reconstruction Technique

Background: Autologous breast reconstruction historically required flaps that were invasive, required prolonged operative times and recoveries, and resulted in varying degrees of donor site morbidity. We present our early results with a minimally invasive completely autologous breast reconstruction technique utilizing buried dermato-cutaneous (DMC) flaps and immediate fat grafting. A 25-patient, 43-breast consecutive case series is presented. Methods: Select patients desiring autologous breast reconstruction who had sufficient breast ptosis and fat donor tissue were offered breast reconstruction with buried folded over DMC flaps with adipocyte transfer (DCAT). A Wise pattern mastectomy was performed, and fat was transferred into an inferiorly based, buried and folded DMC flap. Fat was also immediately grafted into the pectoralis, subpectoral space, and below pectoralis and serratus fascia. Most patients underwent additional fat grafting at 3-month intervals to complete the reconstruction. Results: Twenty-five consecutive patients (43 breasts) underwent the DCAT procedure with 18 (42%) free nipple grafts. Eight patients (8 breasts) had prior breast radiation, and 2 patients (2 breasts) required postmastectomy radiation. Average fat grafted at initial mastectomy was 70 mL per breast (range 54-103mL). Nineteen patients (76%) underwent additional outpatient fat grafting. Two additional outpatient fat graft sessions (range 0-3) at 3-month intervals completed the reconstruction. Average fat grafted at the second stage was 217 mL, (range 50-320mL). Average follow-up was 20 months from DCAT and 12 months from last fat graft. Conclusion: The DCAT procedure appears to provide a minimally invasive, autologous breast reconstitution alternative in select patients.