The Clinical Application of Mastectomy With Single Incision Followed by Immediate Laparoscopic-Assisted Breast Reconstruction With Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap

Objective: To explore the clinical application of mastectomy with single incision followed by immediate laparoscopic-assisted breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Methods: Fifteen women with primary early breast cancer, 3 women with breast ductal carcinoma in situ, and 7 women with severe plasma cell mastitis were treated with partial mastectomy or total mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, or axillary lymph node dissection through a breast lateral transverse incision. Subsequent breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi muscle flap was assisted by laparoscopy. The patient's position, time used in dissecting latissimus dorsi muscle flap, size of latissimus dorsi muscle flap, postoperative complications, and the cosmetic results after reconstruction were assessed. Results: All the operations were well done through the breast lateral transverse incision and assistance of laparoscopy. The patient's position was changed only once during the operation. It took 1.5 to 2 hours to dissect latissimus dorsi muscle flap. The sizes of the latissimus dorsi muscle flap were 5 to 8 x 12 to 16 cm. There were no serious postoperative complications noted. The patients were satisfied with the appearance of the breasts and the small surgical scar. Conclusion: The surgical approach introduced is minimally invasive with concealed scar and outstanding cosmetic results. It is worth promoting in clinical application.