Indices of obesity and behaviour of the pedicled tram flap in breast reconstruction

The association between obesity and the outcome of pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flaps was studied in 12 patients. Obesity was assessed preoperatively by body mass index (BMI) and waist:hip circumference ratio (WHCR). The thickness of the abdominal fat and muscles was...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScandinavian journal of plastic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery Vol. 31; no. 4; p. 333
Main Authors Tuominen, H P, Kinnunen, J, Svartling, N E, Asko-Seljavaara, S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 1997
Subjects
Adult
Body Constitution
Body Mass Index
Female
Humans
Mammaplasty - methods
Middle Aged
Obesity - complications
Prospective Studies
Surgical Flaps
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:The association between obesity and the outcome of pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flaps was studied in 12 patients. Obesity was assessed preoperatively by body mass index (BMI) and waist:hip circumference ratio (WHCR). The thickness of the abdominal fat and muscles was measured preoperatively with ultrasonography on the abdomen and during the nine postoperative months on the flap. Marginal or fat necrosis was more common among patients with lower body type fat distribution (WHCR less than 0.80) than in patients with medium or upper body type fat distribution. BMI and abdominal muscle and fat thicknesses were not associated with marginal or fat necrosis of the flaps. We conclude that lower body (female type) fat distribution may be associated with marginal cutaneous or fat necrosis in pedicled TRAM flaps.
ISSN:0284-4311
DOI:10.3109/02844319709008980