2006/09/13 by Stephanie Kwei, Loren J. Borud, Bernard T. Lee
Medicine · #Breast Implant and Reconstruction #Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques #Reconstructive Surgery and Microvascular Techniques
paper · doi:10.1097/01.sap.0000222569.59581.d9
openalex publication_date 2006/09/13 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
In Brief The reconstruction of breast and upper-body deformities in massive weight loss (MWL) patients presents specific challenges to the plastic surgeon. In addition to significant breast ptosis and loss of breast volume, bariatric patients also have excessive lateral axillary and posterior truncal tissue that may require dermolipectomy for correction. A Wise-pattern mastopexy was designed with a pedicled fasciocutaneous flap based on the intercostal artery perforators (ICAP) to correct breast ptosis, to restore breast volume, and to eliminate redundant upper truncal tissue. Five MWL patients underwent mastopexy with ICAP flap augmentation. All patients had stable and esthetically pleasing results 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. There were no complications of infection, wound dehiscence, seroma, or hematoma. Furthermore, there was no evidence of flap loss or tissue necrosis. Mastopexy with autologous augmentation using the ICAP flap was found to be a reliable method of breast reconstruction in the MWL patient. Five massive weight loss patients underwent Wise pattern mastopexy with autologous augmentation using the intercostal artery perforator flap from the lateral breast and upper abdominal area. Appropriate bulk and contour were restored, and no complications or flap losses were seen.