Delayed breast reconstruction with autologous free flap after radiation therapy: vascular complications and aesthetic outcomes

The safety and outcome of breast reconstruction after radiotherapy are controversial, and the aesthetic aspects have not been studied extensively. We compared the results of vascular anastomosis, the incidence of postoperative complications, and aesthetic appearance between patients who had and had not received radiotherapy who then had undergone delayed breast reconstruction with autologous free flaps from the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.

In total, 257 flaps in 241 patients were investigated; 194 and 63 flaps implanted in patients who did not receive radiotherapy and who received radiotherapy before breast reconstruction, respectively. Of the 257 flaps, 221, 20, 14, and 2 came from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and other anatomic locations, respectively. We evaluated aesthetic outcomes in 105 patients who had not received radiotherapy and 35 who had.

We found no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of vascular reanastomosis, the time required for anastomosis, or the incidence of unplanned reoperation. Complications such as flap necrosis were rare in both groups. Aesthetic outcomes were significantly better in the patients who had not received radiotherapy.

Breast reconstruction with autologous free flaps can be performed safely in patients who have received radiotherapy, but the aesthetic result is slightly inferior to that in patients who had not received radiotherapy.