Changes To The Abdominal Wall After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study was to perform an evaluation of the structural changes in the abdominal wall after harvesting a DIEP flap in breast reconstruction. 14 women undergoing secondary, unilateral breast reconstruction were recruited to the study and underwent a 2 year postoperative CT scan of the abdomen (without contrast). Structural changes were assessed by comparing the abdominal CT scans performed prior to surgery with the 2 year postoperative CT scans.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study was to perform an evaluation of the structural changes in the abdominal wall after harvesting a DIEP flap in breast reconstruction. 14 women undergoing secondary, unilateral breast reconstruction were recruited to the study and underwent a 2 year postoperative CT scan of the abdomen (without contrast). Structural changes were assessed by comparing the abdominal CT scans performed prior to surgery with the 2 year postoperative CT scans. The following structural changes were evaluated at four specific levels of the abdomen by two radiologists (among the authors): 1) rectus diastasis, 2) thickness and width of the rectus muscles, 3) thickness of the adipose tissue, 4) hernias (in the zone between the xiphoid process and the symphysis). The measurement levels chosen were: 1) 7 cm below the xiphoid process, 2) umbilicus level, 3) central zone (between level 2 and 4), 4) 5 cm above the symphysis Statistical analysis were performed to see if the structural measurements were significantly different comparing preoperative CT versus 2 year postoperative CT.

Official Title
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Structural Changes In The Abdominal Wall After Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction

Conditions
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Breast Reconstruction, Abdominal Wall Morbidity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: 2 year postop CT scan of the abdomen


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Secondary, unilateral breast reconstruction with a DIEP flap All smokers stopped smoking 4 weeks prior to surgery Exclusion Criteria: Metastatic disease Bilateral breast reconstruction
Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| DIEP flap breast reconstruction<br>14 patients who have had DIEP flap breast reconstruction and preoperative CT scan of the abdomen | Device: 2 year postop CT scan of the abdomen<br>* CT scan of the abdomen (from the xiphoid process to the symphysis) performed approximately two years after performed DIEP flap breast reconstruction. No contrast used. Low dose of radiation.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Structural measurements of the abdominal wall evaluated on CT scans |  | 2 year postoperative after performed DIEP flap breast reconstruction | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Breast reconstruction, Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, Abdominal wall morbidity, Plastic and reconstructive surgery