Comparison of Surgical and Oncological Outcomes between Chest Wall Perforator Flaps and Therapeutic Mammoplasty

BACKGROUND: Chest wall perforator flaps (CPF) and therapeutic mammoplasty (TM) are often done in patients with anticipated poor cosmetic outcome with level 1 breast conservation surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the complications and oncological outcomes between CPF and TM. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of breast conservation surgery between September 2016 and January 2021 by a single surgeon were reviewed. Specific outcomes included complications needing intervention, re-excision and mastectomy rate, locoregional recurrence, and distant metastasis. Patients were followed up at 3 months and then every 12 months. Statistical analysis included chi-squared test and independent t test, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between CPF and TM with regard to patient characteristics except for BMI and bra cup size, which was significantly higher in the TM group. One patient who had TM returned to the operating room for a hematoma evacuation, and one patient who had CPF had fat grafting, for unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome. Five of the 30 patients having CPF had further re-excision surgery for inadequate margins, but none needed mastectomy, and four of the 43 patients having TM had further surgery (one had re-excision of margins and three had mastectomy) and this was not statistically significant (P = 0.346). There was no locoregional recurrence in CPF and TM groups after a median follow-up of 22 months and 25 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference in early complications and oncological outcomes between CPF and TM.