Breast oedema following free flap breast reconstruction.
OBJECTIVES
Breast oedema causes significant morbidity and is historically difficult to quantify. The aim of this study was to identify changes in breast tissue water content from pre-operative levels in the native breast to post-operative levels in mastectomy skin flaps and free flaps in the reconstructed breast.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy and immediate free flap breast reconstruction were examined pre-operatively and at three post-operative appointments. A validated moisture meter was used to record dermal water percentages of each breast quadrant and areola in both breasts pre-operatively, then four quadrants of both breasts plus the unaffected areola and free flap at each post-operative review.


RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
Native skin of the reconstructed breast showed significant, persistent increase in MWC from 45.6% ± 0.5% to 72.8% ± 0.9% at 1st follow up (p < 0.001), decreasing only to 67.6% ± 0.8% by 3rd follow up. There was a marked difference (p < 0.001) in the mean water content (MWC) of the initial free flap (39.7% ± 0.6%) compared to 61.8% ± 1.7% at 1st follow up, then 55.1% ± 1.4% at 2nd and 53.7% ± 1.3% at 3rd follow ups. The unaffected breast showed a small but significant increase in MWC of all quadrants at subsequent follow up (greatest difference 3.1% at 1st follow up). This patient group demonstrates significant, persistent oedema of the reconstructed breast, which can be monitored using a non-invasive moisture meter.
['Greenhowe|Jennifer|J|', 'Stephen|Christopher|C|', 'McClymont|Liusaidh|L|', 'Munnoch|D Alex|DA|']
D001834:Body Water D001940:Breast D001941:Breast Diseases D001943:Breast Neoplasms D004487:Edema D005260:Female D058752:Free Tissue Flaps D006801:Humans D016462:Mammaplasty D008408:Mastectomy D011184:Postoperative Period D057234:Preoperative Period D012867:Skin
Breast oedema Moisture meter Flap reconstruction