Immediate Partial Breast and Nipple–Areola Complex Reconstruction Using a Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Flap

Abstract

The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap is a versatile flap that has been described for various applications, mostly for lower extremity coverage and head and neck reconstructions. However, there are few publications reporting its use for breast reconstruction, mainly because of its low volume availability. In this article, we present the case of a patient who successfully underwent a partial breast and immediate nipple–areola complex (NAC) reconstruction with an SCIP flap. She had been previously reconstructed with an implant after a nipple-sparing mastectomy, but the NAC turned out to be involved with cancer needing further resection. Our goal with this article, is to introduce a novel concept for addressing partial breast and NAC reconstruction and mostly, to illustrate the importance of an adaptable surgical plan based on every individual case emphasizing the versality of microsurgery for breast cancer reconstruction.

Keywords

nipple-areola complex reconstruction - SCIP flap - partial breast reconstruction

Consent for Publication

The participant has consented to the submission of the case report to the journal.

Authors' Contributions

L.S.: Wrote and edited the manuscript for clarity and compliance with journal guidelines.

G.P.: Primary physician responsible for diagnosing and treating the patient.

Contributed to critical case analysis and manuscript review.

J.M.: Provided expert guidance on diagnosis and treatment, reviewed the case report for clinical accuracy.

Ethical Approval

Approval was obtained from the ethics committee of University “Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau).” The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Patient Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Publication History

Received: 26 April 2023

Accepted: 30 November 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
06 December 2023

Article published online:
24 January 2024

• References

• 1 Akita S, Mitsukawa N, Kubota Y, Sakakibara M, Nagashima T, Satoh K. Delayed partial breast reconstruction and vascularized lymph node transfer by a superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap. Plast Reconstr Surg 2016; 137 (02) 490e-491e
• 2 Hansen KS, Gutwein LG, Hartman BC, Sood R, Socas J. Immediate bilateral breast reconstruction with unilateral deep superior epigastric artery and superficial circumflex iliac artery flaps. Arch Plast Surg 2016; 43 (05) 457-460
• 3 Satake T, Muto M, Kou S, Yasumura K, Ishikawa T, Maegawa J. Contralateral unaffected breast augmentation using zone IV as a SIEA flap during unilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2019; 72 (09) 1537-1547
• 4 Yamamoto T, Yamamoto N. An extended superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap transfer for a relatively-small breast reconstruction after total mastectomy. Microsurgery 2022; 42 (02) 181-186
• 5 Suh HSP, Jeong HH, Choi DH, Hong JPJP. Study of the medial superficial perforator of the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap using computed tomographic angiography and surgical anatomy in 142 patients. Plast Reconstr Surg 2017; 139 (03) 738-748
• 6 Goh TLH, Park SW, Cho JY, Choi JW, Hong JP. The search for the ideal thin skin flap: superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap–a review of 210 cases. Plast Reconstr Surg 2015; 135 (02) 592-601
• 7 Altiparmak M, Cha HG, Hong JP, Suh HP. Superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap as a workhorse flap: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Reconstr Microsurg 2020; 36 (08) 600-605
• 8 Hamdi M, Salgarello M, Barone-Adesi L, Van Landuyt K. Use of the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap with implant in breast reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg 2008; 61 (02) 143-146
• 9 Bank J, Ledbetter K, Song DH. Use of thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps to enhance outcomes in alloplastic breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2014; 2 (05) e140