Can pregnancy following muscle-sparing transverse abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flaps be safe on abdominal wall?

Abstract

Can pregnancy following muscle-sparing transverse abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flaps be safe on abdominal wall? K.-C. Moon, J.-M. Lee, E.-S. Yoon, B.-I. Lee, S.-H. Park Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul (Republic of Korea) Summary Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate patients with pregnancy following muscle-sparing transverse abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flaps and introduce some cases to determine outcomes including safety and timing of pregnancy following MSTRAM flap. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 917 breast reconstruction between March 2000 and September 2017 was performed. Of these 917 patients, 35 patients aged under 40 years visited the Department of Obstetrics following breast reconstructions using MS-TRAM flaps. Pregnancy following MS-TRAM flaps was determined by reviewing medical records and/or telephone interviews. Results: Two patients were followed up accordingly and they proceeded to delivery. Postpartum follow-up showed no complication. No evidence of disease or abdominal wall complication was found during a maximum of nine years. Conclusions: This case study highlights successful pregnancy following MS-TRAM flap within the shortest interval after surgery. Key words: Abdominal wall; Breast reconstruction; Delivery; Fascia; Pregnancy; TRAM.