Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction: An Overview of the History, Technique, and Reported Complications

Abstract

Joshua A Bloom,1 Krishnabhai Patel,1 Stephanie Cohen,2 Abhishek Chatterjee,3 Christopher Homsy4 1Department of Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; 2Department of Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; 3Division of Plastic Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; 4Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, USACorrespondence: Abhishek ChatterjeeDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Chatterjee Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USATel + 1860-874-7550Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: Prepectoral breast reconstruction is an increasingly prevalent form of breast reconstruction. Prepectoral breast reconstruction was abandoned in the past due to various complications but has recently made a resurgence due to the development of acellular dermal matrices and innovative techniques. The purpose of this review article is to discuss the history, techniques, benefits, and potential complications of prepectoral breast reconstruction. The article also reviews current literature to evaluate published complication rates. Complications evaluated include infection (3.67%), wound dehiscence (2.10%), skin necrosis (3.67%), seroma (2.89%), hematoma (1.34%), implant loss (3.28%), return to the OR (6.15%), contracture (3.61%), and rippling (7.38%). In conclusion, prepectoral breast reconstruction is a reliable, safe, and aesthetically feasible method of breast reconstruction. With increasing interest in this technique, it is important that surgeons and patients are familiar with prepectoral reconstruction and this article aims at providing this information.Keywords: prepectoral, breast, reconstruction, trends, techniques, complications

Keywords

• prepectoral
• breast
• reconstruction
• trends
• techniques
• complications