Latissimus dorsi mini flap versus thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in reconstruction of partial mastectomy defects in early breast cancer: a prospective comparative study

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type among women and can lead to death. The surgical management of breast cancer has witnessed a considerable evolution in the past few decades. The aim was to compare the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap with the latissimus dorsi (LD) mini flap in the reconstruction of outer quadrants partial mastectomy defects in early breast cancer patients regarding feasibility, cosmesis, postoperative complications, and early musculoskeletal functional outcome. A prospective randomized study was carried out on 40 consecutive female patients complaining of early breast cancer (stages I, II), undergoing partial breast resection (lumpectomy or quadrantectomy with axillary lymph node dissection), and with a small tumor to breast volume ratio. All patients were randomized into two equal groups in a parallel manner by computer-generated numbers, and their allocation code was kept in a closed opaque envelope: group I: early breast cancer (stages I, II) who underwent mastectomy defect by either TDAP flap. Group II: early breast cancer (stage I, II) who underwent mastectomy the LD mini flap. Operation time, drain removal, and hospital stay were significantly lower in LD mini-flap group than TDAP flap group (P=0.032, P<0.05, respectively). Complications and reoperation were insignificantly different between the two groups. Shoulder mobility 6 months and breast scar satisfaction was significantly higher in LD mini-flap group than TDAP flap group (P=0.045 and 0.009, respectively). Breast scar satisfaction and total score of satisfaction were significantly higher in LD mini-flap group than TDAP flap group (P<0.05). Time of adjuvant therapy (first cycle) was insignificantly different between both groups. In early breast cancer patients, the LD mini flap is a superior technique to TDAP as it had lower operation time, short hospital stays, drain removal, breast scar satisfaction, and total score of patient satisfaction but with high shoulder mobility affection.