Clinical analysis of immediate breast reconstruction using latissimus dorsi muscular flap in breast cancer

The aim of this study is to explore the clinical efficacy of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) using the latissimus dorsi muscular flap in Chinese breast cancer patients. The clinical data of 17 breast cancer patients who underwent IBR using the latissimus dorsi muscular flap between August 2013 and September 2021 at Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. Harris scoring standard was used to evaluate the cosmetic effect. All the 17 cases were successfully treated. The median age was 43 years old (age range: 32-54 years old). In the clinical staging, the patients were mainly early and mid-stage patients, with two cases in stage 0, 12 cases in stage II, and three cases in stage III. Postoperative pathology was predominantly invasive breast cancer (15/17), and two cases were carcinoma in situ. The median operation time was 300 min (range: 180-450 min) and only two patients developed complications. After 2-97 months of follow-up, no patients had recurrence or metastasis. According to the Harris method, 9, 6, 2, and 0 cases were evaluated as "excellent", "good", "fair," and "poor" respectively. The practical application of IBR using the latissimus dorsi muscular flap is a safe and feasible way to improve physical and mental health in breast cancer patients.