Oncoplastic breast reconstruction with single-port laparoscopically harvested omental flap: insights from a ten-year tertiary center experience.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the 10-year functional and oncological outcomes of single-port laparoscopically harvested omental flap (SLOF) for immediate breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. The technical feasibility and oncologic safety of breast reconstruction using a laparoscopically harvested omental flap remain controversial.

METHODS

We examined 236 patients with breast cancer (including 2 patients with malignant phyllodes tumors) who underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery followed by immediate SLOF reconstruction between February 2015 and March 2024 at our institution. Short- and long-term outcomes were assessed. Cosmetic outcomes were evaluated using a three-panel assessment and the Seoul Breast Esthetic Scoring Tool and compared with those of a matched cohort of patients who underwent deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction.

RESULTS

The rate of clinically significant complications of Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa or greater was 3.8% (9/236). Two patients with flap failure required flap removal and conversion to other reconstruction procedures. The cosmetic satisfaction rates were 82.5% and 76.4% in the SLOF and DIEP groups, respectively (P = 0.467). Over a median 59-month follow-up, the local, regional, and systemic recurrence rates were 3%, 2.1%, and 3%, respectively. All patients underwent annual screening for gastric cancer via esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and there were no cases of delayed flap removal due to gastrectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Oncoplastic breast reconstruction using SLOF is safe and feasible. The natural contour and texture of the reconstructed breast and the nearly invisible scar at the abdominal single-port incision provide excellent cosmetic outcomes that are superior to those of other reconstruction methods.