Download PDF
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2015; 48(01): 081-084
DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.155276
Case Report
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India

Successful pregnancy “during” pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap for breast reconstruction with normal vaginal delivery

Siew Cheng Chai
Reconstructive Sciences Unit, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
,
Shahlini Umayaal
Reconstructive Sciences Unit, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
,
Arman Zaharil Mat Saad
Reconstructive Sciences Unit, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
26 August 2019 (online)

Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

A transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is a popular choice for breast reconstruction. Pregnancies in women following a TRAM flap present concerns regarding both safety and the integrity of the abdominal wall. We report a case of a patient who was pregnant during immediate breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flap and had a successful spontaneous vaginal delivery. We also conducted a literature review using PubMed on pregnancy post TRAM flap, type of reconstruction, timing of pregnancy after TRAM flap, complication, and mode of delivery, which are summarised in this report. We concluded that patients may have safe pregnancies and normal deliveries following TRAM flap breast reconstruction regardless of the time frame of pregnancy after the procedure. Therefore, TRAM flaps can continue to be a reconstruction option, even in women of childbearing age.

KEY WORDS

Breast reconstruction - pregnancy - transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap - vaginal delivery
 

  • REFERENCES

  • 1 Hartrampf Jr CR. Abdominal wall competence in transverse abdominal island flap operations. Ann Plast Surg 1984; 12: 139-46
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Lawrence WT, McDonald HD. Pregnancy after breast reconstruction with a transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. Ann Plast Surg 1986; 16: 354-5
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Chen L, Hartrampf Jr CR, Bennett GK. Successful pregnancies following TRAM flap surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg 1993; 91: 69-71
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Carramaschi FR, Ramos ML, Pinotti JA, Ferreira MC. Pregnancy following breast reconstruction with TRAM Flaps. Breast J 1998; 4: 258-60
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Parodi PC, Osti M, Longhi P, Rampino E, Anania G, Riberti C. Pregnancy and tram-flap breast reconstruction after mastectomy: A case report. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 2001; 35: 211-5
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Wagner LH, Ruth-Sahd LA. Pregnancy after a TRAM flap procedure: Principles of nursing care. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2000; 29: 363-8
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Collin TW, Coady MS. Is pregnancy contraindicated following free TRAM breast reconstruction?. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2006; 59: 556-9
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Zeligson G, Hadar A, Koretz M, Silberstein E, Krieger Y, Bogdanov-Berezovsky A. Uneventful pregnancy and delivery after TRAM flap reconstruction following bilateral mastectomies. Isr Med Assoc J 2011; 13: 381-3
    PubMedGoogle Scholar