Plastic Surgery>>>>>Breast, trunk and perineum
Question 33#

The following is false in breast reconstruction:

A. TRAM flaps reduce abdominal wall strength compared with DIEP flaps with resultant detriment to activities of daily living and quality of life
B. Pedicled TRAM flaps result in greater morbidity than DIEP flaps from partial flap loss and fat necrosis
C. DIEP flaps are associated with reduced immediate/early postoperative pain compared with TRAM flaps
D. There is no evidence that shows an increase in abdominal hernias with TRAM flaps compared with DIEP flaps
E. TRAM flaps produce comparable aesthetic breast reconstructions and comparable patient satisfaction

Correct Answer is A

Comment:

TRAM flaps reduce abdominal wall strength compared with DIEP flaps with resultant detriment to activities of daily living and quality of life. A is false. There is no evidence that the preservation of abdominal wall strength from DIEP flaps versus TRAM flaps translates to better maintenance of activities of daily living. Pedicled TRAM flaps are purported to have a higher incidence of flap necrosis and partial flap loss compared with free flaps. DIEP flaps are associated with less postoperative pain than TRAM flaps. There is no evidence than TRAM flaps result in abdominal hernias compared with DIEP flaps.