To study the outcome of tissue flap transplantation in defect area after segmental mastectomy.

The clinical data of 64 patients with plasma cell mastitis and multiple intraductal papilloma who underwent segmental mastectomy in General Hospital of Chinese People’s Armed Police from May 2003 to August 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The defect area after segmental mastectomy was filled with a tissue flap consisting of residual mammary tissue, adipose tissue and skin. The postoperative complications and appearance of the wound were analyzed.

The breast showed an acceptable appearance after tissue flap transplantation in 64 patients. There were 22 patients with resected lesion > 1 quadrant but < 2 quadrants, and 2 patients with resected area of multiple intraductal papilloma≥2 quadrants but < 3 quadrants, and all repaired breasts presented a good appearance and were symmetrical to the healthy breast after tissue flap transplantation. Twenty-one patients had the resected range of the breast ≥ 2 quadrants but<3 quadrants and the breast appearance was obviously changed after tissue flap transplantation, with local defect and asymmetric to the healthy breast. Nineteen patients with resected lesion≥3 quadrants had a remarkably smaller breast, which was asymmetrical to the healthy breast. Only 1 case developed the necrosis of adipose tissue after operation and was cured by minimally invasive excision of necrotic tissue. They were followed up for 4-10 years, median 6 years. There was no collapse in the nipple and the whole affected breast. The outcome was satisfactory.

The tissue flap transplantation in the defect area after segmental mastectomy is feasible, which can avoid total mastectomy and achieve satisfactory outcome.