SUBDERMAL PLEXUS AS A GUIDE FOR SKIN FLAP THICKNESS IN MODIFIED RADICAL MASTECTOMY IN BREAST CANCER

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer to affect women in the world and is the second highest cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. Different surgical options are available for treating breast cancer but Modified Radical Mastectomy is still the most common surgery performed worldwide for breast cancer and has the lowest incidence of loco-regional recurrence. Aim: The aim of this study to find out the role of sub-dermal plexus as a guide to achieve optimum skin flap thickness during modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. Materialsandmethods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Surgery and Pathology, Zoram Medical College Hospital, Falkawn, Mizoram. A total of 40 patients with Breast carcinoma for which Modified Radical Mastectomy were included in this study. Results: All the patients were observed for skin flap necrosis. The overall incidence of Flap necrosis was 0% as observed on POD1, POD2, POD4 and POD6. Although after POD14, there were a total of 5 patients who had surgical site infection with wound gaping for whom debridement, dressings and secondary suturing were done. Conclusion: we concluded that there is minimal chance of skin flap necrosis and minimal chance of leaving behind breast tissue using subdermal plexus of vein as a guide for optimum skin flap thickness in modified radical mastectomy in patients with breast cancer.