Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-3-24
pubmed:abstractText
Abdominal-wall function was evaluated preoperatively and at intervals postoperatively in 25 consecutive patients undergoing breast reconstruction with transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps (single-pedicled TRAM flap, 14 patients; free TRAM flap, 9 patients; and bilateral free TRAM flaps, 2 patients). Objective measures of abdominal-wall function were performed with the B200 Isostation, a triaxial dynamometer. In addition, the patients were assessed by a physical therapist and filled out an activity questionnaire at each postoperative examination. Tests of abdominal-wall function demonstrated the greatest decrease in performance at the 6-week postoperative tests of flexion. The maximum isometric flexion torque of the pedicled TRAM flap group decreased to 58 +/- 10 percent, while the unilateral free TRAM flap group average was 87 +/- 11 percent of baseline. For the pedicled TRAM flap group this difference was significant (p = 0.004). By the 6-month evaluation, the maximum isometric flexion torque increased for both the pedicled and the free TRAM flap groups to 89 +/- 13 percent and 93 +/- 8 percent of baseline, respectively. The physical therapist evaluation of abdominal-wall strength and the activity questionnaire data showed no statistically significant differences between groups or over time. Rectus abdominis muscle harvest for pedicled TRAM flaps causes a greater insult to the abdominal wall than does free TRAM flap harvest. The ultimate clinical effect of the sacrifice of even an entire rectus abdominis muscle appears to be well tolerated by most patients. This is the first prospective outcome study of abdominal-wall function in TRAM flap patients. The clinical implications of this information will be discussed.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0032-1052
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
99
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
417-28
pubmed:dateRevised
2011-2-16
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1997
pubmed:articleTitle
Abdominal-wall recovery following TRAM flap: a functional outcome study.
pubmed:affiliation
Microsurgical Replantation Transplantation Department, Davies Medical Center, San Francisco, Calif., USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't