Vascular Mapping for Abdominal-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Comprehensive Review of Current and Upcoming Imaging Modalities.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative vascular imaging is a very common element of surgical planning for abdominal-based breast reconstruction (ABBR). Surgeons must tailor which flap is best suited for each respective patient based on the patient's health and vascular anatomy. The goal of this review is to give surgeons practical tools for choosing which imaging technology best suits their patient's needs for successful breast reconstruction.

METHODS: A review of literature was undertaken on Google scholar to assess preoperative imaging modalities used for ABBR. Search terms included breast reconstruction, deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, and abdominal imaging. Articles were included based on relevance and significance to ABBR. Advantages and disadvantages of each imaging modality were then classified according to clinically relevant utility.

RESULTS: Overall, imaging technologies that produce 3-dimensional images were found to have greater resolution for identifying perforators and the pedicle network than 2- dimensional images.

CONCLUSIONS: This paper addresses the strengths and weaknesses of the currently used imaging modalities described and also discusses new technologies that may be helpful in the future for planning of ABBR.