Immediate breast reconstruction post-mastectomy
All ages (17-76 yrs)
High BMI (15.3-38.5)
At all cancer stages (0-IV)
Secondary/bilateral reconstruction patients
Nipple-areolar preservation
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital Plastic Surgery, led by Prof. Hsing-Tao Lin, built the "Restoring Curves, Renewing Body" immediate breast reconstruction service with Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap post-mastectomy. Refined and precise original surgery with excellent team collaboration ensures flap blood supply, 100% surgical success, no patient selection (BMI 15.3-38.5 avg 23.1, all cancer stages I-IV, ages 17-76, secondary, and bilateral reconstructions all accepted). From Feb 1997 to June 2014, across KMUH, KMU-Kangshan, KMU-Hsiao Kang, and Chang Gung system (4 hospitals): 1,134 pedicled TRAM flap reconstructions—#1 in autologous reconstruction in Taiwan and Asia. 97.4% immediate; 6.1% bilateral; 11.0% unmarried; nipple-areolar preservation since 2004: 51.1% (344/673). Low complications: total flap loss 0%, partial loss 0.7%, post-op infection 0.9%, fat necrosis 3.6%, mild-moderate skin ischemia 4.6%, abdominal herniation 0.5%. Subsequent treatment only delayed 4 days (reconstruction 32.3 days vs non-reconstruction 28.6 days). Reconstruction rate 39.1% (vs USA SEER 16%, Canada 7.7%, Denmark 16.9%, UK 31%). Patient satisfaction 98.0% (808 patients); 94.4% would recommend. Endorsed by Academician Fu-Chan Wei as "Asia's first surgeon to complete 1,000 breast reconstructions."
Refined, precise TRAM flap original technique
100% surgical success, no patient selection
#1 in autologous reconstruction in Taiwan & Asia
First in Asia to complete 1,000 reconstructions
51.1% nipple-areolar preservation
39.1% reconstruction rate leads Asia
1,134 cases (1997-2014)
97.4% immediate (1,104)
69 bilateral (6.1%)
Nipple-areolar preservation 344/673 (51.1%)
MRM+TRAM 41% vs MRM 59%
4-hospital collaboration
100% surgical success
0% total flap loss
0.7% partial flap loss
98.0% patient satisfaction
94.4% would recommend
Only 4 days delay in subsequent treatment
Post-op infection 0.9%
Fat necrosis 3.6%
Mild-moderate skin ischemia 4.6%
Abdominal herniation 0.5%
Avoids second anesthesia risk
Inclusive across BMI, age, stage
Patient self-rated satisfaction 98.0%
94.4% willing to share/recommend
Discharge in 1 week
Good aesthetic results (nipple-areolar)
Stable patient emotions
Saves cost & time, avoids second anesthesia
First in Asia with 1,000+ reconstructions
9 international conference talks
11 international physicians visited
39.1% reconstruction rate exceeds USA SEER 16%, Canada 7.7%
Higher than Denmark 16.9%, UK 31%
Benchmarked vs Lang JE, Mioton LM, Albornoz CR literature
Invited talks at 19 domestic teaching hospitals
6 domestic hospitals' physicians visited
Significant contribution to breast cancer treatment
Provides patients reconstruction option of hope
Trains national plastic surgery talent
Asian breast reconstruction exemplar
