Clinical outcomes and aesthetic satisfaction of the lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) flap in immediate oncoplastic breast reconstruction following breast-conserving surgery

To investigate the clinical application, aesthetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction of the lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) flap for immediate breast reconstruction following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in breast cancer patients. Twenty-eight breast cancer patients (aged 33-65 years, mean 48.75 ± 7.481 years) treated between August 2023 and December 2024 were enrolled. Tumor diameters ranged from 1.05 to 2.80 cm (mean 1.50 ± 0.32 cm), with pathological types including invasive ductal carcinoma (25 cases), invasive lobular carcinoma (2 cases), and phyllodes tumor (1 case). All underwent LTAP flap reconstruction. Aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction were assessed using the BREAST-Q BCT module version 2.0, with data analyzed via SPSS 23. No postoperative complications occurred. All patients completed the BREAST-Q survey, with median (IQR) scores of 100 (42) for breast satisfaction and 76 (19) for physical well-being of the chest. The LTAP flap achieves favorable aesthetic outcomes and high patient satisfaction for immediate breast reconstruction after BCS, with good safety.