Robotic Harvest of Internal Mammary Vessels in Breast Reconstruction

Abstract

The authors have robotically harvested the internal mammary vessels to provide the recipient pedicle for free-flap breast reconstruction in 22 consecutive cases. Through minimal-access incisions, the robot facilitated the harvest of a pedicle up to 10 cm in length. The pedicle was brought out through the second intercostal space into the mastectomy wound, allowing the anastomosis to be performed on the skin surface with loupes or microscope. This paper illustrates their experience and offers an innovative approach to free-flap breast reconstruction.