Ambulatory surgery for partial breast reconstruction with pedicled chest wall perforator flaps

Ambulatory surgery has increased in popularity over recent years, and it has extended to more complex surgeries, even for patients with different co-morbidities. Our study evaluates the ambulatory care for complex oncoplastic breast surgical procedures, involving partial breast reconstruction with chest wall perforator flaps (CWPF). Out of 150 patients, 146 (97.3%) patients were discharged within 23hrs. The overall complication rate was 11.3% (n=17), seroma and wound breakdown being the most common complications (3.3% each). Two (1.4%) patients had an immediate postoperative haematoma that required a return to theatre. The 30 days readmission rate was 2.7% (n=4). Amongst those 4 patients, 2 had wound breakdown and one patient developed a delayed haematoma. Another patient developed pulmonary embolism on the 4th postoperative day. These results were comparable to other studies. Therefore, we propose that ambulatory surgery is feasible and safe for CWPFs in partial breast reconstruction.