Abstract
This investigation assesses the safety and practicality of using robotic assistance for harvesting the latissimus dorsi muscle flap (LDMF) for immediate reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery in breast cancer patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 27 women who underwent immediate reconstruction using robot-assisted LDMF harvesting at our hospital between August 2019 and April 2024. Participants in this study had a mean age of 47.6±8.7 years. The average amount of breast tissue removed, encompassing the tumor, was 133.2±53.0 g. Tumors were most commonly found in the upper outer quadrant, accounting for 37% of cases. The total time required to complete breast-conserving surgery, lymph node evaluation or dissection, robot-assisted LDMF harvest, and subsequent breast reconstruction was, on average, 459.1±120.8 minutes. The average time for robot docking was 30 minutes, with a mean flap harvesting time of 201.1±74.7 minutes. Aside from seroma formation at the donor site, there were no other complications or delays in starting adjuvant treatment. No locoregional or systemic recurrence was observed over the mean follow-up period of 31.8±13.1 months. Overall patient-reported satisfaction was excellent or good in 88.9% of cases, with particularly high satisfaction regarding the absence of scarring. Robot-assisted LDMF harvesting is a safe and effective option for partial breast reconstruction, providing high patient satisfaction and minimal scarring.