Microsurgical training curriculum in a gynecological breast cancer center: a benefit for patients and surgeons?

[PURPOSE] Autologous breast reconstruction improves patient satisfaction and quality of life after mastectomy. In Germany, free flap surgery and implant-based reconstruction is usually separate between reconstructive surgery and gynecology. Cooperation between the specialist disciplines and implementation of microsurgery into breast surgeon training could enhance surgical treatment for breast cancer patients. This evaluation is intended to demonstrate the learning progress within a microsurgical training program and the complication rate in relation to microsurgical experience.

[METHODS] At the breast cancer center at Klinikum rechts der Isar, TU Munich, a three-stage training program for autologous breast reconstruction and microsurgery for gynecological breast surgeons was developed. Between 2019 and 2022, 74 women received autologous free flap breast reconstruction by a consistent team consisting of a gynecological surgeon in training and an expert microsurgeon. Peri- and postoperative data were collected to analyze the feasibility and safety of a microsurgical training in gynecology.

[RESULTS] Within the training, operative steps of free autologous breast reconstruction were increasingly taken over by the gynecological surgeon in training. The analysis showed a decrease in operating times with consistently low complication rates during the training.

[CONCLUSION] This study demonstrated that a training in free autologous breast reconstruction for gynecological surgeons is safely feasible through close cooperation between gynecological and reconstructive surgery.