Anterior Intercostal Artery Perforator Flap for Delayed Implant Exposure Salvage After Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction.

Level of Evidence: 5 (Therapeutic) pmc-status-qastatus 0 pmc-status-live yes pmc-status-embargo no pmc-status-released yes pmc-prop-open-access yes pmc-prop-olf no pmc-prop-manuscript no pmc-prop-legally-suppressed no pmc-prop-has-pdf yes pmc-prop-has-supplement no pmc-prop-pdf-only no pmc-prop-suppress-copyright no pmc-prop-is-real-version no pmc-prop-is-scanned-article no pmc-prop-preprint no pmc-prop-in-epmc yes pmc-license-ref CC BY Implant-based breast reconstruction is widely performed after mastectomy, with an increasing trend toward prepectoral placement. 1 However, complications such as infection, skin necrosis, and implant exposure (IE) may jeopardize reconstructive outcomes. 2 , 3 IE is an uncommon but serious event that carries pathological, psychological, and financial consequences for patients. 4 , 5 When IE occurs, the standard approach is to remove the implant and delay breast reconstruction. 4 , 6 , 7 In selected cases of mild exposure or infection, however, implant salvage may represent a valuable alternative, because many patients are reluctant to undergo explantation.

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