ciNPT in Autologous DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Summary

In women who undergo mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer, autologous reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is a common surgical procedure that aims to restore both the appearance and texture of the breast(s).Specifically, this requires the transfer of skin, fat, and perforator vessels from the abdomen to a recipient artery and vein in the chest to create a viable breast mound. Post-operatively, the abdominal donor site is routinely monitored for wound dehiscence, which has a reported incidence of up to 39% in this patient population; however, this incidence typically varies from 3.5% to 14%.

At the investigators' academic institution, patients who undergo DIEP breast reconstruction typically have ciNPT or traditional tape dressings applied to the closed abdominal donor site. These dressings are selected according to surgeon preference and typically remain in-situ until hospital discharge. As there remains clinical equipoise regarding the ability of ciNPT to reduce abdominal wound dehiscence, further research in the form of a parallel, two-arm RCT is warranted.

The investigators propose a randomized controlled superiority trial with the primary objective of comparing the incidence of wound dehiscence at 1 month in patients undergoing autologous DIEP breast reconstruction with ciNPT versus standard tape dressings for the abdominal donor site incision. The design and conduct of the proposed study will mirror the methodology of the recently completed pilot trial (NCT04985552) including randomization, interventions, and clinical outcomes.

The secondary objective of this study is to evaluate other clinical outcomes comparing ciNPT to standard tape dressings applied to the abdominal donor site incision. Secondary clinical outcomes will include: 2) the incidence of seroma formation and surgical site infection at 1 month; 2) quality of life as measured by BREAST-Q physical well-being abdomen and EQ-5D-5L pre-operatively, 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months postoperatively; 3) Scar appearance as measured by the SCAR-Q at 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months postoperatively.

As an adjunct to the main study, another secondary clinical outcome will include the overall incidence of MINS as diagnosed by postoperative abnormally elevated troponin levels (as per site-specific laboratory assay thresholds) and electrocardiograms (ECG) at 6-12 hours and 1, 2, and 3 days after surgery.

Conditions

• Breast Cancer
• Wound Dehiscence, Surgical

Interventions

DEVICE

ciNPT

Following closure of the abdominal donor site, the closed incision will be dressed with the ciNPT system \[V.A.C.ULTA™ Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System (KCI, USA)\] applied by the operating surgeon in a sterile fashion (Figure 2). The ciNPT device will be set at -125mmHg of continuous negative pressure for a period of 7 days or until patient discharge from hospital. Removal of the ciNPT dressing will be performed by the surgical team at the time of discharge. Following removal, no additional dressings will be applied to the abdominal incision unless clinically indicated secondary to dehiscence.

OTHER

Conventional Tape Dressings

Following closure of the abdominal donor site, the closed abdominal incision will be dressed with 1-inch Micropore™ Surgical Tape (3M, USA) with an alcohol swab applied to the tape for additional adhesion, by the operating surgeon in a sterile fashion. This dressing will remain in-situ for up to 7 days or until patient discharge from hospital. Removal of the traditional tape dressing will be performed by the surgical team at the time of discharge. Following removal, no additional dressings will be applied unless clinically indicated secondary to dehiscence.

PROCEDURE

DIEP Breast Reconstruction

All patients enrolled in the study will undergo DIEP breast reconstruction and have their abdominal incision sutured according to routine clinical practice. At the Hamilton sites, we will use 3-0 VICRYL ® suture (Ethicon, USA) for deep fascia closure, 4-0 MONOCRYL® suture (Ethicon, USA) for deep dermal closure, and 5-0 MONOCRYL® suture (Ethicon, USA) for subcuticular closure. At the London sites, we will use 2-0 VICRYL ® suture (Ethicon, USA) for deep fascia closure, 3-0 MONOCRYL® suture (Ethicon, USA) for deep dermal closure, and 4-0 MONOCRYL® suture (Ethicon, USA) for subcuticular closure.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Western University

  collaborator OTHER

• McMaster University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-07-31

Primary Completion

2025-09-30

Completion

2026-03-31

FDA Device

Yes