Perforator vs. musculocutaneous flaps in breast reconstruction: a systematic review on differences in long-term functional outcomes and quality of life

Key Points

• Musculocutaneous flaps may lead to greater long-term functional outcomes compared to perforator flaps, enhancing patient quality of life.
• Quality of life scores were significantly higher, with differences noted across studies evaluating various reconstruction techniques.
• Systematic review of surgical outcomes, involving comparative analyses to highlight distinct benefits of flap types for breast reconstruction.
• Highlights the importance of choosing the appropriate flap type in breast reconstruction to optimize functional and quality of life outcomes.