Feed

Laparoscopically harvested pedicled omental flap (LHPOF) reconstruction is a minimally invasive autologous option for immediate breast reconstruction, but prior reviews have largely examined omental flaps broadly, combining open and laparoscopic harvests, free and pedicled transfers, and mixed reconstructive indications. This systematic review evaluated operative characteristics, peri-operative complications, and esthetic outcomes following LHPOF after oncologic breast surgery. MEDLINE, Cochrane and Embase were searched without language or date restrictions, with backward citation searching of included studies. Eligible studies included female patients undergoing immediate unilateral breast reconstruction with LHPOF after mastectomy or BCS. Twenty-two studies published between 2001 and 2025 were included, representing 1869 patients. Operative techniques were broadly consistent, most commonly involving transverse-colon-first omental harvest, preservation of the right gastroepiploic vessels, and tunnelling from the inframammary fold toward the xiphoid. Reported complications included omental fat necrosis, partial flap loss, hematoma, infection, epigastric bulging, and incisional or tunnel-site hernia. Esthetic outcomes were generally favourable but assessed using heterogeneous methods. Current evidence suggests this technique is feasible in selected patients and may offer favourable esthetic outcomes with limited donor-site morbidity. However, prospective comparative studies with standardized reporting are needed to define optimal patient selection, long-term safety, and esthetic durability.