JOURNAL ARTICLE
VIDEO-AUDIO MEDIA
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Techniques and Perforator Selection in Single, Dominant DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: Algorithmic Approach to Maximize Efficiency and Safety.

BACKGROUND: Perforator selection is critical to deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap harvest. Commitment to a single perforator has the potential benefit of a simpler dissection, but may increase fat necrosis or perfusion-related complications compared with multiple perforator harvest.

METHODS: A 3-year retrospective study was carried out of all patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction performed by the senior author (M.S.-C). Data were collected on patient demographics and surgical outcomes.

RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three flaps were performed (105 patients) over 3 years. One hundred fifty-six bilateral (78 patients) and 24 unilateral flaps were included in the final study. Mean age was 47.8 ± 8.4 years and mean body mass index was 29.1 ± 5.3 kg/m. Seventy-five percent of flaps were based on single dominant perforators. Single perforators were used in 33.3 percent of flaps weighing over 1000 g, 80 and 74 percent of flaps weighing 500 to 1000 g and less than 500 g, respectively (p = 0.01). There were no differences in overall complications between single- versus multiple-perforator DIEP flaps. Neither body mass index nor flap weight posed additional risk to overall complications. Conversion to a muscle-sparing flap was 9.4 percent.

CONCLUSIONS: The authors present an algorithm for perforator selection, stepwise approach to flap harvest, and considerations for intraoperative decision-making in DIEP flap reconstruction. Single-dominant perforator flaps can be safely performed, but inclusion of the largest perforator is critical to flap perfusion. Additional perforators must be weighed against the associated tradeoff with donor-site morbidity. The threshold for conversion to a muscle-sparing flap is reduced with increased clinical experience.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app