THE DIEP FLAP
In the mid- 1990's it was recognized that the TRAM flap could be harvested without the rectus abdominis muscle by dissecting the blood vessels (the perforating vessels to the skin and fat) through the muscle (see figure 2). This flap, called the deep inferior epigastric perforator or DIEP flap (see figure 3), uses the same skin and fat of the lower abdomen as the TRAM to reconstruct a breast. There are several published series in the medical literature that show that patients who undergo this procedure have less pain and a faster recovery than patients who undergo TRAM flap reconstruction. There is also less risk of abdominal wall weakness and herniation. Finally, since the flap is taken from the low abdomen like a TRAM flap, there is the added benefit of a "tummy-tuck", with the abdomen nicely re- contoured.


Figure 2


Figure 3

The DIEP harvest is longer and more complicated than a TRAM flap, but for most patients this is more than offset by the benefits to the abdominal wall.

This is pretty interesting information. personally, I had no idea breast surgery was this involved. The techniques and the advances in breast surgery are simply astonishing. Even Specialists at the forefront of researching new surgical techniques, like San Francisco Plastic Surgeon Dr Gabe Kind agree that the DIEP FLAP reconstruction technique is bay far the most advanced form of breast reconstruction available today. Anyone have any comments? Has anyone ever had this type of breast reconstruction? Let's discuss Shall we?