DIEP flap with implant: a further option in optimising breast reconstruction

The extended diep flap: Extending the possibilities for breast reconstruction with tissue from the lower abdomen

“…However, limitations such as insufficient volume may preclude the lower abdomen as a donor site especially in thin women and in bilateral breast reconstruction. Although combining a flap with an implant is a well established method and has been reported for the latissimus dorsi flap2 as well as free flaps from the lower abdomen,3, 4 there is an inherent increase in risk of complications and the need for secondary procedures in due course. In order to avoid the use of foreign material, the extended latissimus dorsi flap was described and used successfully since many years 5–7.…”

Perforator Flaps Covering Alloplastic Materials in Full-Thickness Chest Wall Defects Reconstruction: A Safe Option?

“…9 Moreover, in breast reconstruction field, the use of perforator flaps (i.e., DIEP or superficial inferior epigastric artery) in combination with prosthetic material (breast implants), which represents a similar situation to that faced in this report, has shown no greater risk of infection nor complications related to vascularization. 10 Regarding thorax reconstruction, there is only 1 report in literature in which a full-thickness chest wall defect of 13 × 16.5 cm was repaired by a double Marlex mesh covered with 2 local perforator flaps with a successful outcome. 11 We have presented 4 cases in which perforator flaps (1 pedicled and 3 free) have been used for covering full-thickness chest wall defects successfully, despite the presence of inert material or radiotherapy.…”

Is Holm Zone III safe from fat necrosis in medial row perforator‐based deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps?

“…The fat necrosis rate (14.3%) of the bipedicled flap group was similar to that of the medial row perforator group, whereas the mean inset rate was much higher (79.8 vs. 66.0). The simultaneous use of implants with DIEP flaps can be suggested as a good option in optimizing large breast reconstruction . We can also reduce the inset rate of flaps by performing reduction mammaplasty of the contralateral side if the patients want smaller breasts.…”

“…The simultaneous use of implants with DIEP flaps can be suggested as a good option in optimizing large breast reconstruction. 33 We can also reduce the inset rate of flaps by performing reduction mammaplasty of the contralateral side if the patients want smaller breasts.…”