DIEP Flap Reconstruction Long Island

What is DIEP flap reconstruction?

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap (DIEP) breast reconstruction is the most common method of "natural " breast reconstruction using your own tissue. The flap comes from the skin and fat of the lower abdomen (below the navel). It is harvested in an oval or elliptical shape extending across the entire lower abdomen, from one hip to the other. The scar is low on the abdomen, similar to an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). The blood supply to this tissue (flap) comes primarily from small blood vessel branches (called perforators).

In the DIEP flap, only the skin and fat from the abdomen with perforating vessels will be removed, leaving the abdominal muscles in place. Since the DIEP flap procedure does not take actual abdominal muscle, abdominal muscle strength can be preserved.

Who is a good candidate for the DIEP flap?

Almost any woman with adequate skin and fat of the lower abdomen is a candidate for DIEP flap reconstruction in Long Island. For a unilateral (single) mastectomy, the entire flap can be used, while a bilateral (double) mastectomy reconstruction requires the harvested flap to be split to restore each side.

Before the surgery, a special CT or MRI scan (angiogram) is performed to evaluate where the best blood vessels feeding the lower abdominal skin and fat exist. Visualization of the specific type of blood vessels helps to make the selection of the "right" perforator (blood supply vessels) during the operation easier. This test confirms that a patient is a good candidate for the surgery. Finally, the imaging also reduces operating time.

What are the benefits of DIEP flap reconstruction?

There are many advantages to using your own tissue (flap) to reconstruct the breast. Here are some of the many benefits of the DIEP flap breast reconstruction:

Appearance and feel of a soft, natural breast
Spares the abdominal muscles, resulting a very rare rate of abdominal hernia
Hidden donor site scar (similar to an abdominoplasty or a tummy tuck scar)
Can be done at the same time as the mastectomy
As the breast reconstruction is done with tummy fat, the breast reconstruction responds to weight gain and loss like natural breast tissue
Long-lasting result

What are the drawbacks?

The DIEP flap can only be performed one time, as the abdominal tissue can only be harvested once in a woman's life. In other words, if a woman chooses to do a single side mastectomy with abdominal flap reconstruction, the abdominal skin, tissue, and fat cannot then be used in the future for breast reconstruction in the event the opposite breast needs a mastectomy. As such, many patients when deciding upon a DIEP or SIEA flap reconstruction, consider whether the mastectomy should be single or both breasts.

How is the procedure performed?

The breast surgeon will perform the mastectomy at the breast site, while Dr. Tanna will simultaneously begin harvesting the tissue from your abdomen for the DIEP flap. During this meticulous dissection, the flap (lower abdominal skin and fat) is isolated on only its feeding blood vessels (perforators). The harvesting of the flap is performed with high power magnification glasses, called loupes.

After the mastectomy is completed, Dr. Tanna will identify the chest blood vessels (internal mammary artery and vein) to connect with the blood vessels of the DIEP flap. This connection of the chest vessels (internal mammary vessels) to the donor abdomen vessels (DIEP flap vessels) is what restores blood flow to the DIEP flap, so the tissue can be supplied with nutrients to stay healthy in the new location. These blood vessels are small and delicate, with their size ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 millimeters in diameter.

With the chest vessels identified and the flap of tissue ready to place to restore the breast, the DIEP flap with its specifically chosen blood vessels is now transferred to the chest. Under the operating microscope the flap blood vessels are connected to the recipient blood vessels in the chest. This microsurgery is what provides nourishment to your natural tissue so it can flourish. Following the connection (anastomosis), the flap is then shaped to form a soft, natural breast.

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Why is it so important to choose a highly qualified surgeon for the DIEP flap?

DIEP flap breast reconstruction in Long Island requires more time to complete than implant-based breast reconstruction because of the precision and technical expertise required. In addition, surgery is not only being performed at the breast, but also at the flap donor site (abdomen). Despite operating on the breast and abdomen, no body cavities are accessed during the surgery and the harvesting is confined to the skin and underlying soft tissue, which is more easily tolerated.

The careful managing of the blood vessels increases operating time, but the human body tolerates surgery on the skin and fat very well. Patients recover quickly with usually only a two or three-night hospital stay. The abdominal scar is low on the abdomen, like an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) scar. DIEP flap procedures should only be done by plastic surgeons who perform microsurgery regularly and have the necessary qualifications and training to perform microsurgery.

What can I expect after my surgery?

Following surgery, you will be transported to the recovery room. You will be awake and aware. You will be under close nursing observation.

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DIEP Flap