Various Applications of Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Free Flap

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap is well known as an ideal donor site for the breast reconstruction. The flap can provide huge amount of fat tissue for breast and buttock contour, while it is also very useful as a thin skin flap to reconstruct the upper and lower extremities. We used a DIEP free flap in various site reconstructions besides the breast and would like to reinsure the usefulness of this flap. METHODS: Twenty nine consecutive patients who underwent DIEP free flap surgery from 2001 January to 2007 December were reviewed. The case constituted seven male patients and twenty two female patients. There were sixteen breast reconstructions, five face reconstructions, five lower extremity reconstructions, two upper extremity reconstructions, and one buttock contour reconstruction. All clinical data were based on the patient's medical records. RESULTS: All DIEP free flaps survived without major complications. There was no hematoma, seroma, or partial necrosis. The donor sites were closed primarily with linear scar on lower abdomen. The thinnest part of flap was 0.7cm in thickness. The size of the largest flap was 38 x 13 cm. The flaps were used in various types of skin and adipose tissue, adipose tissue only, and skin only according to the requirement of recipient site. CONCLUSION: The DIEP free flap was enough to provide a thin and huge flap for both breast and extremity reconstructions. It was able to provide versatile designs with sufficient adipose tissue. So we use it for 3-dimensional face and buttock contour reconstructions. The DIEP free flap is a valuable reconstructive donor for face, upper and lower extremity in addition to breast without compromising the integrity of abdominal wall.