Conjoined bipedicle deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in reconstruction of unilateral breast / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the clinical application of conjoined bipedicle deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) in reconstruction of unilateral breast for patients with breast cancer.Methods:From August, 2007 to Feburary, 2017, 41 cases of breast cancer patients received conjoined bipedicle DIEP to reconstruct breasts at the same time of radial operation of mastocarcinoma or in the second phase. Their age ranged from 27 to 49 (34.5±2.7) years old. Twenty-two cases had one-staged and other 19 had two-staged breast reconstruction. All patients were in scheduled followed-up.Results:In this study, 41 conjoined bipedicle DIEP were harvested, including 12 of lateral branch type, 9 of medial branch type, and 20 of combined lateral and medial branch type. The length of flap was (24.5±0.5) cm, the width of flap was (10.8±2.8) cm, and the thickness of flap was(5.5±0.4) cm. The length of flap pedicle was (12.5±0.6) cm. The average weight of flap was 565 (ranged 365-1 050) g. The vascular combinations in the receiving area included ①Eighteen cases of proximal and distal thoracic vessels. ②Eleven cases proximal ends of internal mammary vessels and lateral thoracic vessels. ③Eight cases of proximal ends of internal mammary vessels and thoracodorsal vessels. ④Four cases thoracodorsal vessels and lateral thoracic vessels. In 3 patients, in order to further promote the venous outflow of the flap, the superficial inferior epigastric vein of the flap was anastomosed with the thoracoacromial vein of the recipient area. All flaps were successful and completely survived without marginal necrosis or infection. The shape, texture and elasticity of the reconstructed breasts were good without flap contractive deformity. There were only linear scars left in the donor sites, and function of abdomen was not affected. All 41 patients were followed-up for 12 to 50 months, with an average of 15.8 months with satisfied results. No local recurrence happened. Only linear scar was left in the donor site of abdomen, and the function of abdominal wall was not affected. In all cases bilateral rectus abdominis muscle strength was level 5.Conclusion:The conjoined bipedicle DIEP could be a safe and valuable option as an alternative method for autologous breast reconstruction.