Technical difficulties and key points of DIEP in breast reconstruction / 中华内分泌外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Surgical treatment is an important part of comprehensive management for breast cancer patients. Loss of breast will bring serious psychological trauma to patients and greatly reduce the quality of life. In autologous breast reconstruction, deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP) -a representative reconstructive technology has its incomparable advantages. The flap has sufficient blood supply. The reconstructed breast has natural contour and texture, and the complications in the donor area were quite low. It is also an important alternative to rescue the reconstructive failures. However, DIEP flap is difficult and has a long learning curve. The key technical points and difficulties not only run through the whole process of operation, but also exist before and after operation. On the basis of mastering the main concepts of DIEP, this paper would elaborate the important details in the operation process and emphasize the monitoring of skin flap after operation and the corresponding plan. This will help to better popularize the operation technique, improve the success rate of operation and patient satisfaction, while reduce operative complications and benefit more breast cancer patients.