DIEP (Abdominal) Flap

DIEP (ABDOMINAL) FLAP

Revolutionizing Restoration

The DIEP flap uses your abdominal skin and fat, the same tissue removed during a “tummy tuck”, to reconstruct your breast.

The DIEP flap is the most advanced form of breast reconstruction. It uses the patient’s own abdominal skin and fat to restore a natural, soft breast after mastectomy. Different from the historical TRAM flap, the DIEP flap preserves the abdominal muscles. Only skin and fat are removed, similar to a “tummy tuck.” Saving the abdominal muscles means patients have less pain, experience a faster recovery, and maintain their core strength long-term. Specialized Plastic Surgery also implements enhanced recovery protocols to further expedite patients’ healing period. 

What are the Benefits of DIEP Flap Reconstruction?

  • Resembles the most natural appearance of a breast 
  • Use only your own tissue
  • Avoid use of any implants or foreign material in your body, which means lower chances of infection and all other implant related issues
  • Lesser long term main- tenance of your breast reconstruction
  • Improve prior scarring or radiation injury.
  • Benefits of tummy tuck

What is the expected recovery after DIEP Flap Reconstruction?

  • Weekly timeline from POD 0 to Week 6
  • With animation
  • Look at PRMA website 

What are some key facts I should know about my DIEP Flap Surgery?

  • Two microsurgeons perform each procedure
  • Can include treatments for lymphedema at the time of surgery (i.e VLNT)
  • Use non opioid pain protocols including long acting nerve blocks to expedite patient recovery 
  • Success rate over 99%
  • Can also add sensory restoration procedures to DIEP flap

Common Questions

Can I undergo DIEP flap breast reconstruction if I’ve had previous abdominal surgery? The feasibility depends on the prior abdominal surgery. A tummy tuck might make DIEP flap challenging, but most other abdominal scars won’t impede the procedure. A pre-surgery CT angiogram aids in this determination.

What will my reconstructed breast feel like? Initially numb, the reconstructed breast typically regains some sensation over time. In some cases, a sensory nerve in the flap can be utilized to restore sensation, resulting in a soft and warm feel akin to a natural breast.

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