The deep inferior epigastric perforator free flap for breast reconstruction

Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction is an improved method of autologous tissue breast reconstruction with minimal insult to the abdominal wall. This study summarizes the data collected on 148 consecutive DIEP flaps used for breast reconstruction in 109 patients. Of the patients, 90.7% had immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy, 6.5% had secondary reconstruction, and 2.8% had bilateral reconstruction after having had a mastectomy and having a new primary cancer diagnosed in the remaining breast. A total of 78.7% patients underwent unilateral reconstruction, 21.3% underwent bilateral reconstruction, and 15.7% needed two flaps to make a single larger breast. There was one flap failure. Incidence of fat necrosis was 6.8% and incidence of incisional hernia was 1.4%. The advantages of a free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap breast reconstruction are inherent in DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The increased technical effort for DIEP flap reconstruction is offset by the lesser insult to the abdominal wall with maintenance of the entire rectus abdominis muscle.     

Autogenous breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap

Muscle-sparing autogenous breast reconstruction has enhanced the multidisciplinary care that is available to patients who have breast cancer. The DIEP flap has proven reliability, a low complication rate, and is applicable to many clinical scenarios (Figs. 8-12). Avoidance of muscle sacrifice in the abdomen ultimately translates into greater patient satisfaction. The increased demands, in terms of surgical expertise, are more than offset by decreased postoperative pain and decreased donor site morbidity. The methods that were used to innovate the DIEP flap have been applied to other donor sites and the available options for patients have been expanded.     

Successful breast reconstruction with a perforator to deep inferior epigastric perforator flap

The authors report their experience with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction in which an unusual recipient site was used. Successful anastomosis between a suitable perforating vessel from the internal mammary axis and the deep inferior epigastric bundle was performed, and the advantages of this alternative recipient site (perforator to the DIEP flap) are examined.     

游离腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣在乳房再造中的应用

目的:探讨游离腹壁下动脉皮肤穿支(deep inferior epigastric perforator,DIEP)皮瓣在早期乳腺癌患者(Ⅰ或Ⅱ期)术后乳房再造中的临床应用。方法:对12例早期乳腺癌患者行根治术或改良根治术同期或二期应用DIEP皮瓣行乳房再造,其中乳腺癌分期I期9例,II期3例。结果:1例皮瓣出现部分坏死,1例皮瓣出现脂肪液化,经换药后愈合,其余皮瓣均成活,再造乳房外形可,弹性好,无皮瓣挛缩变形;无腹壁疝和腹壁膨出。11例获随访平均2.2年,效果均较满意,未出现乳腺癌复发病例,4例获得优,5例获得良,失访1例按良计算,2例效果差,优良率83.3%。结论:乳腺癌术后一期或二期应用DIEP皮瓣游离移植再造乳房,具有皮瓣血运良好、再造乳房外形满意、腹部供区并发症少,可同时行腹壁整形等优点,是乳腺癌术后乳房再造的理想方法之一,放化疗不影响皮瓣的成活。     

腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣乳房再造的研究进展

1989年,Koshima等报道通过解剖一个或多个起源于腹壁下动脉穿过腹直肌的穿支来获得下腹部皮肤和脂肪而不牺牲腹直肌的方法是可行的。1994年,Allen等第一次将腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣（Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap,DIEP）在临床上用于乳房再造。     

应用腹壁下动脉穿支游离皮瓣移植乳房再造

目的 通过应用腹壁下动脉穿支游离皮瓣移植进行乳房再造的手术方法，总结应用该方法进行乳房再造的临床经验。方法 切取以腹壁下动静脉为蒂的穿支游离皮瓣，将腹壁下动静脉与胸廓内动静脉相吻合，进行乳房再造。结果 自2000年以来，临床应用腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣再造乳房共15例，10例皮瓣100％成活，2例皮瓣远端局部皮肤坏死，1例皮瓣远端脂肪硬结，2例皮瓣完全坏死。随访6个月至1年，再造乳房外形满意，供区无腹壁疝、腹壁膨出、腹壁薄弱等并发症发生。结论 腹壁下动脉穿支游离皮瓣是下腹部横行腹直肌肌皮瓣(TRAM皮瓣)的技术改良与发展，该皮瓣具有血运丰富、组织量大、易于塑形、供区损伤小等优点，是一种安全可靠的乳房再造方法。     

Metastatic breast cancer after delayed deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstruction

Locoregional breast cancer recurrence is a relatively rare event, occurring more frequently in patients diagnosed with more advanced stages of cancer and those with inflammatory features. While typical signs of recurrence after reconstruction include the development of a mass in the native skin or deep chest wall, oncologic relapse may also rarely be heralded by subtle cutaneous changes. This article describes a patient with inflammatory breast cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy followed by delayed reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap and subsequently presented with a recurrence manifest as a localized rash over the upper abdomen. Surgeons who perform breast reconstruction should be attuned to both common and uncommon recurrence symptoms, as they may be the first to diagnose recrudescent disease.     

利用腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣阴茎再造的临床研究

目的 探讨腹壁下动脉穿支(DIEP)皮瓣阴茎再造手术方法的临床疗效.方法 2003年12月至2006年11月收治体外热疗致阴茎严重烧伤2例、假两性畸形1例、动物咬伤致阴茎大部缺损1例.患者平均年龄31岁.术前残余阴茎常态下长度0.5～1.5 cm.应用DIEP皮瓣及第12肋骨植入行一期阴茎再造术.结果 4例手术均成功,皮瓣完全成活,术后未发生感染、尿道狭窄等并发症.3例术后随访5～32个月,再造阴茎外形逼真,阴茎定型长度7.5～11.0 cm,排尿正常,未发生严重感染及尿道狭窄,皮肤感觉与勃起功能良好.1例近期手术者随访3个月阴茎感觉仍在恢复中.结论 该手术方法设计合理,手术一期完成,术后再造阴茎形态功能良好,能满足患者及配偶性生活的要求.供区损伤小,是比较理想的阴茎再造方法.     

Early experience with the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in breast reconstruction

The free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap has earned a prominent place in the armamentarium of the clinician performing breast reconstructive surgery. There is, however, significant morbidity associated with this flap. With the advent of the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap many of these disadvantages may be overcome. Early experience with this promising technique is presented.Presented at the Seventh Annual Meeting of the European Association of Plastic Surgeons (EURAPS), May 16-18, 1996, Innsbruck, Austria     

腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣乳房再造的手术要点

近年来，随着乳腺癌发病率的提高和乳腺癌治疗水平的提高以及病人对治疗要求的提高，要求再造乳房的病人日渐增多。自体组织乳房再造也经历了从腹部带蒂皮管转移到岛状背阔肌肌皮瓣、臀部游离皮瓣、横行腹直肌肌皮瓣transverse rectus abdominal musculocutaneous flap，TRAM皮瓣），再到腹壁下动脉穿支（deep inferior epigastric perforator，DIEP）皮瓣。自1994年Allen首次将DIEP皮瓣应用于乳房再造已有十余年，因其比TRAM皮瓣更具优越性，正逐渐取代TRAM皮瓣成为自体组织乳房再造的首选方法。     

Pedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for total phallic reconstruction

Total phallic reconstruction remains a great challenge in reconstructive surgery. The search for a suitable donor site is never ending. Based on the experiences in using free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for breast reconstruction, the authors describe a new usage of the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for phallic reconstruction. In this procedure, the neourethra is centrally located. The rigidity is provided with the 12th rib. The donor site can directly be closed. Over the past 4 years, this surgical procedure has been used successfully for total phallic reconstruction in 2 patients. Four years of follow-up has revealed that an aesthetically acceptable functional neopenis was achieved. The scar of the donor site is inconspicuous and is easily concealed by underwear. Moreover, this new procedure is a nonmicrosurgical technique. Although more clinical experience is needed, this flap can be chosen as an alternative option in phallic reconstruction.     

应用腹壁下动脉穿支岛状皮瓣修复会阴部软组织缺损

目的提供一种修复会阴前区软组织缺损的方法。方法采用腹壁下动静脉为血管蒂,保持腹直肌的完整性,形成腹壁下动脉穿支岛状皮瓣,带蒂移位,修复会阴前区皮肤肿瘤切除或放疗所致的大面积创面。结果本组6例患者,皮瓣切取面积6.0cm×12.0cm~10.0cm×28.0cm。皮瓣全部成活,供瓣区无腹壁薄弱、腹壁疝等并发症发生。结论腹壁下动脉穿支岛状皮瓣血运丰富,不损伤腹直肌,是修复会阴部大面积缺损的一种较好的方法。     

应用腹壁下动脉穿支岛状皮瓣修复会阴部软组织缺损

目的提供一种修复会阴前区软组织缺损的方法.方法采用腹壁下动静脉为血管蒂,保持腹直肌的完整性,形成腹壁下动脉穿支岛状皮瓣,带蒂移位,修复会阴前区皮肤肿瘤切除或放疗所致的大面积创面.结果本组6例患者,皮瓣切取面积6.0 cm×12.0 cm～10.0 cm×28.0 cm.皮瓣全部成活,供瓣区无腹壁薄弱、腹壁疝等并发症发生.结论腹壁下动脉穿支岛状皮瓣血运丰富,不损伤腹直肌,是修复会阴部大面积缺损的一种较好的方法.     

Evaluation of three-dimensional computed tomography processing for deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction

BACKGROUND:

The deep inferior epigastric perforator flap procedure has become a popular alternative for women who require breast reconstruction. One of the difficulties with this procedure is identifying perforator arteries large enough to ensure that the harvested tissue is well vascularized. Current techniques involve imaging the perforator arteries with computed tomography (CT) to produce a grid mapping the locations of the perforator arteries relative to the umbilicus.

OBJECTIVES:

To compare the time it takes to produce a map of the perforators using either two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) CT, and to see whether there is a benefit in using a 3D model.

METHODS:

Patient CT abdomen and pelvis scans were acquired from a GE 64-slice scanner. CT image processing was performed with the GE 3D Advantage Workstation v4.2 software. Maps of the perforators were generated both as 2D and 3D representations. Perforators within a region 5 cm rostral and 7 cm caudal to the umbilicus were measured and the times to perform these measurements using both 2D and 3D images were recorded by a stopwatch.

RESULTS:

Although the 3D method took longer than the 2D method (mean [± SD] time 1:51±0:35 min versus 1:08±0:16 min per perforator artery, respectively), producing a 3D image provides much more information than the 2D images alone. Additionally, an actual-sized 3D image can be printed out, removing the need to make measurements and producing a grid.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although it took less time to create a grid of the perforators using 2D axial CT scans, the 3D reconstruction of the abdomen allows the plastic surgeons to better visualize the patient’s anatomy and has definite clinical utility.     

Preliminary experience in breast reconstruction with the free vertical deep inferior epigastric perforator flap.

The transverse abdominoplasty flap based on the perforators of the deep inferior epigastric pedicle (DIEP) is not indicated in patients with longitudinal midline abdominal scars because of the poor midline crossover of blood and the high risk of necrosis of the distal flap. Four patients who required breast reconstruction and presented with a mid-abdominal scar and an incongrous half abdomen, had a flap outlined vertically over the rectus abdominis muscle (VDIEP). The flaps were transferred to the thorax and reperfused to the thoracodorsal vessels. All flaps healed uneventfully which showed that the VDIEP is a reliable option for breast reconstruction, with the abdominoplasty flap, in patients with a vertical mid-abdominal scar. This flap seems to be perfused more robustly than the transverse DIEP; it has a better arterial inflow because of the inclusion of zone I and II alone according to Scheflan's model, and an easier longitudinal venous outflow.     

Predictors of blood transfusion in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction

Perioperative blood loss during and following breast reconstruction surgery can have substantial impact on free flap survival and patient morbidity. Transfusion rates of up to 95% have been reported following transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap breast reconstruction, with blood loss described as significant in most cases. However, there has been little reported of such requirements in patients undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. We present the transfusion requirements of 152 consecutive patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction, with a view to quantifying transfusion requirements and identifying risk factors for such loss. In this cohort, 80.3% of patients required blood transfusion, with a mean volume of 3.9 U per patient. There was a statistically significant correlation for increased transfusion requirement in patients with preoperative anemia ( P < 0.001) and in bilateral cases ( P < 0.001), but not for cases of immediate reconstruction ( P = 0.72). Although blood loss in breast reconstructive surgery is rarely large enough to be life-threatening, relative anemia does have significant effect on flap survival and patient morbidity. With risk factors for increased transfusion requirements identified in the current study, high-risk patients can be predicted preoperatively.     

腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣在双侧乳腺癌改良根治术后乳房再造中的应用

目的 总结采用腹壁下动脉穿支游离皮瓣再造双侧乳房的经验。方法 2004年6月至2005年5月,对3例双侧乳房改良根治术后的患者,应用DIEP皮瓣行二期乳房再造术。结果 3例患者6个皮瓣均成活。随访3个月以上,双侧再造乳房双侧对称,外形满意。未见腹壁疝和腹壁膨出发生。结论 选用DIEP皮瓣游离移植再造乳房,是乳腺癌改良根治术后恢复双侧乳房外形的一种理想方法。     

Anterolateral thigh flap salvage following failed deep inferior epigastric artery perforator breast reconstruction

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap is an option for women desiring autologous tissue breast reconstruction. If this reconstruction fails, other autologous tissue flaps, including the gluteal artery perforator and latissimus dorsi flaps, may be used for salvage. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap offers adequate tissue volume for breast reconstruction, acceptable fat quality and a long vascular pedicle. Other advantages include obviating the need for intraoperative position changes and harvesting tissue outside of the radiation field. Two cases involving ALT flaps used in the setting of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator failure are presented with favourable results. A review of the anatomy of the ALT flap is included.