Sitting on a gold mine: optimal autologous reconstruction of a significant cosmetic contour defect of the buttock using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap

The options for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the buttock include custom prosthetic implants and autologous tissue transfer: fat transfer, local flaps, pedicled flaps and free flaps. Optimal reconstruction involves replacement of like-with-like tissue, sufficient padding and adequate contouring. We report a case of a female patient presenting with a significant cosmetic contour defect of her left buttock following previous excision of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The patient had autologous buttock reconstruction using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap with an excellent result. To our knowledge a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap has not previously been described to reconstruct the buttock.