Breast Reconstruction
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Forest, Glenview and Grayslake, IL
Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap
Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) breast flap reconstruction is a type of surgery that uses skin and fat from your abdomen to restore a natural, soft breast. Unlike the transverse rectus abdominis (TRAM) flap, the DIEP flap uses only the skin, fat, and blood vessels from your abdomen, so it does not affect your abdominal muscles. This can lead to a faster and less painful recovery and help you keep your core strength. An added benefit is a flatter abdomen, with results similar to a “tummy tuck.”
The DIEP flap reconstruction procedure may be performed at the same time as a mastectomy or after treatment is complete. This procedure can also be performed to correct a previous reconstruction.
Contents
The DIEP flap reconstruction process
The surgery typically lasts 4 to 6 hours for a unilateral (one side) DIEP and 8 to 9 hours for a bilateral (both sides) DIEP.
The flap blood vessels, called perforators, travel just beneath the abdominal muscles. The surgeon accesses these donor vessels with a small incision that has a minor effect on the surrounding muscle. Once the flap blood vessels are disconnected from the abdomen, the surgeon attaches the flap to blood vessels in the chest while viewing them with a microscope. The surgeon then closes the connective tissue in the abdomen, which lessens the long-term risk of hernia when compared with the TRAM flap.
What to expect after surgery
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
has created an Enhanced Recovery Protocol (ERP) to help you recover from surgery faster. Because of the ERP program, the average hospital stay after DIEP flap reconstruction at Lake Forest Hospital is 2 days. Care guidelines developed for this type of surgery aim to minimize pain and return you to your normal routine faster than other reconstruction surgeries. You will be able to resume regular activity in 4 to 6 weeks.
Conditions that could affect your ability to have DIEP flap reconstruction
You have a higher risk of complications following DIEP flap reconstruction if you have:
- Diabetes Autoimmune disease
- History of chest wall radiation (you must wait 4 to 6 months after completion of radiation)
- Scars on the abdomen
- History of procedure on the abdomen, such as liposuction
- History of smoking (you must stop smoking cigarettes 6 weeks before surgery)
