ABSTRACT
Breast reconstruction is a critical part of the overall care plan for patients faced
with a diagnosis of breast cancer and a plan that includes mastectomy. The evolution
of reconstructive techniques has resulted in the development of procedures that restore
form and a sense of wholeness without excessive morbidity. Perforator flaps best represent
this state of the art in breast reconstructive surgery. Tissue is replaced with like
tissue giving a result that is durable and as near to a natural breast as possible.
Sparing of the rectus abdominus musculature differentiates this procedure from other
autogenous modalities such as the pedicled and free transverse rectus abdominus. The
deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap has been shown to be a safe,
dependable, and reproducible method of breast reconstruction. In addition to maintaining
abdominal wall strength and minimizing the risk of subsequent hernia, the DIEP flap
breast reconstruction patient has been shown to enjoy a shorter recovery period with
less postoperative pain and a resultant high rate of satisfaction.
KEYWORD
Breast cancer - free flap - breast reconstruction - perforator flap
