LIPOSUCTION FOR THINNING AND EXPANDING DEEP INFERIOR EPIGASTRIC PERFORATOR FLAP IN RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the flap thinning efficiency for expanding the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. Subjects and methods: A clinical study was conducted on ten patients (two retrospectives and eight prospectives) with a diagnosis of a massive scar on the chin and neck postburn to cover the scars with a “thin” deep inferior epigastric perforator flap at the Plastic and Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgery Centre, Le Huu Trac National Burn Hospital, from April 2021 to December 2022. Results: Females were predominant in our study (60%). The mean age was 35.4 ± 9.536 years. The DIEP flap has an average length of 27.8 ± 2.74 cm, a maximum of 32 cm, an average width of 12.3 ± 2.54 cm, and a maximum of 18 cm. All flaps (10/10) survived ultimately; the IV area was well supplied with blood; the wound healed primarily; the flap was soft; the flap color matched the skin near the defect; and the flap thinness reduced significantly with the reconstructive requirements. Conclusion: The liposuction technique is a safe, initial technique that showed clinical effectiveness in the ability to thin and expand the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap while ensuring the functions and aesthetics of the flap.