The lateral thoracic vessels: A novel recipient site for breast reconstruction with DIEP flap

Abstract

Adequate selection of recipient vessel to minimize recipient site morbidity is essential for a successful breast reconstruction. The authors explored the clinical use of the lateral thoracic vessels as recipient vessels in the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. This study included 63 patients with breast cancer. The age of patients ranged from 26 to 67 years (43.23±8.63). All patients received an immediate DIEP flap breast reconstruction using the lateral thoracic vessels as recipient vessels in the authors' department from 2014 May to 2018 September. The flap blood supply, complications, and outcomes were assessed. The patients were followed up for 6 to 29 months with satisfactory results. All the flaps had stable blood supply except for two cases, which had an event of partial skin necrosis and were repaired by debridement. Lateral thoracic vessels are not only easy to explore but also have reliable blood supply, which present a safe and reliable choice for immediate DIEP flap breast reconstruction.