Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction Research Articles

The Lumbar Artery Perforator Free Flap as an Alternative Option for Breast Reconstruction in Low BMI Patients: Analysis of CT Angiography of Donor Sites Across BMI.

In patients with a low body mass index (BMI), the options for autologous breast reconstruction are limited. With the hypothesis that adipose tissue deposition favors the lumbar region over the abdominal wall, this study sought to investigate the lumbar artery perforator (LAP) flap as an alternative reconstructive option in patients with deficient autologous donor sites consequent to a low BMI. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed, from a prospectively maintained database, of all consecutive deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstructions performed in our unit. A randomized selection of 100 patients with low BMI < 22, normal BMI 22 to 24, and high BMI > 30 was performed. Patient computerized tomography scans were analyzed to measure abdominal wall and lumbar tissue thickness and to define anatomical landmark relations of the LAP. A statistically significant difference was identified between the ratio of lumbar-to-abdominal wall thickness between BMI groups, highlighting preservation of the lumbar thickness in patients with low BMI. The mean distance at which the fourth lumbar perforator entered the subcutaneous tissues was 7.7 cm lateral to the spinous process (range 6.4-9.5 cm), with no significant difference between BMI groups, highlighting this consistent anatomical position. This study confirms a greater lumbar-to-abdominal wall thickness, therefore volume, in low BMI patients, with consistent lumbar perforator anatomy of 6.4 to 9.5 cm lateral to the spinous process. The LAP flap should therefore be strongly considered for autologous breast reconstruction in this patient cohort.

Considering factors for breast reconstruction using stacked profunda artery perforator flaps in an Asian patient: a case report

In cases where there is insufficient abdominal tissue or a history of previous abdominal surgery, thigh tissue may be considered as an alternative for reconstruction. This report discusses a case involving a 49-year-old Asian woman with thin abdominal fat and thick thigh fat, who underwent a right nipple-sparing mastectomy followed by bilateral profunda artery perforator flap breast reconstruction. The discussion will address specific considerations relevant to Asian patients preoperatively.

Clinical Outcomes Following Profunda Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

There is a lack of reliable evidence on the surgical outcomes of profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap breast reconstruction. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate its safety and compare it with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, aiming to offer more information on whether the PAP flap was an ideal alternative for autologous breast reconstruction. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched to retrieve relevant articles. The postoperative complication rates following PAP reconstruction were pooled. Mean differences of patients' age, BMI, mastectomy weight and flap weight between PAP and DIEP group were calculated, and relative risk was estimated to compare their incidence of complications. Twenty-four articles reporting 1612 PAP flap breast reconstructions were included. The surgical success rate was 99.6%; the incidence of total and partial flap loss was 0.4% and 0.0%; the incidence of infection, hematoma, seroma, fat necrosis and wound dehiscence in recipient sites was 0.3%, 1.4%, 1.0%, 3.3% and 0.3%, respectively; the incidence of infection, hematoma, seroma, wound dehiscence and sensory disturbance in donor sites was 2.0%, 0.9%, 3.5%, 9.2% and 0.6%, respectively. Compared to the DIEP group, the average age, BMI, mastectomy weight and final flap weight were significantly lower in the PAP group. No significant difference was observed in terms of flap failure, breast fat necrosis and donor site wound dehiscence. This systematic review demonstrates similar levels of postoperative morbidities for the PAP and DIEP flaps with some subtle differences and verifies the PAP flap as a second-line treatment for patients when the DIEP is unavailable or undesirable. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Hug Flap and Hamdi Hammock: Two Innovative Techniques for Enhancing Aesthetic Outcomes in Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Breast Reconstruction.

Achieving optimal aesthetic outcomes in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction remains a challenge, often necessitating additional procedures for refinement. This study presents two innovative techniques (the hug flap and Hamdi hammock) aimed at enhancing breast projection and inframammary fold (IMF) definition in DIEP flap reconstruction. The hug flap technique uses de-epithelialized caudal mastectomy skin to augment breast projection, whereas the Hamdi hammock uses a percutaneous purse-string suture to define the IMF. A retrospective review of 782 patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction between 2007 and 2023 was conducted. The hug flap group required significantly less additional fat grafting compared to other techniques (11% versus 27% and 22%). No total flap losses occurred in the hug flap group, and fat necrosis rates were low. The Hamdi hammock was used in 405 patients with a mean of two lipofilling sessions. Complications were minor and no stitches required removal. The hug flap and Hamdi hammock techniques offer effective and safe methods for enhancing breast projection and IMF definition in DIEP flap reconstruction. These techniques may reduce the need for additional procedures and improve aesthetic outcomes.

Anatomical Analysis of the Superior Gluteal Artery in 100 Women for Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction.

The superior gluteal artery (SGA) perforator (SGAP) flap is used more rarely for breast reconstruction with autologous tissue than other flaps because the SGA is often narrow, and the SGAP can be short. However, it provides ample fat, including in lean women. To improve its safety and utility, the preoperative SGA course in women who underwent autologous breast reconstruction was determined with three-dimensional computed tomography angiography. Consecutive deep inferior epigastric perforator, profunda artery perforator, and SGAP flap cases in 2019-2023 were identified. Frequencies of the following favorable preoperative SGA-anatomy variables were determined: branching of the main-SGA trunk on top/posterior of the greater sciatic foramen (designated M1/2), which allows access to a sufficiently wide SGA artery; superolateral perforating location of the superficial-SGA branch (SP3), which means the perforator is sufficiently long for uncomplicated flap placement; and nonbranching of the deep-SGA branch (D1/D2), which means this branch can used a venous and an arterial graft to extend an insufficiently long perforator. A total of 100 cases of deep inferior epigastric perforator (n = 80), profunda artery perforator (n = 13), and SGAP flap-based breast reconstructions (n = 7) were identified. Out of 200 buttocks, 89%, 91.5%, and 62% had the favorable M1/2, SP3, and D1/D2 variables, respectively. An atypical descending branch feeding the lower buttocks (DES1/2) was observed in 34%. The branching position of the main-SGA trunk, perforating location of the SGAP, and the shape of the deep branch were classified in detail in 100 patients. By creating a surgical plan that understands the anatomy taking preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography, the SGAP flap can accommodate many patterns, increasing the possibility of safe execution.

Multiple intramuscular ropivacaine injections to donor sites reduces pain in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction

Local anesthetic infiltration at the surgical site has been studied in various surgical disciplines; however, its impact on deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction has not been previously assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of multiple intramuscular ropivacaine injections on donor site pain during DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The study included 65 patients who received local ropivacaine injections during DIEP reconstructions between March 2022 and February 2023, compared to 55 patients who underwent surgeries without ropivacaine from October 2018 to July 2020. A total of 20 cc of 0.75% ropivacaine solution was evenly administered at 20 sites along the abdominal wall muscles. The effect of intramuscular ropivacaine injection on postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) was evaluated using linear mixed-effect model. Opioid consumption and hospital days were also compared. The daily median VAS score was lower in the ropivacaine group (all p-values < 0.001). When analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model, those who received ropivacaine had significantly lower VAS scores over the first 5 days postoperatively (p-value < 0.001). The rate of VAS score decline was also faster in the ropivacaine group over the first 24h postoperative (p-value = 0.045). Although opioid consumption was comparable between the groups, those receiving ropivacaine had significantly shorter hospital stay (p-value = 0.001) and no complications related to the injections were observed. Multiple intramuscular injections of ropivacaine to the donor site may reduce postoperative pain and shorten hospital stays, without increasing opioid consumption.

The largest perforator of DIEP flap has a higher rate of continuity with the superficial inferior epigastric artery

In deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction, the network with the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) is key to achieving stable subcutaneous blood flow to the flap. This study investigated how the diameter and location of the DIEA perforator affect continuity with the SIEA. A retrospective analysis of 94 specimens from 47 patients who underwent DIEA perforator flap breast reconstruction was performed. Relationships between the diameter and location of the DIEA perforator and its continuity with the SIEA were examined on preoperative multi-slice computed tomography. The largest DIEA perforator on each specimen showed continuity with the SIEA in 94%, significantly more than the second (80%; p=0.027) or third largest perforator (76%; p=0.005). Medial perforators from 3cm above to 3cm below the umbilicus showed more continuity with the SIEA than lateral perforators (p=0.008). Selection of the largest perforator of DIEP flap is advantageous in terms of continuity with the SIEA. Also, near the umbilicus, medial perforators communicate with the SIEA more than lateral perforators.

Projected augmented reality in DIEP flap breast reconstruction: Projecting perforators on the skin using dynamic infrared thermography

BackgroundDynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) is a quick and non-invasive technique for perforator mapping in free flaps that provides real-time information. After a cold challenge, areas best supplied with blood become visible hotspots on color-coded maps, indicating perforators. This study presents a proof of principle for a new and innovative feature of DIRT, where projected augmented reality is used to directly display thermal images on the patient’s abdomen prior to the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. MethodsA self-aligning projection device prototype (Anatomy Projector) equipped with an integrated thermal camera was used to obtain thermal information and project the color-coded map directly on the patient’s abdomen before DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Projected DIRT hotspots were verified using a hand-held Doppler, and compared to the vascularity on computed tomography angiography (CTA), and intraoperative perforator measurements following a Cartesian grid. ResultsA total of 514 DIRT hotspots were projected in 50 patients, among them 97.3% could be verified using Doppler. The positive predictive value for CTA was 74.5%. Intraoperative measurements yielded 132 perforators in 71 flaps, among them 75 perforators (56.8%) correlated with projected DIRT hotspots, and half of them (54.7%) appeared within the first 5 emerging hotspots. ConclusionThis study showed that real-time display of thermal data in DIEP flap breast reconstruction is feasible via projected augmented reality. Projection facilitates convenient marking of hotspots, and a high resemblance to Doppler and CTA data was observed. Further research should assess the added value of projecting thermal images intraoperatively and in other fields of plastic surgery.

Social Determinants of Health and Patient-reported Outcomes Following Autologous Breast Reconstruction, Using Insurance as a Proxy.

Insurance type can serve as a surrogate marker for social determinants of health and can influence many aspects of the breast reconstruction experience. We aimed to examine the impact of insurance coverage on patients reported outcomes with the BREAST-Q (patient reported outcome measure for breast reconstruction patients, in patients receiving) in patients receiving deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. We retrospectively examined patients who received DIEP flaps at our institution from 2010 to 2019. Patients were divided into categories by insurance: commercial, Medicaid, or Medicare. Demographic factors, surgical factors, and complication data were recorded. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum tests, and generalized estimating equations were performed to identify associations between insurance status and five domains of the BREAST-Q Reconstructive module. A total of 1,285 patients were included, of which 1,011 (78.7%) had commercial, 89 (6.9%) had Medicaid, and 185 (14.4%) had Medicare insurances. Total flap loss rates were significantly higher in the Medicare and Medicaid patients as compared to commercial patients; however, commercial patients had a higher rate of wound dehiscence as compared to Medicare patients. With all other factors controlled for, patients with Medicare had lower Physical Well-being of the Chest (PWBC) than patients with commercial insurance (β = - 3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): -5.0, -1.2, p = 0.002). There were no significant associations between insurance classification and other domains of the BREAST-Q. Patients with government-issued insurance had lower success rates of autologous breast reconstruction. Further, patients with Medicare had lower PWBC than patients with commercial insurance regardless of other factors, while other BREAST-Q metrics did not differ. Further investigation as to the causes of such variation is warranted in larger, more diverse cohorts.

Staged Immediate Nipple Reconstruction With Tube Flap in Immediate Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction.

In the setting of immediate breast reconstruction by deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap, the excessive DIEP flap skin is de-epithelialized and then buried under the mastectomy skin. In this study, by virtue of tube flap technique, we hypothesize that the skin supposed to be abandoned could be transferred to the apex of reconstructed breast mound for nipple reconstruction. A total of 60 female patients were recruited between January 2019 and December 2020. All these patients underwent mastectomy including nipple-areola complex and immediate DIEP flap breast reconstruction. A ladder-shaped pedicled flap was raised from the DIEP flap and rolled into a tube. The free end of tube flap was inset into the future nipple position of the reconstructed breast mound 1 week later. After revascularization for 1 month, we divided the previous pedicle and used the tube on the apex of the breast mound to recreate a new nipple. All reconstructed breasts and nipples survived well postoperatively. The average nipple projection was 12.5 ± 2.0 mm immediately after the surgery, which gradually decreased to 9.4 ± 1.5 mm at 1-year follow-up, with the projection loss from the initial measurement as 24.9% ± 1.8%. In total, 51 patients considered the overall impression of breast and nipple reconstruction to be very good or good. We provided an ideal technique that could improve the maintenance of reconstructed nipple projection and have aesthetically acceptable outcomes, without DIEP flap tissue loss, breast mound distortion, or additional scars.

Patient-reported and surgical outcomes of profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap breast reconstructions compared to deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) using BREAST-Q

BackgroundAutologous breast reconstruction patients require thorough assessment, with the profunda femoris artery perforator flap (PAP) having become an important autologous reconstruction option alongside the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP). Breast reconstruction impacts patients psychologically, physically and mentally. The BREAST-Q aids to assess patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs). We aim to critically compare post-operative clinical outcomes, aesthetic results, morbidity and patient satisfaction between DIEP and PAP patients, using clinical follow-up and PROMs. MethodsA non-blinded two-armed prospective cohort study was performed. Patients undergoing PAP or DIEP reconstructions between January 2021 and February 2022 were included and followed up for at least one year post-operatively. Demographic and per-operative data was acquired. Breast-Q data was collected pre-operatively, and at 2-week, 3-month and 1-year intervals post-operatively. Results157 patients had autologous breast reconstruction (207 flaps), with 129 (82.1%) DIEP patients and 21 (13.3%) PAP patients. 37 (28.6%) patients underwent bilateral DIEP reconstructions and 1 (5%) PAP case was bilateral. Remaining PAP cases were stacked flaps for unilateral breast reconstruction. Mean ischaemia time for PAP was 55.29 (+/- 15.59minutes) compared to 69.52 (+/- 21.74minutes) for DIEP (p=0.014). Donor site wound dehiscence was significantly higher with PAP reconstructions (p=0.014). ConclusionsAt one year follow-up, no significant differences in PROMs across all domains between DIEP and PAP flap reconstructions were noted. This reflects that PAP flaps, despite having a more challenging donor site and higher donor site complications, provide an excellent reconstructive option with similar patient-reported outcomes when compared to the gold-standard DIEP flap reconstruction.

The Full Continuum of Robotic Breast Surgery: Robotic-assisted Mastectomy, Robotic DIEP Flap, and Robotic Supermicrosurgery

Summary: In recent years, robotic surgery has rapidly expanded to improve surgical outcomes in a variety of surgical subspecialties. Although plastic surgery has taken longer to integrate robotic surgery into practice, the advantages of robotic-assisted surgery, including improved visualization and resolution, minimally invasive approaches, and the ability to surpass human precision and scale, have driven its more recent adoption into plastic surgery. Currently, procedures performed with robotic assistance that are considered part of the continuum of surgical treatment of breast cancer include robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy, reconstruction with the robotic latissimus dorsi flap or the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, and robotic microsurgery for the flap anastomosis and/or the surgical treatment of lymphedema. The authors provide an overview of robotic surgery and how it has been integrated into the field of plastic surgery, as well as a review of the most common procedures within the field where robotic assistance can be incorporated: nipple-sparing mastectomy, robotic latissimus flap, robotic deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction, and microvascular anastomoses.

Improving Visualization of Intramuscular Perforator Course: Augmented Reality Headsets for DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Augmented reality (AR) technology, exemplified by devices such as the Microsoft HoloLens 2, has gained interest for its potential applications in preoperative guidance. This study explores the use of AR technology for perforator identification during deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. A case series of five patients where an AR device was used to identify perforators during DIEP flap breast reconstruction is presented. The device was utilized to recognize preoperative perforators and map their extra- and intramuscular routes. Sound and/or color Doppler confirmation was used to verify the findings. In all five cases, the AR device successfully identified preoperative perforators and delineated their extra- and intramuscular routes. AR technology in perioperative visualization of vasculature offers the potential to enhance surgical precision and reduce operative times. By providing an augmented three-dimensional overlay of patients' vascular structures, AR can facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of individual anatomy, ultimately improving surgical outcomes. AR technology shows promise in enhancing perforator identification efficiency and deepening understanding of perforator trajectories during preoperative planning. Nonetheless, additional research is needed to establish whether the advantages of AR technology warrant its widespread adoption for perforator identification.

Superficial outside-flap shunt (SOS) is associated with a low incidence of postoperative DIEP flap venous congestion: A single-institution retrospective cross-sectional study

Venous congestion burdens up to 15% of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstructions. For these cases, venous augmentation by superficial outside shunt (SOS) is associated with 100% success in secondary salvage surgeries. Intraoperative venous augmentation using other techniques yields a 0.3% rate of return to theater due to venous congestion, but there is no evidence assessing the effectiveness of the SOS technique applied preventively. Comparing this preventive approach to data prior to its implementation, we expect to find a reduced number of venous congested flaps with reduced flap losses and revision surgeries. This retrospective cross-sectional study involved DIEP flap breast reconstructions performed between 2011 and 2020. The control group included patients receiving additional venous anastomosis as a secondary salvage procedure. The "preventive SOS group" included patients who received preventive SOS during the main surgery. Age, body mass index (BMI), pregnancies, perioperative treatments (neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemo or radiotherapy), follow-up complications (arterial ischemia, venous congestion, hematomas, partial/total flap loss), and revision surgeries (breast debridement, flap remodeling) were recorded and compared. Within 695 flaps performed, 397 flaps were included in the control group, and 298 flaps were included in the preventive SOS group. The groups were homogeneous for age (p=0.418), BMI (p=0.747), and flap weight (p=0.064). Fifty-one flaps (12.8%) in the control group compared to zero (0.0%) in the preventive SOS group required return to theater (p<0.001). We reported encouraging preliminary results for SOS to prevent DIEP flap venous congestion. These results must be validated prospectively.

Breast-Q sensory outcomes of non-neurotized, autologous, unilateral breast reconstruction with a minimum of 3-year follow-up

Sensory reinnervation of autologous breast tissue after free flap reconstruction is highly variable. There is no long-term follow-up data exploring spontaneous reinnervation and how this affects patients' quality of life nor the nerve-related symptoms they experience. To address this issue, we invited patients with a minimum of 3 years after non-neurotized, free flap breast reconstruction to complete patient-reported outcome measures exploring sensation, quality of life and breast-related symptoms. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing unilateral Muscle-Sparing Transverse Rectus Abdominus Muscle (MS-TRAM) or deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction between 01-01-2015 and 31-12-2019 in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. We invited participants to complete the recently developed Breast-Q© Breast Sensation Module. All patients had undergone unilateral immediate (n= 85) or delayed (n= 82) breast reconstruction after mastectomy using either a free DIEP (n= 150) or TRAM (n= 17) flap reconstruction a minimum of 3 years prior. The median age at operation was 48. Sensation after reconstruction was significantly reduced in the reconstructed breast compared with the contralateral breast (P<0.0001) with a reduction in reported quality of life (immediate (68.0 [54.0, 89.0]) and delayed (68.0 [62.0, 83.8])). The sensation was significantly better in immediate vs delayed procedures (P=0.024). Sensory scores after reconstruction increased with age (P=0.036). Breast sensation after non-neurotized reconstruction with autologous tissue is significantly reduced at long-term follow-up with a reduction in quality of life. A minimum outcome set for quantification of breast sensation is required and future research into the cost-benefit of neurotized, autologous breast reconstruction is needed.

The Delay Procedure in Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction.

The delay procedure in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction, in which the reduced-caliber choke vessels play a major role, can provide more well-perfused tissue than a standard DIEP flap. The aim of this study was to review the authors' experience with this technique, evaluate the indications, and analyze the surgical outcomes. A retrospective study was conducted of all consecutive DIEP delay procedures performed between March of 2019 and June of 2021. Patient demographic characteristics, operative details, and complications were registered. Patients had preoperative imaging by magnetic resonance angiography to select dominant perforators. The surgical technique involves a two-stage operation. During the first operation, the flaps were pedicled on a dominant perforator and a lateral skin bridge extending toward the lateral flank and lumbar fat; in a second stage, the flap was harvested and transferred. A total of 82 extended DIEP delay procedures were performed to reconstruct 154 breasts. The majority were bilateral breast reconstructions (87.8%). The delay procedure was used for 38 primary reconstructions (46.3%) and 32 tertiary reconstructions (39.0%). The primary indication was the need for additional volume (79.3%), followed by extensive abdominal scarring and liposuction. After the first operation, seroma was the most frequently observed complication (7.3%). After the second operation, three total flap losses (1.9%) were observed. The delay procedure in DIEP flap breast reconstruction results in the harvest of a good amount of abdominal tissue by adding a preliminary procedure. This technique can convert cases previously considered unsuitable into suitable candidates for abdominal-based breast reconstruction. Therapeutic, IV.

Influence of vertical location and spacing of perforators on perfusion in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction: quantitative analysis using indocyanine green angiography.

This study quantitatively assessed perfusion of the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap according to vertical location and vertical spacing of perforators during DIEP flap breast reconstruction. In 67 patients who underwent unilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction between November 2018 and August 2021, flap perfusion was intraoperatively assessed using indocyanine green angiography. Perforators located at or above the umbilicus were defined as vertical zone 1 perforators and those below the umbilicus as vertical zone 2 perforators. Perfusion assessment was conducted in two stages: at stage 1, perfusion solely by single dominant perforators was assessed. At stage 2, the perfusion increment effected by adding a single additional perforator was assessed. Perfused area proportions were compared between patients with dominant perforators in zone 1 versus zone 2. The effect of adding an additional perforator to another vertical zone ("vertical spacing") was also assessed. The perfused proportion was significantly higher among vertical zone 2 perforators compared with zone 1 perforators in the evaluation of single dominant perforators (70% vs. 56%; P<0.001). In the evaluation of incremented perfusion by single additional perforators, the perfused proportion was significantly higher in the vertical-spacing group compared to the no-vertical-spacing group (17% vs. 12%; P=0.004). Fat necrosis developed in 4.5 percent of the patients over at least 6 months of follow-up. DIEP flap perfusion can be affected by the vertical location of perforators, and flap perfusion can be augmented effectively by vertical spacing of perforators.

An Algorithmic Approach to Umbilical Inset during DIEP Flap Reconstruction.

An aesthetically pleasing umbilicus is a critical component to the overall cosmesis and resultant patient satisfaction after deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. Because of variables in body habitus, comorbidities, and technical aspects of the procedure, patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction are at a higher risk of umbilical complications and poor aesthetic appearance of the neoumbilicus compared with those undergoing cosmetic abdominoplasty. To minimize these potential problems and maximize the overall aesthetic appearance of the abdomen, the authors propose an algorithmic approach to umbilical inset after DIEP flap harvest that takes into account several critical factors: the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal flap, the length of the umbilical stalk, and the depth of the umbilical bowl. This simple algorithmic approach is a useful tool that will assist surgeons in minimizing umbilical complications and delivering a superior cosmetic appearance to the abdominal donor site in DIEP flap reconstruction.

Unilateral immediate deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction following skin sparing mastectomy: A comparative study on revision surgeries to improve breast symmetry.

The number of revision surgeries to improve breast asymmetry after deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction is still high worldwide with impact on both patients and healthcare systems. These procedures include fat grafting, contralateral breast symmetrization, scar revision, flap repositioning and remodeling. A previously published DIEP flap insetting algorithm has proven to be effective in selecting patient-tailored strategies to achieve excellent aesthetic outcomes. This study investigated whether this insetting algorithm was effective in reducing revision surgeries in patients undergoing SSM and immediate DIEP flap breast reconstruction to achieve the goal of a one-stage reconstruction. This retrospective case-control study included 60 patients (group A) treated without the DIEP flap standardized insetting algorithm and 60 patients (group B) treated with the standardized insetting algorithm, which considers among its variables the type of breast to be reconstructed, abdominal tissue thickness, rotation due to harvesting side. Demographic data, operative data, complications and number of revision surgeries were recorded. One hundred and twenty primary and 106 revision surgeries were performed. Groups were homogenous for age (p=.32), body mass index (p=.77), flap weight (p=.7), operative time (p=.87) and early complications (p=.78). When excluding isolated nipple reconstruction from the revision surgeries, one-stage reconstruction was successfully performed in 26 patients in group A (43.3%) and 39 patients (65.0%) in group B, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=.003). The introduction of a standardized insetting algorithm for immediate unilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction can be effective in reducing the number of revision surgeries for breast asymmetry, making a one-stage reconstruction an achievable and reliable target.

Cost-volume analysis of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps for breast reconstruction in the United States

BackgroundDeep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps are increasingly utilized over other autologous methods of breast reconstruction. We evaluated the relationship between annual hospital volume and costs after breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap. MethodsAll female patients undergoing elective implant or autologous tissue breast reconstruction were identified using the 2016–2019 Nationwide Readmission Database. Annual hospital volume of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator reconstructions was tabulated and modeled using restricted cubic splines. Institutions were categorized into high- and low-volume based on the inflection point of the spline between annual caseload and costs. The association between high volume status and costs, complications, length of stay, and 30-day nonelective readmission was assessed using multivariable regression. ResultsOf an estimated 94,524 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 33,046 (34.6%) underwent deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap reconstruction. Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap utilization increased from 31% in 2016 to 40% in 2019 (P < .001) among inpatient breast reconstructions. High-volume hospitals more frequently performed bilateral reconstructions (43.3 vs 37.7%, P = .021) but had similar rates of concurrent mastectomy (28.7 vs 30.6%, P = .46), relative to low-volume hospitals. The median cost of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator reconstruction was lower ($29,900 [interquartile range: 22,400–37,400] vs $31,600 [interquartile range: 22,500–44,900], P = .036) at high-volume hospitals compared to low-volume. On adjusted analysis, high-volume status was associated a $3,800 (95% confidence interval: -6,200 to -1,400) decrement in hospitalization costs, and reduced odds of perioperative complications (adjusted odd ratio: 0.68 95% confidence interval: 0.54–0.86). High-volume status was not associated with length of stay or likelihood of unplanned readmission. ConclusionThe present study demonstrated an inverse cost–volume relationship in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction. In line with goals of value-based health care delivery, our findings may inform referral patterns to suitable centers for deep inferior epigastric artery perforator breast reconstruction.