DIEP Flap

A now commonly used flap by microsurgeons to reconstruct a breast mound, this refers to the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforators. This flap is composed of tissue taken from your lower abdomen (the same tissue taken in a "tummy tuck"), to make a breast mound. This is the same tissue from the lower abdomen, as in a TRAM flap, but it consists of skin and fat only; no muscle is used. Because of this the abdominal wall will normally remain strong and have good muscular tone. This is a more complicated flap to perform than the pedicled or free TRAM because it involves increased dissection of the flap vessels to save muscle and abdominal wall function. Not all patients are candidates for this procedure, but if you are a candidate, this will usually make your long term recovery from surgery easier.

The advantage to using the lower abdominal tissue for surgery is that women get a flatter midsection, like a "tummy tuck". In cases where women have excess lower abdominal tissue, this is a very good operation, because the reconstructed breast mound is natural feeling and projecting, and ages with you despite your body type. Sensation will never be normal as your breast has been removed, but the flap will gain protective (temperature and pain) sensation over time. Because it is made of your own tissue, it is a very natural type of reconstruction.

Because of its complexity, DIEP flap surgery is not available everywhere. However, Dr. Vega is very experienced in this flap and performs this routinely, which is the most important factor in searching for an experienced surgeon.