Bilateral breast reconstruction by DIEP flap in two stages: Technical note

• Published in: Annales de chirurgie plastique et esthétique
• Main Authors: Ferreira, N, Oubari, H, Ton Van, C, Coudurier, J, Giot, J P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; French
• Published: France 01-08-2023
• Subjects: Autonomisation; Lambeau de DIEP; Bilateral breast reconstruction; DIEP flap; Reconstruction mammaire bilatérale; Flap autonomization; Mastectomie prophylactique; Prophylactic mastectomy
• ISSN: 1768-319X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anplas.2022.12.002

With the rise of risk prevention surgery, more and more bilateral mastectomies are performed. These present a challenge when patients desire autologous reconstruction. Some surgeons perform reconstructions using a double DIEP flap, but this technique, which requires rapid operation and extensive experience, can sometimes be difficult to implement. Other factors may also favor a two-stage reconstruction, one breast after the other. We present here our technique to harvest two hemi-DIEP during two distinct operating times, by modifying the design of the first flap and by performing a prior autonomization of the second.