Why Is DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Recommended?
Posted Jul 30 2012 7:10am
Many women suffer from congenital breast abnormalities, loss of breast volume and breast asymmetry after a mastectomy. DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction is recommended to correct all these issues. Performed by a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap procedure can result in soft, natural looking breasts.
Advanced Breast Reconstruction Surgery – A Solution for Many Issues
DIEP flap surgery offers a solution for many problems:
Post-breast surgery issues: DIEP Flap is advanced reconstructive surgery which involves the removal of skin and tissue from the abdominal area to recreate the breast. During a mastectomy, a part of the breast or the whole breast is removed. In bilateral mastectomies, both breasts are removed. DIEP flap surgery reconstructs the breasts. It is performed immediately following a mastectomy or after a few months or years.
Breast implant issues: This surgical procedure is also recommended for women with implant problems. Unsatisfactory breast implant surgery can result in capsular contracture, causing a lot of pain and discomfort besides asymmetry of the breasts. DIEP flap breast reconstruction can correct this issue and offer a natural and symmetrical outcome.
Congenital breast irregularities: Some women suffer from inborn breast abnormalities. In some cases, one breast may be smaller than the other. Other issues may range from the complete absence of the breast and chest muscle to deformities of the ribs and skeletal chest wall. All of these can be corrected through this advanced plastic surgery procedure.
Advantages of DIEP Flap Surgery
One of the greatest advantages of the DIEP flap procedure is that unlike the TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous) flap surgery, no abdominal muscle is removed. DIEP flap reconstruction offers many benefits:
Preserves the stomach muscles and maintains abdominal strength
The removal of excessive abdominal fat and tissue offers the patient the benefits of a tummy tuck, with no adverse effects on the donor site<
Ideal option for irradiated women, those planning to have children and women with an active lifestyle
Allows delayed reconstruction of large, droopy breasts Offers plastic surgeon flexibility to mold the breasts using the patient’s own tissue
Sets right many implant-related problems
Reduced pain, short hospital stay and fast recovery
Patient can resume routine activity soon after surgery
Ensuring the Best Outcome
The patient should be thoroughly evaluated to determine candidature as the procedure is not suitable for women with diabetes, autoimmune disease or lung or heart ailments. Though DIEP flap breast reconstruction is highly recommended as a solution to many issues, the best outcome is ensured only when the surgery is performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon.