Before and after bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction in a 56-year-old breast cancer survivor. She had already had two right lumpectomies and radiation therapy ten years prior. She required a completion mastectomy for a new right-sided breast cancer. She elected to have a left prophylactic mastectomy at the same time.
She had enough tummy tissue to rebuild two breasts – she was an excellent candidate for the DIEP flap! A combined Breast Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery case was scheduled where both breast contents were removed, and lymph node biopsies showed no positive nodes for cancer.
At the same procedure, two flaps composed of skin and fat were microsurgically transplanted from her lower abdomen to her chest, disconnecting and then reconnecting one tiny artery and two tiny veins from each flap to the chest region.
Follow up photos are shown 6 months after surgery, with maturing scars and a natural, warm, soft, living tissue breast reconstruction – all advantages of the DIEP flap. After radiation therapy, flap (autogenous tissue) reconstruction has the advantage of bringing additional blood supply to the radiated area as well.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
