New reconstruction technique after a mastectomy

The diagnosis of breast cancer and a treatment plan that includes the removal of breasts (a mastectomy), can often take a toll on a patient. Fortunately, reconstructive breast surgery can help mend a woman's confidence, as well as restore her overall appearance. Although not widely known, deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP) flap is a form of reconstructive breast surgery.

Dr. Mihye Choi, of KCNY Plastic Surgery in New York City, explains that the DIEP flap procedure is a complex surgery, which involves the removal of tissue from one area of a patient's body and relocating it to the chest area. The relocation of the tissue allows the surgeon to create a new breast mound following a mastectomy.

Dr. Choi says that this reconstructive breast surgery technique is quite safe, reliable, and leaves a patient feeling restored. "Since DIEP flap surgical technique uses the patient's own tissue to reconstruct the breast, it will also give the patient the most natural-looking results possible," Dr. Choi adds.

Late last month, Dr. Choi moderated a live webstream event during the 15th International Course on Perforator Flaps, which was held at New York University. Co-chaired by Dr. Choi's colleague at KCNY, Dr. Nolan Karp, the event educated plastic surgeons and microsurgeons on DIEP flap reconstructive breast surgery. The webstream included multiple live surgeries and in-depth discussions on the technique.

"Unfortunately, DIEP flap surgery is still underused in clinical practice by most reconstructive breast surgeons," Dr. Choi says, "This is due to the lack of adequate training and general knowledge about the technique among doctors. The main purpose of the recent webstream was to increase awareness and education on the method among surgeons."

Dr. Choi continues, "The live webstream gave surgeons great insight into this surgery. Some of the topics covered during the broadcast included relevant anatomy, physiology, and the research that supports the technique. Along with providing participants with awareness and education on the method, another main objective was to increase the use of DIEP flap breast reconstruction in clinical practice." Dr. Choi adds that DIEP flap breast reconstruction should be an option for any patient who has undergone a mastectomy, or who has an existing defect caused by a prior breast surgery.


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