Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction is challenging. Mastectomy reconstruction in some patients can involve using the patient’s own tissue rather than implants for breast reconstruction.
In the DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the lower abdominal tissue that is usually discarded in a tummy tuck is used to reconstruct the breast.
The deep inferior epigastric artery and vein provides the blood supply to the skin and fat overlying the lower abdominal wall. The skin and fat as well as the underlying blood supply are disconnected and anastomosed to the internal mammary artery and vein in the chest to complete the breast reconstruction. The lower abdominal donor site is closed horizontally.
The photograph demonstrates before and after bilateral mastectomy reconstruction with DIEP flaps.
