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Case Reports
. 2021 Dec 7;9(12):e3976.
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003976. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction in the Setting of Cryolipolysis

Colby J Hyland  1 , Timothy J Irwin  2 , Jacob R Rinkinen  3 , Justin M Broyles  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction in the Setting of Cryolipolysis

Colby J Hyland et al. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. .

Abstract

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is a safe and reliable autologous breast reconstruction option for patients undergoing surgical treatment for breast cancer. Success of the procedure relies on adequate flap perfusion from perforators that travel within the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall. Patients who have undergone invasive abdominal wall procedures such as suction-assisted liposuction may therefore be at increased risk of postoperative complications such as flap loss and fat necrosis. In recent years, noninvasive fat-reduction techniques such as cryolipolysis have grown immensely in popularity. However, there are no data regarding outcomes for patients who have undergone DIEP flap breast reconstruction after having previously undergone abdominal cryolipolysis. The current case demonstrates that free flap breast reconstruction can be performed safely in this patient population, and that adjunct imaging modalities may improve clinical decision-making.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Justin M. Broyles, MD serves as a consultant for AHRQ and on the advisory board for HealShape. All the other authors have no financial interest in relation to the content of this article.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Preoperative image of the patient before undergoing bilateral DIEP flap reconstruction.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Intraoperative indocyanine green laser angiography revealing adequate perfusion.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Intraoperative image of the right and left hemiflaps before microsurgical anastomosis.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
A 94-day postoperative image of the newly reconstructed breasts with bilateral DIEP flaps before second stage revision surgery, which includes nipple creation, scar revision, and autologous fat grafting.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Zavlin D, Jubbal KT, Ellsworth WA, IV, et al. . Breast reconstruction with DIEP and SIEA flaps in patients with prior abdominal liposuction. Microsurgery. 2018;38:413–418. - PubMed
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