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Banking a hemi‐abdominal DIEP flap: A pilot report of indications, technique, and utility
Author(s) -
Shridharani Sachin M.,
Singh Navin K.,
Taylor Jesse A.,
Rosson Gedge D.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.20611
Subject(s) - medicine , diep flap , surgery , breast reconstruction , abdominal wall , breast cancer , cancer
We present a pilot report of “banking” the contralateral hemi‐abdominal deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap under the abdominal closure in patients undergoing unilateral autologous breast reconstruction when a hemi‐abdominal flap suffices. Four patients undergoing unilateral autologous breast reconstruction with a hemi‐abdominal DIEP or superficial inferior epigastric artery flap had their contralateral hemi‐abdominal flap left in position, or “banked,” under their abdominal closure to be used in case of failure. This novel method may be of assistance when a free microvascular hemi‐abdominal flap is felt to be threatened or suspect. It provides a life‐boat for the younger and experienced surgeon alike, and most importantly, for the breast cancer survivor. Economic analysis of the technique reveals that the contralateral hemi‐abdominal flap should be banked more often than intuition alone would suggest. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.