The Lumbar Artery Perforator Free Flap as an Alternative Option for Breast Reconstruction in Low BMI Patients: Analysis of CT Angiography of Donor Sites Across BMI.

Background:  In patients with a low body mass index (BMI), the options for autologous breast reconstruction are limited. With the hypothesis that adipose tissue deposition favors the lumbar region over the abdominal wall, this study sought to investigate the lumbar artery perforator (LAP) flap as an alternative reconstructive option in patients with deficient autologous donor sites consequent to a low BMI.

Methods:  A retrospective cohort analysis was performed, from a prospectively maintained database, of all consecutive deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstructions performed in our unit.