The Delay Procedure in Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Background: The delay procedure in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction, in which the reduced-caliber choke vessels play a major role, can provide more well-perfused tissue than a standard DIEP flap. The aim of this study was to review the authors' experience with this technique, evaluate the indications, and analyze the surgical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of all consecutive DIEP delay procedures performed between March of 2019 and June of 2021.

Learning Sensory Nerve Coaptation in Free Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Background:  The aims of this study were to assess whether sensory nerve coaptation in free flap breast reconstruction is subject to learning, and to elucidate challenges of this technique.

Methods:  In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we reviewed consecutive free flap breast reconstructions performed between March 2015 and August 2018. Data were extracted from medical records, and missing values were imputed.

Clinical Relevance of Sensory Nerve Coaptation in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Evaluated Using the BREAST-Q.

Background: Sensory nerve coaptation in autologous breast reconstruction positively affects sensory recovery in the reconstructed breast. However, patient-reported outcomes are lacking and no conclusions on the clinical relevance of nerve coaptation could be drawn. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of nerve coaptation in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction.

Nerve Coaptation Improves the Sensory Recovery of the Breast in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Restoring the sensation of the reconstructed breast has increasingly become a goal of autologous breast reconstruction. The aim of this study was to analyze the sensory recovery of the breast and donor site of innervated compared to noninnervated deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstructions, to assess associated factors, and to compare the differences between preoperative and postoperative sensation.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, including patients who underwent innervated or noninnervated DIEP flap breast reconstruction between August of 2016 and August of 2018.

The difference in local, regional and distant breast cancer recurrence between the immediate and delayed DIEP flap procedure; a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: It has been hypothesized that autologous breast reconstruction can cause reactivation of dormant micro metastases by its extensive tissue trauma, influencing the risk of breast cancer recurrence. However, about the specific effect of timing on breast cancer recurrence in the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction is not much known. In this study the rate of local, regional and distant recurrence between patients undergoing an immediate and delayed autologous DIEP flap breast reconstruction were evaluated.