Breast reconstruction using DIEP flap: The free flap alone be enough? Quality of life and satisfaction analysis after complementary surgeries.

Introduction: Breast reconstruction using Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap involves complementary surgeries such as lipofilling, symmetrization, and nipple-areolar complex (NAC) reconstruction. Their role and impact have not been explored yet after the DIEP flap use.

Material And Methods: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the impact of complementary surgeries on the quality of life of 75 patients after DIEP flap breast reconstruction between 2012 and 2021, comparing the BREAST-Q© score of two groups, patients with DIEP flap only reconstruction and patients with DIEP flap and additional surgeries.