left mastectomy, delayed DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction, and contralateral breast lift

The term corresponds to the acronym of "Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator", that is the description in English of the blood vessels, one on the left and one on the right, which from the depth of the lower part of the belly, the pelvis, "perforate" the muscle wall to supply the abdominal adipose tissue and the overlying skin.

These approximately 1mm perforating vessels (which widen in depth up to 4mm) are essential so that the flap of tissue transferred from the belly to the chest can be reconnected to the vascular system of the armpit and the new breast can be perfused by blood as a part. natural body.

The use of the DIEP flap in breast reconstruction was instead described for the first time by the American plastic surgeon Robert J. Allen in 1994; until then, a similar technique called "TRAM" (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous) was used which involved the removal of a part of the rectus abdominis muscle, with the need to insert a prosthetic mesh to avoid the frequent risk of collapse of the wall, the laparocele . It is good to underline that the DIEP technique, not removing the muscle and respecting not only the same but also its innervation, does not require the implantation of containment nets and has reduced the incidence of laparoceles to about 0.3% .

Ultimately, for many women, breast reconstruction with the DIEP flap can even result in an improved, more youthful, firmer and lifted breast appearance.