Can I Have Any Other Form of Reconstructive Surgery Following a Failed DIEP Flap?

asked 10 months ago by maureen in Scotland in Scotland
Latest answer by Randall Feingold, MD
Question viewed 475 times
Tags: blood clot, candidate, complication, DIEP

I'm in my early 40's, I had a DIEP flap reconstruction and it failed due to a blood clot & veinous bleed & having complications and also lots of allergies I'm not sure weather I should just accept that I am unable to have further surgery in the future following cancer.

6 answers to Can I Have Any Other Form of Reconstructive Surgery Following a Failed DIEP Flap?

Salvage after failed DIEP flap

Loss of a free flap does not preclude salvage with another free flap if natural tissue reconstruction is your preference. GAP flap from the buttock and TUG flap from the inner thigh may be options depending on your body shape. Last week I operated upon a woman who had lost her flap 3 months ago and I used an alternative free flap successfully. If those donor sites are not available, then a latissimus flap with expander is a better option than tissue expander alone. Hope is not lost, stay... more

Randall Feingold, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.aestheticplasticsurgerypc.com

Breast reconstruction after failed DIEP falp surgery

Maureen, Sorry that the DIEP, which is a great option, falied. No failure is final. Start with the surgeons you already know. My guess if they do many DIEP flaps that they handle less complicated methods of reconstruction. Good luck.

Craig Harrison, MD
Tyler Plastic Surgeon

Latissimus flap and tissue expander are the two easiest options for a failed DIEP flap

The DIEP flap, though very good, relies on a small vessel to carry a lot of skin. The latissimus dorsi flap is just the opposite: a large muscle carrying a small amount of skin. The latissimus flap is therefore very reliable. In all likelihood, you would need an implant to shape the flap. That flap is the best if your other breast is a C cup or larger, or if you have had radiation. If your other breast is an A or B cup and you want to match that size, you can go... more

Mark B. Constantian, MD
Nashua Plastic Surgeon

You have multiple options

I am sorry about the loss of flap. You can have TUG flap from groin or thigh flap for Autologus breat reconstruction. The other option is tissue expansion and implant reconstruction. The third option is fat grafting in multiple sessions in combination with BRAVO external expansion. I would suggest consultation in person or over Internet to review your pictures and goals.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Breast reconstruction options after unsuccessful DIEP flap

For those who aren't familiar, a DIEP flap is a procedure for breast reconstruction in which a mass of tissue is taken from the lower abdomen and transferred to the breast where blood vessels are reconnected using microsurgery; if the connections clot then the whole flap is lost. Options at this point depend entirely on the individual circumstance. If there has not been radiation treatment then a tissue expander and implant would be the easiest route.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reconstruction

In general you still have multiple options in breast reconstruction.Not knowing your medical history, you stilll have the option tissue expander and implant Latismus dorsi flap with or without the implant, depending on the breast size and skin available Another frr flap from the Gluteus muscle Cosult an exerienced plastic surgeon and after complete history and exam they can discuss all the options available for you and the optimal timing of the reconstruction. more

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

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