Had DIEP Flap Surgery - Incision on Belly Splitting Badly

Wound dehiscence, wound breaking open after surgery, is a potential complication after DIEP or tummy tuck (or any surgery).  It is not a life-threatening problem, but an annoying one.  At this time the treatment is wound care.  Use of VAC therapy can be helpful and speed up your healing.  Google VAC Therapy and ask your surgeon if he thinks it would be helpful.

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD

It is an unfortunate complication with the low transverse incision used for tummy tucks and the DIEP flap.  This wounds have a tension when they are closed in the operating room.  In most instances this area relaxes over the next several week.  Breakdown most often occurs near the middle of the incision over the pubic area.  This point is now further from the blood supply and is usually under the most tension.  ALTHOUGH IT IS GREAT THAT YOU STOPPED SMOKING.  This happens even in patients who don't smoke although far less frequently.  Follow the instructions of your surgeon and with dressing changes and time this wound will heal.Three
basic forms of breast reconstruction exist. You can use your own tissue,
implants or a combination of the previous two techniques. Your own tissue can
be used in the form of the DIEP flap, PAP flap, SGAP flap or fat grafting.
Implants can be done in one stage or two stage. Two stage reconstructions are
started by placing expanders at the time of mastectomy. Once they expanders are
placed they are able to be inflated as determined by wound healing. The final
time consists of combining any of the above techniques.



If
you are interested in being seen in Austin please give us a call. I know
this is a difficult time for you. The majority of my practice is devoted
to reconstruction for women with breast cancer or who are BRCA+

It sounds like you and your plastic surgeon are on top of things. You have quit smoking and your infection is being managed. Whatever the dressing change, a clean, moist (not wet) wound heals best. You can consider a scar revision once things have healed in but it's doubtful that you'll need it. DIEP flap reconstruction is a highly complex operation and it's wonderful that your breasts are doing well.