Why is it that following DIEP flap for delayed breast reconstruction, the transplanted skin has a yellowed appearance?

Question

I have been researching delayed DIEP flap surgeries and often notice in the photographs from afterwards, the transplanted skin often has a yellowed appearance. I understand that some skin color difference is to be expected from abdomen to chest but why yellow? Why not just a paler tone of your skin? Is this avoidable? Does it have anything to do with the health of the flap? Or poor technique by the surgeon? Thank you in advance for any help answering this question.

Rodger Shortt, FRCSC · Answer

The skin colour is not changed with a diep flap.  Whatever it is on the belly is what you will get.  The best match is in really light or dark skin.  Everything in between usually has a difference.  This is most commonly from increased sun damage to the skin of the breast versus the abdomen.Hope that helps.Dr Rodger ShorttOakville Plastic SurgeonAssistant Clinical Professor &Director of Cosmetic Surgery Training,McMaster UniversityPerforming plastic surgery in Oakville, Mississauga, Georgetown, Milton, Burlington, and Hamilton.

Aldona J. Spiegel, MD · Answer

The skin color of the transplanted tissue of the DIEP flap does not change, There may be some color variation due to the photographs that you are seeing, but in reality the skin stays the same color as the location it was transplanted from.

Why is it that following DIEP flap for delayed breast reconstruction, the transplanted skin has a yellowed appearance?

Answers (2)