Can I have DIEP after a previous abdominal surgery?

Hi smipigfarm,
DIEP is possible after many abdominal surgeries. The most common are prior laparoscopic surgery, prior Pfannensteil (low transverse) c section scar, and prior vertical midline below the umbilicus. In addition to the benefits of tissue based reconstruction, the DIEP surgery will generally remove or bury these scars
Rarely, an emergency c-section can injure the DIEP pedicle (your PS may order a CT scan to check. A prior below the belly button vertical midline scar is okay for two sided reconstruction (I would make this cut anyway, splitting the abdomen in half), but may mean you need two blood supplies hooked up for a one sided reconstruction that needs more than half an abdomen.
A history of an open gallbladder, with a right upper quadrant scar, can make the reliability of the skin below that scar questionable. I have definitely done DIEPs in patients with this scar, but a delay procedure may be needed, and minimal undermining should be performed for closure.
Meet with an experienced plastic surgeon, and they can explain your options.
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

Yes, you can have a DIEP
after a previous abdominal surgery.This
really depends on the location of the scars and the assessment of the
surgeon.The vertical scar of the
midline will only prevent it from being raised together, instead of two
separate flaps.Again, this really
depends on the location of the scar.

Whether or not you can have a DIEP flap breast reconstruction after abdominal surgery depends upon the type of abdominal surgery and the direction and location of the scar(s). Vertical scars can pose a problem as to the amount of tissue available.