DIEP Surgery in Houston

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Benefits

Breast reconstruction using the patient’s own skin and fat is referred to as autologous tissue breast reconstruction. This type of surgery typically involves reallocating skin and fat from the patient’s abdomen to the chest to rebuild a new breast mound. In most cases, the abdomen is usually the most ideal source of tissue to reconstruct a new breast after breast cancer surgery. Most women’s bodies are naturally predisposed to deposit fat in the lower abdomen region. For this reason, most females will have enough tissue in this area to construct breasts that are proportional to her body. Creating the new breast mound from the patient’s own fat will give the reconstructed breast the most natural look and texture, as compared to an implant.

For several decades, the transverse abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) Flap has been considered the gold standard of breast reconstruction surgery. This procedure involves removing fat, skin and part of the rectus abdominis (six-pack) muscle. Muscle that is removed during the TRAM Flap serves only as a carrier for the blood supply to the flap, and does not actually enhance the quality of the reconstruction. Removing this muscle has its drawbacks and potential complications. The rectus abdominis is an important stabilizer of the trunk and central to posture and balance. Loss of this muscle could potentially affect this, especially if the patient suffers from back pain. This may be problematic for women who lead active lifestyles. In addition, removing this muscle weakens the abdominal wall and increases the patient’s risk of hernia.

Why Waste a Perfectly Good Muscle?

Fortunately, advances in knowledge about circulation to the skin composited with recent progression in the field of microsurgery have led to the development of what is known as perforator flaps. Perforator flaps remove only the tissue that is required, skin and fat, while leaving the abdominal muscle behind and intact. DIEP Flap surgery is a perforator flap procedure wherein skin and fat only are removed from the lower abdomen. The muscle is left behind to prevent abdominal weakness and bulging that can be associated with the TRAM Flap. So essentially, the patient gets the benefit of a tummy tuck without having to sacrifice abdominal strength in the process. DIEP surgery, which was pioneered in the early 1990’s, is now considered the new gold standard in breast reconstruction

Houston DIEP Surgery – Microsurgical Tissue Transfer

Rather than cutting away and removing the rectus abdominus muscle from the donor site like in the TRAM Flap, with DIEP Flap surgery, the surgeon removes the artery from the muscle itself.  The muscle is split to retrieve the artery, however, it is left intact and in place. Therefore, the patient is not at risk of losing muscle strength in the abdomen and their risk of suffering a hernia is significantly reduced as well. Not removing the muscle also promotes a faster recovery and shorter stay in the hospital.

Even though DIEP surgery has many proven benefits over other breast reconstruction procedures, because it requires microsurgery and is technically more demanding of the surgeon, there are still not many clinics in the nation that offer the DIEP Flap. This is why many individuals have DIEP surgery in Houston.

Dr. Spiegel is one of the few breast plastic surgeons in the nation who is clinically specialized in reconstructive microsurgery. DIEP surgery requires that the removed abdominal tissue be carefully reconnected to the small blood vessels in the breast region. This is all done under a microscope, using a minuscule needle, microscopic sutures and the skilled hands of a practiced surgeon. Once this intricate process is complete, the blood flow in the tissue is restored and can now be shaped to form a new breast mound or fill in any defect.

If you are currently exploring your breast reconstruction options, then the DIEP Flap is definitely a procedure to learn more about. Call the Center for Breast Restoration today or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and find out if you are a candidate for DIEP surgery in Houston.