In order to illustrate how to isolate the deep inferior epigastric perforators during DIEP Flap breast reconstruction surgery, I shadowed a ten hour surgery with Sumeet Teotia, M.D. at UTSouthwestern. Awarded 2013 Dean's Excellence Award.
In a DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery, a tummy tuck is simultaneously achieved by using the fat tissue and vessels of the abdomen. This tissue is moved up to the woman’s chest to rebuild the breast. During this procedure, the rectus abdominal muscles are not cut or removed, which makes recovery from this surgery much easier. Once the abdominal tissue is moved to the breast area, the surgeons attach the blood vessels of the flap to the blood vessels of the breast to keep the tissue alive via microsurgery.
Image A: DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery: tearing away fascia around perforators
Image B: DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery: cutting through rectus abdominus to free perforators
Image C: DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery: clipping perforators for removal and relocation of flap