J Reconstr Microsurg 2012; 28(09): 573-576
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315781
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Sequential Bilateral Breast Reconstruction Using a Split Solitary Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap

Geoffrey G. Hallock
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, Pennsylvania
2   St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

02 January 2012

21 March 2012

Publication Date:
28 June 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Autogenous tissue bilateral breast reconstruction often requires microsurgical tissue transfers. The reality is that sometimes revascularization cannot be accomplished, leading to a total flap failure. If one flap survives, another attempt using a second flap is necessary to achieve symmetry. Nonmicrosurgical options to achieve this are limited. If the successful flap is bulky enough, it can be bisected to create a local island flap based on the original flap pedicle to allow completion of the contralateral reconstruction. This concept is here presented using a split deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap for sequential bilateral breast reconstruction.