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Breast reconstruction using DIEP flap
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy (in other words, breast restoration) is an important step for women who have had breast surgery due to cancer. In addition to restoring breast shape and size, this procedure also helps patients regain lost confidence and self-esteem. Today a number of methods are being carried out for breast reconstruction after mastectomy, including the use of prosthesis (breast reconstruction using synthetic materials) or self-tissue (diep flap). Each case is individual. Doctors help women choose the most appropriate method of breast reconstruction, taking into account their physiological characteristics and wishes.
Why breast reconstruction after mastectomy is an essential issue for women who have had cancer surgery?
- self-esteem raise;
- self-confidence regain;
- psychological state improvement;
- possibilty to choose of the most suitable method of plastic surgery;
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is not only the restoration of a lost body part, but also a step towards a full-quality life, allowing women to feel whole and confident in their bodies.
Microsurgical breast reconstruction using DIEP flap
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy using DIEP flap is the most common method of breast restoration.
DIEP flap is otherwise indicated as a «free» flap as in its employment in reconstruction with abdominoplasty, the graft is taken from anterior abdominal wall with complete separation for the subsequent implantation at the site of the removed mammary gland.
Reconstruction with abdominoplasty in its turn helps remove excessive fat tissue accumulation in the abdominal area.
What is special about the DIEP flap? This is a free flap consisting of skin and subcutaneous fat.
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy using this method has a number of advantages. Muscle tissue is not employed, which allows to decrease rehabilitation period and avoid such accidents as prolapse of anterior abdominal wall.
Besides, free flap plasty breast restoration provides ultimate natural anatomical shape and physiological changings.
Surgeons of specialized departments of the P.Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute are fully proficient in the methods of performing these technologically complex and critical operations.
Restoration of proportions is not the only goal, which breast reconstruction after mastectomy helps achieve.
Another not unimportant issue is psychological healing.
Mental health qualitatively affects all areas of a person’s life and, above all else, is of great importance for a woman who has gone through difficult treatment.
Who is suitable for of DIEP flap breast reconstruction?
This type of operation is indicated for women:
- after complete removal of the mammary gland to restore volume;
- in case of negative development of the situation after breast restoration by mammoplasty using an implant;
- with absence of acute phase of chronic diseases and somatic conditions;
- in the absence in anamnesis of vascular diseases and connective tissue abnormalities to ensure proper blood supply in the area of flap transplantation;
- with an adequate amount of donor tissue and skin to implement reconstruction with abdominoplasty;
- in the absence of predicted courses of radiation therapy.
In case of necessity of cosmetic correction or medical indications a woman may undergo breast reduction.
Questions that women may have
Duration of postoperative period varies depending on the method used for breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
The length of the postoperative period varies depending on the method used for breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
With favorable prognosis discharge from the hospital occurs within a week after surgical interference and the full recovery may take up to two months
For one and a half months after surgery heavy physical activity and sports, as well as sex activity, are excluded.
In the absence of contraindications for surgery, there are no such restrictions.
