The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap (DIEAP) in Breast Reconstruction

As the diagnosis of breast cancer increases, so does the amount of information available to the patient regarding treatment. Patients have become more informed regarding treatment and reconstructive options in recent years. The plastic surgery community has attempted to provide reconstructive options that give the best result with the least donor-site morbidity. By using these criteria, the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEAP) flap has been developed based on previous experience with the free and pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap reconstruction. The DIEAP flap provides autologous tissue for breast reconstruction, which is similar in makeup to the patient's own breast, while minimizing donor-site morbidity. Over the past decade, the DIEAP flap has been a reliable and reproducible method for autologous breast reconstruction.