Outcomes of one-side versus two-sides recipient vessels for bilateral breast reconstructions with bilateral DIEP flaps

• Published in: Journal of surgical oncology 2016-07, Vol.114 (1), p.5-10
• Main Authors: Qiu, Shan Shan, Huang, Jung-Ju, Wu, Chih-Wei, Kolios, Georgios, Cheng, Ming-Huei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anastomosis, Surgical; bilateral breast reconstructions; bilateral DIEP flaps; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Epigastric Arteries - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Mammaplasty - methods; Mammary Arteries - surgery; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Retrospective Studies; single recipient site; Surgical Flaps - blood supply
• ISSN: 0022-4790; 1096-9098
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.24270

Background This study was to compare the use of one‐side versus two‐sides recipient vessels in either bilateral breast reconstructions or unilateral breast reconstruction with contralateral augmentation using bilateral DIEP flaps. Patients and Methods A retrospective review including all cases of bilateral breast reconstructions and unilateral reconstruction with contralateral augmentation with DIEP flaps was performed. Patient's demographics, surgical variables, and outcome were collected. Two distinct cohorts based on the recipient vessel techniques, one‐side versus two‐sides, were compared. Results A total of 25 patients with 50 split‐DIEP flaps were included, with one‐side recipient vessels used in 19 patients and two‐sides recipient vessels in 6 patients. Ischemia time was significantly reduced in one‐side recipient group compared to two‐sides recipient vessels group (62.4 ± 21.3 vs. 105.9 ± 32.5, P