DIEP flap surgery is a type of breast reconstruction. It uses skin, fat and blood vessels from your lower belly to rebuild your breast after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. It’s a muscle-sparing procedure, so no abdominal muscles are cut or removed.
DIEP flap surgery is a type of breast reconstruction. DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator artery) is a blood vessel in your belly. A surgeon uses blood vessels, fat and skin from your lower belly to rebuild your breast during the procedure.
One of the major benefits of DIEP flap surgery is that the surgeon doesn’t remove any muscle from your abdomen. Some other procedures, such as TRAM (transverse rectus abdominal muscle) flap surgery, take muscle from your belly or other areas of your body, making the recovery process longer.
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DIEP flap surgery is a way to reconstruct your breast after breast cancer surgery. You may choose to have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy (breast removal) or lumpectomy (partial breast removal). DIEP flap surgery might happen at the same time as your breast cancer surgery (immediate reconstruction) or after (delayed reconstruction).
Breast reconstruction is a personal choice. Some people choose breast reconstruction to:
There are several ways to reconstruct a breast. If you decide to have breast reconstruction, you should discuss the risks and benefits of each option with your healthcare provider. The two main types of reconstruction are:
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Not everyone will be a candidate for DIEP flap reconstruction surgery. You might not be able to have this procedure if you:
A plastic surgeon with specialized training in microvascular tissue transfer performs DIEP flap surgery. Microvascular tissue transfer is a complex technique to transfer blood vessels from one part of your body and reattach them in another part of your body.
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In 2017, DEIP flap surgery accounted for about 10% of all breast reconstructions. Saline implants are the most popular form of breast reconstruction. But as more surgeons receive training in the complex DIEP technique, the procedure will likely become more common.
Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions about how to prepare for DIEP flap surgery. You may need a physical exam and lab tests to make sure you’re healthy enough for surgery. Your provider might take photos of your breasts and abdomen and order imaging scans to plan your surgery.
You should also:
DIEP flap surgery typically takes anywhere from six to eight hours. The procedure varies depending on whether you’re having immediate or delayed reconstruction. Some people having delayed reconstruction may have had a tissue expander placed under the skin of their chest during their mastectomy. If you had a tissue expander, it will be removed during your flap surgery.
In general, here’s what you can expect:
After DIEP flap surgery, you stay in the hospital for two to five days. Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions about:
Benefits of DIEP flap surgery include:
Complications from DIEP flap surgery aren’t common, but they can include:
Recovery after DIEP flap surgery can take six to eight weeks. Your surgeon may ask you to wear a compression garment around your chest or abdomen for several weeks. You’ll need to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting or overhead movements. By the second week, your surgeon may tell you it’s OK to begin light exercise or arm movements.
You can expect:
The success rates of DIEP flap surgery are between 96% and 99%. People with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol may have success rates on the lower end of this range.
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
DIEP flap surgery is a type of breast reconstruction. People may choose to have this procedure after breast cancer surgery such as a mastectomy or lumpectomy. A surgeon removes a flap of skin, fat and blood vessels from your lower belly during this procedure and transfers the flap to your chest. This is a muscle-sparing surgery, so you don't lose any muscle in your abdomen. DIEP reconstruction is more involved and requires a longer recovery than implant reconstruction, but it offers more natural-looking results.
Last reviewed on 08/18/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy