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

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 < 0.001). There was no statistic difference in venous congestion, partial flap loss, or fat necrosis in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Using one-side recipient vessels for bilateral breast reconstructions with unilateral breast reconstruction with contralateral augmentation using differentially split DIEP flaps presents a high success rate, acceptable ischemia time, and minimal complications for small to medium volume breast reconstructions. Utilizing this method can reduce the ischemia time and spare one side internal mammary vessels. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:5-10. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.