Perfusion zones of the DIEP flap revisited: a clinical study.
BACKGROUND
The Hartrampf perfusion zones of the lower abdominal flap are generally accepted. They were empirically based on the clinical impression of the perfusion in the first 16 unipedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps and have been uncritically adopted for the free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous and the free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. Scientific data proving the validity of these perfusion zones do not exist. The objective of this study was to evaluate and quantitatively assess the perfusion zones of the DIEP flap.


METHODS
In a clinical, prospective study of 15 patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction, tissue perfusion was intraoperatively assessed using the method of laser-induced fluorescence of indocyanine green.


RESULTS
Perfusion of zones I, II, and III was seen 25, 41, and 32 seconds, respectively, after injection, and the perfusion index constituted 76, 25, and 47 percent (median) of normal tissue. Perfusion of zone IV was completely absent in five patients (33 percent); in the remaining patients, it was dramatically decreased (5 percent) and occurred with a delay of 67 seconds.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the results of this study, the Hartrampf concept of a centrally perfused skin ellipse with declining perfusion of its peripheral ends is wrong and should be revised. Instead, one should think of the lower abdominal flap as two halves separated by the midline. The ipsilateral half has an axial pattern of perfusion; the contralateral half shows a random-pattern, individually variable blood supply. Therefore, the classic Hartrampf zones should be rearranged, switching zones II and III.
Holm
Charlotte
C
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Bogenhausen, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany. charlotte_holmjakobsen@hotmail.com
Mayr
Martina
M
Höfter
Eugen
E
Ninkovic
Milomir
M
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000098:blood supply*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004396:Coloring Agents; D019074:Epigastric Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green