[Breast reconstruction with a combined skin flap of DIEP and TRAM].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate breast reconstruction with a combined skin flap of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM).


METHODS
The DIEP and TRAM united flap was elevated with the vessel pedicle of the deep inferior epigastric perforator on the affected side and the rectus abdominis muscle pedicle on the intact side. The reconstructive breast was shaped after the deep inferior epigastric vessels were anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels or the thoracodorsal vessels ipsilaterally.


RESULTS
We have used the DIEP and TRAM united flaps for breast reconstruction in 17 cases. All of the flaps survived, and the reconstructed breasts were well-shaped with the follow-up of 6-18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The DIEP and TRAM united flap possesses of advantages such as rich blood supply, abundant tissue volume and easy shaping. It is especially applicable to the cases who have large chest defect and need large volume tissue.
Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100041, China.
Jie
J
Luan
Lan-hua
LH
Mu
Fei
F
Fan
Da-li
DL
Mu
Chen
C
Liu
Zhao-he
ZH
Niu
Jian-Jun
JJ
You
Sheng
S
Wang
Ling-yu
LY
Wang
Yi-hua
YH
Zheng
D000328:Adult; D019074:Epigastric Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000637:transplantation*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply