title: Extended deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap for head and neck reconstruction: a clinical experience with 100 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The extended deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) artery flap had been described in 1983. For head and neck reconstruction, we have been using a variation of this flap, namely a perforator free flap of the deep inferior epigastric system with a superolateral extension of the skin paddle.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purpose of this study was to present our 10-year experience in the performance of 102 soft tissue head and neck reconstructions with the extended DIEP flap in 100 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depending on the reconstructive needs, we used the extended DIEP flap in 3 ways: as a cutaneous perforator flap (52.9%), as a chimeric perforator flap (6.9%), and as a myocutaneous perforator flap (40.2%). The overall flap survival rate was 97.1%. Three flaps (2.9%) totally necrosed. Partial flap loss occurred in 5.9% of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extended DIEP flap is reliable, has a safe vascular supply, and has a long pedicle. Its versatility makes it suitable for reconstruction of moderate to large head and neck reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona), Sant Antoni M. Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain. jmasia@santpau.cat
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Masià
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sommario
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cervelli
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pons
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019074:Epigastric Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*