The unilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator flap: comparing university to community hospital.
The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is considered to be the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. This study evaluates the outcome of unilateral DIEP flap reconstructions, comparing university with a community hospital setting. A total of 77 unilateral DIEP flaps were performed at one university hospital and two community hospitals by the same two surgeons. Outcome parameters were: hospital stay, operating time, wound infection, wound dehiscence, fat necrosis, haematoma, (partial) flap necrosis and the need for surgical intervention. Forty-nine unilateral DIEP flaps were performed in the university hospital and 28 in the community hospitals. Baseline characteristics were equal. No significant difference was found in total complication rate, flap loss or need for surgical intervention. Although wound dehiscence occurred more often in the community hospitals, unilateral DIEP flap breast reconstructions can be performed with a comparable degree of safety and complication risk in both university and community hospital settings.
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Ramon P
RP
de Wildt
Morteza
M
Enajat
John H
JH
Sawor
Roel N G M
RN
Fresow
Lloyd V
LV
Nanhekhan
René R W J
RR
van der Hulst
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence