DIEP flap for breast reconstruction: retrospective evaluation of patient satisfaction on abdominal results

Abstract

Background: Although some papers have analyzed patient satisfaction after traditional abdominoplasty, studies that have specifically assessed patient satisfaction on abdominal reconstruction after deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) surgery are lacking.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess satisfaction, specifically for abdominoplasty results, in patients who underwent breast reconstruction with a single DIEP flap.

Methods: This retrospective study included 53 consecutive patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction with a DIEP flap. The patients were all clinically evaluated during a specific consultation and answered a satisfaction survey based on a four-point scale (unsatisfied, satisfied, happy, and very happy).

Results: A total of 50 patients responded to the survey. The average age was 52.3 years. This study revealed that 52% of the patients were happy or very happy with the aesthetic result of their abdomen. A total of 34% of the patients confessed that they preferred their abdomen before surgery. A further analysis of the dissatisfied patients showed particular dissatisfaction with dog-ears (50%), residual abdominal overhang (18%), or the horizontal scar (12%). The average distance between the horizontal scar and vulvar anterior commissure was 10.6 cm. A total of 86% of the patients were happy or very happy with the preoperative counseling.

Conclusions: The authors note the necessity to give detailed preoperative information to explain the final abdominal aesthetic result, which can be quite different from the patient's expectations.

Keywords: Abdominoplasty; Breast reconstruction; DIEP flap; Satisfaction survey.