DIEP FLAP: MORE DETAIL
When the tissue from the abdomen is used, it leaves an incision in the fascia (supporting tissue) of the muscle and abdomen. Sutures are used to repair this incision before the abdomen closure is completed with the tummy tuck. The skin, fat and blood vessels removed from the abdomen are then shaped and transferred to the chest in preparation for the microsurgical part of the procedure.
MICROSURGERY RESTORES CIRCULATION TO THE ABDOMINAL TISSUE
In the figure above, the flap has been moved into the mastectomy field and the vessels are microsurgically repaired to branches from the internal mammary artery and vein. To access the internal mammary artery and vein a portion of rib cartilage is removed from the chest wall. The microsurgery is done through the mastectomy scar, but the picture here shows the details directly over the ribs to explain the procedure visually.