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. CONCLUSION: 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.
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. CONCLUSION: 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.