How do the complication rates compare between breast reconstructions performed with perforator flaps and those performed with tissue expanders and implants?
Published studies have shown that long term complication rates for perforator flaps, such as DIEP flaps, have been shown repeatedly to be much lower than when tissue expanders and implants are used. Previous studies of DIEP perforator flaps reveal an unplanned surgical revision rate of approximately 10%. Procedures using expanders and implants tend to have quicker initial surgeries but higher rates of long term complications. They are commonly performed and fall within the standard of care for breast reconstruction. Nationally collected data for breast reconstructions performed with tissue expanders and implants showed an unplanned surgical revision rate of 45% – 49% over 5 years. The rate of complications with patients with implant reconstructions who have had previous radiation therapy is even higher.
Published studies have shown that long term complication rates for perforator flaps, such as DIEP flaps, have been shown repeatedly to be much lower than when tissue expanders and implants are used.Procedures using expanders and implants tend to have quicker initial surgeries but higher rates of long term complications. They are commonly performed and fall within the standard of care for breast reconstruction. Previous studies of DIEP perforator flaps reveal an unplanned surgical revision rate of approximately 10%. Nationally collected data for breast reconstructions performed with tissue expanders and implants showed an unplanned surgical revision rate of 45% – 49% over 5 years. The rate of complications with patients with implant reconstructions who have had previous radiation therapy is even higher.
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