Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap, DIEP

The deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) was first reported by Koshima in 1988. Ever since it was first used for breast reconstruction by Allen in 1994, this flap could also be applied to total tongue reconstruction, repair of defects post midfacial tumor operations and coverage of huge limb soft-tissue defects with bone exposure. As a modified flap based on traditional transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (TRAM), DIEP isolated the inferior epigastric vessel and its perforator from rectus abdominis to avoid muscular injury and decrease postoperative complications such as abdominal heria, bulge and weakness in donor sites.