Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
An Experimental Human DIEP Flap Model to Investigate Preservation Strategies for Vascularized Composite Allografts and Free Flaps
Published on: December 5, 2025
[Breast reconstruction with a combined skin flap of DIEP and TRAM]
Jie Luan1, Lan-hua Mu, Fei Fan
1Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100041, China.
Objective:
To evaluate breast reconstruction with a combined skin flap of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM).
Methods:
The DIEP and TRAM united flap was elevated with the vessel pedicle of the deep inferior epigastric perforator on the affected side and the rectus abdominis muscle pedicle on the intact side. The reconstructive breast was shaped after the deep inferior epigastric vessels were anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels or the thoracodorsal vessels ipsilaterally.
Results:
We have used the DIEP and TRAM united flaps for breast reconstruction in 17 cases. All of the flaps survived, and the reconstructed breasts were well-shaped with the follow-up of 6-18 months.
Conclusions:
The DIEP and TRAM united flap possesses of advantages such as rich blood supply, abundant tissue volume and easy shaping. It is especially applicable to the cases who have large chest defect and need large volume tissue.