Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

An Experimental Human DIEP Flap Model to Investigate Preservation Strategies for Vascularized Composite Allografts and Free Flaps
Published on: December 5, 2025
Multiple pregnancies following deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction
Ketan M Patel1, Deniz Basci, Maurice Y Nahabedian
1Georgetown University Hospital, Department of Plastic Surgery, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington DC 20007, USA.
Abstract:
Pregnancy following abdominal flap-based breast reconstruction may cause stress to the abdominal wall. These changes may result in weakness and hernia or bulge. We present two patients who previously underwent unilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction and became pregnant twice. Both patients maintained abdominal contour without bulges or hernias. Subjectively, patients reported minor changes to abdominal strength. Therefore, these two patients had minimal abdominal morbidity following pregnancy after unilateral DIEP flap reconstruction.

