[Profunda artery perforator flap: Reliable secondary option for breast reconstruction?]

In recent years, the DIEP-flap has become the standard for autologous breast reconstruction. However, when abdominal donor site is unavailable, secondary options are numerous. This report documents our experience with PAP-flap breast reconstruction.

We carried out a retrospective study of patients who underwent reconstructive breast surgery by PAP-flaps in our institution since 2014.

Seventeen PAP-flaps were carried out in 15 patients, two of which received consecutive reconstruction of each breast at distinct intervals. Indication was lack of abdominal excess in 8 patients and history of abdominoplasty in 6 patients. These six patients and one more had bad or absence of perforator for DIEP flap. There were 2 flap losses (11.8%). Other complications included minor dehiscences from seroma at donor site in 6 cases (35.3%), flap dehiscence in one case (5.8%), and receiver site hematoma in 1 patient (5.8%).

The authors analyze their series when the high rate of complications and the results obtained compared to the second alternative choices of other teams.

The author is of the opinion that the PAP-Flap is a reliable option as a second choice for breast reconstruction in patients whose DIEP can not be retained. It is limited in terms of volume and a third choice should be considered when the indication is to reconstruct a breast of large volume.