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DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701698
Postoperative Free Flap Breast Protocol Optimizing Resources and Patient Safety
Publication History
18 July 2019
19 December 2019
Publication Date:
23 February 2020 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/jrm/202005/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0040-1701698_190193-1.jpg)
Abstract
Background As deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flaps have gained popularity in breast reconstruction, the postoperative care of these patients, including the appropriate hospital length-of-stay and the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, has become a topic of debate. At our institution, we have adopted a pathway that aims for discharge on postoperative day 3, utilizing continuous tissue oximetry without ICU admission. This study aims to evaluate outcomes with this pathway to assess its safety and feasibility in clinical practice.
Methods A retrospective review was performed of patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction between January 2013 and August 2014. Data of interest included patient demographics and medical history as well as complication rates and date of hospital discharge.
Results In total, 153 patients were identified undergoing 239 DIEP flaps. The mean age was 50 years (standard deviation [SD] = 10.2) and body mass index (BMI) 29.4 kg/m2 (SD = 5.2). Over the study period, the flap failure rate was 1.3% and reoperation rate 3.9%. Seventy-one percent of patients were discharged on postoperative day 3. Nine patients required hospitalization beyond 5 days. Theoretical cost savings from avoiding ICU admissions were $1,053 per patient.
Conclusion A pathway aiming for hospital discharge on postoperative day 3 without ICU admission following DIEP flap breast reconstruction can be feasibly implemented with an acceptable reoperation and flap failure rate.
Keywords
deep inferior epigastric perforator flap - breast reconstruction - free flap - tissue oximetry - intensive care unit - length of stay* These authors contributed equally to this work.
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