Repetitive Arterial Crisis of Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap after Mental Stress: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

The authors report a case of mental stress-induced repeatedly failing microsurgical flap. A 33-year-old female patient underwent a left breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. Repetitive arterial crisis occurred postoperatively, which eventually led to flap necrosis. In this case, there was clear correlation between the arterial crisis and mental factors. Mental stress may lead to arterial crisis.

KEYWORDS

Arterial crisis - DIEP flap - mental stress

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