Aims: To define the clinical benefits to the patient of preoperative imaging planning for deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction.
Materials and methods: Since 2009 computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been provided for the preoperative planning of DIEP flap breast reconstruction in the largest plastic surgery unit in southeast England. In a retrospective, cohort-control study the outcomes of 100 consecutive patients who underwent preoperative CTA planning were compared with a closely-matched control group who underwent ultrasound planning only. The cohorts were evaluated for operative duration, mean operative blood loss and transfusion requirement, morbidity and flap or donor-site complications.
Results: There were statistically significant improvements in mean operative duration (p < 0.05), intra-operative blood loss (p < 0.05), shorter mean inpatient stay (p < 0.05) for the CTA planning versus the ultrasound planning of DIEP flap reconstruction.
Conclusion: Statistically significant benefits were demonstrated in key aspects of the surgical procedure following CTA-guided planning. The implications of these benefits are profound in terms of pure healthcare cost benefits.
Copyright © 2012 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.