The use of venous anastomotic flow couplers to monitor buried free DIEP flap reconstructions following nipple-sparing mastectomy

• Main Authors: S.L. Chadwick, R. Khaw, J. Duncan, S.W. Wilson, L. Highton, S. O'Ceallaigh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-03-01
• Series: JPRAS Open
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352587819300361

Nipple sparing mastectomy with free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction offers excellent aesthetic outcomes but poses a challenge in monitoring the buried flap. Venous anastomotic flow couplers directly monitor buried flaps without the need for monitoring skin paddles. In a two year period we used the Synovis GEM™ flow coupler on 24 DIEP flaps. In our practice, flow couplers are effective in monitoring buried free flaps for breast reconstruction. The avoidance of a second procedure to remove a skin paddle improves patient experience and nullifies the additional flow coupler cost. One patient needed return to theatre when a Doppler wire became dislodged early in the series. There were no other issues with flap monitoring and no flap failures. We offer our tips to optimise flow coupler use. Keywords: Nipple-sparing, Mastectomy, Flow coupler, DIEP