Welcome to cutting-edge approach to Breast Reconstruction: "The Nerve Sparing DIEP flap"

A "Nerve sparing DIEP flap" refers to a surgical technique used in breast reconstruction where the surgeon carefully dissects and preserves the nerves that supply the rectus abdominis muscle when harvesting tissue from the lower abdomen using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, minimizing potential complications like abdominal weakness or bulging at the donor site by avoiding damage to these motor nerves; essentially, it prioritizes preserving the function of the abdominal muscles while taking the necessary tissue for breast reconstruction.

Key points about nerve sparing DIEP flap:
•Muscle preservation: Unlike older techniques like the TRAM flap, a DIEP flap aims to completely spare the rectus abdominis muscle, only taking the skin, fat, and blood vessels supplied by the perforating vessels from the deep inferior epigastric artery. 
•Nerve identification: During surgery, the surgeon carefully identifies and dissects around the nerves that innervate the rectus muscle to minimize their damage. 
•Benefits: By preserving the nerves, a nerve-sparing DIEP flap can help maintain abdominal wall strength, reduce the risk of hernias, and improve post-operative function and body contour. 

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