J Reconstr Microsurg 2020; 36(05): 379-385
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701698
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Postoperative Free Flap Breast Protocol Optimizing Resources and Patient Safety

Darya Fadavi*
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Allison Haley*
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Franca Kraenzlin
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Tobias J. Bos
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Brian H. Cho
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Hannah M. Carl
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Benjamin T. Ostrander
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Michele A. Manahan
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Gedge D. Rosson
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Justin M. Sacks
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

18 July 2019

19 December 2019

Publication Date:
23 February 2020 (online)

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.

* These authors contributed equally to this work.


 
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