Volume change in the rectus abdominis muscle after deep inferior epigastric perforator flap harvest

Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap has less donor site morbidity than that of transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. However, abdominal muscle atrophy and donor site complications caused by denervation during pedicle dissection cannot be avoided. This retrospective study investigated the change in rectus abdominis muscle volume after deep inferior epigastric perforator flap harvest. Of 395 patients who underwent unilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction between August 2007 and July 2017, 25 patients with >2-year postoperative abdominal computed tomography data were evaluated.