DIEP 16

Age:                          62

Diagnosis:                Breast cancer

Radiation:                 Yes

Reconstruction:        DIEP flap (L)

Timing:                      Delayed

Flap placement:       Subcutaneous

Opposite breast:      No surgery

Nipple:                      Local skin flaps and tattoo

Comment:                Radiation and implants don’t mix. This patient underwent implant reconstruction in the presence of irradiated tissue. Initially, it looked fine. However, radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. Progressive thinning of the skin and severe encapsulation of the implant led to the deformation shown here. The skin had to be removed together with the implant and replaced with a DIEP flap