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Groundbreaking New Research Says Breast Reconstruction Surgery After Mastectomy May Be an Option for Obese Women B REAST CANCER CAN be a devastating diagnosis for many women, and the thought of being permanently disfigured after a mastectomy only compounds that devastation. In the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: The Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, physi- cians with San Antonio-based PRMA Plastic Surgery take on the controversial topic of breast reconstruction in obese women and say their research indicates that DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap breast reconstruction is safe in obese populations and, in fact, may be the recommended method of abdomen-based breast reconstruction in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 40. Historically, women with a high BMI were discouraged from having breast reconstruction because of the prospective risk of complications. A higher BMI was associated with poor outcomes in breast reconstruction using traditional techniques. 10 | San Antonio MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM PRMA surgeons conducted a retrospective analysis of 639 DIEP f laps in 418 patients, concluding that, "Increasing body mass index predisposes patients to delayed wound healing complications in both flap and donor-site locations, but given a similar flap complication profile and main- tenance of abdominal stability, DIEP f laps are recommended in patients with increased body mass index." Surgeons with PRMA have con- ducted more than 4,000 of these reconstruction surgeries, and this research confirms that the DIEP flap method of reconstruction in obese populations should be considered an option. "The DIEP f lap, which is today's gold standard in breast reconstruction, is one of the safer reconstructive procedures in patients with a BMI as high as 40," says PRMA surgeon Minas Chrysopoulo, M.D. He adds that, while complications can occur with any surgery, obese women may still be able to have breast reconstruction surgery and should consult a plastic surgeon specializing in advanced breast reconstruction tech- niques like the DIEP flap. To learn more about the DIEP method and receive CME credit, please visit http://cme.dannemiller.com/mdnews/ oct. This continuing education activity offers an interview with Dr. Chrysopoulo about the journal article "Abdominal Wall Stability and Flap Complications after Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction: Does Body Mass Index Make a Difference?" This continuing medical education activity is brought to you by Dannemiller. For more than 28 years, Dannemiller has been an independent provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and holds the highest level of accreditation. Dannemiller provides accredited education online, in printed pub- lications and via live courses. Dannemiller is proud to present accredited education in partnership with MD News. ■ SPECIAL SECTION: CME ACTIVITY