Perfusion Zones of the DIEP Flap Revisited: A Clinical Study

Abstract

On the basis of the results of this study, the Hartrampf concept of a centrally perfused skin ellipse with declining perfusion of its peripheral ends is wrong and should be revised. Instead, one should think of the lower abdominal flap as two halves separated by the midline. The ipsilateral half has an axial pattern of perfusion; the contralateral half shows a random-pattern, individually variable blood supply. Therefore, the classic Hartrampf zones should be rearranged, switching zones II and III.