Prolonged operative time is a risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes in the unilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap surgery: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

We confirmed OT was an independent predictor for postoperative outcomes in the DIEP flap, and demonstrated this in unilateral reconstructions. A clinical maximum threshold of 7 h was derived based on this cohort to help guide future surgical practice. Efficiency can be achieved by meticulous preoperative planning and process standardisation, multiple senior surgeons working per flap, and smooth teamwork between specialities and intraoperative staff.