"DIEP Flap vs PAP Flap vs LAP Flap: A Propensity Matched Analysis of Aesthetic Outcomes, Complications, and Satisfaction".

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: As free breast reconstruction options evolve, a patient and body centric approach can distinguish refined aesthetic outcomes. While DIEP, PAP, and LAP flaps are all safe and effective options for breast reconstruction, a head-to-head analysis of these three flaps has not been performed. We aim to compare these three flaps based on outcomes, BREAST-Q, and aesthetic results. METHODS: After IRB approval, a retrospective review in a REDCap database guided analysis of patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral DIEP, PAP, or LAP flaps at a single academic institution. Propensity matching was performed to match 50 patients (100 flaps) in each group. Post-operative complications and BREAST-Q satisfaction survey scores were documented, and crowdsourcing was carried out to determine aesthetic preference in the general population. RESULTS: Overall patient post-operative breast satisfaction was insignificantly different across the three flap groups(p>0.05). Associations were seen with LAP flap donor site seromas, PAP flap donor site infections and wounds, and DIEP flap breast wounds and flap necrosis(p<0.05). DIEP flaps had a higher raw score average on crowdsourcing survey, although LAP flaps were rated significantly higher aesthetically than DIEP and PAP flaps when undergoing a matched head-to-head analysis(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: DIEP, PAP, and LAP flaps all have favorable outcomes with insignificantly different long-term satisfaction, with comparable complication profiles. While DIEP flaps may initially score higher, LAP flaps score higher frequently when analyzed in a head-to-head analysis. For these reasons, tailoring breast reconstruction to the patient's anatomy and morphology provides optimal outcomes.