DIEP
Medical abbreviation · Surgical
| Stands for | Deep inferior epigastric perforator (flap) |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
DIEP stands for Deep inferior epigastric perforator (flap), a surgical abbreviation.
Microsurgical breast reconstruction that transfers skin and fat from the lower abdomen to the chest, connecting the deep inferior epigastric vessels to vessels in the chest while leaving the abdominal muscles intact. It creates a natural-feeling breast from the patient's own tissue.
Example: Bilateral DIEP flaps; hourly Doppler flap checks for the first 24 hours.
Usage notes
Sparing the muscle reduces abdominal wall weakness compared with the TRAM flap. Operations often last six hours or more, and flap loss from clotted vessels occurs in a small percentage. The US Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 requires most group health plans that cover mastectomy to cover reconstruction.
Related abbreviations
More surgical abbreviations
- APR – Abdominoperineal resection
- BMP – Bone morphogenetic protein
- BMT – Bilateral myringotomy and tubes
- Circ – Circumcision
- CTR – Carpal tunnel release
- Cysto – Cystoscopy
- DOS – Day of surgery
- EBL – Estimated blood loss
- ERAS – Enhanced recovery after surgery
- EUA – Examination under anesthesia
- Ex lap – Exploratory laparotomy
- Ex-fix – External fixator
See all 51 surgical abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.