SynthesisAesthetic plastic surgery2026
The Impact of Radiotherapy on the Outcomes of Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flaps for Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Synthesis in Aesthetic plastic surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Surgical Burden of Breast Cancer Treatment: Implications of Mastectomy, Breast Conservation, and Reconstruction Choices.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2026Review
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEP) perforator flap is the primary reconstructive approach for autologous breast reconstruction. It is associated with minimal donor site complications and acceptable aesthetic outcomes for both the abdomen and breast. This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of radiotherapy on the DIEP flap for patients with autologous breast reconstruction.
methodsAll clinical studies involving patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction and compared the outcomes of irradiated and non-irradiated breasts were included. A comprehensive literature search was performed across 12 databases up to May 18, 2025.
resultsEight studies including 4,447 patients (4478 flaps) were analyzed, of whom 1,624 received radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was associated with higher risks of partial flap loss (RR 1.69; 95% CI 0.99-2.90; P = 0.05) and wound revisions (RR 1.23; 95% CI 1.01-1.50; P = 0.04). Pre-DIEP radiotherapy significantly increased the risk of wound healing disturbances (RR 1.62; 95% CI 1.06-2.49; P = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were observed in flap volume change, total flap loss, flap contracture, fat necrosis, recipient-site infection, or the need for reconstructive adjustments. There was a significant lower total breast satisfaction score among irradiated breasts (MD - 6.49; 95% CI - 11.79 to - 1.19; P = 0.02).
conclusionsRadiotherapy adversely affects surgical and patient-reported outcomes following DIEP flap autologous breast reconstruction, with pre-DIEP radiotherapy significantly increasing the risk of wound healing disturbances and post-DIEP radiotherapy associated with reduced overall breast satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
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