Who REALLY invented the DIEP flap??

Dr Robert Allen in New Orleans and Dr Philip Brondeel in Belgium pioneered it. DrAllen moved up north to NY training various microsurgeons along the way starting with the current group referred to as NOLA on the BCO boards. The NOLA group has since perfected it and several of the docs do talks at conferences all over the world on their techniques to help other surgeons achieve high quality outcomes. Since then, the NOLA docs also pioneered and perfected the SGAP flap and APEX flap. It is interesting to learn that there are no set standards on how to do autologous tissue recon beyond the basic mechanics of it. That's where we start to see the differences in outcomes arise. Those surgeons that do lots of them a year tend to have better outcomes than those that do fewer just due to “practice". Some surgeons are more committed to high quality outcomes on the inside and the outsidethan others who are just committed to transferring the tissue and calling it a day. That also affects the outcomes with the more committed ones providing better quality results and happier patients. Lastly, the docs that actually tackle another dic's botched recon and can completely transform the botched job are the ones to really seek out. If they can make something beautiful that you're not ashamed to wear a bikini out of oftentimes horrific previous results from someone else's work, imagine what they can do starting with a blank slate. If the doc doesn't have before & after pics of their personal recon workfor you to view, I'd want to know why...what are they hiding? I'm a BIG proponent of being truly happy with your recon results and not just happy with them considering you've had a mx for BC. Checking out a doc's stats and previous work can help ensure you're happy with the outcome. Back to Dr Allen: word is he has moved back to New Orleans recently and is performing flap recon at one of the area hospitals.