Measuring the pressure in the superficial inferior epigastric vein to monitor for venous congestion in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator breast reconstructions: a pilot study

During deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap dissection, we noted that in many cases the superficial vein on the ipsilateral side of the flap was engorged and tense, and in others, it was empty. This led us to believe that the pressure is increased as the result of preferential outflow through the superficial vein in some cases, which could result in venous congestion of the flap if this vessel was not anastomosed. To test this hypothesis, we measured the venous pressure in the superficial venous system before and after flap dissection. The pressure in the superficial inferior epigastic vein of a DIEP flap was measured in 26 consecutive flaps to investigate the correlation between the pressure and venous congestion of the flap. The first measurement was performed at the beginning of the dissection, and the second measurement was taken after the flap had been completely raised on a single perforator. The mean increase in pressure after flap dissection was 10.6 mm Hg (mu = 10.6; range -1 to 31; O +/- 7.0 mm Hg). Clinical signs of venous congestion were observed in one case. In this case, the increase in venous pressure was with 31 mm Hg, also the highest. Although the results of this report are preliminary, they indicate that the pressure in the superficial vein of DIEP flaps might be of predictive value for venous congestion.

Resumen tomado de PubMed (NCBI) para el registro citado, en el idioma original. La versión de referencia es la de la publicación original.

El resumen se deja sin traducir para conservar la redacción original de los autores.

In 26 DIEP flaps, superficial inferior epigastric vein pressure rose by a mean of 10.6 mm Hg after single-perforator dissection; the flap with the largest rise (31 mm Hg) showed clinical venous congestion.

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

Más estudios revisados por pares en la categoría «Ensayos clínicos».

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Efficacy and Safety of Hirudotherapy for Improving Sperm Quality Parameters in Male Infertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Abtahi-Forooshani M et al. (2026)
• Reverse Sural Flap Venous Congestion Successfully Managed With Enoxaparin in a Male Patient With a Traumatic Foot Crush Injury: A Case Report — Velasco-Bustamante J et al. (2026)
• Investigación de los efectos terapéuticos del tratamiento con sanguijuelas medicinales sobre la lesión por isquemia-reperfusión de la extremidad inferior — Ünal K et al. (2026)
• Efficacy of Medicinal Leech Therapy in Diverse Clinical Applications: A Comprehensive Study from Azerbaijan — Farzali S et al. (2025)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY: CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW — Heinz P et al. (2020)
• Hirudoterapia en la cicatrización de heridas — Nair H et al. (2022)
• Improvement of patient care through hirudotherapy and the management of leeches from their reception to their disposal in France — Vaesken C et al. (2023)

Ver toda la investigación analizada por la ASH →