Minimising the learning curve while introducing a local microsurgical breast reconstruction service in a District General Hospital

Breast reconstruction with autologous tissue is associated with numerous benefits. The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEAP) flap aims to minimize the donor site morbidity. A significant learning curve has often been demonstrated with the introduction of this flap. We examined the outcomes and complications for our first 70 DIEAP flap reconstructions in 67 patients. We found no significant difference in any complication between the early and late groups. We found a significant decrease in the length of stay of patients from 7.4 to 5.9 days (P 0.037). There was a significant reduction in the length of delayed unilateral reconstructions operation from 554 to 480 minutes (P 0.038). Microsurgical breast reconstruction has been successfully introduced by a single surgeon, in a district general hospital (DGH).