DIEP FLAP (Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap) is the mainstay procedure today to reconstruct the breast with patients’ own tissue. This complex technique, developed by Dr Robert Allen (New York, USA) has recently been upgraded with adding vascularised lymphatic tissue to prevent lymphoedema in patients undergoing mastectomy and DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The same technique can be used for patients in need of breast reconstruction with already established lymphedema which also treats the lymphoedema caused by breast removal when treating cancer.

Mr Kosutic is the only plastic surgeon in UK currently offering this technique of ‘total natural breast reconstruction’, as he has been trained by both Dr Jaume Masià from Barcelona and Dr Robert Allen in New York. Mr Kosutic has completed Fellowship in breast reconstruction, perforator flaps and microsurgery and is the UK’s leading consultant in this field.

Patients in the UK requiring mastectomy can now benefit from both natural tissue breast reconstruction and prevention of lymphedema in the same procedure. Patients who previously had mastectomy, can now get their surgical lymphedema treatment at the same time with natural tissue breast reconstruction.