Episode 43: The Drain-Free DIEP Flap Concept

<p class="MsoNormal">DIEP flap breast reconstruction most often requires surgical drains for post operative care. Patients often mention to me they are awkward, can become infected at the suture site where they are attached to the skin, and are cumbersome to hide under clothing after surgery when going out in public.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My guest on this episode of the <a href= "https://diepcjourney.com/category/podcast/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">DiepCJourney podcast</a> has been in communication with me over the past year in anticipation of his recently published paper, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36862959/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Are Surgical Drains Needed in DIEP Flap Surgery? The Drain-Free DIEP Flap Concept</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://tnplasticsurgeon.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mr. Theo Nanidis</a>, is a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon with the NHS and private practice at <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-royal-marsden-nhs-foundation-trust/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Royal Marsden</a>. He graduated with distinctions from University College London Medical School in 2003 and completed his general surgical and higher plastic surgery training in London. Mr. Nanidis was awarded specialist fellowships at the Royal Marden and Queen Victoria Hospitals, where he spent two years specializing in microsurgery with a focus on breast reconstruction.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">He has a special interest in surgical innovation and was awarded The Life Sciences Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Cambridge University in 2013.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">His research interests include meta-analytical outcomes research, volumetric analysis of flaps and patient enhanced recovery pathways. He has published and presented his work nationally and internationally.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We reference a paper by <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-mohan-mbbs-phd-mba-mrcs-bsc-29b0b016/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ms. Anita Mohan</