Sitting on a gold mine: Optimal autologous reconstruction of a significant cosmetic contour defect of the buttock using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap

The options for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the buttock include custom prosthetic implants and autologous tissue transfer: fat transfer, local flaps, pedicled flaps and free flaps. Optimal reconstruction involves replacement of like-with-like tissue, sufficient padding and adequate contouring. We report a case of a female patient presenting with a significant cosmetic contour defect of her left buttock following previous excision of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The patient had autologous buttock reconstruction using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap with an excellent result. To our knowledge a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap has not previously been described to reconstruct the buttock. (C) 2012 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.