DIEP or deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps for breast reconstruction are commonly used in delayed breast reconstruction and following radiation therapy. Breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps typically require three stages of surgery to maximize the symmetry that is able to be obtained. In the first stage, the skin and fat from the lower abdomen is harvested and then transferred…
DIEP flap breast reconstruction is becoming more common. Patients who are seen in consultation for mastectomy often choose to undergo autologous breast reconstruction. Patients who wish to undergo autolgous reconstruction choose to use their own body tissue to reconstruct their breasts. When patients use their own body tissue for reconstruction, it obviates the need for breast implants. Patients may not…
Autologous breast reconstruction involves the use of the patient’s own body tissue (skin and fat) to reconstruct the breasts. The lower abdominal tissue is often the most frequently used autologous tissue donor site. Patients can undergo either immediate reconstruction following mastectomy or delayed reconstruction following mastectomy. When patients are not likely to need radiation following mastectomy, it is often better…
Your Breast Reconstruction Options After Radiation The lower abdomen is traditionally used as the donor site for reconstruction following mastectomy when the remaining skin and subcutaneous tissue has been damaged by radiation. Not all patients respond to radiation in the same way. Some patients may receive lower doses of radiation and show significant signs of radiation damage and others may…
We are seeing more women in our office who are choosing to undergo breast reconstruction following mastectomy with their own body tissue. We are also noticing an increasing number of women, who, when appropriate candidates opt to spare their nipple areola complexes following mastectomy. When the skin and breast tissue are removed following mastectomy, the skin and fat from the…
Breast reconstruction following mastectomy can be challenging for both the patient and surgeon. Breast reconstruction can be performed immediately following mastectomy or can be performed in a delayed fashion where a patient undergoes a mastectomy in one procedure and then implant or autologous tissue reconstruction in another procedure. I typically educate patients who undergo reconstruction with tissue expanders or implants…