Free flap breast reconstruction
Free flap breast reconstruction
Free flap breast reconstruction (pronunciation: /fri: flæp brest ˌrekənˈstrʌkʃən/) is a surgical procedure used to rebuild the shape and appearance of a breast after mastectomy. This procedure involves the use of tissue from another part of the patient's body, known as a free flap, to create a new breast mound.
Etymology
The term "free flap" refers to the surgical technique where tissue is completely detached from its original location and then reattached by microsurgery to a new location. The term "breast reconstruction" refers to the surgical procedure that restores the breast's shape, appearance, and size after mastectomy.
Procedure
In Free flap breast reconstruction, the surgeon removes a section of tissue (a free flap) from another part of the patient's body, such as the abdomen, buttock, or thigh. This free flap, which includes skin, fat, and sometimes muscle, is then transplanted to the chest, where it is shaped into a new breast mound. The blood vessels in the free flap are connected to blood vessels in the chest using microsurgery techniques.
Types of Free Flap Breast Reconstruction
There are several types of free flap breast reconstruction, including:
- Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap (DIEP): This procedure uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen to create the new breast. The abdominal muscle is preserved, reducing post-operative pain and recovery time.
- Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery flap (SIEA): Similar to the DIEP flap, this procedure uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen, but the blood vessels used are located just below the skin.
- Transverse Upper Gracilis flap (TUG): This procedure uses tissue from the inner thigh to create the new breast.
Related Terms
- Mastectomy: Surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely.
- Microsurgery: A surgical discipline that combines magnification with advanced diploscopes, specialized precision tools, and various operating techniques.
- Breast implant: A medical prosthesis used to augment, reconstruct, or create the physical form of a breast.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Free flap breast reconstruction
- Wikipedia's article - Free flap breast reconstruction
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