Other Breast Reconstruction Options
While in many ways perforator flaps represent a crucial improvement over other methods of breast reconstruction that destroy muscle, you may want to inform yourself about the other kinds of natural-tissue reconstruction as well as reconstruction using breast implants.The options described below are alternatives to perforator flap methods of breast reconstruction.
Muscle Flaps
TRAM FlapSkin, fat, and variable amounts of the rectus abdominus muscle—the “six-pack” muscle—are harvested from the lower abdomen and tunneled under the skin to the chest when TRAM flap procedures are used for breast reconstruction.
FREE TRAM FlapThe Free-TRAM flap, a microsurgical procedure developed in the era before perforator flaps, overcomes some of the limitations of tunneling a TRAM flap, but it too removes rectus muscle from its donor site on the abdomen.
Muscle Sparing TRAM FlapMS-TRAM flaps are designed to remove less muscle from the abdomen than standard Free TRAM flaps, however, functional muscle is permanently removed from the abdomen with these procedures.
Latissimus Dorsi FlapA portion of the latissimus dosi, one of the largest muscles in the body, can be tunneled under the skin and brought to the chest for use in breast reconstruction; in most cases, this muscle flap is used in combination with a breast implant.
Breast Implants
Implant ReconstructionBreast implants, filled with either saline or silicone-gel, can be used to restore the restore the form of the breast following mastectomy.
Breast Reconstruction in New York and Connecticut
Contact us if you would like more information about the options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy or to schedule a consultation. David T. Greenspun, MD, MSc is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in perforator flap breast reconstruction in New York City and Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Breast Reconstruction with Perforator Flaps
Perforator flaps such as the DIEP flap are the most sophisticated methods of breast reconstruction available today. Without destroying important functional muscles or placing foreign material into the body, a new breast from healthy, warm, living tissue can be shaped to closely resemble a breast removed by a mastectomy. In addition, breasts reconstructed from natural tissue often regain some degree of sensation. Because they do not remove muscle from their respective donor sites and because implant specific complications such as capsular contracture and rupture are completely avoided, perforator flaps are now considered by many experts to be the very best option for breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
Our practice specializes in perforator flap breast reconstruction surgery. We have offices in Greenwich, Connecticut and New York City.
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- New York Office
- 1776 Broadway
Suite 1200
New York, NY 10019
212 744-1200
- Connecticut Office
- 77 Lafayette Place
Suite 302
Greenwich, CT 06830
203 863-0003