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Side effects of TRAM flap reconstruction?

Page last modified on: August 21, 2008

Question from Babzi: I have just had reconstruction. I was informed of complications that could happen to the breast but was not informed that I could have problems with my tummy where the tissue was taken from, which subsequently broke down and got infected. Should I have been informed about this before I had surgery?: Answer —Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S.: The type of reconstruction you're referring to is called a TRAM-flap where a part of the muscle, fatty tissue, and skin from the lower abdomen is rotated up to create breast reconstruction. While this is a beautiful reconstruction that typically does not require implants, some of the short-term and long-term issues can be abdominal wall weakness, hernia formation, risk of infection at the incision, and chronic pain, which is generally discussed as part of the scheduled side effects, or complications of this procedure.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects. Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Linda Miller, P.T. answered your questions about short-term and long-term side effects of breast surgery, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Linda Miller, P.T. is the clinical director of the Breast Cancer Physical Therapy Center, LTD, a private practice serving the Philadelphia, PA and southern New Jersey areas. Linda specializes in treating post-operative complications of breast cancer surgery, including lymphedema.