Differences between reconstruction flaps?
Meet the Experts
Carolyn C. Chang, M.D. is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction after mastectomy, TRAM flap reconstruction, and implant reconstruction.
Anna-Dee Rinehart S.C.S. is a nurse-aesthetician, aesthetic instructor, and director of education for Austin Medical Aesthetics in Austin, Texas.
Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S. is the administrative director of the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.
Question from Ramona: Can you distinguish each flap? TRAM, DIEP, GAP, free, and pedicle?
- Answer —Carolyn Chang, M.D.: All flaps are known as autologous tissue flaps, meaning they come from your own body. Within that heading, one should really think about flaps in terms of what structure they're taken from. A gluteal or GAP flap is taken from the buttocks, a TRAM flap is taken from the abdomen, and a latissimus is taken from the back. Within each of these categories, the flap can either be done with micro-surgical techniques, thereby calling them free flaps, or they can be done as a pedicle flap, meaning the flap is never detached completely from the body. The exception to this is the gluteal flap, which because of its location must be done as a free flap.
On Wednesday, April 20, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Reconstruction and Safe, Sexy Cosmetics. Carolyn C. Chang, M.D., Anna-Dee Rinehart, S.C.S., and moderator Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S. answered your questions about reconstructive surgery and safe, sexy cosmetics.
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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