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Pregnancy possible, safe after DIEP flap?

Page last modified on: October 16, 2008
Question from Jenn: Is pregnancy possible or even safe after a DIEP reconstruction?
Answers —Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.: Good question!
Joseph Serletti, M.D., F.A.C.S.: In my experience of probably over a thousand free TRAMs, DIEPs and SIEA flaps, we have had over ten patients become pregnant. One actually became pregnant just weeks after her breast reconstruction. Almost all of those patients were delivered by C-section because of the prior abdominal surgery. None of them had any issues with their pregnancy or delivery. At least one of those patients was able to deliver vaginally.

On Wednesday, May 16, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Reconstruction Updates. Joseph Serletti, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D. answered your questions about breast reconstruction.

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

Joseph M. Serletti, M.D., F.A.C.S. is professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a pioneer in the field of free flap autologous breast reconstruction.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.

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