DIEP
flap breast reconstruction results in the creation of a "natural" breast without
muscle removal.
One in nine women develops breast
cancer with some requiring mastectomy for
treatment.
Psychological
and emotional benefits associated with breast reconstruction are huge.
Implant
reconstruction superficially appears simple, however, the body's reactions to an
implant and consequences thereof frequently require further surgery. Additionally,
the safety of breast implants is controversial.
With
TRAM or free TRAM surgery, skin and fat of the lower abdomen are used
to form the breast. Sacrifice of a portion or the entire rectus
muscle is necessary because the blood vessels lie within the muscle. The
muscle doesn't contribute to the size or shape of the breast. Even a small
amount of muscle removal can lead to an abdominal hernia.
With the
Deep
Inferior
Epigastric
Perforator
no
muscle is removed. The
perforating vessels with the overlying flesh are removed and the muscle is left in place. Patients
recover quickly with usually only a three-day hospital stay.
The abdominal scar is placed low on the abdomen because no muscle is
removed. The
perforator blood vessel dissection increases operating time but the body
tolerates superficial surgery well.
There are very few surgeons who are capable of performing
this reconstruction and Dr. Keller is proud to be one of the pioneers in
this new technique.
