New Breast Reconstruction Techniques Improve Options for Patients

New Breast Reconstruction Techniques Improve Options for Patients

Plastic surgeons at Brigham and Women's Hospital offer deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction, using tissue from the lower abdominal region, while preserving rectus muscle strength and functionality and reducing risk of hernia.

Stephanie A. Caterson, MD, is one of few plastic surgeons in New England to offer deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction, a free flap technique that removes lower abdominal tissue and employs microsurgery to reconnect the flap and blood vessel to the chest area.

The DIEP flap procedure may be performed immediately following mastectomy, or at a later time. Dr. Caterson has performed more than 200 DIEP flap procedures, along with a full range of other breast reconstruction techniques.

Significant Benefits

The DIEP flap technique offers numerous benefits compared with other autologous and implant-based breast reconstruction techniques, including:

Preservation of rectus muscle strength and functionality Compared with transverse rectus abdominus muscle (TRAM) flap procedures, which remove rectus muscles, the DIEP flap procedure leaves these muscles intact;

Reduced risk of abdominal hernia There is less than a one percent chance of abdominal hernia with the DIEP flap procedure because the rectus muscle and abdominal wall fascia remain in place and no synthetic mesh is required;

Bilateral reconstruction benefits DIEP flap is ideal for patients who require reconstruction of both breasts.

Comprehensive Breast Reconstruction Options

As part of their commitment to provide women with breast cancer and other conditions the most comprehensive range of options, plastic surgeons at Brigham and Women's Hospital offer many breast reconstruction techniques, including:

Autologous breast reconstruction, including DIEP flap, TRAM flap, superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap, and transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap procedures These techniques generally offer better options for patients who require radiation, they do not require an implant, and they use natural tissue, which functions like other tissue in the body;

Implant-based breast reconstruction This technique is less invasive than autologous breast reconstruction, does not incur scarring elsewhere on the body, and offers faster recovery.

For close to 175 years, Brigham and Women's Hospital has been the most trusted name in women's health. Our women health center has been the site for important advances in women's health. Our team works to improve the health of women and transform their care. For more information about BWH, please visit http://www.brighamandwomens.org/

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