TRAM flap stands for the transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap method of breast reconstruction. The TRAM flap operation entails the transferring of fat, skin, and muscle from the lower abdominal wall to the chest to reconstruct the breast. Blood is supplied to the transferred fat and skin from a small portion of the rectus abdominus muscle.
What is the difference between a pedicled TRAM flap and a free TRAM flap?
In a pedicled TRAM flap, the tissue is passed inside the body behind the upper abdominal skin to the chest where the breast is then reconstructed. In a free TRAM flap procedure, the tissue is completely detached from the abdominal wall. Subsequently, the detached tissue is reconnected to an artery in the chest to re-establish blood supply, and is then shaped into a new breast.
What are the risks to the breast with TRAM flap surgery?
The most common complaint of a TRAM flap procedure is breast asymmetry, which is especially prevalent when only one breast needs reconstruction. However, as with any type of surgery, there are other risks such as fatty tissue firmness, partial flap loss, or in some cases, complete flap loss. Each of these issues can be corrected with revisionary procedures.
What are the risks to the abdomen with a TRAM flap surgery?
The most common risk to the abdomen with TRAM flap surgery is abdominal weakness, which could result in a hernia. In most cases, patients are able to maintain normal daily routines and physical activities, although, they do exhibit limited ability to do sit ups.
What is the typical recovery time with TRAM flap surgery?
Patients usually return to their normal daily routine after two or three weeks, but it takes between six and eight weeks for full recovery.
What are the benefits of TRAM flap surgery?
The most obvious benefit is the addition of a newly reconstructed breast, but more specifically, the reconstructed breast in a TRAM flap procedure is composed of your body’s natural tissue, so you are not exposed to the additional risks associated with some synthetic tissues.
What is a DIEP flap procedure?
DIEP flap stands for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator. The DIEP flap procedure is similar to a TRAM flap procedure. Skin and fat is transferred to reconstruct the breast, but in this case, the muscle is dissected and is not included.
What is the difference between the TRAM flap and DIEP flap?
The muscle is included in the TRAM flap breast reconstruction procedure, but is dissected in the DIEP flap procedure. Studies suggest that the DIEP flap procedure is not as bad for the abdomen since it does not use the muscle, but the DIEP flap is a significantly longer procedure and has less blood flow.
