Reconstruction using body tissues

The breast reconstruction could be performed using your body tissue and whether you are eligible for that would be assessed by our surgeon. Your body tissue allows a more natural-feel to the reconstruction but entails scars on the other parts of the body. The surgery often takes few hours and the recovery period varies from few weeks to couple of months. The details depend on the type of surgery planned. the pros and cons of the various approaches would be discussed with you.

The commonly used flaps include back (LD) flap and the tummy flap (DIEP or TRAM).

Latissimus dorsi flap (LD Flap)

This involves taking tissue and muscle from your back and swinging it onto the chest wall to recreate the breast shape.

Please click on the following to read more information about the surgery:

 LD Flap Leaflet (1014 KB)

Muscle sparing LD flap

This is a potential option for patients keen to avoid the morbidity associated with traditional back flap (Latissimus doors) reconstruction such as problems with shoulder function, concavity on the back and muscle animation.

This procedure involves a scar on the back (similar to LD flap) to harvest a roll of skin and fat, which would contribute to the volume of the reconstructed breast. The additional advantages of this approach are quicker recovery and less likelihood of seroma (fluid collection) on the back.

Please discuss with your reconstructive surgeon if this is an option for you. You may be offered this option in combination with implant to achieve the preferred size of the reconstructed breast.

Abdominal (Tummy) Free flap (DIEP or TRAM)

This is commonly referred to as the reconstruction which also provides a tummy-tuck, formally known as DIEP or TRAM flap reconstruction. This involves transferring the tissues from your tummy (abdomen) on to the chest wall to recreate a breast. This also involves joining the blood vessels to re-establish the blood flow to the tissues used for reconstruction.

Please click on the following to read more information about the surgery:

 Breastreconstruction BCC (427 KB)