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Fox Chase Cancer Center offers mastectomy patients a new reconstruction surgery that uses lower abdominal tissues but no muscle to reconstruct one or both breasts.
In DIEP flap procedures, breast reconstruction is commonly performed at the same operation as the mastectomy. After the surgical oncologist performs a mastectomy the plastic surgeons transfer the DIEP flap tissues from the lower abdomen to the chest to reconstruct one or both breasts, and then use microsurgery to provide blood flow to the tissue.
The procedure is recommended for women who cannot have breast implants because they have previously been treated with radiation or women who have had a recurrence of localized breast cancer. Patients who are extremely thin, or who have scarring from other abdominal surgery may not be eligible for this procedure.
In addition, the technique creates natural looking and feeling breasts, and less scar tissue. It most often allows for fewer cosmetic issues than implants, which have the potential for movement deformity and implant ruptures.
The DIEP flap is becoming an increasingly popular procedure for women facing breast reconstruction after mastectomy, and it’s a technique in which Fox Chase physicians are specializing. As with any other surgical procedure, experience matters.
Patients who are extremely thin or who have scarring from other abdominal surgery may not be eligible for this procedure.
The surgery is now available from three Fox Chase plastic surgeons: Sameer A. Patel, MD, FACS, Shuja Shafqat, MD, and Neal S. Topham, MD, FACS.