Breast Reconstruction
Most commonly the DIEP Flap and SIEA Flap are used in breast reconstruction immediately following mastectomy for breast cancer. Increasingly, women who did not have breast reconstruction following a mastectomy are pursuing delayed breast reconstruction, or reconstruction years after their mastectomy.
While a mastectomy on only one breast is more common, bilateral mastectomies (removal of both breasts) are performed in many women. Often, as in the case of women with the BRCA gene mutation, prophylactic mastectomy (surgically removing the breasts before any sign of cancer) is performed bilaterally. These patients make ideal candidates for DIEP Flap or SIEA Flap breast reconstruction.
Breast Implant Problems
Women with problems related to breast implants also occasionally seek out breast reconstruction with their body’s own tissue. These are often patients who have had breast implants placed for breast reconstruction following breast cancer treatment, or sometimes women having some problem with implants placed for cosmetic breast augmentation.
Congenital Breast Abnormalities
Congenital breast abnormalities, such as those encountered by patients with Poland’s Syndrome, are also problems that can be treated with the DIEP Flap or SIEA Flap. Often a breast implant is placed during the late teenage years followed by removal of the implant and more definitive reconstruction with the patient’s own tissue years later.
For More Information or an Appointment
If you would like more information or would like to make an appointment with one of our plastic surgeons who perform DIEP Flap or SIEA Flap, call 414-805-5440 or Contact Us.