Flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Dermal flap breast recibstruction surgery is performed on women with large and ptotic breasts.
An inferior dermal flap with implant is a useful option for women hoping for immediate breast reconstruction.

Dermal Flap Reconstruction procedure

Breast reconstruction with dermal flap and implant has been known for almost three decades but has not gained as much popularity as biological or synthetic meshes.
The preoperative planning is based on the Wise pattern mammoplasty scan and the actual surgery is rather straightforward and relies on the patient’s own tissue along with a standard breast implant.
The dermal flap needs to have a certain size to fulfil its purpose, i.e., allowing for a sizable implant pocket large enough for sufficient implant projection (for women with large breasts).
After the surgery, the nipple-areola graft is trimmed, and all ducts are removed from the centre of the nipple. The drawing for the nipple recipient site is adjusted, and the skin is de-epithelialized. Or in cases where a tumour is located close to the nipple, a delayed nipple reconstruction can be used instead of a graft.

Breast reconstruction with dermal flap and implant has been known for almost three decades but has not gained as much popularity as biological or synthetic meshes.
The preoperative planning is based on the Wise pattern mammoplasty scan and the actual surgery is rather straightforward and relies on the patient’s own tissue along with a standard breast implant.
The dermal flap needs to have a certain size to fulfil its purpose, i.e., allowing for a sizable implant pocket large enough for sufficient implant projection (for women with large breasts).
After the surgery, the nipple-areola graft is trimmed, and all ducts are removed from the centre of the nipple. The drawing for the nipple recipient site is adjusted, and the skin is de-epithelialized. Or in cases where a tumour is located close to the nipple, a delayed nipple reconstruction can be used instead of a graft.

The patient will have to wear a non-wired supportive bra for 1-3 months. In case extra support is needed, a foam roll is used for 2 weeks.

The drains are kept in place for no more than 10 days.

The antibiotic treatment is then changed to tablets until 24 hours after removal of drains.

The dressing and sutures around the nipple graft are removed after 5 days.

Usually, patients should refrain from heavy sports during the first six weeks.