Like the DIEP, the SIEA replaces the skin and soft tissue removed
at mastectomy with soft, warm, living tissue by borrowing skin and
fatty tissue from the abdomen.
For some women the blood vessels just under the skin in the lower
abdomen may be chosen as the feeding vessels for the required tissue.
The procedure is otherwise the same as the DIEP flap. A bikini line
incision is designed and the necessary skin, fat, and tiny supplying
blood vessels are taken.
These tiny blood vessels are matched to supplying vessels at the
mastectomy site and reattached under a microscope.
Unlike conventional TRAM flap reconstructions, use of our refined
perforator flap techniques allow for collection of this tissue without
sacrifice of underlying abdominal muscles. In fact the use of the
superficial vessels in the SIEA allows for complete avoidance of
the abdominal muscles because the blood vessel used do not travel
within the muscle. The vessel supplying the lower abdominal tissue
are preserved and the transfered skin and fat are transformed into
a new breast mound.
Like the DIEP lower abdominal tissue is harvested leaving a thin
scar and a flat belly, very much like a tummy tuck.
Restoration of the nipple and areola follow. Scars fade substantially
with time. For many women the reconstructed breast may be firmer
and have a more youthful appearance than their natural breasts."
SIEA FLAP Presentation: High
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SIEA FLAP Before
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