Free TRAM Flap
The TRAM flap was always regarded as the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction for many years, prior to the development of the DIEP flap. It's also the evolution from the Pedicled TRAM flap. With this technique, skin and fat from the lower abdomen is removed, together with the vessels and muscles, reattached to the chest and then shaped to reform the breast. Small blood vessels from the tissue are connected to blood vessels in the chest, just under the rib, using microsurgery techniques.
What is the difference of TRAM, MS-TRAM and DIEP?
When a portion of the rectus muscle ('six-pack') is used, this is called a TRAM flap. Where possible though a DIEP flap is performed, for which the blood vessels are carefully dissected out, so that the muscle is left in place. This helps to speed-up recovery and prevents possible weakness and bulging of the abdomen. In some instances, if the blood vessels can't be completely dissected out of the rectus muscle, a strip of muscle is removed with the blood vessels. This is called a MS-TRAM (Muscle Sparing TRAM) flap.
How is my tummy repaired after removal of the muscle?
A synthetic mesh is used to repair the abdominal wall.
What are the risks of this procedure?
Next to the general risk of microsurgical surgery, the specific risk of the TRAM flap is the development of bulging or hernia on the stomach region.
Further Information
Anaesthetic
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. The operation takes 4-6 hours.
Length of stay
5-7 nights following the operation.
RISKS/POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Early (1-2 days):
Frequent
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Discomfort
Infrequent
- Bleeding (haematoma)
- Infection
- Failure of the flap (approx 1%)
- Partial failure of flap
- Re-operation (approx 1%)
- Wound breakdown
- Necrosis of the mastectomy skin flaps
Later (after one week):
Frequent
- Temporary reduced sensation of the abdominal wall
- Reduced or no sensation of reconstructed breast
Infrequent
- Scars - abdominal, umbilicus, breast unsightly, lumpy, stretch
- Bulging, weakness, hernia (4%) of the abdomen
- Seroma
- Fat necrosis
General anaesthetic
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Chest infection
- Allergic reaction to drugs or tape
RECOVERY
Immediately after the operation
- You will feel bruised and sore and there will be some swelling
- Pain is usually moderate and controlled with standard painkillers
- There will be drains in the chest and the abdomen, which will be removed between 2-5 days later
- You will be seated out of bed by the next day. Over the next few days, you will increase the amount of walking that you do
After return home
- Socialising with friends 1-2 weeks
- Return to work at 4-6 weeks
- Driving at 4-6 weeks
- Swelling and bruising 6-8 weeks
- Return to the gym and strenuous activity after 3 months
- Final result at 4-6 months
Free TRAM Flap
The TRAM flap was always regarded as the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction for many years, prior to the development of the DIEP flap. It's also the evolution from the Pedicled TRAM flap. With this technique, skin and fat from the lower abdomen is removed, together with the vessels and muscles, reattached to the chest and then shaped to reform the breast. Small blood vessels from the tissue are connected to blood vessels in the chest, just under the rib, using microsurgery techniques.
What is the difference of TRAM, MS-TRAM and DIEP?
When a portion of the rectus muscle ('six-pack') is used, this is called a TRAM flap. Where possible though a DIEP flap is performed, for which the blood vessels are carefully dissected out, so that the muscle is left in place. This helps to speed-up recovery and prevents possible weakness and bulging of the abdomen. In some instances, if the blood vessels can't be completely dissected out of the rectus muscle, a strip of muscle is removed with the blood vessels. This is called a MS-TRAM (Muscle Sparing TRAM) flap.
How is my tummy repaired after removal of the muscle?
A synthetic mesh is used to repair the abdominal wall.
What are the risks of this procedure?
Next to the general risk of microsurgical surgery, the specific risk of the TRAM flap is the development of bulging or hernia on the stomach region.
Further Information
Anaesthetic
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. The operation takes 4-6 hours.
Length of stay
5-7 nights following the operation.
RISKS/POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Early (1-2 days):
Frequent
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Discomfort
Infrequent
- Bleeding (haematoma)
- Infection
- Failure of the flap (approx 1%)
- Partial failure of flap
- Re-operation (approx 1%)
- Wound breakdown
- Necrosis of the mastectomy skin flaps
Later (after one week):
Frequent
- Temporary reduced sensation of the abdominal wall
- Reduced or no sensation of reconstructed breast
Infrequent
- Scars - abdominal, umbilicus, breast unsightly, lumpy, stretch
- Bulging, weakness, hernia (4%) of the abdomen
- Seroma
- Fat necrosis
General anaesthetic
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Chest infection
- Allergic reaction to drugs or tape
RECOVERY
Immediately after the operation
- You will feel bruised and sore and there will be some swelling
- Pain is usually moderate and controlled with standard painkillers
- There will be drains in the chest and the abdomen, which will be removed between 2-5 days later
- You will be seated out of bed by the next day. Over the next few days, you will increase the amount of walking that you do
After return home
- Socialising with friends 1-2 weeks
- Return to work at 4-6 weeks
- Driving at 4-6 weeks
- Swelling and bruising 6-8 weeks
- Return to the gym and strenuous activity after 3 months
- Final result at 4-6 months
Free TRAM Flap
The TRAM flap was always regarded as the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction for many years, prior to the development of the DIEP flap. It's also the evolution from the Pedicled TRAM flap. With this technique, skin and fat from the lower abdomen is removed, together with the vessels and muscles, reattached to the chest and then shaped to reform the breast. Small blood vessels from the tissue are connected to blood vessels in the chest, just under the rib, using microsurgery techniques.
What is the difference of TRAM, MS-TRAM and DIEP?
When a portion of the rectus muscle ('six-pack') is used, this is called a TRAM flap. Where possible though a DIEP flap is performed, for which the blood vessels are carefully dissected out, so that the muscle is left in place. This helps to speed-up recovery and prevents possible weakness and bulging of the abdomen. In some instances, if the blood vessels can't be completely dissected out of the rectus muscle, a strip of muscle is removed with the blood vessels. This is called a MS-TRAM (Muscle Sparing TRAM) flap.
How is my tummy repaired after removal of the muscle?
A synthetic mesh is used to repair the abdominal wall.
What are the risks of this procedure?
Next to the general risk of microsurgical surgery, the specific risk of the TRAM flap is the development of bulging or hernia on the stomach region.
Further Information
Anaesthetic
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. The operation takes 4-6 hours.
Length of stay
5-7 nights following the operation.
RISKS/POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Early (1-2 days):
Frequent
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Discomfort
Infrequent
- Bleeding (haematoma)
- Infection
- Failure of the flap (approx 1%)
- Partial failure of flap
- Re-operation (approx 1%)
- Wound breakdown
- Necrosis of the mastectomy skin flaps
Later (after one week):
Frequent
- Temporary reduced sensation of the abdominal wall
- Reduced or no sensation of reconstructed breast
Infrequent
- Scars - abdominal, umbilicus, breast unsightly, lumpy, stretch
- Bulging, weakness, hernia (4%) of the abdomen
- Seroma
- Fat necrosis
General anaesthetic
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Chest infection
- Allergic reaction to drugs or tape
RECOVERY
Immediately after the operation
- You will feel bruised and sore and there will be some swelling
- Pain is usually moderate and controlled with standard painkillers
- There will be drains in the chest and the abdomen, which will be removed between 2-5 days later
- You will be seated out of bed by the next day. Over the next few days, you will increase the amount of walking that you do
After return home
- Socialising with friends 1-2 weeks
- Return to work at 4-6 weeks
- Driving at 4-6 weeks
- Swelling and bruising 6-8 weeks
- Return to the gym and strenuous activity after 3 months
- Final result at 4-6 months
Free TRAM Flap
The TRAM flap was always regarded as the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction for many years, prior to the development of the DIEP flap. It's also the evolution from the Pedicled TRAM flap. With this technique, skin and fat from the lower abdomen is removed, together with the vessels and muscles, reattached to the chest and then shaped to reform the breast. Small blood vessels from the tissue are connected to blood vessels in the chest, just under the rib, using microsurgery techniques.
What is the difference of TRAM, MS-TRAM and DIEP?
When a portion of the rectus muscle ('six-pack') is used, this is called a TRAM flap. Where possible though a DIEP flap is performed, for which the blood vessels are carefully dissected out, so that the muscle is left in place. This helps to speed-up recovery and prevents possible weakness and bulging of the abdomen. In some instances, if the blood vessels can't be completely dissected out of the rectus muscle, a strip of muscle is removed with the blood vessels. This is called a MS-TRAM (Muscle Sparing TRAM) flap.
How is my tummy repaired after removal of the muscle?
A synthetic mesh is used to repair the abdominal wall.
What are the risks of this procedure?
Next to the general risk of microsurgical surgery, the specific risk of the TRAM flap is the development of bulging or hernia on the stomach region.
Further Information
Anaesthetic
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. The operation takes 4-6 hours.
Length of stay
5-7 nights following the operation.
RISKS/POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Early (1-2 days):
Frequent
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Discomfort
Infrequent
- Bleeding (haematoma)
- Infection
- Failure of the flap (approx 1%)
- Partial failure of flap
- Re-operation (approx 1%)
- Wound breakdown
- Necrosis of the mastectomy skin flaps
Later (after one week):
Frequent
- Temporary reduced sensation of the abdominal wall
- Reduced or no sensation of reconstructed breast
Infrequent
- Scars - abdominal, umbilicus, breast unsightly, lumpy, stretch
- Bulging, weakness, hernia (4%) of the abdomen
- Seroma
- Fat necrosis
General anaesthetic
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Chest infection
- Allergic reaction to drugs or tape
RECOVERY
Immediately after the operation
- You will feel bruised and sore and there will be some swelling
- Pain is usually moderate and controlled with standard painkillers
- There will be drains in the chest and the abdomen, which will be removed between 2-5 days later
- You will be seated out of bed by the next day. Over the next few days, you will increase the amount of walking that you do
After return home
- Socialising with friends 1-2 weeks
- Return to work at 4-6 weeks
- Driving at 4-6 weeks
- Swelling and bruising 6-8 weeks
- Return to the gym and strenuous activity after 3 months
- Final result at 4-6 months
Free TRAM Flap
The TRAM flap was always regarded as the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction for many years, prior to the development of the DIEP flap. It's also the evolution from the Pedicled TRAM flap. With this technique, skin and fat from the lower abdomen is removed, together with the vessels and muscles, reattached to the chest and then shaped to reform the breast. Small blood vessels from the tissue are connected to blood vessels in the chest, just under the rib, using microsurgery techniques.
What is the difference of TRAM, MS-TRAM and DIEP?
When a portion of the rectus muscle ('six-pack') is used, this is called a TRAM flap. Where possible though a DIEP flap is performed, for which the blood vessels are carefully dissected out, so that the muscle is left in place. This helps to speed-up recovery and prevents possible weakness and bulging of the abdomen. In some instances, if the blood vessels can't be completely dissected out of the rectus muscle, a strip of muscle is removed with the blood vessels. This is called a MS-TRAM (Muscle Sparing TRAM) flap.
How is my tummy repaired after removal of the muscle?
A synthetic mesh is used to repair the abdominal wall.
What are the risks of this procedure?
Next to the general risk of microsurgical surgery, the specific risk of the TRAM flap is the development of bulging or hernia on the stomach region.
Further Information
Anaesthetic
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. The operation takes 4-6 hours.
Length of stay
5-7 nights following the operation.
RISKS/POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Early (1-2 days):
Frequent
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Discomfort
Infrequent
- Bleeding (haematoma)
- Infection
- Failure of the flap (approx 1%)
- Partial failure of flap
- Re-operation (approx 1%)
- Wound breakdown
- Necrosis of the mastectomy skin flaps
Later (after one week):
Frequent
- Temporary reduced sensation of the abdominal wall
- Reduced or no sensation of reconstructed breast
Infrequent
- Scars - abdominal, umbilicus, breast unsightly, lumpy, stretch
- Bulging, weakness, hernia (4%) of the abdomen
- Seroma
- Fat necrosis
General anaesthetic
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Chest infection
- Allergic reaction to drugs or tape
RECOVERY
Immediately after the operation
- You will feel bruised and sore and there will be some swelling
- Pain is usually moderate and controlled with standard painkillers
- There will be drains in the chest and the abdomen, which will be removed between 2-5 days later
- You will be seated out of bed by the next day. Over the next few days, you will increase the amount of walking that you do
After return home
- Socialising with friends 1-2 weeks
- Return to work at 4-6 weeks
- Driving at 4-6 weeks
- Swelling and bruising 6-8 weeks
- Return to the gym and strenuous activity after 3 months
- Final result at 4-6 months
Free TRAM Flap
The TRAM flap was always regarded as the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction for many years, prior to the development of the DIEP flap. It's also the evolution from the Pedicled TRAM flap. With this technique, skin and fat from the lower abdomen is removed, together with the vessels and muscles, reattached to the chest and then shaped to reform the breast. Small blood vessels from the tissue are connected to blood vessels in the chest, just under the rib, using microsurgery techniques.
What is the difference of TRAM, MS-TRAM and DIEP?
When a portion of the rectus muscle ('six-pack') is used, this is called a TRAM flap. Where possible though a DIEP flap is performed, for which the blood vessels are carefully dissected out, so that the muscle is left in place. This helps to speed-up recovery and prevents possible weakness and bulging of the abdomen. In some instances, if the blood vessels can't be completely dissected out of the rectus muscle, a strip of muscle is removed with the blood vessels. This is called a MS-TRAM (Muscle Sparing TRAM) flap.
How is my tummy repaired after removal of the muscle?
A synthetic mesh is used to repair the abdominal wall.
What are the risks of this procedure?
Next to the general risk of microsurgical surgery, the specific risk of the TRAM flap is the development of bulging or hernia on the stomach region.
Further Information
Anaesthetic
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. The operation takes 4-6 hours.
Length of stay
5-7 nights following the operation.
RISKS/POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Early (1-2 days):
Frequent
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Discomfort
Infrequent
- Bleeding (haematoma)
- Infection
- Failure of the flap (approx 1%)
- Partial failure of flap
- Re-operation (approx 1%)
- Wound breakdown
- Necrosis of the mastectomy skin flaps
Later (after one week):
Frequent
- Temporary reduced sensation of the abdominal wall
- Reduced or no sensation of reconstructed breast
Infrequent
- Scars - abdominal, umbilicus, breast unsightly, lumpy, stretch
- Bulging, weakness, hernia (4%) of the abdomen
- Seroma
- Fat necrosis
General anaesthetic
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Chest infection
- Allergic reaction to drugs or tape
RECOVERY
Immediately after the operation
- You will feel bruised and sore and there will be some swelling
- Pain is usually moderate and controlled with standard painkillers
- There will be drains in the chest and the abdomen, which will be removed between 2-5 days later
- You will be seated out of bed by the next day. Over the next few days, you will increase the amount of walking that you do
After return home
- Socialising with friends 1-2 weeks
- Return to work at 4-6 weeks
- Driving at 4-6 weeks
- Swelling and bruising 6-8 weeks
- Return to the gym and strenuous activity after 3 months
- Final result at 4-6 months
Free TRAM Flap
The TRAM flap was always regarded as the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction for many years, prior to the development of the DIEP flap. It's also the evolution from the Pedicled TRAM flap. With this technique, skin and fat from the lower abdomen is removed, together with the vessels and muscles, reattached to the chest and then shaped to reform the breast. Small blood vessels from the tissue are connected to blood vessels in the chest, just under the rib, using microsurgery techniques.
What is the difference of TRAM, MS-TRAM and DIEP?
When a portion of the rectus muscle ('six-pack') is used, this is called a TRAM flap. Where possible though a DIEP flap is performed, for which the blood vessels are carefully dissected out, so that the muscle is left in place. This helps to speed-up recovery and prevents possible weakness and bulging of the abdomen. In some instances, if the blood vessels can't be completely dissected out of the rectus muscle, a strip of muscle is removed with the blood vessels. This is called a MS-TRAM (Muscle Sparing TRAM) flap.
How is my tummy repaired after removal of the muscle?
A synthetic mesh is used to repair the abdominal wall.
What are the risks of this procedure?
Next to the general risk of microsurgical surgery, the specific risk of the TRAM flap is the development of bulging or hernia on the stomach region.
Further Information
Anaesthetic
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. The operation takes 4-6 hours.
Length of stay
5-7 nights following the operation.
RISKS/POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Early (1-2 days):
Frequent
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Discomfort
Infrequent
- Bleeding (haematoma)
- Infection
- Failure of the flap (approx 1%)
- Partial failure of flap
- Re-operation (approx 1%)
- Wound breakdown
- Necrosis of the mastectomy skin flaps
Later (after one week):
Frequent
- Temporary reduced sensation of the abdominal wall
- Reduced or no sensation of reconstructed breast
Infrequent
- Scars - abdominal, umbilicus, breast unsightly, lumpy, stretch
- Bulging, weakness, hernia (4%) of the abdomen
- Seroma
- Fat necrosis
General anaesthetic
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Chest infection
- Allergic reaction to drugs or tape
RECOVERY
Immediately after the operation
- You will feel bruised and sore and there will be some swelling
- Pain is usually moderate and controlled with standard painkillers
- There will be drains in the chest and the abdomen, which will be removed between 2-5 days later
- You will be seated out of bed by the next day. Over the next few days, you will increase the amount of walking that you do
After return home
- Socialising with friends 1-2 weeks
- Return to work at 4-6 weeks
- Driving at 4-6 weeks
- Swelling and bruising 6-8 weeks
- Return to the gym and strenuous activity after 3 months
- Final result at 4-6 months
