I-GAP flap
One of the newest developments in breast reconstruction is the use of the I-GAP flap. This is a flap taken from the inferior buttock, in cases of excess skin and fat available in that area. The I-GAP flap is a free flap and therefore microsurgery is needed. The initials stand for: Inferior Gluteal Artery Perforator.
Who qualifies for an I-GAP flap?
The I-GAP flap is an option for women who don't have ample abdominal tissue but still wish to have an autologous breast reconstruction. The decison between I-GAP and S-GAP depends on both the patients' preference and the ideal tissue available.
What are the specific risks of this procedure?
The I-GAP flap is more difficult to raise than a DIEP flap, as the blood vessels are smaller and shorter. The risks remain the same as of any microsurgical procedure. Some patients experience pain in buttock crease region, which will be temporary.
Will there be any asymmetry?
As tissue is borrowed, a certain degree of asymmetry will be noticeable. But a good deal of study shows that most patients are not unduly bothered by this. The scar for this operation ends up in the buttock crease and remains there without migration inferior (where the scar ends up being lower than the original buttock line).
How do you decide between an I-Gap and an S-Gap Flap technique?
There are a few things to be considered here. On one hand, there is the patients' preference of scar location. A further consideration is the excess of tissue available. There have been some reports indicating that the I-GAP flap leads to more donor-site morbidity than the S-GAP flap. This needs to be further evaluated over time.
I-GAP flap
One of the newest developments in breast reconstruction is the use of the I-GAP flap. This is a flap taken from the inferior buttock, in cases of excess skin and fat available in that area. The I-GAP flap is a free flap and therefore microsurgery is needed. The initials stand for: Inferior Gluteal Artery Perforator.
Who qualifies for an I-GAP flap?
The I-GAP flap is an option for women who don't have ample abdominal tissue but still wish to have an autologous breast reconstruction. The decison between I-GAP and S-GAP depends on both the patients' preference and the ideal tissue available.
What are the specific risks of this procedure?
The I-GAP flap is more difficult to raise than a DIEP flap, as the blood vessels are smaller and shorter. The risks remain the same as of any microsurgical procedure. Some patients experience pain in buttock crease region, which will be temporary.
Will there be any asymmetry?
As tissue is borrowed, a certain degree of asymmetry will be noticeable. But a good deal of study shows that most patients are not unduly bothered by this. The scar for this operation ends up in the buttock crease and remains there without migration inferior (where the scar ends up being lower than the original buttock line).
How do you decide between an I-Gap and an S-Gap Flap technique?
There are a few things to be considered here. On one hand, there is the patients' preference of scar location. A further consideration is the excess of tissue available. There have been some reports indicating that the I-GAP flap leads to more donor-site morbidity than the S-GAP flap. This needs to be further evaluated over time.
I-GAP flap
One of the newest developments in breast reconstruction is the use of the I-GAP flap. This is a flap taken from the inferior buttock, in cases of excess skin and fat available in that area. The I-GAP flap is a free flap and therefore microsurgery is needed. The initials stand for: Inferior Gluteal Artery Perforator.
Who qualifies for an I-GAP flap?
The I-GAP flap is an option for women who don't have ample abdominal tissue but still wish to have an autologous breast reconstruction. The decison between I-GAP and S-GAP depends on both the patients' preference and the ideal tissue available.
What are the specific risks of this procedure?
The I-GAP flap is more difficult to raise than a DIEP flap, as the blood vessels are smaller and shorter. The risks remain the same as of any microsurgical procedure. Some patients experience pain in buttock crease region, which will be temporary.
Will there be any asymmetry?
As tissue is borrowed, a certain degree of asymmetry will be noticeable. But a good deal of study shows that most patients are not unduly bothered by this. The scar for this operation ends up in the buttock crease and remains there without migration inferior (where the scar ends up being lower than the original buttock line).
How do you decide between an I-Gap and an S-Gap Flap technique?
There are a few things to be considered here. On one hand, there is the patients' preference of scar location. A further consideration is the excess of tissue available. There have been some reports indicating that the I-GAP flap leads to more donor-site morbidity than the S-GAP flap. This needs to be further evaluated over time.
I-GAP flap
One of the newest developments in breast reconstruction is the use of the I-GAP flap. This is a flap taken from the inferior buttock, in cases of excess skin and fat available in that area. The I-GAP flap is a free flap and therefore microsurgery is needed. The initials stand for: Inferior Gluteal Artery Perforator.
Who qualifies for an I-GAP flap?
The I-GAP flap is an option for women who don't have ample abdominal tissue but still wish to have an autologous breast reconstruction. The decison between I-GAP and S-GAP depends on both the patients' preference and the ideal tissue available.
What are the specific risks of this procedure?
The I-GAP flap is more difficult to raise than a DIEP flap, as the blood vessels are smaller and shorter. The risks remain the same as of any microsurgical procedure. Some patients experience pain in buttock crease region, which will be temporary.
Will there be any asymmetry?
As tissue is borrowed, a certain degree of asymmetry will be noticeable. But a good deal of study shows that most patients are not unduly bothered by this. The scar for this operation ends up in the buttock crease and remains there without migration inferior (where the scar ends up being lower than the original buttock line).
How do you decide between an I-Gap and an S-Gap Flap technique?
There are a few things to be considered here. On one hand, there is the patients' preference of scar location. A further consideration is the excess of tissue available. There have been some reports indicating that the I-GAP flap leads to more donor-site morbidity than the S-GAP flap. This needs to be further evaluated over time.
