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Free TRAM flap vs. pedicled TRAM flap

What is the difference between the free TRAM flap surgery and the pedicled TRAM flap surgery for breast reconstruction?

4 answers to “Free TRAM flap vs. pedicled TRAM flap”

A: Free and Pedicled TRAM flaps

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

A Free TRAM flap means that the blood supply is separated from its original location (the donor site) and lifted clear or "free" of the body and transplanted to the recipient site. The entire blood supply typically depends on 1 artery and 1 vein. If anything happens to these the blood supply... more

A: The difference is how the blood flow is maintained to the flap

Richard P. Rand, MD

The free TRAM flap is separated from the body temporarily (hence "free") and its blood vessels are re-attached to blood vessels in the chest or armpit to keep it alive. The pedicled TRAM flap derives its blood flow from the upper part of the rectus muscle and is never separated from the body. It is tunneled... more

A: Difference between a Free TRAM flap and Pedicled TRAM flap

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

A TRAM flap is a "Transverse Rectus Abdominus Muscle" flap that utilizes the abdominal muscle and fat to reconstruct the breast.  Very simply, a pedicled TRAM flap uses the rectus muscle and abdominal flap to reconstruct the breast, via an intact and uncut artery in the upper abdomen. A free... more

A: Free TRAM vs. Pedicled TRAM

Steven Wallach, MD

A pedicled TRAM flap is developed from the lower abdomen.  It recruits the skin, subcutaneous fat and usually one rectus muscle and rotates it into the chest to recronstruct the breast.  This is a pedicled or attached muscle along with its superiorly based blood supply. You have to detach its main... more

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