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Which is Better For Breast Reconstruction, Tram Flap or Expanders?

asked 9 months ago by kandikane in Sublette, KS
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 316 times
Tags: expander, options, tramflap

I had a lumpedemy and the chemo. I started doing radiation and had done 4 rounds and had gotten a hole in the incision site. I got that all cleared up and did 6 more rounds and got another hole. So since I had Triple negative they say I need to have the breast removed. So I will have both removed and was wondering which was better Tram Flap or expanders. Thanks, Kandi

8 answers to Which is Better For Breast Reconstruction, Tram Flap or Expanders?

+1

Breast Reconstruction

Depending on the surgeon you talk with, each can work in the right hands. Talk with a surgeon who does a lot of them, has consistent results, and is able to achieve good results with a good percentage margin of success.
Vivek Bansal, MD

Danville Plastic Surgeon
+1

The DIEP flap is the most advanced technique for breast reconstruction

TRAM flaps and tissue expanders (TE) do two different things. A TE is a temporary "space holder" that is placed into the breast pocket at the time of a mastectomy. Over time, the TE is inflated with fluid to create the breast pocket in preparation for a permanent implant or a flap (tissue transferred from a different part of the body). A TRAM flap involves taking one half of the rectus abdominus muscles, your core muscles, while two TRAM flaps (for reconstruction of both breasts)... more
Ariel N. Rad, MD, PhD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Best Option of Breast Reconstruction in Radiated Breast

The best option for breast reconstruction of a radiated breast are the flap techniques because they use your own skin, fat and muscle tissues to construct a soft, warm, natural breast without the need for expanders and implants. The flap breast reconstruction techniques avoid the problems of breast implant capsule contracture, breast implant displacement, breast implant exposure, and breast implant infection. Examples of flap breast reconstruction include TRAM... more
Fredrick A. Valauri, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

+1

Breast reconstruction

The choice for breast reconstruction depends upon a number of factors. Most importantly your goals, and then of course it is based upon your anatomy. A Tram flap is one option for autologous( using your own tissue) vs. expander/implants. This is a long discussion during consultation.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Which is Better For Breast Reconstruction, Tram Flap or Expanders?

Radiation destroys cancers cells but it permanently scars the tissue and reduces the blood flow in it. As a result, reconstruction with expanders and implants is NOT as good and reliable as reconstruction using your own tissue. A TRAM flap is but one way of doing it. A much better way is the DIEP flap. You will have to find a surgeon who does many of them but it would certainly be worth your while.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Which is better - TRAM flap or expanders?

I do not recommend the use of expanders following radiotherapy as the skin will be tight and it is dificult to get a good cosmetic result. Furthermore, the implants may well go hard after a few years and need to be revised. It is better to use your own tissue, which can come from your back (latissimus dorsi) or your abdomen (TRAM or DIEP flap). So, in answer to your question, a TRAM flap would be better than an expander, but you need to have this discussion with a plastic... more
Jonathan J Staiano, MBBS

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

After radiation therapy for breast cancer, and having problems with wound from the radiation. YOUR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SHOULD BE WITH AUTOLOGOUS TISSUE, THAT IS FLAPS.
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Flap reconstruction usually better than implants after radiation

Radiation therapy causes changes in the tissue that often make the skin and muscle very resistant to expansion, and there is a higher risk of capsular contracture with implants after radiation even if the expansion is successful. A flap such as TRAM or DIEP may be the better way to go since they use tissue that has not been radiated. A lot of women are now choosing skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with implants so as to avoid radiation, though I don't know if... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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