Breast reconstruction using abdominal tissue with muscle cuff
The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The average stay on the ward is 8-10 days.
The tissue for shaping the new breast is selected from the abdominal region below the navel. During the microsurgical removal of the abdominal tissue, the underlying straight left abdominal muscle is partially incorporated into the flap.
A residual function of the partially removed straight left abdominal muscle remains at the flap lift site on the lower abdomen.
The tissue block, which was removed from the abdomen with a vein and artery pedicle, is now used to shape the right breast and its supplying veins and arteries are connected to vessels in the chest under the microscope.
The remaining straight abdominal muscles on the left are sutured or a plastic mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall is inserted.
After microsurgical connection of the vessels, the tissue is well supplied with blood again and can heal without any problems as a new breast. The tissue removal site is closed in the sense of an abdominoplasty operation with displacement of the navel.
Once the right breast has healed, the nipple can be restored, the left breast adjusted (if necessary) and the right areola tattooed separately. Both nipple and areola restoration by tattooing can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.
For a possible adjustment of the left breast, a general anesthesia is again required.
