Procedures

It’s important to learn as much as you can about your proposed breast reconstruction surgery. Here we explain the different types of surgery available and what the surgery entails to help you to understand and consider the options open to you.

Reconstructive

At the St Andrew’s Centre, our reconstructive plastic surgeons aim to use the lady’s own tissue wherever feasible; however, this may not be possible for all cases and implant based reconstructions can still produce excellent results. There are a number of different types of reconstructive breast surgery. Below are links to the different options available and why they may, or may not be suitable for you.

DIEP Flap

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap was developed from the TRAM and muscle-sparing TRAM flaps in the late 1980s.

MS TRAM Flap

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap was developed from the TRAM and muscle-sparing TRAM flaps in the late 1980s.

TRAM Flap

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap was developed from the TRAM and muscle-sparing TRAM flaps in the late 1980s.

TUG Flap

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap was developed from the TRAM and muscle-sparing TRAM flaps in the late 1980s.

Delayed v Immediate

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap was developed from the TRAM and muscle-sparing TRAM flaps in the late 1980s.

Implant / Expander only

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap was developed from the TRAM and muscle-sparing TRAM flaps in the late 1980s.

Latissimus Dorsi

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap was developed from the TRAM and muscle-sparing TRAM flaps in the late 1980s.

Nipple Reconstruction

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap was developed from the TRAM and muscle-sparing TRAM flaps in the late 1980s.

Reduction

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic to reduce the size and sometimes improve the shape of large breasts.

Augmentation

Choosing to change the way you look through cosmetic surgery is probably one of the most important decisions you will make.

Tuberous Breast

Virtually all women have different sized (asymmetric) breasts. In a small number of cases there is a more marked difference.

Micropigmentation

Commonly known as medical tattooing is a way to replace colour in your skin, giving a more natural appearance following a nipple reconstruction.

Poland Syndrome

Poland syndrome is a rare disorder that is thought to be caused by kinking of the of one of the main arteries to the chest and arm (subclavian artery) during the 6th week of pregnancy leading to five main problems, which can be more or less severe. It was first described by Alfred Poland in 1841.

Procedure Title

Description

BRA Meetings

Meetings are held on Tuesday afternoons either virtually via Microsoft Teams video conferencing or face to face at St Andrews Hospital outpatients department.