TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction, Kingwood, Conroe, The Woodlands, North Houston

Some women may consider the TRAM flap breast reconstruction. TRAM (or “transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous”) is named referencing the muscle located in the lower abdomen from which skin, fat and muscle can be used to reconstruct a new breast.

Similar to DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the TRAM flap uses excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. Unlike the DIEP flap, the TRAM flap also takes the underlying abdominal wall muscle. For this procedure the muscle is required because the blood vessels feeding the overlying skin and fat reside inside the muscle.

The tissue of skin, fat, and muscle is tunneled under the skin up to the chest to build a tissue only breast. For a pedicled TRAM procedure, the tissue’s blood supply remains attached. The tissue is then tunneled under the skin to the chest area, where it is brought through the mastectomy incision. Microvascular surgery is not usually needed for a pedicle TRAM procedure.

Click here to schedule a consultation with The Woodlands cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Kim, or call us at 281-363-4546