You have several surgical options to consider for breast reconstruction -- SIEA flap is one of many. SIEA is very similar to the DIEP flap method, but uses tissue from your lower, instead of your upper, abdomen. A SIEA reconstruction doesn't work for everyone, but there are many advantages to this procedure.
Transplanting the Tissue Flap To Create Your New Breast
Illustration © Pam Stephan
Your tissue flap and its blood vessels will be moved up to your mastectomy area. To ensure that the tissue will survive in its new location, your surgeon will use microsurgery to reattach the blood vessels in the tissue flap to blood vessels in your chest. Your tummy skin and fat tissue are then carefully reshaped into a breast mound and sutured into place. Your surgeon may mark the skin over those blood vessels to help your nurses monitor blood circulation as you recover. Expect to have surgical drains in this incision too, to help with healing.
Recovering from SIEA Breast Reconstruction
You should plan on staying in the hospital for three or four days after your SIEA breast construction, so that your healing process can be monitored. Pack loose, comfortable clothing for your trip home (allow room for surgical drains and bring safety pins). When your fluid buildup has significantly decreased, you may be able to have your drains removed, which should be about a week after surgery. Expect to rest for four to six weeks after a your surgery, and make sure someone will be around to drive and do any lifting for you. Remember to go for follow-up appointments so your surgeon can assess your healing progress and remove your dressings.SIEA Flap Is Available for Double Mastectomy
If there is enough skin and fat on your tummy to create two new breasts, you can have a SIEA flap reconstruction after a double mastectomy. If you've already had abdominal tissue used for breast reconstruction, though, (TRAM, SGAP, IGAP flap) then you must choose a different method (lat flap or implant).Special Considerations for the SIEA Flap
The SIEA flap procedure is microsurgery, which requires extensive training and experience. Your hospital must have special facilities and surgical tools for this kind of reconstruction. The sutures that are used to reconnect your blood vessels are about the same diameter as a strand of your hair. Your surgical team will use a high-powered microscope to perform the most critical part of this procedure, reconnecting blood vessels. Carefully choose a surgeon for this reconstruction, asking plenty of questions until you feel comfortable making a decision to go ahead with this procedure.Discuss Breast Reconstruction in the Forum
There are many types of breast reconstruction: implants, TRAM, Latissimus Dorsi, SGAP and DIEP Flap. What procedure did you have? Would you recommend it to anyone else? What went right or wrong with your reconstruction?-
Sources:American Cancer Society. Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy. Types of Breast Reconstruction. Revised: 09/06/2007.
National Cancer Institute. Surgery Choices for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Posted 10/22/2004.
