DIEP or SIEA Flaps

DIEP or SIEA Flaps are specialized versions of the free TRAM flap, in which your abdominal tissue is used without using ANY of the rectus muscle.

• These procedures carry a slightly higher overall risk than the pedicled or free TRAM.
• However, these flaps have the added benefit of preserving abdominal muscle function and reducing the abdominal bulge rate.

Diagram of a DIEP breast reconstruction—the abdominal tissue is detached from the body, leaving all muscle intact, and reconnected using microsurgical techniques.

51 year old female before and after delayed left breast reconstruction with TRAM flap