What is a GAP flap?
GAP stands for Gluteal Artery Perforator. This may at times be described as S-GAP or I-GAP. The prefixes define superior or inferior branches of the gluteal artery. As with the DIEP, the gluteal artery perforator arises from a branch of the gluteal artery, courses thru the muscle, to deliver blood to the overlying buttock fat. This procedure allows for use of buttock fat to reconstruct the breast when abdominal fat is inadequate. Similar to the DIEP it is also a “muscle preserving” procedure and doesn’t sacrifice the buttock muscles to collect the tissue (unlike the gluteal flap).
