What is with the alphabet soup…TRAM, DIEP, SIEA, SGAP, IGAP?
These letters are all acronyms for different ways to transfer tissue from one part of the body to another for breast reconstruction. The TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominus Myocutaneous) flap was among the first ways to transfer skin and fat from the abdomen to the chest. It involves the complete sacrafice of one of the abdominal muscles. This procedure carries with it the risk of weakness of the abdominal wall with the potential for one-sided weakness or bulge of the abdomen. The DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap, and the SIEA (Superficial Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap are variations of the TRAM that involve leaving behind the muscle of the abdomen and transferring just the skin and fat of the tummy for breast reconstruction. While more technically demanding of a procedure, in the appropriately selected patients these procedures can minimize some of the risks of abdominal weakness, hernia or bulge. The SGAP (superior gluteal artery perforator) and IGAP (inferior epi
