SIEA (Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery) Flap
The SIEA flap uses similar tissue from the abdomen as the DIEP flap. The major difference compared with the DIEP flap is that the artery and vein used lie more superficial (closer to the skin surface) than the artery and vein of the DIEP flap. This allows the flap to be taken with a relatively superficial dissection only.
Just as with the DIEP flap, the SIEA does not require the use of the abdominal muscle for breast reconstruction as required by a TRAM flap.
However, the blood vessels which are required for the SIEA flap are present in a sufficient size and location for the procedure only in small percentage of patients. Thus, a DIEP flap is much more commonly used. A decision on whether a DIEP or SIEA flap is used can only be determined during the surgery. The long term results are similar for both the DIEP and SIEA flap.
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SIEA flap
The skin and fat from the abdomen are used to recreate the look and feel of a natural breast. The SIEA flap uses blood vessels which run above the fascia of the abdomen and requires no sacrifice of muscle, minimizing later abdominal weakness, bulging or hernia.
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