Procedures: GAP Flap

 

Using Tissue From the Buttock Area to Reconstruct the Breasts

 

GAP (Gluteal Artery Perforator) flap breast reconstruction utilizes skin and fat from the buttocks, making this procedure an ideal alternative for women with minimal or damaged abdominal tissue. As with DIEP, the surgeons harvest blood vessels from the donor site and connect them to vessels in the chest using microsurgical techniques.

The two types of GAP procedures use tissue from different regions of the buttock. The SGAP (Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator) flap is taken from the upper buttock and hip, while the IGAP (Inferior Gluteal Artery Perforator) flap is taken from the lower buttock.

GAP breast reconstruction is very complex and challenging to execute because of the anatomy of the gluteal blood vessels. Our highly skilled surgeons have completed hundreds of these procedures with a very high rate of success, making GAP our second most commonly performed type of reconstruction.

This procedure also provides the cosmetic benefit of lifting and sculpting the donor site area, providing results comparable to a “buttock lift.” The resulting scars can be covered by clothing, including undergarments and swimsuits.

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Post Procedure Care

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Want More Information? Read “Ask the Doctor” Blog Series Below:

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