title: Double-pedicle TRAM flap for unilateral breast reconstruction.
abstract: Autogenous breast reconstruction with the pedicled TRAM flap has been employed in 500 patients in our series. We have developed and refined indications for use of the single-pedicle TRAM flap and double-pedicle TRAM flap in unilateral breast reconstruction. In our experience with 341 unilateral breast reconstructions, we used a double-pedicle TRAM flap 19 percent of the time; however, in our most recent 50 unilateral modified radical mastectomy reconstructions, the double-pedicle technique has been employed 60 percent of the time. In general, when a TRAM flap is chosen for unilateral reconstruction of a modified radical mastectomy defect, we feel the single-pedicle TRAM flap is the procedure of choice. Carefully selected patients will benefit from the added safety of a double-pedicle TRAM procedure. The indications for the double-pedicle TRAM flap, the technique, and our results are described in detail.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Akron City Hospital, Ohio.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Michelow
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hartrampf
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*