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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Possibility of double tram flap at same time?
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Possibility of double tram flap at same time?
by Rembrandt, Sep 22, 2002 12:00AM
Hello---I had a lumpectomy 7/00, chemo & radiation. In 3/02, I had a recurrence in the same breast and had a mastectomy. Last week I had a mammogram on the remaining breast and microcalcifications appeared and a biopsy was recommended. I am considering skipping the biopsy and going straight for a mastectomy. I was planning to have reconstruction in the near future but now I would just like to get it all over with and be done with the surgeries as soon as possible. Is it possible to have a double tram flap done at the same time? (I have plenty of tissue.)What would be the draw backs? What kind of problems may I encounter and what kind of recovery time would you estimate?
Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.
Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Sep 23, 2002 12:00AM
Dear Rembrandt: A double TRAM flap is theoretically possible but most plastic surgeons will do this only in select circumstances where conditions are favorable to do so. A patient must have adequate skin but also adequate muscle. Other considerations would be radiated tissue. This is a questions that should be addressed to a plastic surgeon, preferably one who does many such flaps. This physician could evaluate the possibility of bilateral TRAM flap as it relates to your specific situation. As an aside, you should probably not skip the biopsy. If a mastectomy and flap were done and there was no cancer, the insurance may not pay for it.
Member Comments (2)
by velvetstorm, Sep 29, 2002 12:00AM
I had a tram flap 4 my left breast reconstruct. Mine was done from my stomach. I think there are other sites they also use. You might want 2 ask positives & negatives of using the sites.
by Karen377, Nov 14, 2008 12:02PM
A related discussion, Removal of Tram Flap was started.
