When you meet with our board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Ned Snyder IV, you will quickly learn that there are many different options for breast reconstruction. The SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap is a surgical technique comparable to the popular DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap breast reconstruction.
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Surgical Technique
DIEP and SIEA reconstructions allow for tissue removal in the lower abdomen. While DIEP is the preferred breast reconstruction for autologous tissue, SIEA can be considered when the superficial blood vessels are the right size and length. The SIEA blood vessels are found in the fatty tissue just below the skin, whereas the DIEP blood vessels run below and within the abdominal muscle (making the surgery more technically challenging). While the surgical preparation is slightly different, both procedures spare the abdominal muscle and only use the patient’s skin and fat to reconstruct the breast.
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For additional information about our services, procedures, and the patient experience at Snyder Plastic Surgery, please explore our website or contact our office. We are committed to providing comprehensive care and support from the initial consultation through recovery. Schedule a consultation today to begin your journey towards a more confident and beautiful you.
SIEA Flap Reconstruction Step-by-Step
Before
Though the SIEA is similar to the DIEP, it is used less frequently since the arteries required are generally too small to sustain the flap in most patients. Less than 20% of patients have the anatomy required to allow this procedure. Therefore, Dr. Snyder decides which type of reconstruction to perform intra-operatively based on your anatomy. All of this can be discussed in a private and compassionate consultation in our office in Round Rock or Austin, TX.
During
On the day of your surgery, you will be checked in as a patient at a local hospital for your SIEA flap breast reconstruction. This will be a lengthy surgery (4 – 6 hours), and a general anesthetic will be used. If you are having a mastectomy performed at the same time, your general surgeon will remove your breast tissue while Dr. Snyder prepares to harvest the tissues in your lower abdomen. The incision in the abdominal wall is like an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Once the incision is open, Dr. Snyder will be able to tell if you should have the SIEA or the DIEP flap surgery. The tissue will be collected, purified, and relocated to the chest. The blood vessels will be redirected and connected as well. Dr. Snyder will sculpt the new breast layer-by-layer until the desired size and shape are achieved.
After
After your surgery, you will wake up in our recovery area, where our dedicated nursing staff will provide you with excellent post-op care. You will be staying for at least 4 – 6 days. During this time, your breasts will be monitored very carefully so that the flap does not fail. Our nurses will manage the drains on your abdomen and breasts for you while you are in the hospital and will show you how to empty them before you are discharged.
Your normal everyday tasks will need to be drastically reduced or eliminated as your body heals. It may be challenging to get around but be patient with your body. Remember to watch for signs of fever and infection. Contact our team at Snyder Plastic Surgery at The Breast and Body Center if you have any questions or concerns about your recovery.
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SIEA flap reconstruction at Snyder Plastic Surgery can give patients in Austin, Cedar Park, Waco, Temple, and Georgetown, TX renewed confidence. We understand the profound psychological and emotional benefits of breast reconstruction and are committed to offering you compassionate, personalized care. Schedule a private consultation to explore your options and develop a tailored treatment plan.
