Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction Sydney

The aim of the reconstruction is to restore the aesthetics of the breasts. Dr Pouria Moradi can perform the DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap surgery, followed by a breast lift and nipple reconstruction if required.

Immediate vs delayed reconstruction?

The immediate reconstruction is the preferred choice by Dr Pouria Moradi, as the reconstruction is done at the same time as the mastectomy. Where as the delayed reconstruction is planned for after the mastectomy and radiotherapy.

What is a mastectomy?

The mastectomy surgical procedure is the removal of the breast, which is performed to remove breast cancer.

Skin Sparing Mastectomy: This mastectomy is when the nipple and all the breast tissue is removed, but the skin envelope is maintained.

Nipple Sparing Mastectomy: This mastectomy is when the nipple and skin envelope are preserved and only the breast tissue is removed.

What is DIEP flap surgery?

The DIEP flap provides the necessary tissue that a breast reconstruction requires. The DIEP is the deep inferior epigastric perforator artery which runs through the abdomen.

In DIEP flap surgery, the blood vessels, fat and skin are cut away from the wall of the lower abdomen and used to rebuild the breast. No muscle is removed in the process of a DIEP flap, which makes it a better treatment over the TRAM flap procedure according to Dr Pouria Moradi.

The blood vessels are reattached in your chest through microsurgery and the tissue is stitched up.

The benefit of the DIEP flap is that it also acts as a tummy tuck to increase the tightness and flatness of the stomach.

What is a breast lift?

The breast lift following a DIEP flap surgical procedure is done to raise the breasts up and reduce sagginess or drooping.

The lift helps to improve the breasts contours, firmness and aesthetics.

What is a nipple reconstruction?

In some cases, the nipple may not have been removed and left intact during the mastectomy, which means no reconstruction is required.

However for women whose nipple and areola was removed during a mastectomy, they will be looking for a nipple reconstruction. Nipple reconstructions can be done through medical tattooing to recreate a lifelike nipple and areola.

For patients who have large nipples, a graft may be taken from the unaffected breast to recreate the nipple on the new breast; this is known as an autologous graft.