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Overview
Reconstruction of the breast after mastectomy is performed in select patients who have very small tumors, or who undergo prophylactic (preventative) bilateral mastectomy. First, tissue from the lower abdomen, including skin, muscle, and blood vessels, is removed. This is called a TRAM flap.
Review Date 1/6/2022
Updated by: Todd Campbell, MD, FACS, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Volunteer Faculty, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ; Medical Director, Independence Blue Cross, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 09/19/2022.