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Over 2,500 DIEP flaps performed
Superior results
Excellent reputation
In network for most US insurance plans
NO balance billing
Patients treated from Texas, across the USA and all over the World

PRMA of South Texas

9635 Huebner Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78240
Phone: 210-692-1181
Toll Free: 800-692-5565
Fax: 210-692-7584

Click here to view map.

SIEA (Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery) Flap Breast Reconstruction

The SIEA flap is very similar to the DIEP flap procedure. Both techniques use the lower abdominal skin and fatty tissue to reconstruct a natural, soft breast following mastectomy.

The main difference between the SIEA flap and the DIEP flap is the artery used to supply blood flow to the new breast. The SIEA blood vessels are found in the fatty tissue just below 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.

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. Unfortunately, there are no reliable pre-operative tests to show which patients have the appropriate anatomy. The decision as to which type of reconstruction to perform is therefore made intra-operatively by the plastic surgeon based on the patient's anatomy.

As with the DIEP procedure, patients receive an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) at the same time as an added benefit to SIEA flap breast reconstruction. Please visit our Gallery to view breast reconstruction before and after photos.

TUG Flap

If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our San Antonio plastic surgeons, please contact us today.

SIEA flap breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy - Plastic, Reconstructive and Microsurgical Associates (PRMA) of South Texas is one of the largest private practices in the US offering microsurgical breast reconstruction. Our plastic surgeons perform hundreds of microsurgical breast reconstruction procedures in San Antonio yearly. Techniques performed include the DIEP, SIEA, TUG and GAP procedures. Patients are routinely welcomed from across Texas (including Austin, New Braunfels, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Arlington, El Paso, and Corpus Christi), out-of-state, as well as from outside the USA (including Mexico). Many forms of insurance are accepted.


Home Surgeons Breast Reconstruction DIEP Flap Find A DIEP Surgeon SIEA Flap TUG Flap GAP Flap TRAM Flap Latissimus Dorsi Flap Breast Implants & Alloderm One-Step Perforator Flaps Abdominal Flaps New Technology Message Boards/Forums Our Experience Breast Reconstruction Blog Breast Cancer News Cosmetic Surgery Non-Surgical Face Breast Body Photo Gallery Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Arm Lifts (Brachioplasty) Body Lift Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants) Breast Lift Surgery Breast Reconstruction Surgery Breast Reduction Surgery Eye Lid Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Face Lift Surgery (Rhytidectomy) Testimonials Leslie's Diary Patient Info DIEP Reconstruction FAQs Cosmetic Surgery FAQs DIEP Insurance FAQs Travel/Lodging Articles/Press/Radio Useful Links Breast Reconstruction State Laws Patient Safety Information Newsletter Contact Us Privacy Policies & Online Forms Site Map	Over 2,500 DIEP flaps performed Superior results Excellent reputation In network for most US insurance plans NO balance billing Patients treated from Texas, across the USA and all over the World PRMA of South Texas 9635 Huebner Rd. San Antonio, TX 78240 Phone: 210-692-1181 Toll Free: 800-692-5565 Fax: 210-692-7584 Click here to view map.	SIEA (Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery) Flap Breast Reconstruction The SIEA flap is very similar to the DIEP flap procedure. Both techniques use the lower abdominal skin and fatty tissue to reconstruct a natural, soft breast following mastectomy. The main difference between the SIEA flap and the DIEP flap is the artery used to supply blood flow to the new breast. The SIEA blood vessels are found in the fatty tissue just below 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. 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. Unfortunately, there are no reliable pre-operative tests to show which patients have the appropriate anatomy. The decision as to which type of reconstruction to perform is therefore made intra-operatively by the plastic surgeon based on the patient's anatomy. As with the DIEP procedure, patients receive an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) at the same time as an added benefit to SIEA flap breast reconstruction. Please visit our Gallery to view breast reconstruction before and after photos. TUG Flap
	If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our San Antonio plastic surgeons, please contact us today.
	SIEA flap breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy - Plastic, Reconstructive and Microsurgical Associates (PRMA) of South Texas is one of the largest private practices in the US offering microsurgical breast reconstruction. Our plastic surgeons perform hundreds of microsurgical breast reconstruction procedures in San Antonio yearly. Techniques performed include the DIEP, SIEA, TUG and GAP procedures. Patients are routinely welcomed from across Texas (including Austin, New Braunfels, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Arlington, El Paso, and Corpus Christi), out-of-state, as well as from outside the USA (including Mexico). Many forms of insurance are accepted.