GAP (Gluteal Artery Perforator) Flap Breast Reconstruction

Women who do not have an adequate amount of abdominal tissue for reconstruction may be eligible for GAP (gluteal artery perforator) flap breast reconstruction. This procedure uses excess skin and fat from the gluteal or buttock region. The procedure is much like the DIEP Flap which spares the muscle. With the GAP flap procedure your surgeon may take fat and tissue from either your superior (upper) buttock region or inferior (lower) buttock region. The surgeons at PRMA of South Texas prefer to use the upper buttock region for the GAP Flap. Both incisions can be easily hidden with underwear. If the GAP procedure is performed as an immediate form of reconstruction the patient will first undergo the mastectomy as usual.

Following the mastectomy the patient will then be gently turned on her stomach and the gluteal flap harvested.

The patient is then placed onto her back and the new breast will be attached using microsurgery and shaped.

Patients undergoing bilateral GAP reconstruction usually have one breast reconstructed at a time. Most surgeons prefer to only do one side at a time due to the delicate position of the donor site. It is important to discuss this possibility with your surgeon since it would require you to undergo two procedures instead of one.

To view before and after photos of our reconstruction surgeries please visit our Gallery. If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our reconstructive surgeons please contact our office today and a member of our staff will be happy to help you.