Breast Reconstruction
Thigh Flaps

Thigh flaps (such as the TUG, VUG, PAP, LTP, or ALT flap) can be a great option for women interested in “natural” breast reconstruction who want to avoid an abdominal scar, or aren’t candidates for a DIEP flap.

Thigh Flaps May Be A Good Option For Women Who Want To Avoid An Abdominal Scar Or Are Not Candidates For DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Reconstructed breasts created from a patient’s own living tissue provide a “natural”, soft and warm breast that can’t be achieved using implants or temporary prostheses. While most patients prefer the DIEP flap technique (which uses a woman’s lower abdominal tissue), it typically is not an option for patients who have had previous extensive tummy tucks, who don’t have adequate abdominal fat, or who prefer to avoid scarring across the abdomen.  For these patients, a thigh flap procedure may be a good option. The “best” thigh flap option will depend on the individual’s tissue distribution.
dr pisano discusses completion mastectomy after lumpectomy prma
TUG & VUG Flap

The TUG flap procedure uses skin, fat and the gracilis muscle to reconstruct the new breast. Unlike loss of other muscles (like the rectus abdominus), loss of the gracilis muscle does not result in any noticeable functional impairment. The tissue is dissected from the inner thigh and transplanted to the chest where it is reattached microsurgically. The resulting thigh scar is generally very well hidden near the groin crease. Patients also receive an “inner thigh lift” as an added benefit of the surgery.

Depending on the tissue distribution over the inner thigh, some patients are better served by a VUG (vertical upper gracilis) flap which leaves a vertical scar along the inner thigh instead of a scar along the groin crease.

Other Thigh Flaps

PAP Flap

The PAP flap uses tissue from the upper posterior thigh just below the buttock crease. The final scar is usually very well hidden at or just beneath the buttock crease.

LTP Flap

The LTP flap uses tissue from the top of the outer thigh (“saddle bag”) and creates a horizontal scar where the saddle bag used to be.

ALT Flap

The ALT flap uses tissue from the front outer thigh and leaves a vertical scar.

Dr Minas Chrysopoulo, PRMA Plastic Surgery, San Antonio, Texas, Stone Oak | Specialist in breast reconstruction, microsurgery, restoring feeing after mastectomy, aesthetic plastic surgery, TruSense®, High Definition DIEP

Hear From Our Patients

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Oh what I would give to have found PRMA before my mastectomy, prosthesis, implants and 6 plus years of not being satisfied. I thank God every day for bringing PRMA into my life and I thank them for doing what they do so well. My wish is that PRMA reaches as many women possible early on so they too can benefit from the amazing work that they do for breast cancer patients. I promote PRMA every chance I have!

Colleen
Deer Park, WA
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 I would like to say is throughout the whole procedure from the first procedure, to the second procedure, to my final procedures I never felt less than a woman. I like my breast, and so the entire time I never felt like I was not a woman at any point. So definitely I would recommend PRMA to anyone and everyone.

Sarah
San Antonio, TX
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I’m super excited and love the results and feel amazing. I want to let anyone listening to this know that I had the worst anxiety before my surgery thinking of everything you can imagine. I can say that this was 100% the right choice for me I love the way that I look. The process was much easier than what I expected.

Laurie
Yorba Linda, CA
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I knew I wanted to have a mastectomy, but I didn’t know about breast reconstruction. Dr. Ledoux gave me ALL the options I had, and I really appreciated that!

Jackie
San Antonio, TX
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