GAP Flap Breast Reconstruction (Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap) 

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 (buttock) region and leaves all the gluteal muscle behind. Like the DIEP flap all the patient's muscle is left in place to preserve function and make recovery easier.

Your surgeon may take skin and fat from either your upper ("superior") or lower ("inferior") buttock region. These are referred to as the "sGAP flap" or "iGAP flap" respectively. Both incisions are easily hidden with underwear.

If the procedure is performed as an immediate reconstruction the patient first undergoes the mastectomy as usual. After the mastectomy the patient is gently turned onto her stomach and the GAP flap is prepared.

The patient is then placed onto her back and the flap is transferred to the chest, attached using microsurgery and then shaped to create the new breast.

Patients undergoing bilateral GAP reconstruction usually have one breast reconstructed at a time. Most surgeons prefer to only do one side at a time to minimize the risks of the procedure. It is important to discuss this possibility with your surgeon since it would require you to undergo an additional procedure.

Please visit our photo Gallery to view breast reconstruction before and after photos.

To learn if you are a candidate for breast reconstruction using your own tissue, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us here or call us on (800) 692-5565.