Plastic Surgery Team Pioneered the First DIEP Free Flap Breast Reconstruction in The Woodla...( a href http:...),Health

The Woodlands plastic surgery team, Dr. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS and Dr. Sugene Kim, MD of the Center for Advanced Breast Restoration pioneered and performed the first DIEP free flap breast reconstruction procedure in The Woodlands at the Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital.

The Woodlands, TX (PRWEB) October 28, 2008 -- Dr. Bob Basu and Dr. Sugene Kim, were recently featured in a story from Kimberly Stauffer in "The Houston Chronicle" addressing the advances in breast reconstruction following the successful completion of the first ever to be performed DIEP flap breast reconstruction in The Woodlands.

The DIEP flap is a state-of-the-art tissue-only breast reconstruction that microsurgically transplants the excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen to create a soft supple breast following mastectomy while sparing a woman's abdominal wall muscle. Breast cancer survivors who opt for the DIEP flap also benefit from a tummy tuck closure of their tissue donor site. The procedure is covered by insurance.

The predecessor to the procedure, know as the TRAM flap, would take the excess fatty tissue and skin from the abdomen but would also take part of the abdominal wall muscle. The DIEP flap is a reconstructive alternative that spares a woman's abdominal wall muscles, potentially minimizing risks for abdominal weakness or bulging. Previously only available at tertiary cancer care centers in the Texas Medical Center, this reconstructive procedure is now available close to home.

"The Houston Chronicle" article featured Ms. Mills of The Woodlands, a breast cancer survivor and the first patient to undergo the DIEP flap procedure at the Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital. M
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