The stacked hemi-abdominal extended perforator flap is an excellent option for patients who have previously been told they're too thin for a DIEP abdominal flap or would have to accept a reduction in breast size if a DIEP flap was performed. In this surgery, the conventional abdominal flap is extended by using an additional blood supply taken from the excess fat in the upper hip.
What is the stacked hemi-abdominal extended perforator flap?
The SHaEP flap is an extended type of DIEP flap using perforator blood vessels in the hip area to extend the flap. Advanced microsurgery is required to create the ideal amount of volume for reconstructing the breasts. Only a highly experienced and rigorously trained surgeon such as Dr. Zampell should be contracted to perform this procedure, as it is quite complex and delicate.
The main advantage of the stacked hemi-abdominal extended perforator flap is that it is an excellent solution for bilateral autologous breast reconstruction in women who have large breasts and wish to remain the same size or who wish to augment their breast size, but who lack the necessary volume with a DIEP or SIEA flap alone.
What are the benefits?
- Excellent solution for thin patients who require two stacked flaps
- Allows women to use their natural body tissue to recreate the breast mounds
- Muscle is completely spared during this procedure
- Improvement in self-esteem and quality of life
Before & After
Who makes a good candidate?
The best way to determine your candidacy for this procedure is to meet with Dr. Zampell in the privacy of her Beverly Hills office. During your initial session the doctor will perform an in-depth physical evaluation, as well as a review of your medical history. With this information she will be able to create a plan for your breast reconstruction that suits your body, your goals and your lifestyle.
What will my recovery entail?
Dr. Zampell will provide a complete aftercare plan for you with instructions and directions for caring for your incisions, sleeping, eating, exercising, and resuming normal activity. You will need to stay in the hospital for several days as you heal, but by the second day you will be able to get up and move around. You may be fitted with drains to help escort excess fluids out of the body.
Why choose Dr. Zampell?
Dr. Zampell has been on the forefront of autologous breast reconstructive surgery for years, working closely with Dr. Robert Allen, one of the pioneers of flap surgery at the Ochsner Medical Center in Louisiana. She is passionate about helping breast cancer survivors regain a sense of dignity and self-confidence in the face of their illness, boosting their quality of life and creating elegant, beautiful and natural looking results.
Dr. Zampell graduated with honors from Ohio State University College of Medicine, after which she pursued a surgical residency at the world famous New York University. Additionally, Dr. Zampell completed an elite fellowship in microsurgery at the University of California Los Angeles, making her among the most qualified and sought-after microsurgeons in the Beverly Hills area and beyond.
