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Advances in Breast Reconstruction
Microsurgery spares muscle.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Samer Cabbabe, MD, works delicately to restore what breast cancer has taken away. Dr. Cabbabe, who has expertise in all types of breast reconstruction, especially microvascular techniques, comes to St. Anthony's because it is the only private hospital in the region with advanced microsurgical equipment used for breast reconstruction.
“I try to come here and learn from him as often as I can because these advanced procedures are not taught in other places,” says medical resident Matt Nykiel, MD, from Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
Dr. Cabbabe is the only private practitioner in Missouri performing muscle-sparing procedures that utilize fat and skin taken from a women's lower abdomen to reconstruct a breast following cancer surgery. The abdominal flap is transferred to the breast area with an artery or vein attached so that adequate blood supply can be restored once it is microsurgically attached in the chest area. Minimal or no abdominal muscle is taken.
Previous procedures (known as TRAM flaps) removed half of the abdominal wall muscle for each reconstructed breast. With the latest microsurgical procedures, called DIEP and SIEA flap breast reconstruction, patients have fewer complications, a much smaller scar and better results.
“Breast reconstruction has advanced beyond just using implants,” says Dr. Cabbabe. “Women have multiple options to have their breast restored to a firm, natural appearance.”
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit find a physician online.
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