When the abdomen is not enough: LAP flaps

This patient had bilateral skin-sparing mastectomies and wanted, at a minimum, to match the volume she had before surgery. Her abdomen did not have enough tissue to do that, so the reconstruction used lumbar artery perforator — LAP — flaps, taken from the flank, or love-handle area.

The LAP flap suits a select group of patients. The tissue is firmer than abdominal tissue and often shapes in a way similar to an implant, with the difference that it is the patient’s own and therefore permanent.

Removing tissue from the flank also accentuates the curve of the lower back. Dr. Haddock has one of the largest experiences with this flap in the world and has published extensively on this option for breast reconstruction.