Caption

Breast reconstruction surgery. This is the transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous (TRAM) flap method. The surgeon makes a flap of skin and muscle, which will be used to reconstruct the missing breast, from the abdomen. The flap is moved under the skin of the lower chest, leaving the muscle still attached at the abdomen to preserve its blood supply and nerve connections. This is considered the best method of breast reconstruction. It uses the patient's own tissue, so there is no chance of rejection. It produces a natural-seeming breast, and the operation makes the abdomen slimmer.