This is a technique I have extensive experience of (with over 600 TRAMs carried out since 1989), and for which I have set up a procedure making it very reliable, reducing to 1% the risk of partial flap necrosis.
The TRAM is a flap using one of the two rectal muscles from the abdominal wall, sectioned on its lower part, in which circulate epigastric vessels that allow blood circulation in the fat and skin flap.
Superior and inferior epigastric vessels all meet in the rectus abdominal muscle.
Before preparation, inferior epigastric vascular flow is predominant.
To improve vascular blood flow (and thus reduce the risk of a poor vascularization and a subsequent flap necrosis) a preparation has to be done beforehand. It consists in a ligation of the inferior epigastric vessels, which reverts the impulse of the vascular blood flow and permits the resumption of vascularization for inferior epigastric vessels
It can be done through surgery (sometimes in the same time as the mastectomy, if this reconstruction is planned from the start) or through embolization (at the vascular radiology department of the Clinique de l’Orangerie, under local anesthesia).
The angiography scan made subsequently shows the quality of the superior epigastric vascularization,
and makes sure that it is sufficient for a good flap vascularization. If this vascularization is asymmetrical, the angiography scan allows to choose the best side.
The muscle removal creates a weakness in the abdominal wall that patients cannot feel in their daily life. The risk of loosening of the abdominal wall or incisional hernia is prevented during the operation with the introduction of a synthetic mesh to support the abdominal wall when it looks fragile. This non-absorbable mesh will be totally unnoticeable for the patient later on. In my pratice, 60% of patients had mesh placed during the reconstruction, 2% had a parietal complication or post-operative incisional hernia, and only half of them (1%) had to be reoperated for it.
Reconstruction with TRAM gives a very natural result with an associated tummy tuck.
It is not suitable for patients with arterial vascular risk (angiopathy or Raynaud’s syndrome), or veinous thrombosis (related to an abnormal V Leiden factor). Due to a higher risk factor related to smoking and obesity, I only offer this technique for non-smoking patients or those having fully quit for at least 6 months, with a body mass index under 30. Age also being a risk factor, all patients over 60 years old should be in great shape.
This surgery can sometimes result in a very benificial makeover for the patient.
It can be suitable even when the abdomen seems to lack volume and the body mass index is under 20.
It can be resorted to even in case of median scar under the navel, then using only half the tissues under the navel.
In some situations (immediate reconstruction, or a patient who doesn’t tolerate a reconstruction with prosthesis), a TRAM can be done de-epitheliazed to limit scarring.
More seldom can TRAM be done on both breasts, as it brings in more risks to the abdominal wall.
Other techniques