(PAOLI, PA; April 1, 2008) -- Paoli Hospital has joined an elite group of hospitals offering a less painful and less invasive form of breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy. Plastic surgeon David Singer, MD is one of only a few physicians in the Philadelphia region performing the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap procedure, an advanced microsurgical technique that uses excess skin and fat from the stomach to construct a new breast without the need for implants or the sacrifice of stomach muscle.

"DIEP flap surgery can be a better option for many women following mastectomy because the result is a breast that looks and feels more natural with fewer medical problems and a quicker recovery than other reconstructive methods," said Dr. Singer.

Breast reconstruction traditionally involves either breast implants or a transverse-rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap surgery, which uses of part of the patient's stomach muscle in addition to fat and skin.

DIEP is a significant improvement to the TRAM flap procedure because it allows surgeons to rebuild the breast without any loss of muscle. This eliminates many of the complications often associated with muscle loss including significant post-operative pain, weakness, stomach bulging, and abdominal hernia. Many women who undergo this form of reconstruction also enjoy the added benefit of a flatter stomach, with results that mimic a "tummy tuck" procedure.

However, the DIEP procedure is technically complex and lengthy due to the extent of microsurgery that needs to be done to reattach living tissue to the body and reconstruct blood flow to the area. But it does provide the potential for more rapid recovery with patients often resuming all normal activities within three to four weeks.

According to Dr. Singer, not all candidates for breast reconstruction after mastectomy are candidates for the DIEP flap technique. Prior medical history and a lack of adequate abdominal tissue can prevent some women from having the procedure.

"Each patient should consider all the available and appropriate options before making a decision about reconstruction," recommends Dr. Singer, who works closely with each patient to meet their individual preferences and needs.

Dr. Singer is in practice at Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery of Chester County, located at 460 Creamery Way, Suite 101, Exton, with Drs. Paul Kim and Gary Wingate.

Media Contact:
Frieda Schmidt
610-645-3311
schmidtf@mlhs.org

Published:4-1-2008