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Greater than 5 years. This resource was developed, reviewed or revised more than 5 years ago and may no longer reflect current evidence or best practice.
Reconstruction type Pros Cons

Breast implants
  • Less surgery and shorter recovery time compared with tissue flap breast reconstructions
  • Less natural look, feel  and movement than tissue flap breast reconstructions
  • Reconstructed breast sits higher on the chest than a natural breast
  • Does not move like a natural breast (e.g. when lying down)
  • Does not change in size with weight gain or loss
  • Does not ‘age’ with other areas of the body
  • Higher risk of  side effects and complications

LD flap
  • More natural look, feel  and movement compared with implants only
  • Some change in size with weight gain or loss
  • ‘Ages’ more naturally than implants only
    • Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
    • More than one scar
    • Not as much of a change in size with weight gain or loss, compared with TRAM or DIEP flap
    • May affect movement of muscles in the back and arm

    TRAM flap
    • TRAM and DIEP  have the most natural look and feel
    • Usually suitable for women with larger breasts
    • Changes in size with weight gain or loss
    • ‘Ages’ naturally with other areas of the body
      • Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
      • More than one scar
      • Possible weakness of abdominal muscles, with increased risk of hernia

      DIEP flap
      • TRAM and DIEP have the most natural look, feel  and movement
      • Usually suitable for women with larger breasts
      • ‘Ages’ naturally with other areas of the body
      • Less affect on the abdominal muscles compared with TRAM
        • Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
        • More complex surgery than TRAM
        • More than one scar

        Other tissue flaps
        • More natural look, feel  and movement than implants
        • ‘Ages’ naturally with other areas of the body
        • Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
        • More than one scar
        • Fewer breast reconstruction surgeons do these procedures
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