GAP flap breast reconstruction

For patients who do not have sufficient lower abdominal fat for reconstructive flaps, but who prefer the use of autologous tissue, a more viable donor site may be the buttock area. For this free flap, perforating vessels from either the superior gluteal artery (SGAP flap) or the inferior gluteal artery (IGAP flap) can be used as the vascular supply for the transferred tissue. For the SGAP flap, upper buttock tissue is used, resulting in a donor site scar that is concealable under most swimwear. If an IGAP flap is performed, the donor site scar lies within the lower buttock crease.