For patients who have had mastectomy, Duke offers the full spectrum of reconstructive options, from implant reconstruction to Tram and Latissimus Flap surgeries, to state-of-the-art “perforator flap” procedures

Reconstructive surgeons work closely with tumor resection surgeons to provide personalized care for each patient. Surgery to rebuild the breast mound can be performed if possible at the time of mastectomy, or in a delayed fashion after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Pedicle Flaps

Both the tram and the latissimus flaps can be used to recreate a breast. In this type of reconstruction, the muscle acts as a carrier of blood supply to the transferred fat and skin. These techniques have been used reliably for decades; Gregory Georgiade, MD, and Michael Zenn, MD, are nationally known for their expertise in this area.

Perforator Flaps

Duke is the only center in North Carolina with a board-certified plastic surgeon performing breast reconstruction with perforator flaps.

These procedures uses the patient’s own skin, blood vessels, and fat, usually from the abdomen or buttock, and sacrifices no muscle.

The result looks and feels natural and brings fewer medical problems and faster recovery times than methods that require the use of a patient’s muscles.

These procedures take the best aspect of standard techniques that use muscle while limiting potential problems (foreign body reactions, scarring, muscle weakness, hernias).

Due to the microsurgery expertise required to use perforator flaps, few institutions nationally provide this procedure.

Zenn has been utilizing microsurgery for breast reconstruction for more than a decade. He performed his first perforator flap for breast reconstruction in 2003, and they are now commonly performed at Duke.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Georgiade, Gregory S.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery
• Hollenbeck, Scott T.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery
• Levinson, Howard
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery
  • Pathology
• Zenn, Michael R.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center
  2400 Pratt Street, Durham, NC 27710
• Duke University Hospital
  2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710