Reconstructive Surgery Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
GAP flap GAP
Gluteal artery perforator flap used for breast reconstruction, harvesting tissue from the buttock while preserving the gluteal muscle.
abdominoplasty
Surgical procedure to remove excess abdominal skin and fat while tightening underlying muscle fascia.
acellular dermal matrix
Processed human or animal dermis with cells removed, used as biological scaffold in reconstruction.
aesthetic unit
Anatomically defined region of the breast with distinct visual and tactile characteristics used in reconstruction planni...
AlloDerm
A brand name for processed human dermal tissue used as a biological implant in reconstructive procedures.
anastomosis
Surgical connection of two separate structures, such as blood vessels or hollow organs.
animation deformity
Visible breast implant movement or distortion when chest muscles contract in submuscular implant placement.
autograft
Tissue transplanted from one part of a patient's body to another part of the same patient.
Baker grade
A classification system for capsular contracture severity in breast implant patients, ranging from Grade I to Grade IV.
blepharoplasty
Surgical procedure to remove excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids.
bottoming out
A complication where the breast implant migrates inferiorly, creating an unnatural low breast position.
breast envelope
The outer skin boundary and natural shape of the breast that serves as the framework for reconstruction.
capsular contracture
Complication of breast implant surgery where scar tissue tightens around the implant.
capsulectomy
Surgical removal of scar tissue capsule around a breast implant.
capsulorrhaphy
Surgical repair or tightening of the implant capsule to correct implant malposition or provide additional support.
contour deformity
Visible irregularity or asymmetry in breast shape that affects the natural breast outline.
contour irregularity
Visible or palpable asymmetry or deformity in breast reconstruction requiring potential revision surgery.
contralateral symmetry procedure
Surgery performed on the unaffected breast to achieve bilateral symmetry following unilateral reconstruction.
de-epithelialization
Surgical removal of the outer layer of skin while preserving underlying dermis.
dehiscence
Partial or complete separation of surgical wound layers, commonly involving skin edges or deeper tissue planes.
delayed reconstruction
Breast reconstruction performed months to years after mastectomy, allowing for completion of adjuvant therapies before r...
dermal sling
A supportive structure created using dermal tissue to provide internal support and contour in breast reconstruction.
DIEP flap
Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap used in breast reconstruction surgery.
donor site morbidity
Complications and functional impairment resulting from tissue harvest at the donor site in reconstructive surgery.
Doppler monitoring
Non-invasive ultrasonic assessment of blood flow in reconstructed tissue flaps.