Reconstructive Surgery Glossary

Surgical procedure to reduce facial wrinkles and sagging by tightening underlying tissues and removing excess skin.

Deep membranous layer of superficial fascia in the anterior abdominal wall, important in flap harvest procedures.

Fluid collection beneath the skin that commonly occurs after reconstructive surgery procedures.

Superior gluteal artery perforator flap used primarily in breast reconstruction procedures.

Portion of skin included with a tissue flap to monitor circulation and provide external coverage.

Mastectomy technique that preserves the breast skin envelope while removing breast tissue and nipple-areolar complex, fa...

Superficial musculoaponeurotic system - fibrous layer connecting facial muscles to overlying skin.

Reconstructive technique using two separate free flaps combined to achieve adequate volume for large breast reconstructi...

Nipple reconstruction technique using multiple triangular skin flaps arranged in a star pattern to create projection.

Breast reconstruction technique where the implant is placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle for additional soft tiss...

Surgical procedures performed on the contralateral breast to achieve bilateral symmetry following unilateral breast reco...

Emergency return to the operating room for flap salvage or complication management in reconstructive surgery.

Breast-conserving surgery technique that combines tumor excision with breast reduction or lift procedures for optimal co...

Alternative recipient vessels for free flap reconstruction located in the axillary region, used when internal mammary ve...

Inflatable medical device placed under the skin to gradually stretch tissue for reconstruction.

Process of gradually stretching skin and soft tissue using an inflatable device to create additional tissue for reconstr...

Biological or synthetic scaffold material used to support tissue regeneration and implant placement.

Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous flap used in breast reconstruction.

Transverse upper gracilis flap utilizing gracilis muscle and overlying skin from the inner thigh for breast reconstructi...

Liposuction method using large volumes of dilute local anesthetic solution to facilitate fat removal and minimize bleedi...

Breast reconstruction approach using tissue expander placement followed by permanent implant exchange in a separate proc...

Surgical dissection technique creating separation between tissue layers to allow mobilization and tension-free closure.

Impaired blood supply to reconstructed tissue that may lead to partial or complete flap loss if not promptly addressed.

The blood vessel supply that maintains circulation to a transferred tissue flap during reconstruction.