Thigh Flaps
PAP
A beautiful, natural alternative using soft tissue from the upper thigh.
A Perfect Fit for Slender Profiles
Thigh-based flaps, including the PAP (Profunda Artery Perforator), TUG (Transverse Upper Gracilis), and LUG (Longitudinal Upper Gracilis) flaps, are advanced natural-tissue breast reconstruction options that use skin and fat from the upper thigh to recreate a breast. This approach is an especially wonderful solution for women who are naturally slender, desire a smaller breast size, or simply do not have enough abdominal tissue available for a traditional DIEP flap. By carefully utilizing this often-overlooked tissue, we can beautifully recreate a soft, warm, and authentic-feeling breast, while leaving a discreet, easily hidden scar tucked into the natural fold of the leg.
For women who may not have enough tissue in one thigh for breast reconstruction, a stacked thigh-based flap approach may be an option. This technique combines tissue from two flaps, often using both thighs, to provide enough natural tissue to reconstruct a breast.
Procedure
During the procedure, our surgeons utilize meticulous, fellowship-trained microsurgical techniques to delicately transfer the soft tissue and its supplying blood vessels from your thigh to your chest. Because this is a true muscle-sparing technique, the underlying hamstring and leg muscles are carefully preserved and never removed or cut. The transferred tissue is then artfully shaped to restore your natural breast contour, and the donor site on the back of the thigh is gently closed, ensuring you can heal while keeping your physical strength and mobility fully intact.
Benefits
Choosing a PAP flap allows you to enjoy the lifelong peace of mind that comes with a completely natural, implant-free reconstruction that looks, moves, and feels uniquely yours. Because your new breast is created from your own living tissue, it will even change naturally with your body over time. Furthermore, by expertly preserving your leg muscles, this specialized technique supports a smoother, more comfortable recovery, while the resulting scar remains beautifully concealed beneath the curve of your lower body—ensuring you feel completely confident in whatever you choose to wear.
Enhanced safety & efficiency
The Dual-Microsurgeon Model
We are proud to be the first and only plastic surgery practice in Arkansas designed around a collaborative, dual-microsurgeon team approach.
By working in tandem, we are able to significantly reduce operating and anesthesia times, enhance patient safety, and double the precision applied to every detail of your surgery. Typically found only in large, academic medical institutions, this model allows two fellowship-trained microsurgeons to operate together during complex procedures.
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Procedure Illustrations & Video
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Procedure Illustration
Procedure Video
