What does “autologous tissue” mean?
The goal of breast reconstruction using autologous tissue is to achieve a permanently natural shape and soft texture of the breast.
Autologous tissue refers to breast reconstruction using the body’s own tissue. Tissue is harvested from one area of the body and used to reconstruct the breast. A prerequisite is that the donor site provides sufficient tissue and volume to replace the corresponding breast volume.
For breast reconstruction, we use autologous tissue from the lower abdomen (DIEP flap = deep inferior epigastric perforator Flap) or from the gluteal crease (FCI Flap = inferior gluteal fascio-cutaneous flap). Both flap reconstructions consist of skin and fatty tissue and are supplied by the body’s own blood vessels.
The choice of flap reconstruction (DIEP or FCI) depends on existing scars, sufficient fat tissue and skin in the donor area, and the volume of the breast to be reconstructed.
Below, we will describe both options in more detail.