The below question is answered by Charleston breast surgeon, Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

When would we use the ICAP flap for breast reconstruction and what are the advantages of this procedure?

The TCAP flap is a procedure for reconstructing the breast or partial breast reconstruction and is another of the muscle-sparing flaps. The ICAP does not require microsurgery or reattachment of the blood vessels, but usually the amount of tissue available is small.  In our experience it is most frequently used to perform partial breast reconstruction of mainly the outer side of the breast or to add volume to a previously reconstructed breast or when the resulting size is not as quite as large as desired from the original planned procedure.  An advantage of the ICAP flap is that it removes tissue from the side of the body that is usually in excess and sometimes bothersome following a mastectomy.  It is just above the bra line and the scar, and although it extends to the back, can almost always be covered in a bathing suit or a support type bra.  Again, the ICAP’s best use is in adding additional tissue to an already reconstructed breast or providing small amounts of tissue for partial breast reconstruction.  It typically does not involve microsurgery to reconnect the blood vessels and the blood vessel that nourishes the tissue is conveniently located on the side of the body near the breast just above the bra line.

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