Through this program, breast cancer patients have also been given more reconstructive options beyond just implants, including using their own tissues for reconstruction.
“Essentially with this surgery, we do a transplant utilizing a patient’s own tissues, without impacting a patient’s abdominal strength, and use that tissue to mold a new, natural appearing breast,” said Markov. “This is commonly referred to as a deep inferior epigastric perforators, or DIEP, flap.”
Wright-Patterson Medical Center’s advanced reconstruction program not only helps provide specialty care to beneficiaries, it serves to maintain critical wartime readiness skills required to restore form and function to severely injured wounded warriors. It is one of the few military treatment facilities across all services with such a program.
“The plastic surgeons are only part of what it took to reach this milestone. It took a team of 88th Medical Group professionals, from the nurses and technicians in the operating room to the tremendous critical care nursing support in the intensive care unit,” said Markov. “We cannot thank them enough.”
To schedule a consultation, contact the Wright-Patterson Medical Center, 88th Medical Group Plastic Surgery Clinic, at 937-257-9922.
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