Breast reconstruction using tissue from your thigh
A new breast shape can be made from fat, skin and sometimes muscle taken from your thigh (s).
About breast reconstruction using tissue from your thigh
Breast reconstruction using tissue from the thigh is a free flap operation. It uses skin, fat and sometimes muscle from the upper inner thigh. You may have it when the tummy area (abdomen) cannot be used. The type of operation may vary depending on the part of the inner thigh the surgeon uses. You may have a vertical or diagonal scar.
There are 2 options when using tissue from your thigh. You may have one of the following:
- A TMG flap (transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap). Or you may have another version of this such as a:
- TUG flap (transverse upper gracilis flap)
- LUG flap (L-shaped upper gracilis flap)
- DUG flap (diagonal upper gracilis flap).
- A PAP flap (profunda artery perforator flap). This method does not use muscle.
The plastic surgeon removes tissue from the thigh. They attach the blood vessels that supply the flap to the blood vessels in the chest. This is done using microvascular surgery.
Not all hospitals offer this type of reconstruction. So you may need to travel if it is an option for you.
Who is it suitable for?
Reconstruction using tissue from the thigh may be suitable if you:
- have small to medium-size breasts
- have had surgery to the tummy area
- have scarring on the tummy area
- have upper thighs that touch
- are slim.
It may not be suitable if you want large breasts reconstructed.
What are the limitations?
- You will have a scar on your breast and a scar on your inner thigh.
- Your upper thigh may become numb or lose some feeling.
- You may need surgery to lift or reduce your natural breast so both breasts are a good match.
- One thigh may be slightly smaller than the other after surgery.
- Rarely, tissue is taken from both thighs to try to make sure the breast size matches as much as possible.
What are the risks?
With any operation, there are risks, such as infection. There are also some specific risks with this type of reconstruction.
Fluid under the wound (seroma)
Sometimes after wound drains are taken out, fluid builds up under the wound. This is called a seroma. You may need a dressing, but seromas usually get better within a few weeks.
If a seroma occurs near the thigh wound before it has healed, it may seep through the wound. This may delay healing. If this happens, it can take several weeks or sometimes a few months to fully heal.
Swelling of the leg
You may be asked to wear supportive clothing for up to 6 weeks after the operation. This may include cycling shorts and support (TED) stockings. These will reduce the risk of swelling in the leg and groin area after the operation.
Long-term swelling in the leg is rare. Your surgeon will take care to prevent this. There are fine tubes, called lymph vessels, in the legs. These drain fluid from tissue. If some of these tubes are damaged during the operation, fluid may build up in the lower leg. This fluid build-up is called lymphoedema. Although lymphoedema can be treated, it never goes away completely.
Tightness in the upper inner thigh
About our information
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our breast reconstruction information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
European Journal of Surgical Oncology. Oncoplastic breast surgery: A guide to good practice A. Gilmour et al. Published 5th May 2021. associationofbreastsurgery.org.uk/media/359061/abs-oncoplastic-guidelines-2021.pdf (accessed April 2023)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Early and locally advanced breast cancer: diagnosis and management. Guidelines. July 2018. Last updated: April 2023. Available from: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng101 (accessed April 2023)
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Early breast cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow up. Last updated 2019. Annals of Oncology 30: 1194–1220, 2019. Available from: www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(19)31287-6/pdf (accessed April 2023)
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Professor Mike Dixon, Professor of Surgery and Consultant Breast Surgeon.
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We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.
We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:
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Date reviewed
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