Tram flap complications

Homari16

Hello everyone!! I had a tram flap reconstruction after chemo, surgery and radiation. My radiated breast had to be cut due to infection and another area open by itself. My surgery was 2 months ago. Anyone going through something like this

Moderators

Hi Homari16! Welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry for what you're going through... but wanted to say that we're glad that you found us!

Sorry you didn't get any real answers yet, but we hope our comment will bump your thread to the top and someone who can help will see it and reply.

Best wishes,

The Mods

NancyHB

Homari16 - so sorry to hear of your post-surgical complications. What kind of infection are you dealing with? I had DIEP rather than TRAM (although they're similar) two months ago, on a previously-radiated breast. Two weeks after surgery I ended up back in the hospital (and then had another subsequent hospitalization) for a superbug. I had a small spot open on the nipple incision that my surgeon eventually cut open a little larger to drain the infection, and it helped immensely. I'm still packing that wound four weeks later, but it's significantly smaller and almost healed. I had two other small pinhole areas open and start draining fluid, but they, too, have resolved on their own.

It seems that the infection has likely resolved (I was finally able to stop home IV antibiotics on Monday), but the tissue of my breast is really troubling - lots of edema, swelling and fluid retention, to the point of significant pain. The bottom/underside of my breast is rock hard. I have at least four seromas floating around in there but my PS doesn't seem to want to drain them (risk of infection, I'm sure).

How are you feeling these days?

MaryG59

Hi NancyHB and Homari16!

Do you both think the cause of your flap recon was due to the previously rad breast? Have you also gone for a 2nd opinion of another PS? I am thinking about TRAM flap months after MX surgery. Thanks for your feedback!

NancyHB

Hi Mary,

My problems were due to a hospital-acquired infection, and had nothing to do with the radiated breast tissue. Now that the infection has passed (fingers crossed!!), I am dealing with some radiation-related challenges, particularly edema. Over the weeks the edema has been getting better but I still can't wear a bra and my breasts are two distinctly different sizes. My PS assures me this is normal with radiated tissue but is NOT a long-term concern. In other words - I just have to be patient.

I have not gotten a second opinion from another doctor as I really do trust my PS completely. We discussed my radiated tissue before surgery and I felt he was honest about my chances for radiation-related complications, and I still decided to take the chance on surgery. Even after the infection mess, I have no regrets, and now that it's clearing up and my tissue is starting to settle, I'm getting excited for the final results.