TWO SURGICAL TEAM APPROACH

Most microsurgeons like to use a two team approach to flap reconstruction. This requires two surgeons (not a PA) operating at the same time, one on the donor area and one on the recipient area. In the case of breast reconstruction, while one surgeon begins to harvest the abdominal flap, the other prepares the recipient breast area for microsurgery.

Two teams offer a significant advantage over single surgeon microsurgery - by operating concurrently rather than serially, there is a significant time saving. More time is allowed for shaping the breast to improve the appearance, rather than spending time on technical aspects of microsurgery. Less time spent in surgery also means less time under anesthesia. And with two surgeons operating, there are times when one surgeon is finished and the other is still preparing an area. This allows the surgeons to take breaks and remain fresh for the entire procedure.