Breast reconstruction using your own tissue without the use of implants is called autologous (referring to your own tissue) flap surgery. An autologous flap procedure uses a combination of skin, fat, and/or muscle that is moved from areas such as your abdomen, upper back, upper hip, or buttocks to the chest where it is shaped into a new breast. Not every woman is a candidate for this type of breast reconstruction, and it is best to discuss the pros and cons of these procedures with your surgeon.
The LAT (latissimus dorsi) flap procedure uses muscle and skin from your upper back to create a new breast mound after a mastectomy. In this procedure, an ellipse-shaped area of skin and your latissimus dorsi muscle will be elevated and moved from your upper back to your mastectomy area to create your reconstructed breast. This flap provides a source of soft tissue that can help create a more natural looking breast shape compared to an implant alone. Your reconstructed breast will not look and feel exactly the same as your natural breast, and you will need additional surgery to create a nipple and areola, if your own cannot be saved.
The LAT procedure is most commonly combined with a tissue expander or implant to give the surgeon additional options and more control over the aesthetic appearance of the reconstructed breast.