First of its kind breast reconstruction surgery carried out in the UAE

Cancer patient’s recovery going smoothly after flap reconstruction procedure takes place in Emirates for the first time.

ABU DHABI // The first reconstructive breast surgery of its kind in the UAE has been performed on a recovering cancer patient who had undergone a double mastectomy.

Deep inferior epigastric perforators (Diep) flap breast reconstruction is a micro-surgical procedure to recreate the shape and feel of a natural breast.

“Diep flaps are free flaps consisting of skin, fatty tissue and tiny blood vessels which are micro-surgically removed from the donor site and then transferred to the chest for reconstruction of the new breast,” said Dr Allen Rezai, who performed the procedure with his team.

“Diep flap breast reconstruction is suited to most women who have some quantity of lower abdominal tissue, enough to reconstruct one or both breasts, depending on the circumstances.

“If there is insufficient abdominal tissue or the tissue is scarred due to previous abdominal surgery, the patient may have to consider other types of breast reconstruction employing donor sites other than the abdomen.”

Such procedures provided the patient with the best possible outcome, and with no physical obstacles they were the most preferred choice as it gave a “natural look”, said Dr Rezai, who works at the Elite Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Group in Dubai.

He added the non-availability of such a surgery in the UAE meant patients had to travel abroad for expensive procedures away from the support of family members.

“This would typically cost them double or triple as they had to pay for accommodation during their stay. This is in addition to the often adverse psychological effect it would have on them, having to undergo such major surgery in a foreign country, away from family and friends,” said Dr Rezai.

The procedure was performed in two stages on Victoria, a patient in her early 30s who had been treated for an aggressive form of breast cancer that lead to the removal of both her breasts.

After a year of treatment and recovery, Victoria decided to have breast reconstruction surgery but found the procedure was not available in the UAE.

“The main challenge for me was to find the right, skilful doctor to perform Diep flap reconstruction, a doctor you could trust. I use the word challenge because breast reconstructive microsurgery has never been performed in the UAE before, it is a complicated and lengthy microsurgery,” she said.

After meeting with Dr Rezai, Victoria was told she was a good candidate for the procedure.

“A patient such as Victoria, who enjoys an active lifestyle and plays sports, would particularly benefit from a reconstruction as with this type of surgery muscles stay intact and as a result she may resume her active lifestyle without any complications once the healing process is complete,” Dr Rezai said.

A month after her surgery, Victoria said there were no complications or infections.

Dr Rezai said she had regained the confidence she lost after her mastectomy.

“I strongly believe that breast reconstruction plays an important factor in a woman’s psychological and physical recovery after having mastectomy. However, it is the individual’s choice to undergo a breast reconstruction post mastectomy.”

“The recovery process is going smoothly and I am very happy about this. I am also positive that the final outcome will also satisfy me,” Victoria said.