Babak J. Mehrara, MD

I am a plastic surgeon who specializes in cancer reconstruction.  I have specialized training in a microsurgery and extensive experience in reconstruction with perforator flaps, including DIEP and SGAPs for breast reconstruction. The term “microsurgery” refers to surgery in which tissues are transplanted from one region of the body to another by reconnecting small blood vessels using a microscope. 

Perforator flaps are the latest and most advanced microsurgical techniques available for reconstruction.  These techniques are an improvement on traditional microsurgery since in perforator flaps there is much less trauma to the area from which transplanted tissues are collected.  For example, in the DIEP flap, the rectus muscle (commonly known as the “6-pack”) of the abdomen is preserved, while in traditional TRAM flap procedures this muscle is cut resulting in more pain, longer recovery, and higher chance of hernias after surgery.  I have lectured nationally and internationally on breast reconstruction and have published extensively on the topic.