The Rubens Fat Pad Free Flap

Summary

The Rubens fat pad free flap is a relatively new procedure that can provide excellent tissue for breast reconstruction in patients who cannot have TRAM flaps but who are otherwise good surgical candidates. The flap is technically more difficult than a TRAM flap but is capable of achieving equally excellent results. As with a TRAM flap, the donor site scar is relatively inconspicuous, and bilateral reconstruction is possible. Along with the extended latissimus dorsi flap and the inferior gluteal flap, the Rubens flap is a reasonable alternative for patients who desire autologous tissue breast reconstruction but because of previous surgery cannot undergo a TRAM flap procedure. At the time of this writing, experience with this flap is relatively limited. In the future, as surgeons become increasingly familiar with the Rubens flap, it will perhaps grow in popularity.