A free TRAM flap is separated from the body freeing it from the original blood vessels and re-attached to new blood vessels in the chest or axilla.
The pedicled TRAM flap derives its blood flow from the upper part of the rectus muscle and is rotated and tunneled into the chest.
Both have the transverse abdominal muscle, fat and skin transferred but the free TRAM has a stronger blood flow and could be a reasonable choice in patients with a potentially impaired blood supply such as smokers, diabetics, and obese patients.
More information regarding plastic surgery in Modesto for breast reconstruction.