Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator (S-GAP) Free Flap

The superficial gluteal artery perforator (S-GAP) free flap is another perforator free flap that allows utilization of the buttock tissue to create a breast mound.

The skin and fat over the buttock region is raised off the muscle and a blood vessel branch is followed and isolated as it courses through the muscle.

The gluteal muscle is left in place and the skin, fat, and vascular pedicle (free flap) is brought to the chest where the blood vessels from the free flap are connected to blood vessels at the chest using a microscope to reestablish circulation.

By leaving the muscle behind, patients are ambulatory and recover rather quickly with minimal pain. The removal of the skin and fat from the gluteal area results in a slight butt lift.