This article focuses primarily on the unilateral, ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flap. Although the bilateral pedicled TRAM flap may be a reasonable option in some cases, they have been shown to have a significant impact on abdominal wall strength and integrity. Other types of autogenous flaps using the same lower abdominal tissue, such as a free muscle-sparing TRAM or a deep inferior epigastric flap, can be performed as a bilateral procedure with less impact on the abdominal wall. Breast reconstruction with a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis flap has persisted for decades as a reliable and safe form of autologous breast reconstruction leading to a natural and stable breast shape.

John L Semple, MD	Alex Viezel-Mathieu, MD	Sultan Alshaqsi, MD	Kathleen Armstrong, MD

Editor-in-Chief: Kevin Chung, MD
Co-Editor: Amy Colwell, MD
Section Editors: John Y.S. Kim, MD

The following ABMS core competencies will be addressed:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Practice-based Learning and Improvement

Accreditation
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation
The ASPS designates this enduring material for a maximum of1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Of the 1.0 credits, 0.5 have been identified as applicable to patient safety.  

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM:1.0
Patient Safety Credit: 0.5
Media:Journal Article, video
Release Date: 6/01/2023
Expiration Date: 6/01/2026*
Estimated time to complete this course:1 hour
*Course access ends on course expiration date

Disclosure Policy
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) requires all faculty, authors, planners, reviewers, managers, staff and other individuals in a position to control or influence the content of an activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships or affiliations. All identified conflicts of interest must be resolved and the educational content thoroughly vetted by ASPS for fair balance, scientific objectivity and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. The ASPS also requires faculty/authors to disclose when off-label/unapproved uses of a product are discussed in a CME activity or included in related materials.

Disclaimer: All relevant financial relationships for planners, faculty, and others in control of content (either individually or as a group) are reviewed by the ASPS Continuing Education Committee and have been mitigated, if applicable.

The following planners/faculty members/reviewers have no relevant financial relationships or affiliations to disclose:
Kohn L. Semple, MD; Alex Viezel-Mathieu, MD; Sultan Alshaqsi, MD; Kathleen Armstrong, MD

Recognition Statement

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits offered by this activity are enhanced by ASPS Learner Credit Reporting for learners who have opted into this reporting. Successful completion of this CME activity enables active American Board of Surgery (ABS) members the opportunity to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the ABS's Continuous Certification program when claimed within 30 days of completion of the activity.

Participants in ASPS-accredited education who want their CME credits reported to certifying and state licensing boards must opt-into reporting and add their NPI as well as state license ID and/or collaborating board ID(s) before claiming credit.

Directly provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)