Rectus Abdominis Free Flap Procedure

What is Rectus Abdominis Free Flap Procedure

Rectus abdominis free flap procedure is a reconstructive surgery. It is done to return the body to its normal appearance or to help the body work the way it used to.

The procedure is often done to reconstruct breast tissue after breast surgery or to replace tissues in the neck, head, hands, legs, or other parts of the body.

During this surgery, tissue is removed from the long, flat muscle in front of the abdomen (rectus abdominis). The tissue is placed in the part of the body that is being reconstructed.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • Whether you smoke or use tobacco products. These can interfere with anesthesia and slow the healing process.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Scarring.
  • Bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Allergic reactions to medicines.
  • Damage to other structures or organs.
  • Blood clots.
  • Losing feeling (sensation) in the abdomen.
  • Losing sensation in the part of the body that gets the tissue from the abdomen.

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

  • Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

  • 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
  • 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
  • 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
  • 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

Medicines

  • Ask your health care provider about:
    • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
    • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine to prevent infection, take it as told by your health care provider.

General instructions

  • Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital.
  • Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
  • Ask your health care provider if you need to lose weight before the procedure. Being overweight can increase the risk of problems.
  • You may have imaging tests done, such as a CT scan or MRI.
  • You may have blood or urine samples taken.
  • Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
  • You may be asked to shower with a germ-killing soap.

What happens during the procedure?

  • To reduce your risk of infection:
    • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
    • Your skin will be washed with soap.
    • Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
  • An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
  • You will be given one or more of the following:
    • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
    • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
    • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
  • An incision will be made in your abdomen.
  • A piece of muscle tissue, along with the attached blood supply or blood vessels, will be removed from your abdomen (donor site).
  • The donor-site tissue will be attached to the site being repaired (recipient site). The tissue and blood vessels from the donor site will be reattached to tissue and blood vessels at the recipient site.
  • The wound on the donor site will be closed with stitches (sutures). In some cases, skin from another part of the body may be needed to close the wound (skin graft).
  • A small tube (drain) may be placed in the area to drain blood and fluid from the wound.
  • A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the donor site and recipient site.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

  • Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
  • You may be given medicine for pain. You may also be given antibiotics.
  • You may have IV tubes inserted to provide medicines and nutrients while you are in the hospital.
  • You will need to stay in the hospital. Ask your health care provider how long you will stay.
  • You may have to wear compression stockings or sleeves. These help prevent blood clots and reduce swelling in your legs and arms.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.

Summary

  • The rectus abdominis free flap procedure is a reconstructive surgery.
  • The procedure is often done to reconstruct breast tissue after breast cancer or to replace tissues in the neck, head, hands, legs, or other parts of the body.
  • Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur.
  • You will need to stay in the hospital after the procedure.

Rectus Abdominis Free Flap Procedure, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

  • Swelling, bruising, and pain in the abdomen where tissue was removed (donor site).
  • Swelling, bruising, and pain at the site where the diseased tissue was removed and replaced (recipient site).
  • Sleepiness from the medicines that you were given during the procedure.
  • Fluid drainage from the area of the incisions.
  • Scarring.

Follow these instructions at home:

Driving

  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative) during the procedure.
  • Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Medicines

  • Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

Incision care

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incisions. Make sure you:
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
    • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
    • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider on how to care for surgical drains. Drains may be in place for 3–5 days after the procedure.
  • Check your incision areas every day for signs of infection. Check for:
    • More redness, swelling, or pain.
    • More fluid or blood.
    • Warmth.
    • Pus or a bad smell.

Activity

  • Avoid activities that take a lot of effort (are strenuous) as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg) until your health care provider says that it is safe.

General instructions

  • To prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:
    • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
    • Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
    • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
    • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods.
  • Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
  • Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These can delay healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
  • Wear compression garments as told by your health care provider. Compression garments help to prevent blood clots and reduce swelling.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Fluid collects under your incisions and does not go away.
  • Your pain gets worse, and medicines do not help.
  • You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your incisions.
  • You have more fluid or blood coming from your incisions.
  • Your incisions feel warm to the touch.
  • You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incisions.
  • You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

  • You have chest pain.
  • You have trouble breathing.

Summary

  • This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your rectus abdominis free flap procedure.
  • After this procedure, it is common to have swelling, bruising, and pain in the area where the tissue was removed (donor site). You may also have these symptoms at the site where the diseased or damaged tissue was removed and replaced (recipient site).
  • Make sure you check your incisions every day for signs of infection.
  • Ask your health care provider when it is safe to return to your normal activities.
  • Make sure you keep all follow-up visits with your health care provider.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856