TUT (transverse upper thigh without gracilis muscle) Flap

Some women deposit an abundance of fat along the inner thigh. The excess skin and fat from the upper inner thigh can be used to create a breast. The scar is usually located a little below the inguinal crease, and may be visible in a bathing suit until the scar fades. The TUG and TUT flap are two techniques that can be used with medial (inner) thigh breast reconstruction.

About 40% of the time, the blood vessel that nourishes this tissue (medial femoral circumflex artery) does not divide into many smaller branches, and it is possible to use the upper inner thigh tissue without removing any portion of the gracilis muscle.

MRA imaging of the inner thigh tissue enables Dr. Vasile to identify the blood vessel characteristics and exact locations of the vessels nourishing the thigh tissue. This enables Dr. Vasile to determine whether it is likely or not likely that a portion of the gracilis muscle will need to be removed. This knowledge can help identify suitable patients and donor sites for surgery.