Breast Reconstruction

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• Breast Reconstruction Overview
• Timing of breast reconstruction - Intermediate versus delayed
• Breast Reconstruction Using Implants
• Flap Reconstruction
• Reconstruction of the Nipple and Areola
• Contra-lateral Balancing Procedures
• Surgical Complications
• Postoperative Drains
• Postoperative Garments
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Breast Reconstruction Introduction

Breast reconstruction is one or more operations performed to restore all components of the breast of women who have undergone mastectomy (removal of the entire breast). Breast reconstruction after mastectomy has evolved over the last century to become an integral component in the therapy for many women with breast cancer. A complete breast reconstruction includes recreating the breast mound, the nipple and areola complex so that the breasts are symmetric with regard to pigmentation, shape, size, projection, and position.

The goals of breast reconstruction include the following:

• to provide permanent breast contour
• to make the breasts look balanced
• to give the convenience of not requiring an external prosthesis

Breast reconstruction can be performed using the following:

• artificial material (silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or saline [a salt-water solution]) placed under the skin
• The woman's own tissues (skin, muscle, fat) from another part of the body (flap reconstruction).
  • Pedicled flap: In this type of flap reconstruction, the tissues remain connected to the area of the body from which they are taken. Specifically, the blood supply to the transplanted tissues is not interrupted.
  • Free flap: In this type of flap reconstruction, the tissues are cut off from the original area and grafted to the chest, and a new blood supply is created for the grafted tissues.
• a combination of artificial material and the woman's own tissues