The decision to undergo breast reconstruction is normally a very private one as the person who has the surgery likely has deeply personal reasons for wanting the procedure. Breast reconstruction can be performed via the placement of breast implants in the area of the breasts or the performance or a flap technique. Keep reading for a look at how breast reconstruction is performed, and the risks involved with the treatment.
When it comes to breast reconstruction surgery, some of the possible risks include:
Even with the possible risks listed above, patients who have breast implants placed in the body can be confident about their choice as the implants have to be approved by the FDA which means they have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness. The majority of breast implant patients do not experience any complications, but the possible risks are still important information for the patient to know.
The procedure begins with anesthesia being given to the patient to keep the person comfortable during the surgery. If the patient wants to have a flap technique, they might not have enough tissue on the chest wall to support a breast implant (which is often the case after radiation therapy or a mastectomy). In these cases, breast reconstruction can be performed using a flap technique.
A TRAM flap is a technique that uses skin, donor muscle, and fat from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast. The flap can remain attached to the original blood supply and then it is moved in an upward direction through the chest. The flap can also be detached so it can be formed into a breast mound.
The performance of a latissimus dorsi flap is when fat, muscle, and skin from the back of the patient is tunneled to the site of the mastectomy while remaining attached to the donor site so the blood supply is left intact.
If the surgeon performs a SIEA flap or DIEP flap, only fat and skin are moved to the chest from the abdomen. The surgeon will not move an abdominal muscle. If the patient does not have enough tissue located on the lower abdomen, the thighs or buttocks can also be used as a donor site. There are times when the flap is able to reconstruct a breast mound in its entirety but there are also times when the latissimus flap is needed to provide the necessary muscle and tissue to cover and support a breast implant.
The placement of a breast implant can be performed either as an alternative to a flap technique or in addition to a flap technique. In addition, breast implants (both saline and silicone) can be placed as a temporary measure during a breast cancer treatment until the patient is ready to undergo an involved flap reconstruction. If a person undergoes breast reconstruction only with breast implants, the doctor will likely need to expand some of the tissue in the targeted area. There is also a possibility of direct-to-implant breast reconstruction for female patients who are undergoing a mastectomy with certain characteristics of a tumor or specific breast shapes.
When a patient is considering having breast reconstruction surgery, they will need to schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified surgeon who can examine the breasts and also explain the breast reconstruction options to the patient.
During the consultation appointment, there are some common questions the patient should ask in order to get the necessary information about the surgery. Some of these questions include:
The patient should not be afraid to ask any questions as the consultation appointment is the time to chat one-on-one with the doctor and voice any concerns or questions about the surgery. The patient can also ask to see photos of actual patients treated by the surgeon in the past in order to get a better idea about the type of results that can be expected from the specific breast reconstruction technique. Once the patient has all of the necessary information about the technique suggested by the doctor, the person can make an informed and educated decision about having breast reconstruction surgery.
- MA
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