After breast cancer surgery there are a variety of options available to the patient to reconstruct the breast. Learn more from Dr. Mark Sisco on behalf of NorthShore University HealthSystem about reconstruction surgery.
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What Reconstruction Techniques Are Available After Breast Cancer Surgery?
Oncoplastic surgery can help treat cancer while improving the shape of the breast at the same time.
The number of operations required for breast reconstruction depends on the type of procedure.
When diagnosed with breast cancer, most women are at the age when they have small areas of skin or excess fat around the belly, and many may have been thinking about having a tummy tuck. A breast reconstruction and tummy tuck can be performed at the same time, and the genius of this procedure is that instead of performing the tummy tuck and throwing the tissue away, the doctor can transfer that tissue to the chest area to simulate the appearance of a breast. This procedure is usually covered by your health insurance company.
The timing of breast reconstruction following cancer surgery varies according to the stage and progression of the cancer, preferences of the woman and the surgeon and other treatments that might be necessary. Following are options for timing of breast reconstruction surgery:
Staged breast reconstruction is a procedure for replacing removed breast tissue over time.
"Simultaneous breast reconstruction" is actually a term that requires clarification. One use of the term refers to the timing of reconstruction while another use refers to the sequence of reconstruction in cases of a double mastectomy.
Breast reconstruction during the same anesthetic event as the mastectomy may be termed simultaneous reconstruction, immediate reconstruction, or primary reconstruction. While this approach can be ideal, it may not be appropriate in selected cases (such as women who are anticipated to have radiation following their mastectomy).
Simultaneous reconstruction is also a termed used when referring to reconstruction of both breasts at the same surgical setting. In other words, if there is a loss of both breasts a "simultaneous reconstruction" may refer to reconstructing both breasts at the same surgery. This term most commonly arises when discussing the use of buttock (gluteal) tissues to reconstruct a double (bilateral) mastectomy defect. Some surgical practices will reconstruct one side, allow the patient to recover, then reconstruct the opposite side at a later date. This is a staged reconstruction. Other practices may reconstruct both breasts in the same surgical setting (e.g. simultaneous bilateral S-GAP breast reconstruction).