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Breast Reconstruction


A Womans Breasts marked for reconstruction

What is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Every year, many women have to undergo mastectomy due to this disease. Breast reconstruction is a procedure that provides the reconstruction of a breast using various silicone implants or the individual’s own tissues, for those who have experienced breast loss due to various reasons.

The timing of this procedure should be evaluated by a general surgeon, an oncologist, and a plastic surgeon together. If conditions are suitable, mastectomy can be performed.

The method to be used depends on the patient’s treatment history. If the individual has undergone or needs to undergo radiotherapy, the use of silicone implants is not appropriate. It is necessary to use the patient’s own tissues. Therefore, before deciding on the method to be applied, definite pathology results should be awaited or other alternatives should be considered until risky situations are resolved.

This procedure does not increase the risk of breast cancer or hinder screenings. It empowers individuals psychologically and helps them return to daily life.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and depending on the method, you can return to your daily life within a few weeks. Multiple surgeries may be required for symmetrical and natural-looking breasts.

How Are Breast Reconstruction Surgeries Performed?

After the breast is removed through surgery, tissue expanders are placed beneath the breast skin and chest wall muscle. During the postoperative period, the surgeon inflates the tissue expander by injecting saline through a port placed under the skin.

This process ensures that the skin reaches sufficient width. After this is achieved, the tissue expander is removed, and a permanent prosthesis is placed in its place. The areola (the brown ring around the nipple) and the nipple are then reconstructed later.

Skin expansion may not be necessary in every patient. In such cases, if skin expansion is not performed, it may be possible to place a permanent prosthesis simultaneously with mastectomy.

What Methods Are Used in Breast Reconstruction Surgery?

There are various methods that can be applied for breast reconstruction. Before deciding on one of these options, the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon determine the most suitable method for surgery and when the surgery will be performed. After evaluating the patient’s age, anatomical structure, and postoperative expectations based on general health status, the most appropriate method is selected.

Skin Expansion:

Among the breast reconstruction techniques, skin expansion is the most preferred method. In this method, a tissue expander is placed beneath the breast skin and chest muscles. Then, the surgeon inflates the tissue expander by injecting saline under the skin through a valve that can be separated from the tissue expander. After these procedures, once the skin reaches the desired width, a second surgery is performed to remove the tissue expander. At this stage, a permanent prosthesis is placed here. The areola and nipple are then reconstructed later.

In some cases, skin expansion may not be necessary. In such cases, it may be possible to place a permanent prosthesis simultaneously with mastectomy.

Flap Reconstruction:

As an alternative method, flap reconstruction may also be preferred. Flap reconstruction is a method of making a breast using tissue taken from another part of the body, such as the abdomen, back, or buttocks, if breast implants are not preferred.

Who Are Suitable Candidates for Breast Reconstruction (Repair)?

It is possible to say that all individuals who have undergone mastectomy are suitable candidates for breast reconstruction. In some cases, breast reconstruction can be performed together with mastectomy. However, before making a decision, a general surgeon, an oncologist, and a plastic surgeon should evaluate the situation together, and a decision should be made accordingly. If there are conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and the patient’s own tissue will be used, it may be necessary to wait a little longer for breast reconstruction surgery.

After the loss of a breast due to various reasons such as breast cancer, breast reconstruction (repair) is possible.

What Are the Risks of Breast Reconstruction Surgery?

Risks that may be encountered in other surgeries may also apply to breast reconstruction surgery. The most common risks include bleeding and postoperative conditions such as swelling/fluid accumulation. Infections usually occur when implants are preferred. In such a case, the implant is removed and can be reattempted later. Smoking can cause various risks because it slows down the healing process. Breast reconstruction surgery does not cause the cancer condition to recur. Also, this operation does not interfere with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

What is the Postoperative Process After Breast Reconstruction (Breast Repair)?

Pain after breast reconstruction surgery is manageable with pain relievers. You can be discharged from the hospital within 2 to 5 days after the operation. Generally, drains are inserted to drain fluid accumulated between tissues. These drains are removed 1-2 weeks after surgery. Stitches are removed after an average of 7 to 10 days. Normal life can be resumed within 1 week after surgery. Breast reconstruction surgery does not restore normal sensation. Some sensation may be felt over time. Most of the scars after surgery become less noticeable over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Breast Reconstruction Mean?

Breast reconstruction, also known as breast repair surgery, may be necessary to reconstruct the breast, usually due to breast cancer, burn traumatic conditions, or congenital anomalies. Breast reconstruction is called for in such cases to repair the breast.

How is a New Breast Made in Place of the Removed Breast?

Breast repair may be preferred after the breast is removed due to breast cancer. There are various techniques applied for breast repair. Depending on conditions such as tumor size, the patient’s age, and general health, a decision can be made on the technique to be applied. A roadmap specific to the patient is determined by evaluating the situation together with the breast surgeon, oncologist, and plastic surgeon. Breast repair can be performed using techniques such as skin expansion or flap reconstruction.

How is Breast Repair Done with Diep Flap?

Diep flap is a method that has been widely preferred in recent years because it completely preserves muscle tissue and is performed without harming the body. Skin and fat tissue just below the navel are taken, as in an abdominal tuck surgery. However, here, unlike in other cases, the tissue is taken while preserving the veins that have come from the muscle. The tissue, along with these veins, is injected into the chest region while preserving its veins.

What Is the Right Timing for Breast Reconstruction?

To determine the right timing, the general surgeon, oncologist, and plastic surgeon who perform the surgery need to evaluate the case together. After this evaluation, if it is decided that breast reconstruction surgery can be performed, the person can have the surgery at any time.

What Is the Repair of the Nipple and Areola?

Multiple surgeries may be required to create a natural breast after mastectomy. Initially, breast tissue is created using the preferred method. In a second operation, the nipple and areola (the dark circular area around the breast) are formed. Tattooing can be done for the areola, or the areola can be formed using skin taken from the other nipple/groin.

How Is Symmetry Between the Breasts Achieved?

If breast reconstruction surgery is performed unilaterally, differences may occur compared to the other breast. The breast made with breast reconstruction may be firmer and younger than the other breast. Various operations can be preferred to achieve symmetry with the other breast. If the breast is smaller than the reconstructed breast, it can be enlarged with an implant. In cases where the breast is sagging, breast lift surgery may be preferred.

How Are Breast Reconstruction Surgeries Performed?

After the breast is removed through surgery, tissue expanders are placed beneath the breast skin and chest wall muscle. During the postoperative period, the surgeon inflates the tissue expander by injecting saline through a port placed under the skin.

This process ensures that the skin reaches sufficient width. After this is achieved, the tissue expander is removed, and a permanent prosthesis is placed in its place. The areola (the brown ring around the nipple) and the nipple are then reconstructed later.

Skin expansion may not be necessary in every patient. In such cases, if skin expansion is not performed, it may be possible to place a permanent prosthesis simultaneously with mastectomy.

Breast Reconstruction: Types of Prostheses Used

While the outer layer of the breast prostheses used consists of silicone, the inner layer contains either silicone gel or saline.

What Complications Can Occur After Breast Reconstruction?

As with other surgeries, complications can occur after breast reconstruction. Bleeding may occur during or after breast reconstruction surgery. Postoperative infection may develop in the patient. This condition can be resolved with antibiotic treatment. Accumulation of fluid under the stitches may occur after surgery. It may be necessary to drain this accumulated fluid. Postoperative scars may form on the patient. However, most of these scars become less noticeable over time. Occasionally, sensory problems may occur after reconstruction. This condition may improve over time.

Can Exercise Be Done After Breast Reconstruction Surgery?

Exercises that increase shoulder and arm movements can generally be started a few days after surgery. In the following period, exercises that will strengthen your arm can be added to your program. Some exercises should not be performed until drains and stitches are removed, so it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Surgeon is Marking patients breasts
Breast Reconstruction

Feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries or any additional questions regarding the procedure.

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