Breast reconstruction | Mastectomy

Breast reconstruction

For many women, the removal of one or both breasts is associated with a great psychological burden and restriction of their femininity and body image. For this reason, many women decide to undergo surgical reconstruction of the female breast. In this case, artificial implants are used, which consist of silicone gel or are filled with table salt.

These are placed directly under the skin or implanted under the large breast muscle. Another option is the so-called flap plastic surgery, in which the body’s own structures are used for reconstruction. Skin, fat and muscle tissue from other parts of the body such as the back (e.g. latissimus dorsi muscle) or the abdominal wall are used to build a new breast.

Which method is preferred can be decided individually and in consultation with the treating gynecologists. It is also often necessary to reconstruct a new nipple. For this purpose, a nipple can be recorded by means of a tattoo or, for example, can be reshaped from parts of the nipple on the opposite side.

Usually a satisfactory optical result can be achieved for the patient. In immediate breast reconstruction, the mammary gland including the tumor is removed in one and the same operation and immediately afterwards a breast reconstruction made of artificial implants or the patient’s own body tissue is performed. The obvious advantage of this procedure is that the patient wakes up from surgery with two breasts, which is a great benefit, especially from a psychological point of view.

However, immediate breast reconstruction is associated with a longer duration of the operation and possibly an increased rate of complications, so it is out of the question in very sick and unstable patients. In such cases, breast reconstruction surgery should not be performed until several months after mastectomy, preferably after complete completion of cancer treatment. If additional radiation is necessary after a mastectomy, breast reconstruction should only be carried out after the mastectomy has been completed, as otherwise complications such as capsule formation around the implant will occur more frequently.