Immediate postmastectomy reconstruction

Abstract

The role of reconstruction in the management of patients with problems related to breast cancer is of increasing importance. Immediate reconstruction is particularly applicable in those situations where prophylactic mastectomy is performed. High-risk groups who warrant such prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction include those with florid cyst disease, a strong family history of breast cancer, the finding of lobular carcinoma in situ, multiple previous biopsies, and those who have severe and progressive mastodynia. In those with smaller amounts of breast tissue, reconstruction is based on a double layer tissue over a graft, one layer consisting of pectoral muscle and the other of breast skin. In those with more abundant breast tissue, the two layers placed over the graft are both derived from skin flaps, the inner layer a free, denuded dermal graft from the inferior flap and the second layer, the superior breast skin flap itself.

Understanding the importance of reconstructive surgery on quality of life

“…17 In contrast to the preceding paradigm, Wilkins et al 16 demonstrated a significantly better perception of body image in women who had immediate breast reconstruction compared to those whose reconstructions were delayed after the mastectomy. We know that the negative impact of mastectomy on body image is significant and does not appear to improve with time.…”

Reconstruction Following Surgery for Breast Cancer

“…Several studies have shown that the addition of reconstruction does not delay adjuvant systemic therapy or interfere with the monitoring of the mastectomy site for possible local recurrence. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] What are the advantages of immediate reconstruction?…”

Psykologiske Forhold Ved Brystrekonstruktion

“…Eft erhånden som bryst rekonst rukt i ons t ekni kkerne er bl evet forbedrede, og rekonstruktion um iddelbart i forlae ngelse af am putationen (prim ae r brystrekonstruktion) er blevet en mere almindelig procedure, har dette rejst nogle nye problemstillinger, heriblandt hvilket tidspunkt der er det mest optimale for rekonstruktion (Rosato 1980, Dowden 1979.…”