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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Wilfred R. Ehrmantraut, Jr., MD, PA
Breast Cancer Reconstruction Today
Plastic Surgery Center of Southern Maryland, P.A.
. http://www.plasticsurgeryofsomd.com

Breast Cancer Reconstruction Today

Sadly one in eight U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The good news is that today there are more options than ever for patients regarding treatments and reconstruction. Many women choose to pursue reconstruction and many don't. It is a very individual and important decision. Every woman should be informed of their reconstruction options so they can make the best possible decision for themselves.

When faced with breast cancer, every woman should have a full team of medical professionals to provide optimum care, including

Primary Care Physician/Gynecologist

General Surgeon/Breast Surgeon

Plastic Surgeon

Oncologist

Radiologist/Radiation Oncologist

Breast Care Navigator

Plastic surgeons are specifically trained in reconstructing tissue and are a vital part of the breast care team. Today, there are more breast conserving surgeries and treatments available. However, even with these surgeries women may have noticeable deformities such as indentations and asymmetry. So patients should consult with a plastic surgeon early in their journey to know their options.

Breast reconstruction may be immediate or delayed. Immediate breast reconstruction is performed at the same time as the mastectomy surgery. In some cases patients may not be candidates for immediate reconstruction because they may have advanced disease or may need radiation. In these cases, it is better for the patient to delay reconstruction until all treatments have been completed.

There are many types of breast reconstruction surgeries including

Post-Mastectomy Expander/Implant

Direct to Implant

TRAM Flap

Abdominal Free Flap

LD Flap

GAP Flap

Inner Thigh Free Flap

A post-mastectomy expander implant reconstruction surgery is when the plastic surgeon places an expander implant inside the breast pocket immediately after the breast surgeon performs the mastectomy. Once the patient heals from the surgery, about four weeks, the patient will return to the plastic surgeons office to undergo expansion of the tissue expander. Once the patient is fully expanded they will need to undergo another surgery to remove the expander implant and place a more permanent saline or silicone breast implant in its place. Direct to implant reconstruction surgery is when the plastic surgeon places a fully inflated saline or silicone implant inside the breast pocket immediately after the breast surgeon performs the mastectomy.

TRAM flap reconstruction surgery is performed by using a patient's own body tissue, specifically abdominal muscle, tissue, skin and fat to reconstruct a breast following mastectomy. Abdominal free flap reconstruction surgery involves microsurgical procedures such as deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, superficial inferior epigastric artery (SEIA) flap and TRAM free flap. LD flap reconstruction surgery is where the plastic surgeon elevates the latissimus dorsi flap from the patient's back around to the chest to provide a source of soft tissue to create a natural looking breast shape. GAP flap reconstruction surgery involves using skin and fat from the buttocks to reconstruct breasts. Inner thigh free flap reconstruction surgery uses skin, fat and muscle from the inner portion of the upper thigh to reconstruct breast. The tissue is dissected from the inner thigh and transplanted to the chest where it is reattached micro surgically.

Every woman faced with breast cancer should have a discussion with a board certified plastic surgeon in order to help them fully understand all the different breast reconstruction options, and which one may be best for them given their particular medical history and body shape. Reconstruction is a physically and emotionally rewarding procedure for women who have lost a breast due to cancer, trauma or other conditions. The creation of a new breast can improve a woman's self-image, confidence and even quality of life.

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