Breast reconstruction is surgery to rebuild a breast shape after mastectomy.
There are two main types of breast reconstruction:
- Using a breast implant
- Using a portion of tissue, skin and often muscle transferred from another part of the body – called a flap reconstruction
You do not have to make a decision about breast reconstruction straight away. Take time to review the information available. It is normal to have several discussions with your breast or reconstructive surgeon about which option is best for you.
Breast reconstruction is not for everyone. A woman may decide for a variety of reasons that she does not want to have a breast reconstruction, and in fact many women choose not to have a breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Some are happy with their post mastectomy shape, and others use an external breast prosthesis to recreate breast shape. Breast care nurses are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to talking about these options.
Mastectomy may be used to treat breast cancer, or reduce the risk of breast cancer developing in women with a high risk of breast cancer. This is called preventative or prophylactic mastectomy.
The different types of breast reconstruction include:
- Breast implant: an artificial implant that is inserted under the skin and muscle on the chest to form a breast shape.
- Latissimus dorsi (LD) flap: a flap of muscle, skin and fat that is moved from the back to the chest. Usually a breast implant is also inserted to achieve the required breast size.
- Transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous (TRAM) flap: a flap of skin, fatty tissue and muscle that is moved from the abdomen (stomach) to the chest.
- Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap: A flap of skin and fatty tissue that is moved from the abdomen (stomach) to the chest.
- Other tissue flaps: a flap of skin, fatty tissue and sometimes muscle that is taken from another body part, such as the buttocks or hips.
It is important to weigh up the benefits (how the reconstructed breast(s) may look and feel after surgery) with the possible downsides (demands of surgery and the effect of surgery on the woman’s body, time and finances).
Every woman’s breast reconstruction result is different. A pleasing result for one woman might not be a pleasing result for another. Breast refinement procedures may be required following breast reconstruction to enhance the aesthetic outcome (overall appearance and symmetry) of the reconstructed breast(s).
For more information please discuss with your breast and reconstructive surgical team.
Information above adapted from: https://breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au