Breast reconstruction;
refers to the aesthetic reconstruction of one or both breasts operated on for
cancer using one's own tissue or implant. It can be performed immediately after
a cancer operation in the same session or at a later scheduled time. After the
joint decision of the person and the doctor, a new breast tissue is
constructed, either from the patient's own tissue or from silicone materials
such as prostheses and expander.
Who is this operation for?
All mastectomized women who have
made a definitive decision for this operation, who have completed the medical
cancer treatment and have no other serious illnesses that could prevent the
surgery, are suitable candidates for breast reconstruction.
Which techniques are used?
Nowadays, after mastectomy, the main treatment options for
mending the breast are:
Temporary
tissue expander followed by permanent implantation (silicone prosthesis).
Permanent expander implants (Becker
prosthesis)
Use of a
permanent expander or implant with muscle tissue
Use of autogenous
muscle tissue (repair by flaps)
Factors
such as the type of mastectomy, skin quality, cancer treatment, the quality of
the muscle-skin-donor areas in the body, the age of the patient, and other
conditions determine which method is used.
How is the surgical procedure regulated?
Anesthesia: The operation
is performed under general anesthesia.
Turning the flaps off the own tissue to form a
breast mass or cover an implant: TRAM flaps or latissimus dorsi flaps are the
most commonly used techniques for this purpose.
Tissue expansion (Tissue stretching): In patients with healthy skin tissue that has not been severely
damaged by radiation or mastectomy, the existing tissue is expanded to receive
an implant. In the resulting "pocket" then a permanent implant
(silicone prosthesis) is used. This process is easier to use than the flap
method, but takes longer.
Permanent
placement of the implant to form the breast mass.
The nipple area is restored after 3-4 months after completion of all
procedures. At this stage, there are also surgeons who benefit from the
tattooing process.
Finally, if necessary, a revision with techniques such as
reduction, mastopexy, fat graft or liposuction may be required to achieve
complete symmetry.
How is the healing process going?
At the end of the breast reconstruction, 1 or
2 silicone drains are applied to eliminate the blood leaks in the tissue. After
these drains have been removed and the valves are fully functional, the patient
is discharged. This period is about 2-4 days if there are no problems.
Antibiotic and analgesic anti-inflammatory patches are used to treat infections
during your stay. Generally it is allowed to take a shower 4-6 days after the
operation. Surgical incision lines that heal easily remain open without
dressing for 6-7 days and can only be treated with wound pomade. Sutures are
removed after 15-20 days. The breast is supported for 1 month with an elastic
bra. What are the risks of breast reconstruction? In addition to the risks
associated with all surgical procedures, such as infection, bleeding, wound
healing disorders, and the bursting of sutures, serious risks such as necrosis
of the breast forming flap tissue (partial or total tissue loss), donor healing
disorders, and the formation of a hard capsule can occur the implant occur.
However, breast reconstruction does not affect the possibility of recurrence of
cancer.