Post Mastectomy Reconstruction
Plastic Surgery
Post Mastectomy Reconstruction
The decision to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy should be discussed by Dr. Manoloudakis & the patient.
The reason is that there are various options, some of which can be combined with the initial surgery. The main options are two:
A. Immediate one-stage reconstruction: performed simultaneously with the mastectomy procedure.
B. Delayed Reconstruction. The reconstruction procedure is performed after the mastectomy, at a time suggested by Dr. Manoloudakis and co-decided by the patient.
As for techniques, there are mainly two:
A. Breast reconstruction with implants. Implants can only be used if there is sufficient tissue left in the chest wall after surgery to cover and support the implant.
B. Restoration with natural, autologous tissue. In cases where the tissue left in the chest wall is not sufficient to support the implant, restoration is done with tissue from a part of the patient’s body, which is used to create a breast.
Sometimes, depending on the case, the treating physician chooses a combination of the two techniques.
Important
The choice of the type of surgery and the technique that the doctor Nick Manoloudakis will follow depends on many parameters. It depends on the type and duration of treatment the patient receives, the type of mastectomy she will need to have, and, of course, her overall health.
In any case, each operation is completely individualized. All stages and options are discussed thoroughly by the treating physician Dr. Manoloudakis and the patient before the mastectomy.
If there is new information after the mastectomy, the doctor Nick Manoloudakis informs the patient in detail and the options are reviewed, if deemed necessary.
As we have already said, each surgery is a strictly individualized procedure that is carefully planned according to the needs of each patient.
*Reconstruction using autologous tissue and implants: There are cases where the area to be used as a tissue donor is not sufficient for the desired breast volume. In that case, a combination with a silicone implant is used. The duration of the operation, which is performed under general anesthesia, is from 4 to 8 hours. A hospital stay of a few days is required.
*One-stage restoration with implants: The duration of the operation, which is performed under general anesthesia, varies from 4 to 8 hours per case. A hospital stay of a few days is required.
*Two-stage reconstruction with implants: In the first stage, in parallel with the mastectomy procedure, a temporary saline implant (expander) is placed by the general surgeon under the pectoralis major muscle. The expander includes a special receptacle through which saline is added. In the second stage, and after radiotherapy has been completed (if required), the expander is replaced with a permanent silicone implant. At the same time, possible asymmetries in the shape and size of the breast are improved.
After recovering from the surgery, a special sports bra is applied to support the chest and a hospital stay of 1 day is usually required.
It is recommended to refrain from lifting weights and intense exercise for 4 weeks, and to treat the area with a special moisturizing cream.
This surgery is usually performed approximately 6 months after breast reconstruction, in order for the healing process of the regenerated tissue to be complete.
It is performed with various techniques of folding the skin and breast tissue – the exact choice is made by the attending physician. The operation can be performed with local anesthesia or even sedation. Its duration is approximately 1 hour and no hospitalization is required (the patient is discharged from the hospital on the same day).
- Collection/Seroma 15%
- Creation of a shrinking capsule (10%)
- Hematoma (5%)
- Inflammation (1%)
- Breast asymmetry (1-5%, in 1-stage implant reconstruction)
- ALCL (in 1-stage implant reconstruction)
- Skin necrosis (15%, in 2-stage implant restoration)
- Breast asymmetry (1-5%, in 2-stage implant reconstruction)
- Collection/Seroma of the donor area (15%)
- Healing disorders (15%)
- Hematoma (5%)
- Inflammation (1%)
- Necrosis of a section of skin (15%)
- Breast asymmetry (1-5%)
- Total failure of the tissue/flap
- Collection/Seroma of the donor area (15%)
- Healing disorders (15%)
- Creating capsule contraction (up to 30%)
- Hematoma (5%)
- Inflammation (1%)
- Necrosis of a section of skin (15%)
- Breast asymmetry (1-5%)
- Total failure of the tissue/flap
