Reconstructive Surgery in the breast cancer It is carried out to achieve that the appearance of the operated breast is as natural as possible, especially in those cases in which it is done mastectomy. When the mastectomy, special techniques called oncoplastic surgery.
Several studies have shown that breast reconstruction has no impact on the likelihood of re-having breast cancer. Nor has a clear relationship been demonstrated with autoimmune and rheumatological diseases. Its use is approved in all European countries.
The new surgical techniques of plastic surgery allow the creation of a breast very similar to the non-operated one, which improves the quality of life of the patient, who will be able to face the disease in a more positive way and lead a more active social and sexual life. .
Reconstructive surgery can be performed at the same time as carrying out the mastectomy. It is the ideal option since the patient wakes up from the intervention with a feeling of normality that avoids the experience of seeing herself with the amputated breast and provides an obvious psychological benefit.
When reconstructive surgery cannot be performed at the same time as carrying out the mastectomy, the reconstruction is carried out after the primary surgery, after the patient has completed the complementary treatment indicated by her gynecologist or her oncologist, which may be chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, or biological therapy.
There is a third possibility called delayed immediate reconstruction, which involves placing a tissue expander under the skin during surgery. mastectomy to preserve the space for the implant. This option is carried out when it is not possible to place the implant in place of the expander without further delay. When the oncological treatment has been completed, the expander is replaced with the definitive implant.
HOW BREAST RECONSTRUCTION IS PERFORMED
Reconstruction of the breast through reconstructive surgery can be carried out with different techniques. One possibility is through tissue from another part of the body (muscles of the back or abdomen also with the use of fat from other parts of the body). Another possibility is to use implants based on silicone or saline solutions, and it is carried out in two stages: in the first stage, the surgeon places an expander that is filled with saline solution during the visits that are made. When the breast tissue has healed and expanded, the expander is replaced with the implant. In addition, there is always the possibility of reconstruction of the nipple and areola.
In general, it is considered that the breast tissue will be healed between 6-7 weeks and 6 months after the mastectomy. If the other non-mastectomized breast is too large, small, or sagging, additional surgery may be necessary to achieve a symmetrical result.
An issue to keep in mind when making a decision about reconstruction is whether to receive radiotherapy or not. If so, it should be taken into account that this therapy can damage the surgical repair of a breast in which an implant was placed. There are also associated medical problems, such as obesity, hypertension, or smoking that can be a reason for delaying reconstruction.
The woman who has had a reconstructive surgery You must undergo the medical controls indicated by the surgeon, since complications can be detected months or even years after the intervention. These risks would be those of any surgery, such as bruises, pathological scars or anesthetic problems that, although unlikely, there is always a minimal possibility of them happening.
It is important to bear in mind that this information cannot and does not intend to replace the information provided individually by the gynecologist, who will be in charge of clarifying all the doubts that may arise.