Breast Cancer Lumpectomy Versus Mastectomy
Restoration or reconstruction of a breast is a long way since the days of radical mastectomy.
If a woman is a good candidate for reconstruction, you can usually expect a breast mound that will fill a cup bra to her desired volume, along with a nipple and areola, if desired. The other breast may be to match the increase, reduction or lifting.
These procedures are covered by insurance, as provided by law. Moreover, the symmetry sensitive breast as a result of lumpectomy / radiation or multiple biopsies can be corrected with reconstructive surgery. The word "may" is used because Breast reconstruction is a matter of choice.
Some women choose to wear a prosthetic breast with her bra. Others may choose reconstruction, not limited to age. The general health status and the status of cancer are the issues that determine the viability.
Consultation with a plastic surgeon before mastectomy is part of a program of comprehensive care centers of the breast. The patient should be fully informed of their options for immediate breast reconstruction versus late. The technique (s) recommended are based on their anatomy, medical history and cancer treatments provides the future.
Taking decisions in breast reconstruction begins with the simple question of whether breast reconstruction will be part of the recovery process of women.
Some Women know the answer immediately, others take days or weeks to decide. Once the decision to go ahead with the procedure, the next question is which is the technique to select. In each case, the decision is based on preference of surgical technique and better in the face of chemotherapy treatments planned and / or radiotherapy.
The two most common types of breast reconstruction are the tissue expander and implant and the technique of abdominal musculoctaneous transverse (TRAM). A third technique is the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap with a breast implant. The table shown here summarizes and compares these techniques.
Under the guidance of plastic surgeon, the most appropriate technique may be selected to breast reconstruction, taking into account the wishes, the health and each woman's unique anatomy.
The expander / implant technique requires two steps. The first stage of the breast reconstruction is the placement of the expander tissue under the muscle in the chest. This procedure adds less than an hour after mastectomy time with the same hospital stay.
The second stage is the exchange of tissue expander for permanent saline or silicone gel-filled breast implants. This stage requires general anesthesia, but is usually less than an hour term unless a procedure is added in the other breast.
Breast implants are confirmed safe by multiple medical studies. Both saline implants and gel-filled breast were released years ago by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used for breast reconstruction and replacement of former or current gel implants.
The TRAM flap technique uses autogenous, or one of your own tissue to create a breast mound. This surgery has an average five hours, plus complete mastectomy with the average stay of five days and an average recovery time of five weeks.
The abdominal skin above the umbilicus lifting the abdominal fascia and sutured the skin to the pubic area with the relocation of the navel. The four or five weeks the recovery period is necessary to straighten and strengthen the abdominal walls and muscles. Activity levels usually return to normal, pre-operative state.
The flap latissimus dorsi with implant is generally used as a rescue technique in the front of the radiation or surgery. The flap is the latissimus dorsi muscle with a palette of the overlying skin back. Usually requires a breast implant for breast shape and size desired.
The implant is placed under the muscle latissimus dorsi muscle after you pass on the chest wall through a tunnel at the base of the axilla (underarm). It is a useful reconstructive technique face of irradiated breast skin with deformity after lumpectomy and lack of an adequate volume of abdominal fat.
Reconstruction of the nipple areola can be performed at the time of reconstruction of the second stage. Or you can be like a separate outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. The skin on the mound breast is the source of nipple reconstruction with a graft of full thickness skin, usually from the inner skin, upper thigh used for areolar reconstruction. This skin texture and pigmentation usually resulting in an areola appears realistic.
An extensive and detailed consultation with the plastic surgeon is mandatory for a patient to be truly informed and guided to make the best decision about breast reconstruction in connection with treatment recommendations and breast cancer surgeon.
