What Does Flap Breast Reconstruction Involve?

If you're considering breast reconstruction using your own tissue (a "flap" procedure), it's important to know that achieving the best results usually involves several stages and takes time.BEFORE skin-sparing mastectomies and DIEP flapsAFTER skin-sparing mastectomies and DIEP flapsThe patient in the pictures above required the following stages to complete her breast reconstruction:Stage 1: The Initial Breast ReconstructionWhenever possible, breast reconstruction should be performed at the same time as the mastectomy. This is known as "immediate breast reconstruction". This allows for less scarring because the natural breast skin envelope can usually be preserved ("skin sparing mastectomy"). Only the nipple, areola and breast tissue under the skin is removed. The patient above had bilateral skin-sparing mastectomies andDIEP flap reconstruction using tissue from her lower abdomen.In some cases, the nipple and areola can also be preserved. This is called a nipple-sparing mastectomy.Immediate reconstruction enables the patient to wake up from the surgery "complete" and avoid the experience of a flat chest altogether. Most women with early breast cancer (stage I or II) are candidates for this approach.If immediate reconstruction isn't an option, or the patient prefers to wait, the reconstruction can be performed "delayed", any time after the mastectomy. Patients having radiation are often advised to delay reconstruction. Other reasons for delaying reconstruction in...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast reconstruction stages delayed breast reconstruction DIEP flap immediate breast reconstruction nipple-sparing mastectomy skin-sparing mastectomy what does breast reconstruction involve? Source Type: blogs