Breast Reconstruction

Breast Cancer

Unfortunately, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. On average, one in every 8-9 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Mastectomy

These surgeries, performed by General Surgery physicians, remove all or some of the breast tissue containing cancerous tissue. It is the process of removing the breast tissue from the body.

Breast Reconstruction (restructuring of the breast)

Reconstruction of tissue losses that occur after the removal of breast tissues due to a tumor or another disease is one of the operations of plastic surgery. These surgeries not only create a new breast, but also greatly improve a woman's view of herself, her self-confidence, and her quality of life. The results of breast creation can be very natural in appearance and feel; However, a reconstructed breastwill never look or feel the same as the removed breast.

When might you consider this surgery?

After the cancer diagnosis; You can start discussing. Ideally, your general surgeon and plastic surgeon should plan your surgery together.

Early Breast Repair

Reconstruction surgery should be performed at the same time as the mastectomy surgery due to breast cancer. This treatment timing can be chosen, taking into account your future additional treatments due to cancer, if it is absolutely sure that the cancerous tissues have been completely removed.

Late Stage Breast Repair h3>

Breast reconstruction is performed weeks, months or even years after the completion of your cancer treatment.

Breast Reconstruction Options

Patient-Specific Treatment

Each treatment should be specific to and appropriate for the patient. Therefore

• Your health and lifestyle,
• Your body type,
• Your breast size,
• Your remaining tissue and skin amount and
• Your personal preference

It is taken into consideration when choosing the method.

Breast Reconstruction with Prosthesis

The most commonly used technique is to remove the front of the skin. It is enlarged with a different application and then a permanent prosthesis is placed in the created area. In this surgery, a tissue expander is first placed under the chest wall to expand the skin in your breast area. After about a few months, after your skin has expanded sufficiently, the tissue expander is removed with a secondary surgery and a more permanent prosthesis is placed. Some tissue expanders are designed to be left in place permanently.

Using Back Muscle in Breast Reconstruction

During this procedure, a piece of skin and muscle from our back or under your arm is removed and applied to the breast area where it is used to repair your breasts. is brought. Because the skin and muscle on your back are normally quite thin, this method is often used with a breast implant to give your new breasts a fuller shape.

Breast Reconstruction Using Abdominal Tissues (TRAM flap)

It is one of the options for patients whose abdominal tissues are suitable or who do not want to create a breast with a prosthesis. The TRAM flap (transverse rectus abdominus musculocutaneous flap) uses fat, skin and, when necessary, muscle from a woman's abdomen to reconstruct the breast. The transported tissues are shaped and transformed into a breast mound.

Other Options That Can Be Used in Breast Reconstruction

Other Tissue Transplants

Generally, if the tissues used are not suitable, scars from other parts of the body can usually be hidden with underwear. Tissue transplants are carried out using microsurgical methods to create breast tissue.

Fat injections

Fat tissue taken from other parts of the body is transferred to the breast area after going through certain procedures. It is generally not possible to transport enough fat tissue to create an average breast volume. This method is mostly used for minor corrections after surgery or for auxiliary treatments in patients where a small part of the breast has been removed.

Creation of the Nipple

It is the final stage in breast creation. It is applied when your breast tissue is created using the appropriate method, takes its final shape, and asymmetries with the opposite breast are eliminated. Generally, local anesthesia does not require the patient to sleep. e is carried out. The creation of the areola, which is the colored part of the nipple and surrounding area, can also be achieved with one or two surgeries, depending on preference.

Breast Synchronization

Several surgeries are required in breast reconstruction. The first surgeries are the most difficult; Second surgeries are easier. These include removing the tissue expander and placing a prosthesis or nipple and areola reconstruction. Often, the normal breast may need to be slightly reduced, lifted or enlarged in order for the newly constructed breast to adapt to the normal breast on the opposite side. However, it should be kept in mind that scars occur in these surgeries.

Risks

Unsuccessful surgery and tissue loss are the most feared problems, and as in every surgery, there is a possibility in these surgeries. is within. Apart from this, minor wound healing problems, delayed wound healing, and post-operative pain are generally problems that can be easily treated.

Healing Process

With mastectomy (removal of the breast). It may take an average of 6 weeks for you to return to your normal daily life after simultaneous breast reconstruction or tissue-only breast reconstruction surgery. In prosthesis surgery, this period may be shorter. The tissue created by reconstruction does not have normal sensation; However, some sensation may return over time. Most of the scars may fade and fade over time, or they may swell and redden and become more visible. In this case, additional treatments for your scars will be required.Although the scars usually fade and become less noticeable within a few years, the scars never completely disappear.

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