Implant Reconstruction
Following skin sparring mastectomy, breast reconstruction often begins during the same surgical operation. One form of reconstruction uses breast implants to reconstruct the breast mound. If there is adequate skin after the mastectomy, the implants can be inserted immediately. If there is not enough skin to create a breast of the desired size, a temporary tissue expander can be placed to stretch the skin over a few weeks to months. The implants are placed behind the muscle to recreate the breast mound. The surgery is well tolerated and adds only 1 to 2 hours of additional surgical time. If radiation therapy is anticipated, reconstruction may be delayed to allow for treatment. The decision to use silicone of saline (salt water) will be made with you reconstructive surgeon.
Immediate Implant Placement
Your breast surgeon and reconstructive surgeon, will determine it you are a candidate for placement of permanent implants at the time of your mastectomy.
Several factors determine whether or not this is possible:
- Type of you cancer
- Size of your native breast
- Looseness of you skin
- Desired size of you reconstructed breast
- Need for radiation therapy
Tissue Expanders
For many women, tissue expanders are required to stretch the skin to achieve the desired cosmetic results after mastectomy. When there is a discrepancy in size of the breasts, radiation therapy is indicated or a larger breast mound post mastectomy is desired then expanders may be required.
Several factors determine whether or not this is possible:
- Small native breasts
- Desire for larger reconstructed breasts
- Radiation therapy planned
- Delayed reconstruction
Nipple Areola Reconstruction
Nipple areola reconstruction is completed at a later stage regardless of the type of reconstruction that is chosen. The areola nipple complex surgery is outpatient procedure and the final touch is tattooing of the areola complex.
Risks of Implant Reconstruction
- Skin Necrosis
- Infection
- Hematoma /seroma
- Asymmetry
- Capsular contracture
- Implant extrusion
- Deflation
- Rupture
- Pain
- Delayed wound healing
