What are the different types of breast reconstruction surgery?
The two most effective approaches available for both monolateral (one breast) and bilateral (both breasts) reconstruction include the following: • expander/implant reconstruction – the use of an expander to create a breast mound, followed by the placement of a permanently filled breast implant. Expanders are empty silicone “envelopes” placed under the pectoralis muscle, located between the breast and the chest wall. To enable the skin and soft tissues of the breast to grow, the expander is gradually filled with saline solution over a period of several weeks. The saline is injected into the expander through a valve or port in the expander. Once the expander has been completely filled, it is left in for several more weeks to months, allowing for maximal skin and soft tissue growth. Implants are envelopes filled with liquid that are implanted into the breast tissue, and are used to form the shape of the breast. Implants may be filled with saline or silicone gel. Each type of implant has a
The two most effective approaches available for both monolateral (one breast) and bilateral (both breasts) reconstruction are: • expander/implant reconstruction – the use of an expander to create a breast mound, followed by the placement with a permanent filled breast implant. • autologous tissue reconstruction – the use of the patient’s own tissues to reconstruct a new breast mound. The common technique is the TRAM (transverse rectus abdominous muscle) flap. A TRAM flap involves removing an area of fat, skin, and muscle from the abdomen and stitching it in place to the mastectomy wound. About the procedure: • Location options include: • surgeon’s office-based surgical facility • outpatient surgery center • hospital outpatient • hospital inpatient • Probable length of procedure: • When performed at the time of a mastectomy, it adds about an hour or so to the surgery. Drains are put in place, and recovery time is longer due to the additional surgery, but the care afterward is the same a
