Partial Reconstruction with Lumpectomy

Tissue Rearrangement Oncoplastic surgery, also known as partial breast reconstruction, combines the breast cancer removal (a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy) with the latest plastic surgery techniques all in one surgery. In this setting, once the cancer tumor is removed, the plastic surgeon rearranges the remaining breast tissue to restore a natural appearance to the breast shape. […]

Implant Procedures

Advantages and Limitations of Implant Reconstruction There are a number of advantages to implant reconstruction: Does not require microsurgery. Therefore, it is a shorter, less complex surgery than natural tissue procedures like the DIEP flap. Desired size and shape can be discussed, as implants come in many different sizes, shapes and volumes. Since tissue isn’t taken […]

DIEP Flap Procedure

Procedure In most cases, the DIEP surgery can be done on the same day as the mastectomy (immediate reconstruction). If you’ve already had a mastectomy, the DIEP can be at a later date (delayed reconstruction). During the procedure, a flap—a piece of tissue containing skin, fat and blood vessels—is removed from the lower abdomen, below […]

Natural Tissue (Flap) Reconstruction

The Most Natural Look and Feel Using your own tissue for breast reconstruction provides the most natural look and feel of any type of breast reconstructive surgery. Unlike breasts formed with implants, breasts made from natural tissue are warm and soft. They even behave like your own body—for example, the reconstructed breast will increase and […]

Direct to Implant Procedure

Procedure In DTI reconstruction, the implant is put in just after the mastectomy is performed. No tissue expander is used. To hold the implant in place, a sling made out of purified collagen, called acellular dermal matrix (ADM), may be used. The ADM provides a meshlike framework that gives additional support to the implant. With […]

Types of Mastectomy

Types of Mastectomy Skin-Sparing Mastectomy This procedure—and a variation of it called nipple-sparing mastectomy are the most commonly performed types of mastectomy today. In this procedure, the breast tissue, nipple, and areola are removed, but most of the skin over the breast is left intact. This procedure is only done when breast reconstruction is performed […]

Alternative Tissue Sites

Alternative Tissue Site Procedures When the abdomen is not an option, other donor sites can be considered. Common alternate donor sites include the thigh, buttock, or back. In stacked flap reconstruction, multiple flaps from one or more donor sites are combined to create enough tissue for the new breast. Flap tissue may also be combined […]