Breast reconstruction

Sometimes a woman needs to have a radical mastectomy to save her life and preserve her health. The operation involves radical removal of the breast as well as lymph nodes in the nearby regions. As a result, the shape of the breast suffers, its attractiveness, and the woman develops complexes about her appearance, as well as problems in her private life. In our clinic, we help solve the problem - we carry out operations to restore the breast after a mastectomy. It is a complex intervention, which is carried out after preliminary preparation and with observance of a number of conditions.

DESCRIPTION

Certain indications can serve as an indication for breast reconstruction:

• Breast reconstruction after oncology (if a radical mastectomy was performed, removal of lymph nodes);
• noticeable asymmetry after breast removal;
• changes in the musculoskeletal structures associated with the difference in load on the chest when one breast is removed;
• psychological discomfort due to partial or complete loss of forms after radical cancer treatment.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Not all patients are allowed to undergo plastic surgery to restore a woman's breasts. It is important to consider all possible contraindications beforehand. These include:

• the need for chemotherapy or radiation treatment after surgery (reconstructive surgery is performed only after a complete cure, in remission of cancer);
• impaired blood supply to the breast tissues after a previous mastectomy;
• Infectious diseases, both acute and chronic, which can threaten complications;
• autoimmune processes, endocrine disorders, acute metabolic disorders;
• Severe damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or liver;
• decompensation of chronic pathologies;
• anesthesia intolerance;
• mental disorders.

Before surgery to reshape the breasts, the plastic surgeon carefully reviews the entire medical history. If there are other possible contraindications, the surgery may be postponed or not allowed at all.

PREPARATION

In consultation with the plastic surgeon determines all the benefits and risks of reconstruction with implants or other techniques of intervention. The cost of the surgery and the final result depends on the approach to plastic surgery. Most often an oncologist is present during the consultation to assess possible risks.

If the reconstruction is delayed, all the necessary tests and instrumental tests are taken beforehand, the list of which is made individually.

Two weeks before the breast reconstruction drugs that affect hormone levels and blood clotting, some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol, smoking is prohibited. Your doctor may advise additional preparatory procedures, all his recommendations should be strictly observed.

METHOD OF EXECUTION

Our plastic surgeons perform several options for reconstructive surgery.

Breast reconstruction with a TRAM-flap (this is an acronym for transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap). It is a plastic surgery using your own tissues, which are taken from the lower abdomen. Under the skin, the doctor creates a kind of tunnel that runs from the area where the tissue is taken to the breast to be restored. A section of skin, fatty layers, and some muscle fibers are transplanted. This operation is possible if it is necessary to restore the shape of the breast after removal of the breast with pectoral muscles. If the muscle elements are slightly removed, other techniques can be used.

Reconstructive intervention using the thorocadorsal flap. It is a tissue sampling for transplantation in the area of the broadest muscle of the back with thoracodorsal vessels. The flap is formed by the muscle, subcutaneous fatty tissue, which is covered by the skin. This is one of the most popular surgeries, as it allows the surgeon to restore quite a large volume of lost tissue.

Expander plasty in breast reconstruction helps to create sufficient skin volume by gradually stretching the skin with a special balloon. As the skin stretches, it is further filled with a sterile solution, which creates enough skin volume over several months to form the desired shape and volume of the breasts with implants.

The price of reconstructive surgery is determined individually, since each mastectomy case is unique in its own way. Our plastic surgeon will choose the most appropriate surgical option, eliminating not only the defect of the operated gland, but also the healthy gland (for example, if it is sagging breasts, there are stretch marks, age-related deformities).

REABILITATION

After surgery, a woman can stay in the clinic under medical supervision for up to 5 days. The more extensive the reconstructive surgery, the longer the hospital stay will be. This is necessary to monitor the process of engraftment of tissues, to exclude infection in time.

The first few days are painful, so the doctor prescribes painkillers. In addition, it is necessary to wear special compression underwear, so that the breasts get the desired shape.

During the recovery period (the first 2-3 months) you should refuse vigorous physical activity, sports. Full recovery takes up to six months, by which time the final result of the plastic surgery will be visible.