Breast reconstruction

Mastectomy has been used for the treatment of breast cancer for many years, but the importance of the positive psychosocial benefits of breast reconstruction in breast cancer treatment has been recognized in the past years. Now, more women seek breast reconstruction and surgeons perform more reconstructions. A breast can be reconstructed by two methods: prosthetic implants and autologous tissue. The reconstruction can be performed immediately at the time of mastectomy or on a delayed basis. Factors associated with implant reconstruction include timing, patient selection, method of reconstruction, and filler material. The prosthetic implant reconstruction can be performed in one or two stages. The principal methods of breast reconstruction using autologous tissue include flaps from lower abdominal tissue, the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, other flaps, and the autologous fat grafting. In this article the main reconstruction methods either with implants or autologous tissue are reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed.