Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction

Prepectoral breast reconstruction was first done in the early 1960s; however, while initial results were promising, high complication rates led surgeons to move toward submuscular implant placement. We soon came to find that submuscular implant placement was not without its own set of drawbacks. Surgeons have since revisited the efficacy of prepectoral breast reconstruction in light of new surgical and technological advances. Following these advancements, complication profiles for prepectoral breast reconstruction have drastically improved. Despite this change, surgeons recognize that prepectoral implant placement is not for everyone and patient selection is critical to success. As increasing numbers of these procedures continue to be done, we must now look to conduct direct comparisons between submuscular and prepectoral breast implant placement so that surgeons can make evidence-based decisions on patient selection and operative planning.