[Breast reconstruction using a skin expander prostheses following modified radical mastectomy]

In the period from September 1983 to May 1986, 116 breast reconstructions were performed at Heidelberg University Gynecological Clinic with the aid of skin expander prostheses, following modified radical mastectomy (89 primary and 27 secondary reconstructions). In 18% of all cases, complications occurred due to the expanders, the most common being loss of prosthesis material. A total of 82 women have meanwhile had the expander prosthesis replaced by a definitive gel prosthesis in a "second reconstruction phase". Reconstruction of the nipple and areola has been performed in six cases in a third phase. Today, breast reconstruction in one or two stages following modified radical mastectomy represents an integral part of surgical rehabilitation of primarily operable breast cancer in cases, where a primary conservative procedure is out of the question.