[Breast reconstruction after mastectomy and breast implants. Current status in the USA]

The author review breast reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer, taking account the technical progress and problems raised by breast implants over the last twenty years. Immediate breast reconstruction has become a routine clinical practice. The principle, indications and complications of reconstruction techniques are presented: temporary expansion prosthesis, permanent expansion prosthesis, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap associated with an implant, rectus abdominis myocutaneous pedicle flap, free flaps.