As reported by the Quirónsalud Hospital in a note, Dr. Espiñeira has explained that breast reconstruction after cancer It includes a series of surgical procedures aimed at restoring the shape and volume mammary. In this way, reconstruction aims to recreate a natural-looking breast, eliminate the need to wear external prostheses (devices that are placed under the bra to restore breast symmetry), and restore the body image and quality of life of the patient.

The majority of women with an indication for mastectomy are candidates for breast reconstruction and, in most cases, be done immediately, that is, in the same intervention as the removal of the mammary gland. There is only contraindication to perform this intervention in patients with poor general conditionadvanced oncological disease and other pathologies that limit surgery.

Thus, breast reconstruction, which is performed by a plastic surgeon, can be immediate (in the same intervention) or deferred (in a second surgery) and, if possible, the immediate one should be prioritized, which allows the surgeon that removes the breast, preserving practically all the skin, except for the areola and nipple. This technique reduces the emotional impact of the mastectomy and also reduces the number of surgical interventions you would need to complete the treatment, as indicated by the doctor.

Deferred reconstruction is what It is carried out some time after the mastectomy and is used in women “that for various reasons could not be rebuilt immediately“, which is usually due to the need to complete cancer treatment using other techniques, in patients who did not initially wish to undergo reconstruction, or due to associated medical problems, such as obesity, tobacco consumption or hypertension, which make it advisable to delay reconstructive surgery.

In any case, Dr. Espiñeira has highlighted that when a woman is diagnosed with cancer, surgeons, oncologists and gynecologists are coordinate to develop the most appropriate strategy in each patient.

Reconstruction techniques

exist different surgical techniques of breast reconstruction currently available, which have significantly improved the results of the interventions, which has led to greater satisfaction among women in their recovery process.

Skin expansion techniques are the most used and consist of expand the skin and later place a prosthesis. After the mastectomy, the plastic surgeon places an expander (which is like an inflatable balloon) under the skin and the pectoral muscle, it is filled with saline once a week until the expander is filled and, once Once the skin has expanded sufficiently, it is removed and replaced with a definitive silicone prosthesis.

In this second intervention, the symmetrization of the collateral breastnormally its reduction, elevation or increase, to achieve the best aesthetic result and comfort for the patient, the nipple is reconstructed at the end with local anesthesia and the areola is pigmented through tattooing.

On the other hand, “we also have the techniques that use autologous tissues (tissues called flaps, which are from the patient herself), which are transplanted to recreate a natural breast,” according to Dr. Espiñeira.

In some cases, these flaps continue attached to their original site, preserving its vascularization, and are transferred to the breast through a tunnel that runs under the skin. Depending on the procedure, it may or may not be necessary to also use a silicone implant while in other cases the tissues used to create the breast are completely separated from their original site, generally the abdomen, and are transplanted to the chest by connecting to the blood vessels in this area.

The doctor has insisted that The result obtained after breast reconstruction is definitive and allows you to lead an absolutely normal life.. For the majority of mastectomized patients, breast reconstruction means an improvement in their body image, “recovering self-esteem and being able to have a complete social and sexual life.”