39 - Optimizing Cosmetic Outcomes for Breast Surgery

Abstract

Breast conservation is becoming more important as health care systems focus on improving high value care. Standard breast preservation techniques, however, often fail to achieve the desired goal of complete tumor extirpation with adequate margins while preserving breast cosmesis. The emergence of oncoplastic breast surgery addresses these limitations and allows breast conservation in women who would not otherwise have met traditional criteria. Oncoplastic surgery combines sound surgical oncologic principles with plastic surgery techniques and requires a multidisciplinary approach and thorough preoperative planning. Using these techniques, tumors can be resected from any quadrant of the breast while maintaining or improving breast cosmesis, diminishing post radiation deformities, and providing breast symmetry. Oncoplastic surgery requires a philosophy that the appearance of the breast after breast cancer surgery is an essential component in caring for patients with breast cancer.