Breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer

Abstract

Objective To explore the technique of breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Methods 30 cases of patients with breast cancer who were not suitable for breast conservative surgery were sum-marized. Among them, immediate breast reconstruction with prosthetic implants after mastectomy was used in 16 patients, transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (TRAM flap) in 10 patients, and latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap in 4 patients. There were 27 patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction, while 3 patients underwent delayed breast construction. Results The appearance was good in 16 cases of breast reconstruction with prosthetic implants and no complications were found. Two out of the ten patients who had the transevarse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (TRAM flap) breast reconstruction had partly necrosis of skin flap, and one lateral ventral syndrome. The appear-ance of the 7 cases after the TRAM flap breast reconstruction evaluated well, 2 cases moderate, and one case less satisfactory. The appearance of 4 patients who had breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap evaluated well. Conclusion Breast reconstruction is an important part of combined therapy for the breast cancer, especially for the patients who have strong desire to conserve breast, while incompetence for breast conserving surgery. In such a case breast reconstruction is a good choice. Imme-diate breast reconstruction is better than delayed breast construction. The appropriate method of breast reconstruction depends on each individual patient. Patients with locally advanced breast carcinoma can se-lectively choose immediate breast reconstruction. Key words: Breast cancer; Mastectomy; Breast reconstruction