Plastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Abstract

Breast reconstruction is frequently offered to women undergoing either mastectomy or breast conservation, given its safe nature and ability to achieve highly aesthetic reconstructive outcomes. Many options are now available for patients undergoing mastectomy, based on whether they are looking to undergo prosthetic or autologous reconstruction. Breast implants are safe and offer flexibility of size and projection, together with a shorter recovery, while autologous flaps allow women to avoid prosthetic devices and utilize skin and fat from elsewhere on the body to replace breast tissue. The increasing frequency of nipple sparing mastectomy, autologous fat grafting, use of acellular dermal matrices, and pre-pectoral prosthetic reconstruction have further enhanced aesthetic outcomes in breast reconstruction. Additionally, outcomes from breast conservation have been enhanced by immediate oncoplastic breast reconstruction at the time of lumpectomy that reduces risks of contour deformities and breast asymmetry while maintaining excellent aesthetic outcomes that are oncologically safe.