The surgical removal of some or all of the breast tissue for any reason is called mastectomy.
Surgery, which is called breast repair or breast reconstruction, can be expressed as the reshaping of the breast as a result of the complete removal of the breast for a reason.
Breast reconstruction is an operation that is usually performed in cases where the breast needs to be removed in the treatment of breast cancer, after the completion of the treatment, so that people can have a habitual appearance both individually and socially.
The surgical removal of some or all of the breast tissue for any reason is called mastectomy. Mastectomy is one of the procedures that can be preferred as a treatment method in breast cancer, which is very common in women.
Mastectomy surgery can be preferred not only in the treatment of breast cancer, but also as a preventive treatment for people at risk of breast cancer.
The need for breast repair may arise after mastectomy. After the complete removal of the breast, with the completion of the treatment, the operation, which is expressed as breast repair, breast reconstruction or mastectomy reconstruction, comes to the fore. With this operation, the breast is reconstructed with different techniques according to the person's expectations, treatment status and applicability.
Although breast reconstruction is not a physically compulsory operation, losing the breast, which is the "symbol of femininity" for women, can cause serious psychological problems. For this reason, breast repair is an operation recommended for a person to have a healthier mood, to feel physically complete and to regain the "symbol of femininity".
Breast reconstruction surgery is a procedure to reconstruct the breast as a result of removal of breast tissue, usually after breast cancer treatment. Mastectomy refers to the removal of breast tissue and is often the preferred treatment for breast cancer. Anyone who has undergone mastectomy and has oncologist approval for breast repair operation can have breast repair surgery if they wish.
The timing of breast repair surgery should be decided by the Oncologist and the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon who will perform the operation. There are 3 times that can be determined for breast reconstruction surgery. It is possible to talk about breast repair surgery times as simultaneous repair, late repair and delayed – simultaneous repair.
Simultaneous repair is the operation in which breast repair is performed in the same operation as mastectomy. Simultaneous breast reconstruction is suitable for people who will not receive additional treatments such as chemotherapy after mastectomy. Simultaneous repair can be performed in people diagnosed at an early stage and undergoing mastectomy.
Late repair, on the other hand, is the breast repair performed after the completion of the ongoing treatments of the person after mastectomy. At this point, if chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiotherapy applications will continue after mastectomy, late repair is recommended. Because these treatments cause fatigue and wear of the body. In this process, it is preferred that the body does not get tired for the sake of breast repair recovery.
Delayed simultaneous repair basically means breast repair with two surgeries. During the mastectomy, a balloon is placed behind the breast muscle to make room in the area. The purpose of this balloon is to expand the skin in the area and make room for the body tissues or implant to be used for breast repair. If there is radiotherapy and chemotherapy to continue, this procedure is performed during mastectomy and on the one hand, space is opened in the area. After the treatments are completed, it is possible to switch to other processes of breast repair.
There are multiple techniques for breast repair or breast reconstruction. The technique to be used for breast repair is determined according to the physical condition of the person and the extent of the mastectomy. Generally, two techniques are preferred in breast reconstruction surgeries. These are called implant reconstruction and flap reconstruction.
Implant reconstruction: It is a breast repair surgery technique in which breast implants are used. In mastectomy operations where the pectoral muscles are not removed, the operation is performed with breast implants placed in front of or behind these muscles. This operation can be used in breast repair surgery performed during mastectomy, also known as early breast repair. However, in order to do this, there should not be a planned cancer treatment after mastectomy and there should be no need to expand the breast tissue with tissue expander application.
Flap / Autogenous reconstruction: These are operations in which tissue taken from another part of the body is used for breast repair. Skin, fat and muscle tissues can be taken from the belly, back, hips and inner thighs. In this operation, the tissue to be taken can be transferred to the breast area after it is completely separated from the blood vessels.
Which Breast Reconstruction Technique Is Right For You?
Implant and flap / autogenous reconstruction are the best options for those who want to regain their old appearance after mastectomy. These operations have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Implant reconstruction can be done in combination with mastectomy operation. Since breast reconstruction with implants is preferred, the results obtained are seen in a short time. If there is no need for breast tissue expansion, it can be completed in a single operation.
Flap reconstruction, on the other hand, is based on breast repair with tissues taken from the person's body. After this operation, there may be traces of the operation in the area where the tissue is supplied in the body. However, breast reconstruction with one's own body tissue ensures that the results are more natural.
In addition, since it is possible to take tissue from the hips and inner thighs, if there is excess in these areas, a more radical body change can be achieved by removing the excess.
