DIEP flap reconstruction is a common method of reconstruction. Occasionally the lower abdomen does not have sufficient tissue for a bilateral reconstruction and the flap reconstruction can be augmented with mammary prosthesis. Typically, we wait until one year after a DIEP flap reconstruction to augment the breast. The satisfaction rate is high with augmentation of the DIEP flaps because the…
DIEP flap breast reconstruction is an excellent option for a unilateral mastectomy in a patient with the appropriate body habitus. The unilateral autologous reconstruction can match the contralateral breast well with respect to shape. Size can also be matched well, depending on the abdominal donor site. Autologous flap reconstructions tolerate radiation therapy well. This is a right unilateral DIEP flap…
Breast cancer in some patients can be successfully treated with lumpectomy and radiation. Often the same pattern used to make the breast appear more youthful can be utilized to reconstruct the breast and make it in a more suitable shape for radiation therapy to be more effective. When the tumor is in a location close to the skin and outside…
Abdominoplasty is an operation that can effectively help to improve the contour of the abdomen. There is a significant amount of healing and patient compliance post-operatively that is required with abdominal binders and JP drains. Protein nutrition is important and patients are instructed to consume 80-100 grams of protein daily to facilitate healing.
There are several decisions that come into account when performing an abdominoplasty operation. One is the quality of the skin on the abdominal wall and how much skin can be removed. This will sometimes determine the location of the lower abdominal skin incision and also whether or not the previous belly button opening can be excised. With significant amount of…
Bilateral implant breast reconstruction following bilateral mastectomy is a common procedure. The aesthetic outcome of the reconstruction is often determined by the quality of the mastectomy skin and the relation of the tissue characteristics and the implant. In patients who choose to undergo implant reconstruction I often indicate that the best outcomes and most durable reconstruction are the patients who…
In general implant mastectomy reconstruction takes place in two stages. At the time of the mastectomy a tissue expander is inserted beneath the pectoralis major muscle and a piece of acellular dermal matrix or Strattice is inserted to provide support to the tissue expander. There are times, albeit rare, when I proceed with immediate insertion of mammary prosthesis. Patients who…
Lumpectomy and radiation, either whole breast or intra-operative radiation therapy is an option for breast cancer treatment. Not only can oncoplastic reconstruction improve the appearance of the breast, it can also contour the breast to a more amenable shape and size for radiation therapy. When the breast is reconstructed into a smaller surface area, there is a smaller and more…
