Types of Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction is a cosmetic procedure that aims to recreate the breasts following a mastectomy. Various techniques are employed in this procedure, including the use of implants or utilizing tissues from other parts of your body, such as the abdomen, to form a new breast. Below, the best breast cancer surgeon in Kolkata has discussed the different types of breast reconstruction surgeries. 

Types of breast reconstruction surgery

1. Flap reconstruction: In this procedure, doctors utilize tissues from the patient’s body (autologous tissue) to create a new breast. This tissue is usually sourced from the lower abdomen, although alternatives include the thigh, back, or buttocks. The surgeon may also extract fat, skin, and muscle from these areas to form a flap, which is essentially the reconstructed breast tissue. 

A renowned breast cancer doctor in Kolkata further explains the two main approaches that are generally followed: moving the flap through the body while maintaining its blood supply or detaching it from the blood supply and reattaching it to the blood vessels in one’s chest. 

There are different types of flaps depending on the region from where they are extracted. Some of them have been mentioned below: 

• DIEP flap: This flap is taken from the lower belly.

• Latissimus dorsi (LD) flap: Doctors extract tissue and muscle from the back. They then transplant the LD flap, which remains connected to its own blood supply, from the back to the breast area.

• PAP flap: The surgeon takes tissues from the back and interior of your thigh and shapes them into a breast.

2. Implant reconstruction: In this surgery, doctors use saline or silicone implants to reconstruct breast tissue. Occasionally, a combination of implants and tissue from your own body may also be used. Methods of implant reconstruction include: 

• Beneath the chest muscle: Surgeons raise the chest muscle and position the implant beneath it.

• Above the chest muscle: Doctors situate the implant on top of the chest muscle. This approach requires less time to recover as the chest muscle is left undisturbed. 

The best cancer surgeon advises women to avoid lifting, exercising or performing strenuous tasks during the recovery period. Post-surgery, patients must adhere to the instructions of their doctors to ensure faster healing.