A Breast Reconstruction procedure involves reconstructing or rebuilding the female breast after removal of the breast tissue, called mastectomy.
Breast Reconstruction involves the female breasts, chest muscles, back muscles, and sometimes the abdominal wall muscles.
Breast Reconstruction is performed for any of the following reasons:
An alternative to Breast Reconstruction surgery is to use an external prosthetic, or a custom made bra that matches the other breast.
The Flap Reconstruction technique used for Breast Reconstruction is considered good, with great results. The recent advances are methods that aim at improving the reconstruction technique and are known as Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP), and Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery (SIEA) Breast Reconstruction surgery.
A very recent technique that is still under research aims at creating biodegradable computer aided scaffolds that will aid in Breast Reconstruction and breast tissue engineering. This technique could completely replace implants, with the patient’s own tissue itself.
The cost of Breast Reconstruction procedure depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of your health insurance, annual deductibles, co-pay requirements, out-of-network and in-network of your healthcare providers and healthcare facilities.
In many cases, an estimate may be provided before the procedure. The final amount depends upon the findings during the surgery/procedure and post-operative care that is necessary.
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http://www.imaginis.com/cosmetic-reconstructive-breast-surgery/advances-in-breast-reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction is performed by either using an artificial implant or by grafting fat or muscle, removed elsewhere from the patient’s body. Depending on the technique used to reconstruct the breast, the procedure followed varies. The two most common techniques used to reconstruct the breast are:
In the Tissue Expander technique the physician inserts a tissue expander under the chest muscles. The tissue expander is an empty or partially filled, implant case that is refilled with saline water every 2-3 months, before being finally replaced with a permanent implant.
In the Flap Reconstruction technique; the muscle, fat and skin is removed from the back, abdomen, buttocks, inner thigh, and other areas to reconstruct the breast. The muscle, fat and skin is usually from the patient, or a volunteering donor. In most cases this muscle flap is constructed into a mold at the mastectomy site, where usually the blood vessels are still intact or can be rechanneled. This procedure is the most preferred one as it offers good cosmetic results.
Similarly the nipple and areola area can also be reconstructed. In either case (Tissue Expander or Flap Reconstruction); the other untouched breast may need minor surgical procedure to establish symmetry in both breasts.
A Breast Reconstruction procedure is performed in a hospital. The patient is admitted, undergoes the procedure, and is discharged as per the instruction of the physician.
The surgery is performed by a plastic surgeon, or an oncology surgeon (rare), or a general surgeon with support from an anesthesiologist.
The procedure may take anywhere between 2-4 hours.
It is very important to provide the following information to your healthcare provider. This enables your healthcare provider in assessing the risks for the surgical procedure and helps avoid unnecessary complications.
A physician will request your consent for the Breast Reconstruction procedure using an informed Consent Form.
A physician will request your consent for the Breast Reconstruction procedure using an informed Consent Form.
Consent for the Procedure: A “consent” is your approval to undergo a procedure. A consent form is signed after the risks and benefits of the procedure, and alternative treatment options, are discussed. This process is called informed consent.
You must sign the forms only after you are totally satisfied by the answers to your questions. In case of minors and individuals unable to personally give their consent, the individual’s legal guardian or next of kin, shall give their consent for the procedure.
Some of the basic questions that you might ask your physician are as follows:
General anesthesia is administered during the procedure.
The amount of blood loss is generally minimal, but if complications arise during the procedure, it could lead to a further loss of blood.
The possible risks that may arise during a Breast Reconstruction surgery are:
At the healthcare facility, generally there is no requirement for any post-procedure care, unless any complications arise.
The possible risks and complications that may arise after a Breast Reconstruction surgery are:
Do contact your physician if you notice any of the following symptoms:
At home, the following post-operative care is recommended, after a Breast Reconstruction procedure:
It takes about 6-8 weeks for the patient to recover completely from the procedure.
A Breast Reconstruction procedure does not involve the surgical removal of any tissue.
Since no tissue is removed during the procedure, a pathologist does not get involved in the care of the patient.
It is important to note that the number of bills that the patient may receive depends on the arrangement the healthcare facility has with the physician and other healthcare providers.
Sometimes, the patient may get a single bill that includes the healthcare facility and the consultant physician charges. Sometimes, the patient might get multiple bills depending on the healthcare provider involved. For instance, the patient may get a bill from:
The patient is advised to inquire and confirm the type of billing, before the Breast Reconstruction procedure is performed.
We sincerely acknowledge and thank Dr. Douglas J. Jones for reviewing the article. His valuable input and feedback has helped enrich the contents of this article.
Douglas J. Jones, MD FACS
Board Certified General Surgeon and Faculty Member
University of Illinois, College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign
506 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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