Reconstructive breast plastic surgery in oncology

Every fall, September 18th is International Surgeon’s Day. In view of this date, but a little late, it was decided to write a small useful article about the plastic surgery of the female breast in oncology. Often, cancer patients turn to surgeons to restore the aesthetic appearance of a particular part of the body that was damaged during the removal of a malignant tumor. Restorative reconstructive plastic surgery in oncology offers surgical operations, thanks to which the patient can obtain the desired aesthetic effect, improve his psycho-emotional state and quality of life in general.

Mostly it concerns the restoration of the mammary glands, because according to the data ^[1], published by WHO, it is they who most often suffer from cancer – every twelfth woman encounters breast cancer during her life. Therapy for breast cancer is mainly combined, combining drugs and surgical techniques. The scale of the operation depends on individual indicators: the type of tumor and the stage of development of the pathology, the age of the patient, as well as the type of therapy that has been or is about to be taken into account.

When is reconstructive plastic surgery necessary?

Sometimes, in order to achieve maximum results and minimize the risk of recurrence, the surgeon has to completely remove the mammary gland. Of course, such surgical interventions leave an imprint not only on the appearance, but also on the psychological state of a woman, which is reflected in all areas of her life.

However, thanks to modern medicine and new technologies, breast pathology is successfully treated, especially when diagnosed in the early stages. Experienced oncologists can effectively help the patient even with a widespread tumor process. In the process of planning a surgical intervention, doctors prefer organ-preserving operations, but even with the complete removal of the gland, a woman has the opportunity to regain her usual forms. Breast reconstruction is an important step in restoring the quality of life of a woman after breast cancer. It helps patients regain their self-confidence.

What modern techniques are used in breast plastic surgery?

Modern possibilities of reconstructive plastics allow to recreate not only the roundness of the gland, but also completely restore its appearance, including the areola and nipple, which is formed from a skin flap. With the help of a tattoo, it is possible to restore the natural color.

Oncoplastic surgery today allows for the reconstruction of the mammary glands at the same time, when the restoration of lost forms is performed immediately after the removal of a malignant tumor in the breast. This type of surgical intervention avoids psychological and social problems, since the breast immediately looks natural. One-time reconstruction also implies economic benefits, since within the framework of one surgical process, the removal and restoration of the breast is performed immediately. The disadvantage of this method is only that the patient requires a longer hospital stay than with delayed reconstruction.

One of the options for restoring the contours of the breast may be reduction mammoplasty or breast reduction surgery. In the course of such a surgical intervention, the specialist removes the malignant tumor and reduces the volume of both mammary glands, as a result of which the breast looks symmetrical and toned.

Another common option for restoring the contours of the mammary glands is the use of implants. This technique allows you to achieve the desired results. However, before radiation therapy, some increase in the risk of developing the so-called capsular contracture should be foreseen. This is the formation of a connective tissue capsule around the implant, which can cause deformation of the mammary gland.

Lipofilling can also be offered to a patient who wants to replenish breast volume. This is a method of correcting the contours of the body due to its own adipose tissue. First, the fat is soaked in a liquid consisting of saline, adrenaline, and an anesthetic. Then, to ensure the viability of the cells, the adipose tissue is treated with a special method and the mammary glands are filled with it. Thus, a semblance of an implant of natural origin is created.

Do I need to make special preparations for the operation?

There is no single standard for breast reconstruction. The decision on this or that method of intervention is made personalized depending on the individual characteristics of the patient and a number of other factors.

Fortunately, advances in medicine today allow not only to remove malignant tumors, but also to correct the “traces” of surgical intervention. If you decide to have such an operation some time after the removal of a malignant breast tumor, then it is important to take a responsible approach to choosing a clinic and a specialist, especially you need to pay attention to the experience and competence of the doctor. A competent doctor will select the operation taking into account the individual characteristics and needs of the patient – a correction can be performed using their own tissues or implants. The operation is carried out simultaneously, immediately after removal of the tumor. Or in two stages, when doctors use an expander before inserting the implant, which allows you to gently and delicately prepare the skin for reconstructive plastic surgery.

And finally, an important tip from experienced practitioners: a few months before the proposed operation, it is recommended to stop smoking, since the presence of this bad habit increases the risk of complications and can cause prolonged tissue healing after the intervention.

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