DIEP flap breast reconstruction is commonly used to reconstruct the breasts following mastectomy. When performing DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the lower abdominal tissue is used to replace the breast tissue and/or skin that have been removed. In patients who have ptotic breasts, or breasts in which there is a long sternal notch to nipple distance then the mastectomy may be…
Radiation therapy is often a necessary tool in the treatment of breast cancer. When breast reconstructions have been radiated, a patient’s skin and soft tissues can react in many different ways. The breast implant beneath the radiated tissue can undergo capsular contracture and occasionally the skin can undergo degenerative changes that can lead to wound breakdown and possible implant exposure.…
We are seeing more women in our office who are choosing to undergo breast reconstruction following mastectomy with their own body tissue. We are also noticing an increasing number of women, who, when appropriate candidates opt to spare their nipple areola complexes following mastectomy. When the skin and breast tissue are removed following mastectomy, the skin and fat from the…
