Healty | Should I convey Breast Reconstruction Now or Later?

With so much to mean value nearly later on a pectus cancer diagnosis, many patients facing mastectomy gain non fully empathise how the timing of pectus reconstruction influences how the reconstructed breasts volition ultimately look.

Breast reconstruction tin live performed at the same fourth dimension every bit the mastectomy ("immediate reconstruction") or a spell later on mastectomy ("delayed reconstruction").

When the mastectomy together with reconstruction are performed at the same time, a skin-sparing mastectomy tin normally live performed which saves the bulk of the natural pectus peel envelope (except for the nipple together with areola). Only the actual pectus tissue nether the peel is removed. The reconstruction so "fills" this empty peel envelope. In approximately pick out cases the nipple together with areola tin likewise live saved. This is known every bit a nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Skin-sparing (or nipple-sparing) mastectomy together with immediate pectus reconstruction create the most "natural" results amongst the to the lowest degree scarring. This should thus live the finish for pectus cancer patients amongst early on affliction (stage I or II) whenever possible.

Delayed reconstruction unfortunately leaves to a greater extent than scarring (typically) together with the lastly pectus is less probable to await similar the breasts Mother Nature provided. Common reasons to delay reconstruction include advanced pectus cancer (stage III or IV), inflammatory pectus cancer, the conception for radiations therapy later on mastectomy, together with lack of access to a reconstructive surgeon.

The divergence inwards scarring betwixt immediate together with delayed pectus reconstruction tin live seen inwards these breast reconstruction earlier together with later on photos.

Ultimately the priority must ever live "life earlier breast" - evidently the pectus cancer handling comes starting fourth dimension inwards damage of priority. However, all other things beingness equal, in that place volition sometimes live a choice to live made betwixt having the reconstruction performed with the mastectomy or approximately fourth dimension after the mastectomy. Whenever possible, I encourage women to essay immediate reconstruction for the best cosmetic results.

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Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards the latest breast reconstruction techniques including the DIEP flap procedure. He together with his partners perform over 500 DIEP flap procedures per twelvemonth together with are In-Network for most the U.S. insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than nearly your breast reconstruction options together with connect amongst other pectus reconstruction patients here. You tin likewise follow Dr C on Twitter!

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