Doctors perform breast reconstruction to restore the shape of a breast of a woman's breast after she has undergone a mastectomy--surgery to remove one or both of her breasts to either treat or prevent breast cancer, as the Mayo Clinic explains. While this surgery does not recreate the exact look or feel of the natural feel of her natural breast, the new breast does create a silhouette similar to that of the original breast.
Implants
The most common type of implants, according to the American Cancer Society, are silicone implants. These are saline-filled, salt water shells that the doctor places beneath the skin and chest muscle. Imaginis explains that this is usually a two-step process, as the doctor typically uses a chest expander first, in the area the implant will go. He leaves the expander in for approximately three to four months, changing it once a week, before replacing it with the permanent implant. The American Cancer Society warns that implants may not last forever, and further surgery may be necessary to replace them later. They may also leak or rupture, or result in an infection or pain.
TRAM Flap
The TRAM flap--or transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap--uses muscles and tissues from the lower abdominal wall in breast recreation. The American Cancer Society explains that because the tissue from this area is soft enough to shape a breast, an implant may not be necessary. During this procedure, at least one abdominal muscle, along with fat, blood vessels and skin from that area are taken and moved to the chest. Imaginis warns that women who suffer from diabetes, vascular or connective tissue diseases, or women who smoke usually cannot undergo this type of reconstruction due to the removal of the blood vessels. The American Cancer Society adds that women who have previously had abdominal tissue removed in other surgeries may also not be candidates, as this weakens belly strength.
Latissimus Dorsi Flap
While the TRAM flap removes muscle and tissue from the belly area, the latissimus dorsi flap removes muscle and skin from the upper back when additional tissue is necessary. The doctor makes a tunnel under the skin from the back to the front of the chest, creating a pocket for an implant should one be necessary. This implant would add fullness to the reconstructed breast, as the American Cancer Society explains, and while rare, some women experience a weakness in their back, shoulder or arm after undergoing this procedure.
Gluteal Free Flap
A new procedure the gluteal free flap uses muscles from the buttocks--including the gluteal, the most powerful muscle in the buttocks--to help create the shape of the breast, as the American Cancer Society explains. It provides another option for women who choose not to have skin or tissue taken from their tummy due to a number of reasons such as unsuccessful attempts or previous surgeries. During this procedure the skin, fat, muscles and blood vessels are taken from the buttocks rather than other areas of the body and moved to the chest area where the new breast is then reconstructed.
