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| Types of Breast Reconstruction | Breast reconstruction is a kind of surgical procedure, which is conducted with the aim of reconstruction of the breast of patients, who had to have a mastectomy because of the breast cancer. There are several different options for breast reconstruction available, depending on the patient. Thus, it is possible to conduct the breast reconstruction procedure involving breast implants, just as well as using patient’s own tissues. However, it should also be pointed out, that not every patient can become a candidate for every breast reconstruction technique.
Thus, there are breast reconstruction autologous with implant, breast reconstruction autologous, and breast reconstruction implant only.
As for autologous tissue – it is the tissue, which is taken directly from some other part of the patient’s body. As a rule it is tissue, taken form the abdomen or the back.
Breast Reconstruction Autologous
During this kind of breast reconstruction procedure, the tissue, usually taken from the abdomen or the back, becomes dissected from its normal location, after that it is rotated into the mastectomy site in order to recreate the new breast. All of the important blood vessels, they are left attached and intact to provide blood to this tissue. It is also possible to use other tissues, such as muscles and fat, taken from the buttocks or legs can be applied in order to create a breast to select patients, however, this procedure is not common.
In case if there is a necessity to have the nipple and areola reconstructed, it can be done either with the help of local tissue and tattooing or a skin graft form the inner thigh.
Breast Reconstruction Autologous with Implant
During this kind of breast reconstruction procedure, the tissue, taken from the abdomen or the back becomes dissected from its normal location and rotated into the mastectomy site in order to recreate the new breast. All major blood vessels are left attached and intact in order to provide blood to the tissue. After that an implant is placed underneath the autologous tissue, which helps to increase the size of the reconstructed breast.
After any of the above mentioned breast reconstruction procedures, the patient is placed in a special compression garment or bra. These compression garments are considered to be one of the major part of the recovery process, as they provide support, comfort and help to lead swelling to minimum. The patient usually has to wear the bra or the supportive garment at all times, except when taking a shower.
As for the healing time, it depends on the reconstructive technique applied, though, in case if there is no complication, it would take somewhere from four to eight weeks. In case if the abdominal tissue is used, the healing process would take somewhat longer time, while if the muscle from the back is used, the healing time is usually shorter. And of course, if there is an implant used, the recovery period would also be somewhat prolonged. Anyway, it is necessary to keep in mind, that breast reconstruction is a complex procedure; this is why its results depend on a whole number of factors.
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