Breast reconstruction is the rebuilding of a breast that has been removed due to cancer or other diseases. This procedure involves the use of implants or relocated flaps of the patients own tissue to create a natural looking breast and reformation of a natural looking areola and nipple.
The reconstruction of the breast is possible immediately following breast removal except in individuals with medical problems like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and also in individuals who smoke. The surgery is delayed as they are considered high risk candidates. Breast reconstruction usually takes multiple operations, which are spread out over weeks or months.
A variety of factors go into the type of breast implant that will be used in your reconstructive surgery. You and your surgeon will consider your health, body type and overall goals before making a decision.
The Natrelle Collection includes a variety of shaped tissue expanders, with matching styles of breast implants. The shapes of the tissue expander and implants can help your plastic surgeon recreate the shape of your desired breast, and at times, match the existing opposite breast.
In addition to providing an attractive shape, the tissue expanders and many implants in the Natrelle Collection have a textured surface. This surface helps keep the tissue overlaying the expander softer during the expansion process. The textured surface also keeps the tissue expander, and in some cases, the breast implant, in place.
There are many methods of breast reconstruction. The two most common are Tissue expander breast implants, and Flap reconstruction (The latissimus dor muscle flap or Abdominal flaps)
Tissue expander-breast implants is the most common technique used world wide. The surgeon inserts a tissue expander, a temporary silastic implant, beneath the pectoralis major muscle of the chest wall and over weeks or months, inject a saline solution to slowly expand the over laying tissue. Once the expander has reached an acceptable size it may be removed and replaced with a more permanent implant. Reconstruction of the areola and nipple are performed in a separate operation after the skin has stretched to its final size.
Flap reconstruction is the second most common procedure where tissue is used from other parts of patient's body, such as the back, buttocks, thigh or abdomen.
The latissimus dor muscle flap is the donor tissue on the back. It is a large flat muscle which can be used without loss of function. It can be moved into the breast defect, still attached to its blood supply under the armpit. This flap is usually used to recruit soft-tissue coverage over an underlying implant.
Abdominal flaps is the donor tissue on the abdomen used in TRAM flap breast reconstruction. The abdominal tissue between the umbilicus and the pubis is used. It requires advanced microsurgical technique and is less common. It provides enough tissue to reconstruct large breasts.
The contour of the lower abdomen is improved by this procedure but may weaken the abdominal muscles. A piece of surgical mesh is placed over the defect and sutured in place to prevent muscle weakness and hernias.
Author Resource:-
Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in Irvine, California, and plastic surgery procedures like Irvine breast reconstruction, laser hair removal, liposuction, facial rejuvenation, nose job, tummy tuck, and ear pinning.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.freebie-articles.com/images/rss.gif "XML Feed For RSS")
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites