ABC Medical Center > Procedures > Breast reconstruction

What is breast reconstruction?

9 April 2021

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In Mexico, about 3,000 breast cancer patients are diagnosed annually, which causes the removal of one or both breasts, so breast reconstruction is an excellent option to help women regain their self-esteem and confidence.

Breast reconstruction surgery aims to restore the breast after having undergone the removal of a tumor or a total or partial mastectomy. 

Breast implants or prosthesis, the patient’s own tissue, or a combination of both are usually used. This will depend on the health conditions, body structure, skin, and size of the breast, as well as the type of cancer and where it is located. 

The surgery lasts approximately eight hours and general anesthesia is used intravenously and maintained by inhalation. 

Breast reconstruction types:

Breast reconstruction with prosthesis or implants, known as heterologous, only leaves the mastectomy’s scars as tissue from another part of the body is not required. 

If you choose to use your own tissue, known as autologous, the main advantage is that no foreign material is used and the appearance of the new breast is very similar in shape, temperature, and consistency to the original. However, it is a more complex surgical procedure and recovery is usually slower, as well as having scars on the abdomen and back. 

The decision on which technique to use will depend on each case, the needs, and lifestyle of the patient.

Potential risks:

  • Reactions to anesthesia.
  • Lack of sensitivity.
  • Sore breast.
  • Lack of symmetry in the breasts.
  • Incision healing problems.
  • Deformation of the implant.
  • Infections.
  • Bleeding.

It is essential to follow the recommendations of the plastic surgeon and the multidisciplinary team regarding the administration of medications, lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking, planning to return home, and how to face the first days of recovery.

In our High Specialty Surgery Center, we perform more than 7,000 cutting-edge surgical procedures each year with state-of-the-art technology.

Our mission is to provide you with general and highly specialized medical-surgical services with the highest standards of quality and safety comparable with international centers of excellence through a multidisciplinary team that uses evidence-based clinical protocols that guarantee the best assistance and care of your health.

ABC Medical Center has always been known for practicing cutting-edge medicine. Our commitment to innovate keeps us as leaders in the practice of this discipline.

Your next surgery in expert and certified hands.

Related centers and departments

Fuentes: 

  • medlineplus.gov
  • plasticsurgery.org
  • mayoclinic.org
  • mediespana.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Sánchez WL, Leng RY, Martín RLE, et al. Reconstrucción mamaria inmediata con expansores tisulares. Revista Cubana de Cirugía. 2019;58(3):1-9.
  • Sánchez WL, Torres PSF, Acosta-Batista C, et al. Aplicación de lipotransferencia en la reconstrucción mamaria por cáncer. Revista Cubana de Cirugía. 2019;58(3):1-12.
  • Sánchez WL, Ortiz AH, Reyes RP, et al. Reconstrucción mamaria posmastectomía con colgajo miocutáneo de dorsal ancho y expansión tisular. Revista Cubana de Cirugía. 2017;56(3):1-10.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.