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Breast Reconstruction and Asymmetry Correction

Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is a procedure to replace missing breast tissue after amputation or congenitally underdeveloped breast.

Preparation and operation procedure

The amputated breast can be reconstructed in two ways, with the help of a silicone implant or with its own tissue. Applying implants is an easier and simpler way, but since there is almost always the lack of skin, it must first be expanded by expansion in the first act using a so-called tissue expander. In the next few weeks, the patient comes for 5-7 days, when small amounts of physiological saline solution are injected through a special place on the skin, so that the implant is gradually filled to the desired volume. The use of own tissue from the abdomen or back is also very common in breast reconstruction. It is the application of the so-called latissimus dorsi flap or TRAM flap. The latissimus dorsi flap is most often used in reconstruction together with an anatomical implant, and the TRAM flap as a flap of her own tissue from the abdomen, where after this procedure the patient also gets a tightening of the abdominal skin. Modern treatment of malignant breast disease today includes primary reconstruction, when patients are replaced immediately after amputation of the lost breast. A few months after the operation, an additional correction can be made in terms of achieving symmetry with the other breast (reduction and lifting of the other breast).

Operative techniques are performed under general anesthesia, primary reconstruction takes about 1-2 hours, and secondary reconstruction takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the type of reconstruction.

Recovery

It is very short when inserting the prosthesis - expander, except that you need to come in a few weeks due to the gradual increase in volume. In case of reconstruction with own tissue, i.e. skin-muscle flaps, the recovery is significantly longer, because it is a major operation.

Areola nipple reconstruction

Reconstruct the nipple and areola (the darkened part around the nipple) in patients whose nipples have disappeared after breast removal. The reconstruction of the NAC complex (nipple areola complex) is individual and represents the final reconstruction.

Nipple reconstruction is performed from the tissue of the newly created breast according to the principle of crossing local flaps. Reconstruction of the areola is performed by the tattooing method.

Operative techniques are performed under local anesthesia, and the procedure lasts about 1 hour.

Recovery is very short, daily duties already after three/four days, stitches are removed after 12 days.

Breast Asymmetry Correction

This procedure is a correction of the difference in the size and position of the breasts in order to achieve symmetry.

Preparation and operation procedure

It is performed under general anesthesia. The whole process is completed within 24 hours.

Before arriving at the hospital, it is necessary to have a breast ultrasound, which is also possible at the Medical Group Hospital.

The procedure is simple, you come to the hospital in the morning, you must not eat or drink anything in the morning. In the hospital, all findings, urine, laboratory and biochemical analyses, EKG, and examination by the anesthesiologist are performed. After that, we plan the operation, take photos.

After the operation, you stay in the hospital, and the next day s you are discharged home.

The post-discharge check-up comes after a few days.

What technique is used?

Depending on the degree of difference between the breasts, as well as the type of deformity, there are several operative techniques. If the difference is not very visible, symmetry is achieved by inserting implants of different sizes using the same operative technique as in breast augmentation surgery. In case of greater inequality, as well as when one breast is more relaxed than the other, it is necessary, in addition to inserting the implant in the smaller breast, to lift the more relaxed breast. A special case of asymmetry is Poland's syndrome, which is characterized by the unilateral absence or poor development of the pectoralis major muscle, the lack of glandular tissue and a smaller nipple, as well as sometimes changes in the fingers of the hand. The cause of this syndrome is still unknown, as well as the reason why it occurs more often on the right side. It is very successfully corrected with an implant that corresponds to the size of the other breast, but often after the previous expansion of the skin, the so-called tissue expander, because the existing space cannot accommodate a large enough implant.

Breast reconstruction

Procedure duration

1-2h

Secondary reconstruction

3-4h

Anesthesia

Total anesthesia

Hospital stay

24h

Recovery tips

Resting, regular intake of prescribed therapy

Appointments

A couple of days after discharge

Stitches

Resorbable, they degrade on their own, so there's no need for removal

Breast Asymmetry Correction

Procedure duration

2h

Anesthesia

Total anesthesia

Hospital stay

24h

Return to social activities

After few days

Return to sport activities

After 40 days

Recovery tips

Resting, regular intake of prescribed therapy

Appointments

A couple of days after discharge

Stitches

Resorbable, they degrade on their own, so there's no need for removal